Presidential Address

[kentonio]

Good. After 5 years of having them piss on the agenda of the man Americans elected twice to the White House, it's about time he just went around the most unpopular congress in American history.

[Ban Kenobi]

Good. After 5 years of having them piss on the agenda of the man Americans elected twice to the White House, it's about time he just went around the most unpopular congress in American history.

That sounds really dumb. Maybe you really are a conservative after all.

[dannubis]

Actually, I don't care enough about the internal politics in bananaland to be overly bothered.

However, change "congress" with "international community" and "separation of powers" by "international law" and you have a perfect summary of Republican foreign policy.

So don't expect too much empathy from foreigners...

[kentonio]

That sounds really dumb. Maybe you really are a conservative after all.

Why is it dumb? If your political opponents obstruct your entire agenda during the one period of your life when you actually have a chance to implement it, then it's hardly a shock when you end up thinking '**** those guys, let's get something actually done'.

[rah]

Except that's how it's supposed to work. Checks and balances. While I agree that they've gone overboard, that is how the system is set up.

[Kidlicious]

People like Obama don't have principles. They will use whatever power they can.

[DinoDoc]

Why is it dumb? If your political opponents obstruct your entire agenda during the one period of your life when you actually have a chance to implement it, then it's hardly a shock when you end up thinking '**** those guys, let's get something actually done'.

Seriously. For someone so seemingly obsessed with the US you have an appalling ignorance at how our political system works.

[Kidlicious]

Why is it dumb? If your political opponents obstruct your entire agenda during the one period of your life when you actually have a chance to implement it, then it's hardly a shock when you end up thinking '**** those guys, let's get something actually done'.

President was never suppose to have this much power in our country.

[Kidlicious]

The president is only suppose to "preside" over the government except in a crisrs. This is no longer the same govt.

[Guynemer]

He CAN'T implement, kent, that's the point.

Congress makes the law. It has always been thus.

[kentonio]

You've never had a party use the system in the way it's currently being (ab)used. The idea that whats been happening over the last 5 years is somehow normal is completely laughable. Even in the supposedly civilized senate, the fillibuster was abused to the point of ridiculousness.

You elect a president to drive forward a vision for the country. He's won twice now and has had every damn thing he's tried to do, big or small, obstructed by the opposition. This is utterly dysfunctional, and it's appalling that so many people here are fine with it.

Then again I suppose you get the government you deserve.

[rah]

Congress has been obstructing the president for a long time. Granted the repugs have taken it to a new level, but that's how it's set up,
All the checks and balances were basically designed to minimize the ability to make changes.

[Ban Kenobi]

You elect a president to drive forward a vision for the country.

Do we? If the public had an agreed upon vision they would be able to elect a president and a congress that share that vision. The president isn't elected to be a dictator who pushes through a program that only half of the country wants.

[Kidlicious]

You've never had a party use the system in the way it's currently being (ab)used. The idea that whats been happening over the last 5 years is somehow normal is completely laughable. Even in the supposedly civilized senate, the fillibuster was abused to the point of ridiculousness.

You elect a president to drive forward a vision for the country. He's won twice now and has had every damn thing he's tried to do, big or small, obstructed by the opposition. This is utterly dysfunctional, and it's appalling that so many people here are fine with it.

Then again I suppose you get the government you deserve.

Not disfunctional. That's already been explained to you.

[DinoDoc]

You elect a president to drive forward a vision for the country. He's won twice now and has had every damn thing he's tried to do, big or small, obstructed by the opposition. This is utterly dysfunctional, and it's appalling that so many people here are fine with it.

Everyone Republican in Congress has also won their elections as well. BFD.