Obama's good accomplishments and bad decisions

[chunksmediocrites]

Over in one of JEROME (Jerry) Soetoro's thrads there appears to be a discussion tangential to Donald Trump's new best buddy and his past support for Obama- that is, a discussion of the Obama presidency and the pros and cons thereof.

So I am going to outline where I am at with the Obama administration, and I am interested in your input on things I missed or am missing in my picture.

I think there is reasoned argument that President Clinton's strategy during his terms- of adopting much of what Republicans claimed as their own, and triangulating on the "centrist" voters that might vote either way in an election, while mostly (and correctly) assuming the Democratic Party base as captive voters- is exactly what Obama is doing so far. It is likely an effective strategy for getting (re)elected; it was certainly for Clinton.

The problem is that the Clinton (and now Obama) Re-election and Governance Strategy is not a good strategy for dealing with serious domestic issues, that are exacerbated by adopting Right-wing "solutions" to mostly imaginary Right-wing problems, for example OMG! the deficit. And it moves the entire conversation to the Right. Again. Which has all kinds of deleterious outcomes, at least as I see it.

Further, by continuing many of Bush II's radical activities, Obama is codifying and affirming those departures as the new norms.

The criticisms I have for Obama:

• Massive troop and contractor increase in Afghanistan;
• The continuation of Guantanamo and Bagram;
• Ongoing expansion of the state intelligence and intelligence contractor security apparatus;
• Blocking judicially confirmed FOIA request for Abu Ghraib photo release;
• The classification of some detainees as being in "indefinite detention," because they might commit "future crimes" (Orwellian and unconstitutional);
• The continuation and expansion of Executive power under Obama- including the President ordering the assassination of American citizens (Anwar al-Awlaki, for example);
• Restarted Military Commissions Trials at Guantanamo;
• Expanded use of Predator Drones in Pakistan and Yemen;
• Weak attempt at economic recovery, with said recovery aid extremely short-sighted;
• Making a deal to kill the Public Option;
• Refusal to prosecute Bush II-era torturers and refusal to uphold rule of law for the elite;
• Expansion of the "national security" rubric to attempt to avoid judicial scrutiny, and general increased opacity of government activity;
• Aggressive prosecution of whistle-blowers within the US government;
• Extension of tax breaks for those making over $250K.

I'm sure there are things I have missed on this and the next list- feel free to point 'em out!

Praise I have for Obama:

• Reducing missile defense funding;
• Ending Stop-Loss;
• Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell;
• Health Care Reform (definitely a mixed bag that fails to address root problems but does enact some positive changes);
• Economic stimulus program;
• Treaty with Russia to further reduce both nuclear stockpiles;
• Withdrawing a strong portion of US forces from Iraq;
• Re-involvement in international attempts to address Global Warming/ greenhouse gas emissions;
• Ban on export of cluster bombs (though we still use them on Yemenis);
• Changed back/ re-involved US with international family planning programs through UN;
• Paid the owed US dues to the UN;
• Appointing Elizabeth Warren;
• Consumer protections in regard to credit card company abuses;
• Extended unemployment benefits;
• Moved full war appropriations and other "off-budget" items back into the regular budget;
• Federal support/ end of ban on stem-cell research;
• FDA regulates tobacco and no longer under unreasonable Bush-era restrictions;
• Enforcement for equal pay for women codified;
• Fair Sentencing Act;
• Increased funding for student loans;
• Increased infrastructure spending.

Obama doesn't get all the credit or blame for everything that occurs during his administration. But he certainly get a portion, as the president decides what to champion, what to fight, and what stances the administration will take.

I also didn't give credit for proposals or things not implemented, or voted down. I'm primarily interested in outcomes, rather than the theater about intentions or the words offered up for consumption. Things like DOMA are gray and unresolved, so don't go on either list. Failure to fulfill or even reversal of campaign promises could be an issue, but that goes back to words rather than accomplishments. I also don't take the lists one-for-one; the plus of student loans doesn't cancel out the minus if Military Commissions, etc.

I didn't vote for Obama before and most likely won't vote for him this time around either*, but I am interested in seeing both the positives and negatives.

*I vote waaaaaaaaay Left. And yes, I know, I'm throwing my vote away and why do I hate America, and not voting for Obama is voting for Teatards, but that's another subject.