OK, but...

[WilliamPitt]

I'm not at all happy with the way this health care "reform" process has going, and I made it pretty goddam clear in another thread that the president's sudden proclamation that he was against the public option before he was for it before he was against it has frankly left me aghast. As DUer ThomWV has stated so eloquently, "I resent being told the Public Option was just a figment of my imagination."

That having been said, I would like this thread to be about the president's accomplishments in the last year. I'm pissed off, frankly, and feeling more than a little betrayed, but I am also making an effort to remember that this last year has not been a complete clusterfuck, the current moment notwithstanding.

So, why are we glad to have President Obama in office? I'll go first.

Stem cell research.

You?

[trust_our_president]

1. Just trust our president

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82py_wk5vE4

[WilliamPitt]

2. Ow.

My brain.

Welcome to DU.

:toast:

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

3. Well, I did not expect that!

:rofl:

[trust_our_president]

8. Thank you

Have surfed here for almost three years.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

11. And you come on now?!! Welcome to DU.

still laughing, thanx.

[David Zephyr]

6. Welcome to the DU.

The youtube link is priceless.

[Demeter]

30. "Britney Spears Is Not Alone"

There are a lot of drugged up, brain-dead bleached blonds out there.

[madokie]

4. We have a functioning government again

not a bunch of empty suits running things into the ground for personal gain, their buddies too.

[EFerrari]

5. There are purges going on in Honduras right now.

With special attention to "purging" gay left leaning activists.

I would also like to remember why we thought this was a good idea.

[WeDidIt]

7. Diplomacy has been added to the tools of the diplomatic corps again. n/t

[Ignis]

25. I can get behind that one.

I'll take the iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove approach over the plain old warmonger stance, any day of the week.

[Tailormyst]

9. Stem cell research

And he is not Sarah Icanseerussiafrommyfrontporch.

[crispini]

22. Can you IMAGINE?

My God, I don't think I would be able to watch the news or be remotely well-informed because I'd pretty much blow a gasket all the time just at the thought of it. :scared:

[grantcart]

10. A serious and prolonged effort to actually reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons has begun

And thanks for your effort to be positive despite feeling "more than a little betrayed".

[johnaries]

12. The end of torture. The end of the "Unitary Executive". The upcoming

reduction of nuclear arms. The restoration of America's image to the rest of the world. And the avoidance of a full-blown Depression. Can you imagine where our economy would be now with McCain in office?

Despite a few disappointments, there is much, much more that I could list that make me glad he is President.

[countingbluecars]

13. Sonia Sotomayor

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

[housewolf]

19. I'll second you on Sonia Sotomayor n/t

[Ken Burch]

14. The Lily Ledbetter Bill

That's about it.

It's something, though.

[Elfin Yeti]

15. He can complete a sentence.

I don't have to cringe when he travels abroad representing our country because I know he won't talk with his mouth full, give shoulder massages to the German chancellor (or anyone else for that matter), and won't speak publicly about things of which he knows nothing, like what it is that OB/GYNs actually do with women!

Otherwise, I'm pretty disappointed in Obama I am sorry to say. I never agreed with him on Afghanistan and don't like it any better now. Health care? Don't get me started... The people he's put in charge of the economy? Yikes... Damn, I sound like a Rethuglican -- what's a bleeding heart liberal to do?

[housewolf]

16. The end of Cowboy diplomacy

No more Cowboy voice to coming into my house every single g-d day.

Listening and speaking to many before making decisions.

Calm, measured decision-making.

The rise in America's reputation abroad.

A sincere effort to work woth other countries to solve problems, such as Pakisatan and Israel.

[Oregone]

29. True

This is what I thought he would most positively do. His presidency, up to now, has significantly aided international good will toward the country (which will hopefully translate to cooperation for the benefit of the world)

I really didn't have hope for systematic changes in the domestic situation, but that is irrefutable

[napi21]

17. The expansion of SCHIP, The Equal Pay bill, saving the world

from another depression, vastly improving the image of the US in the World,& what looks to be the first President in 100 years to actually get improvements in health care!

[Oregone]

18. He signed a water-downed "stimulus" bill for a light recession that contained a crapload of tax cuts

Let the graffiti fly.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

20. We are a Republic again. Bush ran the Nation as a Democracy,

Majority rules and that's it.
We are not perfect, we need to work toward a unified Republic again.

[Oregone]

23. What value is there in including everyone if 90% of people are batshit insane or ignorant?

Sometimes the manifestations of ideas are more important that the inspiring purity of them, as discussed in an introductory political class.



Just sayin, ya know. Food for thought.

[pdxmom]

21. The Wilderness Bill. N/T

[crispini]

24. He's encouraging the gvm't agencies to DO THEIR JOBS

instead of do nothing. Like, all the good stuff that's been coming out of the EPA.

[crispini]

26. Promises kept on the promise-o-meter

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/rulings/promise-kept/

Plenty of good stuff there.

[Oregone]

27. He promoted the popularity of the game Chess, which sent Mattel stocks soaring

And Im not just a shareholder, but Im a player too!

[Oregone]

28. He ensured 30,000 people would have ample work while employed in Afghanistan

Shovel-ready, bitch!

[Demeter]

31. He'll Make Howard Dean Look Better Than Ever

The Good Doctor is in!

[H2O Man]

32. I like President Obama.

But I keep in mind that he is not only a politician, but he is in office at one of the most difficult and bleak times in our nation's history. Still, I have enough respect for him to feel comfortable disagreeing with his policies when I think/know that they are wrong. And I am always uncomfortable when someone lies to me.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

33. Well said. The President faces an economy none before have faced.

I pray you are doing well and Merry Christmas to you and yourse.

[berni_mccoy]

34. Putting Science back into Policy (Stem Cell Research, Global Climate Change, etc.)

especially putting science back above any sort of religious influence of policy.

[depakid]

35. Diplomacy

[THUNDER HANDS]

36. because I'm going into the army and I'm glad I won't be serving under president McCain

or god forbid, president Palin.

[ruggerson]

37. He apparently likes dogs

[rug]

38. He has not invaded Iran.

But it's only been 11 months.

[WilliamPitt]

39. Merry Christmas!

[housewolf]

40. Same to you, Will

and to your beautiful wife and all of your family