What Grade Would You Give President Obama?

September 1st, 2010

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Dear Readers,
You guys/gals usually don’t usually comment on politics or political rant on this particular blog. However, this time I really want a little feedback on this question. To be transparent, I am hearing somewhat mixed reviews in many different communities. Although I am not a member of the Tea Party, I am against excessive taxation on the working class and the continual extension of unemployment benefits for people who are strong and able bodied like me.

Let me hear from you on this issue, as well as other opinions. As of right now, is President Obama doing a good job? Are there a couple of vulnerabilities that you see?

Would you vote for him again in 2 years?

Thanks for your future comments,

Dr.O

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itamazesme

I will hold off on grading and I can’t say what I will do in 2 years (he has two to get it right or go home). I will say this, First, I hope people didn’t think that with the shape this country was in that he would be Obama the Magician and come in here, wave a wand and everything would be ok. It took 8 years to dig us into the hole, why are we trying to only give him 2 or 4 to dig us out? I just know that I want my african american counterparts – to vote according to ability and NOT skin color. My issue is his courage or lack there of. He seems too submissive and gives in too much. Seems to me he is afraid to do certain things for fear of being labeled an “angry black man”. He knew in running for this position and getting it that there would be opposition, but it seems that he strays away from it and real issues. As I have stated before, he is basically danged if he does, danged if he doesn’t – so why not buckle down and do what needs to be done and what is right?

I don’t agree with you Dr. O on extended benefits to the unemployed who are strong and able bodied like you. There are people (like I truly know) that have worked for years and were laid off and with today’s economic situation, they need assistance. I have had to collect unemployment before when my job was eliminated – the money you receive is not that much and those that truly work and work hard – would let go of those benefits if they were given a substainable position with a company. I am for them drug testing and finding a better system into making sure a person has actively sought employment as well doing the same for those applying for welfare. The system they have now allows the folks who are mooching to fall through the cracks. There needs to be a system in place that once a week they not only have to check in,but there needs to be a way that it can be verified that the person attempted to look for a job. Too many people fell upon hard times – not to get the help they need until they get back on their feet.

Health care wise, I like the reform, I for one see the need for reform first hand with my late mom, and with me. It is ridiculous with the rates, and hoops you have to jump through in paying those expensive rates to get the meds and treatment you need. and with the illness I have – I need it. In fact, I am fighting my medical insurance right now for a type of medicine they said was not necessary, but the other forms I can’t have, and for a procedure that needs to be done because again, it isn’t medically necessary. Charged $600 to have another procedure done that has to be done every 6 months to ensure I am still healthy and my cancer has not come out of remission.

I do have a beef with some of our african american counterparts. I work in a very conservative office in state government. If we receive one more phone call, about President Obama said this money is free and we need to get it, or you call and you have had our service and know that you have to wait but you are mad because your neighbor just had the service and got more – NO ONE is ENTITLED to anything. Be happy with what you have. It is embarrassing and you play into the hands of people. I, for one, have taken it upon myself when I see (hear) this happening to talk to these people and let them know. President O never said you would receive funds & yes there are stimulus based programs that are beneficial, but it is not anyone’s job but your own to stay knowledgeable as to what is out there. We have a tendency to think that people are just supposed to knock on your door and let you know what is out there for your benefit. It is our job to stay informed, that is how we miss out on things. Stop being a stereotype and this is one time you don’t need to live up to an expectation. Yes there are beneficial programs to help with energy efficiency and incentives to go green and save energy, but you can’t demand anything-there are qualifications and stipulations. As far as extensive taxation, I can’t broach a subject that doesn’t affect me, I just know the hogwash of a trickle down economy and trickle down effect DOESN’T work. Everyone just needs to be taxed fairly or not at all. No big tax breaks for those that make more, make it across the board, and call it a day. I just want a FAIR government FOR ALL PEOPLE – black, white, poor, rich, healthy, unhealthy, young or old.

I feel that if he was brave enough to run for the office – be brave enough to run this country.

[Blocked by CFC] AskDrO

@Itamazesme. I think we both agree on this “courage issue.” LOL However, let’s talk about the extended benefits to the unemployed. Do you think that there are no jobs really out there? Let me tell you, there are. I also personally know people that have been fired for some pretty good reason, stealing and lack of productivity. I have also offered jobs to several people, who would come late, call-out and just now produce. Now, the question is do I hold on to a person that it not vested and just wants a check, or do I let them hit the road jack? How many of the people that have been laid off are willing to re-invent themselves. There is now an Everett Institute in every neighborhood. My mother is retired and keeps her a side gig going for extra dollars. There may be a few that need the extended benefits, but the majority of them probably need to re-invent and re-commit. There are no more factory or GM jobs being developed. Let me hear your thoughts.

http://www.twitter.com/TalishaJanice Talisha Janice

The president, although his speeches are compelling, has not done many of the things he “promised” prior to his election. At this point in time I would grade him a C-. I give this grade because the unemployment rates have not improved. His policy on spending to create jobs in putting the economy into a larger deficit. He boasts about the war ending in Iran but troops are still in Afghanistan and other places in the world. His anti-Bush antics can only go so far. George W. Bush is not a factor any longer and I will not be distracted by continuing to blame the former president for the state of the nation today. Futhermore, as a person he has lied to the public claiming to be a Christian while supporting anti-Christian standpoints. In conclusion, for all the reasons stated a give President Obama a C-.

[Blocked by CFC] AskDrO

@Talisha Janice… First off, are we related? LOL These are my sentiments exactly. He has got to “Pull Up.” He has got to show the world that “YES HE CAN.”

[Blocked by CFC] Joseph Cole

With all the issues that have confronted this president in his first 20 months and the accomplishments that he has acquired, my grade for President Obama would be an A. Health Reform, Resurgence of the auto industry, Credit Card overhaul, Rules for Wall Street, Assisted the financial structure of the nation, two wars, tax cuts for the middle class, Education Reform and others. I would vote for President Obama’s re-election.

AskDrO

@Joseph Cole I don’t recall you being this easy, with grades, when you taught us in high school. What has happened to you?

itamazesme

Dr. O:
Here in Georgia, It is a right to work state. When you are fired, you get no unemployment. You hear in business news everyday from economist, how companies are not hiring. They are holding on to their cash flow for fear of a double dip recession. No, there are no more GM jobs, or Ford plant jobs (thanks to Gov. Perdue who could have saved the plant), and yes, I see a need to re-invent yourself, however, that will bring about the need for further education or training, and you can’t do that effectively with no funds, a family, and a mortgage-plus age is a factor. I have also seen it where people that are 55 plus find it difficult in being placed elsewhere after layoff. For these reasons alone, I think that they should stay in place. A better system needs to be formed, but the benefits should stay in place. As far as the everest institutions, I have seen some of the students and their behavior and from observation alone I don’t see top notch students attending. My question to you of those people you have hired to find them doing the things you say, (from a HR perspective), do you not see the personality trait that would lead to those things happening in your interview process? There are set of questions we have that we ask to be answered written and then some answered verbally and within that you see mannerisms that may or may not benefit a person. Fire them as you must, but those people would never collect unemployment benefits because of the status of firing. if they decide to apply, you can appeal it as it goes against your unemployment insurance, go to the hearing, let them know the reason for letting the person go, and that person will walk out with benefits. People like that are undeserving. People like my mom (before she passed) who worked for a company for 35 years and it closed, only to find it difficult to be hired by anyone because she is limited to the skills she mastered at a company starting in 1967, and her age. True she was able to find a part time job ( much later),it didn’t pay as well, and on top of that, the only reason she got it was because of who she knew. There are some jobs out there, but believe me, it is all in who you know these days.

Ms. Talisha, I agree with you on some aspects, but a couple of them I don’t. One being that George Bush is no longer a factor….Blaming him should stop. BUT, GWB is still a factor-it started with him. I for one would remind the american people, because seemingly they have forgotten. I don’t know why he would’ve chosen now to run anyway, who in hades would want the job as president during this horrible recession. I stated in my earlier post, people who elected this man and thought that he was supposed to wave a majic wand and correct 8 years of damage are sadly mistaken. Yes, the wars are going on, and in his campaign speeches, if you will recall, he specifically said pull out of iran (a war we should never have been in…remember Weapons of Mass Destruction.) I am for pulling out of ALL of the war fighting for the mere fact that terrorism is home grown and when they kill one, others will resurface. We also have to remember he answers to a congress and doesn’t make these decisions on his own – yet I know with him being the head he is the one to blame. Unemployment is still prominent, but, jobs have been created with the stimulus spending. I do know from working here in state gov’t in Georgia. 400 jobs were created with stimulus money in one program here with us, and several jobs were created within another program here with us. Jobs are being created in some aspects, but not enough, and yet we still have people losing them due to closings or the businesses inability to flourish during these economic times. The CBO (aolnews/usatoday/ajc) and other top economist have stated that although the stimulus spending is not quite doing what they thought, they agreed that without it things would be worse. 3 million jobs have been created because of stimulus funding, problem is, businesses are still closing, and those that are hanging in there are afraid to hire.

I am not sure about when or where he lied about being a christian. I for one am a believer, and have a hard time with dealing with anyone who labels themselves a “christian” yet your actions speak differently. I am not sure what anti-christian things he has supported. If you are referring to the mosque, ALL have a right to worship who they want. That isn’t anti-christian, that is actually the christian thing to do, judge not, let God do it. God is not a dictator, he allows us to make our choices, whether right or wrong, so if he chooses to allow people to be themselves that is more the “christian” thing to do then some of the things i’ve heard other “christians” say. Besides that as the President, he followed the constitution, freedom of religion,that’s his job.

He needs to step up – no doubt about it – he needs to stop being the cowardly lion – no doubt about it – he needs to stretch and go beyond what he is doing now – if not for the mere fact that he is expected to fail – he needs to choose his battles to fight and learn when NOT to say anything.

Politics to me is a game – it is all about victory or defeat – you do and say anything to win – they all promise and say anything and everything to get in office. I truly believe that he was still the better candidate out of the two that were there. ALL of them just live up to their names poLI(E)ticians.

AskDrO

@itamazesme WOW, Do I sense passion. However, I don’t think that the government is going to be able to do much more for us because it is just about bankrupt. Therefore, what is your recommended solution? I was thinking re-invent yourself, but I would love to hear your position on this thinking.

itamazesme

I agree with you that our government is essentially bankrupt. There are some areas that I think went totally wrong in that – bailing out some of the major banks but leaving too many loopholes to slip through. The housing market has alot to do with it as well-sub prime lending, brought it down to its knees. I do know we need to cut some spending. The war is costing billions to fight – let it go, I think it is a losing battle, this will free up cash flow. Departments that are expendable should be cut. There needs to be some form of job training certifications, or continuing education to offer people who have put in a number of years in companies that have closed and have limited training skills. This should be free, yes it will cost to run, however, in offering this, people would be able to go back to work in other fields with the skills necessary to land and sustain the job. This in turn will stimulate the economy, boost job growth, and assist in taking this country off of life support. Congress and the oval office, need to stop with the childish games, put the american people and what is best for them FIRST. here in Georgia, we are cutting education to save funding, but yet nationally we are ranked 48th. We need to get rid of the CRCT and go nationally with just standardized testing, and give the classrooms back to the teachers to teach kids what they need to know in order to be productive citizens in society. Right now they are forced and pressured to teach according to preparation for the CRCT – which is not helpful. This will in turn, stimulate the economy because Kids who graduate with better and efficient knowledge will get into the workforce. We need to highly tax companies who are taking jobs overseas which takes jobs from the american people, thereby hurting the economy. There needs to be a welfare reform. If you are an able bodied person with history of receiving food stamps or TANF then you are put on a list for limited benefits for a limited time, thereby forcing people to go back to work. If you are a drug user and you receive government assistance, you must be tested, if you test positive, you are immediately cut off. All of this will free up funds to put back into the economy. This entitlement program, along with section 8 don’t need to be necessarily cut out, but they need stronger and stricter stipulations to weed out abusers-which I think will free up funds. If you don’t work, and you don’t pay taxes, you are not ENTITLED to any benefits of the government afforded by tax paying citizens. If you are an illegal immigrant, you should be deported, yes you can be allowed to re-enter but it will be so legally. Health care rates need to be adjusted, so that the average american would not be paying close to $3000 yearly on average for health care, in addition to having to pay the co pays high deductibles for certain treatments and medicines. Just like the average american, if you are fired from a company, that high paying severance you seek should be denied (i.e. the dekalb county COO who will receive 100K as severance). Those funds can go towards hiring capable, honest people to do the job. Saving a company is saving the economy.
In affording the continuing education it will allow people to re-invent themselves and the economy will slowly but surely rise back into success. I am sorry to say this but it is how I feel, before we CONTINUOUSLY send relief funds to other countries – we need to make sure that we have it to give. If we don’t then in the words of cedric the entertainer during one of his stand up routines “We ain’t got it dog”. Charity starts at home. We need to sweep around our own front doors before we sweep around everyone elses.

This may be only a dent, but it is a start

AskDrO

@itamazesme… The bottom-line is “survival of the fittest.” Education, Economics and even Healthcare. We have to develop methods and ideas for taking care of ourselves. If not, the future will become even more hopeless. The mid-term elections are going to be something else for President Obama. If they go according to prediction, our President will be shut down for his last two years. The question is what can he do at this point?