How does the presidency affect you personally?

[drkaje]

Here're two simple things showing how the president's leadership has changed my life personally:

*I have to see the report of the deaths of fellow wisconsinites on almost a weekly basis b/c of Bush's illegal Iraq war--that's a horrible feeling.

*My house is now worth less b/c the Bush administration hamstrung state oversight of predatory mortgage lenders

There are many more things this pinhead has done to undermine the american way of life--doubling the national debt, torture, unconstitutional spying, total surrender of national energy policy to Enron and the boys, he's forgotten Bin Laden, ....in short, as president, he's created more problems than he's solved.

In fact, I would like to see a thread devoted to the successes of the Bush Administration.  And not one of those bullshit lists where "Bush cut taxes..." is listed as a success. 

But the war and how raped the economy (and surplus was) by Bush won't change at all. Leaving now would destabilize the region endangering Israel and Oil... two things our polititics love the most. There is no graceful, cheap, safe, healthy, etc... way to leave iraq at this moment. Leaving is a non-issue, issue that they are playing people with because it just can't happen for a few years.

[milfer]

It's not the president who ruins the country, us American are at fault, we expect everthing and don't work for nothing!!  We need to get back to the old days were hard work was the way to success.

[shootfighter1]

I'm not happy with Bush either but its accurate to point out that though the president and administration have power and influence, the congress has the most power and influence in passing laws and  government decisions.

[240 is Back]

I'm not happy with Bush either but its accurate to point out that though the president and administration have power and influence, the congress has the most power and influence in passing laws and  government decisions.

Bush had a repub congress from 2001 thru 2007, which rubber stamped anything he wanted.

He could have fixed things - he had every tool at his disposal.

instead, he borrowed 4.5 trillion in that period while giving tax breaks to the wealthy and big business.

[Hugo Chavez]

So let me get this straight.... People argue all day here about the benefits or suckiness of candidates but no one can say how their lives will be changed by the election? That's sad.

no it's not...  You're asking people to be future tellers   As with this president, many lives are effected and it would not be hard whatsoever to go down a list of how this admin has effected the people.  Other presidents haven't exterted as much influence in their presidency.  With this admin, I would definitly say with his backing that he has weilded more power than congress.  Will the next president not have the machine like backing to do such or will they and will they use it or will checks on that branch come back into play?  There's a lot you're asking people to see into the future on.

[Decker]

But the war and how raped the economy (and surplus was) by Bush won't change at all. Leaving now would destabilize the region endangering Israel and Oil... two things our polititics love the most. There is no graceful, cheap, safe, healthy, etc... way to leave iraq at this moment. Leaving is a non-issue, issue that they are playing people with because it just can't happen for a few years.

I understand your points.  You have a very practical view.

I look at it like this:  I would take out the troops and provide some financial incentive to the Iraq government to succeed.  Would the withdrawal destabalize the region?  Maybe.  That's not my concern.  The region has been destabalized for decades.   I mean the middle east does have a reputation.

I do know that our country is collapsing under debt and our expenditures in Iraq are making that debt much worse.

Maybe Obama is playing both sides of the field and will pull  George Bush once he gets into office and withdraw the troops from Iraq:  I'm a uniter not a divider...what?, I've been selected to the Whitehouse...fuck y'all, it's my way or the highway.

[calmus]

oh boy, no wonder you're voting for Obama

apparently liking my parents makes voting for Obama a bad thing. 

[Bindare_Dundat]

apparently liking my parents makes voting for Obama a bad thing. 

woosh

[calmus]

woosh

English too hard for you?

[Camel Jockey]

I know it reads like a stupid question but... really. Most people's lives won't change one bit whoever is elected. Some friend of mine was saying how Bill Clinton suggested candidates talk about the issues. My argument is if Abortion and the war aren't inclded there really aren't many issues the candidates can disagree on.

For the vast majority of Americans Jesus Christ being president wouldn't change their lives one bit. I'd really like to know exactly how the eventual choice between two evils will affect people's lives.

I realize, on its face, the question seems stupid. In the same vein: is it really a stupid question or will people say it's stupid because they don't have an articulate answer? None of them represent my interests and nothing would change (for me) regardless of who was elected.

Same here.

The new president would effect you via his/her policies and decisions.. I mean you can't tell me that Bush hasn't effected you at all? He's made your country(assuming you live in the US) a lot worse than before.. The new candidate could either improve it, or continue to drive it down the shitter.

[calmus]

Same here.

The new president would effect you via his/her policies and decisions.. I mean you can't tell me that Bush hasn't effected you at all? He's made your country(assuming you live in the US) a lot worse than before.. The new candidate could either improve it, or continue to drive it down the shitter.

"affect"

[drkaje]

no it's not...  You're asking people to be future tellers   As with this president, many lives are effected and it would not be hard whatsoever to go down a list of how this admin has effected the people.  Other presidents haven't exterted as much influence in their presidency.  With this admin, I would definitly say with his backing that he has weilded more power than congress.  Will the next president not have the machine like backing to do such or will they and will they use it or will checks on that branch come back into play?  There's a lot you're asking people to see into the future on.

It's just that people are so vested in the election it really makes no sense for them to not have a reason it matters.

[Hugo Chavez]

It's just that people are so vested in the election it really makes no sense for them to not have a reason it matters.

I seems a retarded thing to ask to me.  Is not the answer obvious?  Will not every president in the end have influence on things that will effect their daily lives?  The list is freaking huge if you want to get technical about it.  If you care about what kind of judges will be assigned to the highest court which does make calls that effect the people.  This person we elect is going to put people at the head of many government departments that do have an impact on the people.  For me there are so many reasons it matters that I could go on forever and in the end, much of it is going to be guesswork based unknown factors.  A presidency can be rendered fairly un-influential depending on the opposition machine or not.  I think some people don't answer questions like this when a good portion of the question requires divination.  But at a minimun, I think the obvious is a given and I get the feeling he was looking for some greater answer than the obvious answer.  Who the president is has great effect on the people and the most effect on people who have a set of beliefs important to them about the society we live in.

[Hugo Chavez]

It's just that people are so vested in the election it really makes no sense for them to not have a reason it matters.

Do they not?  Are not the obvious reasons sufficient?  Did you want people to reaffirm the obvious answers because I got the feeling you're searching for something else from a mundane understand of what is actually quite a vast question.  I saw the answer and moved on at first because I thought to really answer this, I would end up typing out a very lengthy post.

[Hugo Chavez]

English too hard for you?

I think it's a Xena thing

[Dos Equis]

What's so funny about people living with their parents?

I wish I lived with mine.  They're nice people, have a great full-time cook/housekeeper, and their new house is on a beach.

If I lived in the same city, you could bet I'd find a way to move back in at least 5 days of the week. 

Is that what they call it now?  "cook/housekeeper"?  We just call them "chores" in my house.  So what do your parents pay you to be a "cook/housekeeper"?  Do you complain about your chores like my kids?  I'm wondering if they will ever grow out of all the whining they do. 

[Dos Equis]

I'm not happy with Bush either but its accurate to point out that though the president and administration have power and influence, the congress has the most power and influence in passing laws and  government decisions.

Correct.  And the state legislatures and city councils have an even greater impact than Congress (and the president). 

[Hugo Chavez]

Correct.  And the state legislatures and city councils have an even greater impact than Congress (and the president). 

which all has nothing to do with the fact that the presidency does indeed have many real effects on our country and the people.  I get the sense that this thread was created to somehow illustrate the presidency is irrelevant to us simpletons.  That's very far from the truth.

[Dos Equis]

which all has nothing to do with the fact that the presidency does indeed have many real effects on our country and the people.  I get the sense that this thread was created to somehow illustrate the presidency is irrelevant to us simpletons.  That's very far from the truth.

Yes the president can impact our lives.  What I can't think of is very many ways he can unilaterally have a significant impact on our everyday lives.  Most of what he does or can do requires Congressional approval.  The things that affect us the most like transportation, food, employment, education, leisure activities, etc. are really state and local issues for the most part. 

[Hugo Chavez]

Yes the president can impact our lives.  What I can't think of is very many ways he can unilaterally have a significant impact on our everyday lives.  Most of what he does or can do requires Congressional approval.  The things that affect us the most like transportation, food, employment, education, leisure activities, etc. are really state and local issues for the most part. 

Well that's only true on mundane local issues.  Feds call the ultimate shot and all these departments, department of transportation etc etc, get their appointments from the president.  This all guides the nation with a cumulative direction.  Just considering the appointment power of the president alone is enough for any American to take personal interest in who is elected. With congress, we have long left the time that members vote individually.  For the most part these days they vote the party and the president's party has for the most part backed him in hole.  So if they have a majority, if they don't have a majority has become the main issue of congress serving as a legitimate check againts the presidency.  That's an unknown now when looking to future presidents.  So far this president has gotten his way even with a small dem lead in congress.  Part of that is due to the fact that the dems seem to be still operating under the way it was while the republican march as a whole and we could go on with a few more reasons.

[240 is Back]

Yes the president can impact our lives.  What I can't think of is very many ways he can unilaterally have a significant impact on our everyday lives.  Most of what he does or can do requires Congressional approval.  The things that affect us the most like transportation, food, employment, education, leisure activities, etc. are really state and local issues for the most part. 

Well, I called my mayor today and complained about the 4.5 trillion dollars the US borrowed in the last 7 years.

Thanks for the great info, BB.  Spot on!

[Deicide]

Well, I called my mayor today and complained about the 4.5 trillion dollars the US borrowed in the last 7 years.

Thanks for the great info, BB.  Spot on!

He is a PhD...

[24KT]

Yes the president can impact our lives.  What I can't think of is very many ways he can unilaterally have a significant impact on our everyday lives.  Most of what he does or can do requires Congressional approval.  The things that affect us the most like transportation, food, employment, education, leisure activities, etc. are really state and local issues for the most part. 

Congressional approval didn't matter when he authorized illegal wiretaps. Congressional approval didn't matter when he vetoed legislation. it didn't matter when he used signing statements. And it didn't matter when he made the US the laughing stock of the world. it didn't matter when he squandered the unprecedented support from allies and even former enemies after 911. There were men & women in the streets of Tehran crying & holding candles for the 911 victims right after 911. I don't think there are as many now.

[240 is Back]

He is a PhD...

He only earned the PhD because Ron wanted a far-right moderator, and the other candidate was joelocal.  Beach Bum had been a high school dropout who often bragged about working his way up to mgmt at a firm despite having no college.  As soon as we needed a mod, he was suddenly a PhD who taught psychology in Hawaii.  He's living the dream, baby! 

Today I spilled a soda, but I didn't blame my own clumsiness, I blamed congress!

[Hugo Chavez]

yes it is also true BB that the president took wartime authorities on a great many things outside of congress.  The justice department's loyal bushie gave his the consitutional legal opinion to skip congress on a lot of shit.