"How did this mess get in my kitchen sink?" THANKS OBAMA

"My dog took a dump on the carpet" THANKS OBAMA

It's funny

The comment about her arms being sore (Thanks, Michelle Obama) was rather hilarious.....

They like the idea of one person in charge of everything!

dichotomy of blame and praise for any President, especially now when we are able to see into the policies of the Administration and their enactment.

You get this superficial, hero/villain, supporter/detractor approach. The celebrity hero-worship reflects the media-style fixation on personality and image. The detractors sometimes have a dichotomous political agenda and focus on titular authority, giving it far more scope and power than it has.

All along, that dichotomy can distract us from the many facts and details available that, even if you want to debate them, are far more pragmatic and important than Hollywood-style partisanship which is hardly substantial or effective in any respect other than as a decoy.

There are many professional and astute authors who provide what would, ideally, be the part and parcel of an informed, vigilant populace. The horse has to want to drink, though.

In times like these, it is so very difficult to see rooting sections and devious demonizes duke it out in a circus of opinions and in the aura of authority when we are in such a crucial situation that grows worse on all fronts. The perfect storm may be in slow motion, but it is a monumental one, nonetheless.

In this forum, I'd get labeled as a "detractor" and one who blames everything on Obama. In a larger public context, I'd tend to get called an Obama supporter. In many ways, especially around here, the representation one makes can be a reflection of the representation that one is attempting to counter. I come off as more "anti-Obama" because I'm more likely to try to moderate the boosterism than to counter the criticism.

I don't blame everything on Obama, I just don't take alot of time in this forum to particularly make sure to address all of those with responsibility. Yeah, I've got complaints about the senate leadership as well. I just don't feel the need, in this context, to moderate my comments about Obama with simultaneous comments about Reid, et. al. However, in a more public context, I'm vastly more likely to say something about Baucus or Lieberman when discussing ACA than Obama. If they are staunch right wingers, I'm very likely to mention something about Medicare Part D and Bush.

I appreciate your thoughts on that and your response made your purpose and intent clear.

That's a useful approach from that context and level of engagement.

One can focus on various aspects of any situation. There is the top-down, the bottom-up and the wide spectrum from specific to general or "concrete" to abstract. In that sense, one can focus on the titular head as a spokesperson or a powerful, leading authority. Or, one could look more carefully at "his/her" cabinet choices, or the coalitions of industries and their seemingly peripheral influence or control, etc.

I am concerned with the use of symbols and how they motivate large numbers of people and manufacture consent. So, as a brand, Obama has a focal effect, like an anchor. As an effect, he represents something much larger and more obscure that is influential and pertinent to the results we get and the struggle we face in realizing various social and political changes and measures.

Your insights and intent are appreciated. I prefer some detraction over cheer-leading in times like these.

for GOP obstructionism.

When I ran small companies, I was ultimately responsible for everything, and the BOD expected me to be responsible for everything. That was my job as CEO. To make sure the shit that needed to get done got done. No excuses.

We can justifiably blame Harry Reid as head of the Senate for GOP obstructionism, but Obama should have kicked his worthless ass.

The POTUS is not a dictator ...a CEO is

pain in the in the ass if they are not informed, reasonable, and cooperative.

Sometimes you have to figure out how to get what you need to get done in the face of major obstruction. The BOD is actually your boss, and they can can you at any time if you don't get the job done, even in the face of their unreasonable obstruction at times.

Right now this government is as dysfunctional as it was in 1850s. But that is another story

Poor guy.

It's amazing how much damage an ignorant fool like Bush could do in 8 years, while a smart guy like Obama has to carry water for republicans for two terms.

Life is just so unfair sometimes.

In government in government.

I am not going to try to get it why this is so difficult to get, we got radicals in government. And the system is in the greatest crisis since the 1850s. I am as cynical as they come, but I understand the crisis.

You can use all the smilies you want to use.

A CEO is not a president, very different critters.

large majorities in both Houses.

Obama's Presidency could have been the Second Coming of FDR if he had managed his Office properly. Instead of taking advantage of his bully pulpit and kicking ass and taking names, Obama squandered an enormous advantage that should have translated into decades of Democratic party dominance in America.,

I've heard all the excuses, but a competent President would be able to shepherd her/his own legislative majorities in order to make significant constructive progress which at the same time fulfills the function of maintaining the majorities, because the majorities, and the President, were effective in doing the will of their constituents who voted for them.

We got slaughtered in 2010 because Obama simply did not get this done. Previously hopeful progressive voters who saw a chance at several decades of progressive Democratic Utopia watched in disbelief and dismay as the people they elected let it all slip away, and they lost enthusiasm and hope, and too many of them stayed home.

Devastating defeat was snatched from the jaws of certain victory once again, sports fans.

He did not get the job done when he had the chance. He didn't even really try, as far as I can tell. and all these wimpy excuses about dysfunctional government would be just a tear of regret in Mitch McConnell's eye, instead of his meal ticket for life.

Yes, it's true that being President is different from being a CEO. But their are similarities as well.

And the main similarity is that being successful in either position means doing the shit that needs to get done to the greatest possible advantage and satisfaction of the people you are appointed to serve, because at the end of the day, you really are ultimately responsible for the entire gig, and any leader who won't cop to this is a wuss.

And now, to add the ultimate insult to injury, Democrats are proposing cuts in Social Security, ostensibly to appease republicans. Ostensibly being the operative word here.

So you know what? I want to use one more smilie ~

He wasn't, and many of us warned people. Also the house passed a lot of bills, that stalled in the Senate.

But hey, I won't revise history...the Rs abused the system, period, end full stop. 45 days of 60 senators was not enough...check the filibuster record.

And this is the heart of the crisis.

Run the government as if it were a business who's primary concern is profit. Good plan.

How does CEO Obama "kick Harry's worthless ass" exactly.

Perhaps you can describe how CEO Obama fires Harry for insubordination.

BTW, the companies I ran were non-profits, serving severely disabled persons. I had the good fortune to have a great staff who enabled be very successful in serving our clients.

Yeh, I'm a regular Mitt Romney, huh?


Do you really not understand that a President has the power to fuck with a Senator big time if the Senator does not cooperate?

The presidency is a bully pulpit.

Hint: Not the same thing.

on our POTUS. It's a waste of time imo.

mostly what the RWers do is make up a fantasy Obama, which they then attack. They don't really blame him for things that are happening in the real world.

You know where President Obama only gets credit and the buck doesn't even longingly hover near his desk unless it is something that would be a part of a campaign commercial.

If he is going to get credit for things like Ledbetter that was just waiting for him to sign then I don't see how blame only goes to Congress on other laws he signed that aren't so popular in these parts.

If you really want a balanced view then so be it but staking out the opposite territory and pretending you are any more different than the mirror image you are decrying is silly.

There is plenty of blame to go around and the President has earned a significant share but he sure as hell is the origin of our problems but he is responsible for his own actions and inactions and yes, significant ownership of events on his watch when he doesn't oppose to the full extent of his legal authority.

I don't give a damn about how many votes ANYTHING gets, if he is opposed then let Congress overcome those vetos while getting blasted from the Bully Pulpit.