I'd like to see this President do something bold

[bigtree]

I just don't know if he'll ever see the value in a truly bold act in his presidency. I'm not necessarily talking about historic acts; there have been several historic initiatives advanced during this presidency. I'm not even talking about making controversial decisions; this presidency has made its share of controversial decisions (not hard to do in such an opinionated political atmosphere).

I'm talking about making decisions which don't find immediate consensus and don't have broad approval. Decisions which are principled, yet, set the majority of the political class on their ass while the President stands firmly in their way.

I don't think this President understands that definition of 'bold' action.

That's not to say that I don't think he should be supported in many of his efforts to get as much as he can out of the legislature and move forward, especially in areas where he's making a measurable difference or making measurable progress or change. There have certainly been many executive actions which move ahead of the present opposition and serve to advance causes and ideals -- if only for the duration of his presidency.

It's just about my own disappointment with the 'pragmatism' that President Obama wears like a badge of honor. He's certainly not alone in our political system in making what I see as short-sighted compromises. I see the incremental changes occurring, but long for an uncompromising battle on more than this President has been willing to stand firm for; like moving decisively out of Afghanistan; or standing firm against major spending legislation, like the Defense bill . . .

Election seasons seem ready-made for bold action. Perhaps, not so much for the incumbents who struggle to defend their inevitably compromised ground. I still long for bold action out of this upcoming election from our Democratic nominee. I'm not sure whether I expect to see it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. We live in a (dying) empire.

Bold usually does not happen in (dying) empires.

[FirstLight]

3. +a brazillion

truth hurts... it no longer matters...ruling class is ruling class...until we rise up like a wave and take back our rights. our amendments are trashed, our livelihoods ion the verge of collapse...yep...it's getting close to game over

[Newest Reality]

14. Yup!

The Soviet Union went down with boondoggles.

I think that's all we are going to see: boondoggles all the way down. What they pretend to do to try to fix or save it will most likely make things worse.

All the King's horses and all the King's men ...

We had best be prepared emotionally and physically, as best we can, to live in and with the shattering and changes that will result.

[RKP5637]

8. I've always tried to be an optimist, but that has worn thin with me over the years, decades now.

I really think the handwriting is on the wall and the chaos continues to build. And we are trying to police the world. Hell, we can't even keep our own house in order.

To me, also, the mark of a dying empire is one that has to overly police its citizens, use all sorts of surveillance tactics, and a growing authoritarianism.

The message I'm getting anymore is we will beat you into submission and loving the empire. IMO the mark of a successful civilization is one wherein people freely accept the governance.

It gets weirder by the day. Just looking at the R pres. hopefuls is enough the scare the sh** out of any sane individual IMO.

[givemebackmycountry]

12. Man, did you say it.

I kick everything you post anyway, so why stop here.

KICK.

[Scuba]

2. He could veto the NDAA. n/t

[bigtree]

4. no shit

[spanone]

5. congress controls the money

[deutsey]

6. Beyond a lot of election-year rhetoric, I won't be holding my breath.

Here's to hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[boston bean]

7. bigtree, you are not looking for the simple explanation

he is as much of a bought politician as the rest of them.

He thinks the money pouring into his campaign coffers means more to his re-election than the votes from citizens.

He thinks he can talk his way out of it. Play with the words, trying to make people think he is singing a magnificent love song, when in reality he is really just cashing in and the words meant nothing.

[RKP5637]

10. Yep, much of it's all about the money ... and then later the repaid favors. The model is

severely flawed, but the wealth controls the model, the model has been bought. Basically, in my lifetime, it's become a F'ed up system.

[bigtree]

13. right, he's a politician

. . . a mostly, traditional Democratic politician, in my view. Bought and sold is just rhetoric, I think. The President is animated into action (or satisfied to not act) by many motivations. Money to fuel his campaign is just one of them. Votes are another.

Politics is about talk. Most of what the President does is about talk, until he signs a bill into law. Our political system is about bringing a pov to the arena and working to either advance that ideal or reconcile it with the myriad of other disparate and diverse ideals and interests from around the nation. I'm not going to pretend that's some easy or automatic proposition. Negotiations and compromises are to be expected when advancing legislation through a divided Congress.

What you'd like to see is a bold stand against something big, like the Defense spending bill. That's not his constituency, like it was Bush and Cheney's. His 'pragmatism' doesn't look to be one born out of a concern for defense industry contributions. He's looking to shrink that community. His decision-making on defense matters rests with his degree of uncomfortableness (and relative inexperience) with military issues. There's almost a naivete about his expectations and belief in his Pentagon leadership.

I don't think he's corrupt, just completely and tragically wrong on Defense. That's how I view the rest of my disagreements with this administration. I think the President is, at least, sincere in his statements, actions, and beliefs.

[boston bean]

15. I don't agree, sincere in his statements.

But i do agree sincere in actions and beliefs.

[dflprincess]

9. Don't hold your breath n/t

[quinnox]

11. recommended

No way to rec posts, but will do it this way. Bold and Obama don't seem to be in the same vocabulary.

I would love to see the president do something bold and progressive just one time. Enough of the cautious and bi-partisan mushy B.S.
It hasn't worked Mr. President.

[immoderate]

16. Doing what the people want is not bold.

There is no bold, except if you consider how discursive he is to his base. That's chutzpah!

--imm

[msongs]

17. run as a democrat, govern like a democrat, stock your administration with democrats? nt