Is the Obama Administration Over?

[Sheilbh]

I thought the US and Israel were close for the first while but that Israel was far closer to France and the Soviet Union.  Then that changed in the 1960s.

[jimmy olsen]

So, his approval ratings are down around 55%, his health care bill is clearly not going to pass, and a slight majority of Americans now think the bailout was a disaster. When combined with an economy that wil suck for years to come, which will only drag down his approval ratings...

Has he become a lameduck six months in?

It's just a little bit early to make that kind of pronouncement, don't you think. 

[Faeelin]

It's just a little bit early to make that kind of pronouncement, don't you think. 

Not really. Things will only get tougher for him in the years to come, as he faces a disillusioned base with no healthcare reform despite Democratic supermajorities, a sagging economy, war without end, and no climate change bill.

He could get two terms, but since the GOP has become fucking crazy, I'm not sure what he'll be able to do if they make sweeping gains.

[jimmy olsen]

It's just a little bit early to make that kind of pronouncement, don't you think. 

war without end

Has the West really become so weak that the conflict in Afghanistan where only 753 Americans have died in more than 8 years can be called war without end?

[Faeelin]

Actually, a lot of Democrats representing wealthy districts have also come out in opposition to the rape-the-rich part of the plan.  53% of the public already opposes the plan and that without knowing all the craptacular shit in it.  A plurality also already supports cancelling the stimulus.  I don't know where you're coming from on this Yi, but you badly are misreading public sentiment on this. 

OTOH,

Overall, 69 percent of respondents, who were registered Democrats, Republicans and independents, say Americans should have the option to enroll in a government-run health care option, but only 29 percent say they would want to use public health insurance themselves. That may be because most in the poll say they are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their own health care coverage.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/01/poll-americans-want-public-option-but-wont-use-it/

Hans may well be right that healthcare reform will fail, which if so would be a shame and one more sign the American dream is dying.

[Strix]

It's just a little bit early to make that kind of pronouncement, don't you think. 

war without end

Has the West really become so weak that the conflict in Afghanistan where only 753 Americans have died in more than 8 years can be called war without end?

I wouldn't say weak. The liberal nut jobs are just louder and their arguments more persuasive when it's not a war that directly threatens the nations involved.

[Faeelin]

Has the West really become so weak that the conflict in Afghanistan where only 753 Americans have died in more than 8 years can be called war without end?

IIRC we took a nice detour along the way that killed tens of thousands of Brown people as well of thousands of Americans.

[Hansmeister]

Actually, a lot of Democrats representing wealthy districts have also come out in opposition to the rape-the-rich part of the plan.  53% of the public already opposes the plan and that without knowing all the craptacular shit in it.  A plurality also already supports cancelling the stimulus.  I don't know where you're coming from on this Yi, but you badly are misreading public sentiment on this. 

OTOH,

Overall, 69 percent of respondents, who were registered Democrats, Republicans and independents, say Americans should have the option to enroll in a government-run health care option, but only 29 percent say they would want to use public health insurance themselves. That may be because most in the poll say they are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their own health care coverage.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/01/poll-americans-want-public-option-but-wont-use-it/

Hans may well be right that healthcare reform will fail, which if so would be a shame and one more sign the American dream is dying.

Socialized health care is about a million miles away from the American Dream.

[Faeelin]

Socialized health care is about a million miles away from the American Dream.

I know.  Nothing says America like families going bankrupt because Timmy needs a kidney.

But Obama's plan isn't "socialized" health care unless you also think Social Security is.

[Hansmeister]

Socialized health care is about a million miles away from the American Dream.

I know.  Nothing says America like families going bankrupt because Timmy needs a kidney.

But Obama's plan isn't "socialized" health care unless you also think Social Security is.

Of course it is.  You have to ignore the dishonest rhetoric and focus on the House bill which he has already endorsed.  It is as socialist as you could possibly make health care.

[Jaron]

HA!

What happened to "My country, right or wrong?" Republicans? Guess it only applies when you have a white, Republican president in power, eh?

[Fate]

If socialized medicine is good enough for our military and elderly, it's good enough for me. 

[Tonitrus]

If socialized medicine is good enough for our military and elderly, it's good enough for me. 

If our medicine is an example of what socialized medicine would be, we're all fucked.

[Fate]

Has the West really become so weak that the conflict in Afghanistan where only 753 Americans have died in more than 8 years can be called war without end?

IIRC we took a nice detour along the way that killed tens of thousands of Brown people as well of thousands of Americans.

Would you rather we lose tens of thousands of Americans back in the homeland? We either fight the sand niggers here, or over there.

[Fate]

If socialized medicine is good enough for our military and elderly, it's good enough for me. 

If our medicine is an example of what socialized medicine would be, we're all fucked.

Well, the current "public option" is an emergency room and the government footing the bill. Do you believe a US military style plan would be a step down from our current informal treatment system?