NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

[blugiant]

GLOVER SEES NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH: 'I think the Obama administration has followed the same playbook,' says the actor.


Count Danny Glover among the Congressional Black Caucus and other prominent African-Americans showing impatience with President Barack Obama.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, the actor says Obama's policies, so far, are no different than his Republican predecessor, George W. Bush.

“I think the Obama administration has followed the same playbook, to a large extent, almost verbatim, as the Bush administration. I don’t see anything different,” the activist movie star said of Obama’s policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. “On the domestic side, look here: What’s so clear is that this country from the outset is projecting the interests of wealth and property. Look at the bailout of Wall Street. Why not the bailout of Main Street?”

“He may be just a different face, and that face may happen to be black—and if it were Hillary Clinton, it would happen to be a woman,” Glover said. “But what choices do they have within the structure?”

More in sorrow than in anger, Glover went on: “What choice does he have—in four years, eight years? Let’s just call a spade a spade. Really. There are no choices out there."

[kia027]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

<span style="font-weight: bold">What President Obama has done in Year One</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Source: Robert Watson, history professor at Lynn University.
A quote from Robert Watson:
</span>
His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs, the two standards for such assessments. … Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process.

President Obama is driving the national agenda and setting the priorities. He seems to wakes up every morning asking how we can make the country work better for everyone.

Topics below are in alphabetical order:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Clean Energy and the Environment</span>

Working with the international community on climate change issues. Reengaged in the talks on global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the Antarctic.

Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources.

Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production.

Allocated $150 billion dollars to support of clean energy initiatives.

States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards.

Making government buildings energy-efficient (e.g. LED lighting in the Pentagon). Announced plans to purchase a fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid or all-electric automobiles.

Cash for clunkers program to help get fuel inefficient, polluting old cars off the road.

Initiated a new policy of regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Economy</span>

Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (largest bill in history).

US financial and banking rescue plan. US Auto industry rescue plan. Housing rescue plan.

People can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (the new plan can be completed in one day).

Making more loans available to small businesses.

Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect.

Closed offshore tax safe havens. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.

Ended tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back.

Created new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices.

Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Education</span>

Increasing student loans Has announced his intention to push for education reform .

Gave an address to the nation’s school children encouraging them to study hard and finish school.

Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools.

New funds for school construction.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Foreign Policy and Diplomacy</span>

Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office.

Gave an address in Cairo on U.S. relationship with the Islamic world.

The US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards.

Entered serious discussions with Russia about reducing nuclear weapons arsenals. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols.

The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out. Secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed.

Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones.

Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy.

Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by President Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive.

Renewed loan guarantees for Israel.

Won Nobel Peace Prize.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Good Government</span>

Ordered all federal agencies to make recommendations for ways to cut spending and reduce wasteful spending.

Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient.

The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act.

Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible.

Instructed all agencies to review and update rules for making documents secret.

Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration.

Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000.

Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Health Care</span>

Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children.

Reforming the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured.

Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare.

Expanding vaccination programs.

Lower drug costs for seniors. Medicare is now allowed to negotiate with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs, saving the federal government hundreds of millions.

The FDA is now regulating tobacco.

Ended previous policy of circumventing FDA rules.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Immigration</span>

Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

<span style="font-weight: bold">Military, National Security, Iraq, Afghanistan</span>

Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

Performed comprehensive review of situation in Afghanistan to establish a new strategy.

Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan.

New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans.

Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan.

Ended media blackout on war casualties. The media is now permitted to cover return of fallen soldiers with approval of fallen soldier's family.

Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010.

Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts.

Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast.

Established a new cyber security office.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Science and Technology</span>

Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports.

Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research.

New federal funding for science and research labs.



<span style="font-weight: bold">Social Equality and Fairness</span>

First African American President and First Lady.

Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women.

Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court.

Has created an atmosphere of inclusion and respect.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Support for Communities, State and Local Governments</span>

Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program.

Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters.

Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Support for our Troops and Veterans</span>

Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel. Improving benefits for veterans.

Improved housing for military personnel.

Improved conditions at military hospitals. Authorized opening of additional health centers to care for veterans.

Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses.

Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.

Better body armor is now being provided to our troops.

Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB.

[Wahalla]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

I thought Mccay would have made a better President than Obama... (Till he had that lady as his running mate). My contention was that there was no difference in policy that could be followed..

Except that McKay was more into enviromental change than Obama ever was or is...

Apart from the heath care issue...

I dont live in the US..

[halfwaytree]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

I think Obama is realizing that this reaching out to your enemies can bite you in the [censored].

His version of health care looks like it will be watered down with no public option for people to choose.

He gave himself a B+ when Oprah asked him to grade his first year. Honestly he should have said a C.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

Where is the Obama version of Health care??<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Curmudgeon_Milo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think Obama is realizing that this reaching out to your enemies can bite you in the [censored].

His version of health care looks like it will be watered down with no public option for people to choose.

He gave himself a B+ when Oprah asked him to grade his first year. Honestly he should have said a C. </div></div>

[R_C]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

The expectations of Barak Obama have been and continue to be, wildly unrealistic.

He is neither a monarch nor a dictator. He does not &quot;rule&quot; by fiat nor dictate. Whatever else he may say he would like to do, his wishes are constrained both by the American system of government and by the constitution of the United States. The three branches of the American government have authority to act on their own, authority to regulate the other two branches, and have some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches.

Add to this the fact that virtually half of the legislators are automatically opposed to everything that Obama proposes just on principle and/or who he is, it is remarkable that he got ANYTHING done in his first year in office.

Danny Glover needs to get a grip.

And by the way, what have the members of the Congressional Black Caucus done for Black people in their constituencies lately ??

[Derek]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blakkgiant</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GLOVER SEES NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH: 'I think the Obama administration has followed the same playbook,' says the actor.</div></div>

WHY ON EARTH WOULD Obama be any different from Bush?
Obama, as I've said before, is just another president.
He wouldn't have been <span style="text-decoration: line-through">elected</span> selected if he was not prepared to follow the same playbook.

And if Obama got any ideas above his station, like JFK did, he would be removed, either through a rabid media campaign featuring drugs/gay sex (doesn't matter if it's not true) or by more violent means.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

It would be wrong to say that Obama has done nothing overall so far, but his achievements range from symbolic to incremental - nothing bold or courageous.

On the economy, Wall Street got a bail out, the financial system was saved from the brink of collapse, but the regulatory environment that can prevent a recurrence of that problem is still not strong enough. That's too be expected, of course, if you have two anti-regulation, pro-wall street individuals guiding economic policy - I'm talking about Geithner and Summers. In the meantime, millions have lost their homes and millions more still face foreclosure because the much-touted 'reforms' Obama proposed are either not working or not effective enough.

On health care, the Obama administration made a strategic blunder: a push for 'bi-partisanship' with the expectation that republicans will act in the best interests of the country. In fairness, the democratic congressional leadership in both chambers should share the blame as well, but moreso the White House because it goes to the question of leadership. They made a basic mistake of negotiation: to enter into negotiations with an already compromised position instead of the the strongest position. When you take the latter approach, you may not always get all of what you want, but you may end up getting most of what you wanted. The goal should have been a single payer system as the initial bargaining position. Instead, they went with the compromised &quot;public option&quot; and what have they gotten? Neither the public option nor expanded medicare. There is little prospect those may be revived during the conferencing stage. Still, the bill is better than nothing, but that can't be the mantra of an administration that ran on the slogan: &quot;Change will come to Washington&quot; BTW, what the hell does that mean, really? I find that people who use as an excuse the fact that dems lack a fillibuster-proof majority in the Senate don't quite understand the rules of the senate, but that's for another discussion.

On foreign policy, not much as changed - really. The fact is that we cannot be sure that a torture policy is no longer in place. Many covert operations are authorized and no one can be sure what goes on. The Gitmo closing will not meet the original deadline and the transfer of prisoners to Illinois may be delayed even further since Congress has to provide the funding. And even when they are finally transferred to the US mainland, many will continue to be held indefinitely without due process of law and in violation of the Geneva Convention. It's possible that the recent Christmas Day alleged terror attack, and the fact that a former Gitmo prisoner who was released joined 'jihad' in Yemen (I'm assuming he was angry as hell; he wasn't a terrorist before, and was innocent, as the US had determined, and as such they release him) will be used as excuses to delay or prevent the closing of Gitmo. An already expensive and pointless war in Afghanistan escalated with the addition of 30, 000 troops; this is not an achievement, it's a foreign policy blunder.

The president may say he has no beef with muslims and may even play up his muslim background - as he did in Cairo - but the irony is not lost on over a billion muslims worldwide as they see military operations or sabre-rattling in five muslim countries simultaneously. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the injustice meeted out daily to Palestinians with American support does not go unnoticed. Obama told Israeli PM Netanyahu to freeze settlements in the West Bank; Netanyahu replied (and I'm paraphrasing here): 'Go screw yourself, and oh, BTW, I'm going to build even more settlements.'

[andronian2]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

Well, for one im a kip up di 'signing statement' dem jus lke Bush.

[Peasie]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rollin_Calf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> And by the way, what have the members of the Congressional Black Caucus done for Black people in their constituencies lately ??
</div></div>

Thank you . Don't even get me started about the CBC

[remo]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rollin_Calf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> And by the way, what have the members of the Congressional Black Caucus done for Black people in their constituencies lately ??
</div></div>

Thank you . Don't even get me started about the CBC </div></div>

They cant do a damm thing because the United States is not a democracy..How can a minority(3 or 4) democratic senators working for the big insurance companies and not their constituencies kill the public option in the health care reform
bill?
What kind of health care reform is this if there is no public option?
The insurance conglomerate are laughing all the way to the bank with this bill....

[Reggae plus]

Re: NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND BUSH

Except for window dressing...the political system in the U.S. is never about THE PEOPLE. It's ONLY about special interests...ie: money.

Obama may be well intentioned...but he has a minimum of 8 years worth of compacted manure to shovel up and cart away before he can finish planting HIS garden.

It's FAR too early to judge him. He may be the man most of us hope he'll be. Rome wasn't built in a day...so they say. The U.S.A. is going to take even longer...

[Unless, as is just as likley, it goes the way of the Roman Empire, and tumbles into obscurity due to its ongoing and ever increasing penchant for treating its citizens like lambs being led to the slaughter...no matter what the current President wants, does, or says. In TOO MANY ways...it's out of his hands.]

[blugiant]

Re: What President Obama HAS done

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wahalla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I thought Mccay would have made a better President than Obama... (Till he had that lady as his running mate). My contention was that there was no difference in policy that could be followed..

Except that McKay was more into enviromental change than Obama ever was or is...

Apart from the heath care issue...

I dont live in the US.. </div></div>

mccain politraxx agenda dat imm runn onn wass similar butt imm articulated dem poorlee ann moas blakks widd sense wood neva support afta imm appose mlk inn da past. wan aff de rumour wass dat mccain add a blakk yuth

da healthcare bill dat past ave a latt aff de ting mccain advocated for. obma bakktrack on publixx aption sey inn neva runnpon dat agenda