Welcome, gentle readers, to the twelfth edition of Robbinsense.
In our 100-day assessment of the president’s performance, Robbinsense gave Mr. Obama a C to C-. We had a number of comments from readers that our assessment was harsh and premature. Two weeks ago we passed the next significant milestone, the one-year mark. With approval ratings tumbling toward 50%, the election of a Republican senator in
We have still seen no significant change from the mess that Mr. Obama inherited, nor have we seen as yet any evidence that such change might be forthcoming. Operations in
Considering the impact of recent events and the gravity of the situation, our February issue will focus on this matter. Jackson Dave takes a look at where we are and speculates on where we might go. The issues currently on track are many and deep. I want to apologize up front for the length of Jack's essay. We try, at Robbinsense, to keep our articles under 2000 words, but this was apparently impossible.
Correspondent Bill Jellick, from our
Additionally, our editorial staff presents an over-view on war in the late 20th Century.
Next month we’ll take a look at facts and figures. Also, we'll try to get to the most protean, if not compelling, enigmatic and controversial political force (or is that farce) of our age: Sarah Barracuda, herself. Where are we going? And why? Does Jackson Dave really sport a Sarah Palin for president bumper sticker?
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Happy
When does Obama's inheritance become his own? Yes, Bush was spending like a drunken democrat the last two years and most conservatives didn't like it. Yes, the economy was in the tank when he left. But Obama quadrupled the debt. He said that if we didn't spend nearly a trillion dollars the unemployment would go up. Well it's 10% and more here in California. Failure. Democrats give him a pass on so many things. Even his mispronunciation of "corpsman" was barely mentioned by any mainstream news agency. If Bush had said it, it would have been all over the news for days and all the late-night "comedians" would have been having a ball over it. He would be called "stupid" and belittled for the rest of his term for not knowing how to pronounce it. The bias is particularly obvious to conservatives and probably is to many of you liberals who are honest. This president, along with Pelosi and Reed, with no experience whatsoever running anything, is wiping small businesses out. Things are a lot worse now than when Bush left office. And what this radical president is doing will make it difficult for any recovery. Bush failed in his last two years, but blaming Bush for everything demeans any argument you might have, especially since the people of the country are apparently not in agreement. At least in states like Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusettes. And more to come, you can bet. Finally, this hate for Sarah Palin, this name-calling, baffles me. What do you really know about her, other than what the left-of-center media tells you? Have you read her book? This woman has accomplished more in her time than President Obama has...or will. In most "schools" of thought, including many liberal pundits recently, the president is getting a "D" for Duh. I give him an F, because after his State of the Union Lecture, it's apparent he has no intention of trying to raise his grade.
ReplyDeleteDear Tom,
ReplyDeleteObama takes responsibility now, I believe. I read above, in Mr. Robbins' introduction that there is "no sign of change from the mess that Mr. Obama inherited". Now, why would you assume that this means "blaming Bush for everything"?? Bit of a leap, wouldn't you say? Let's calm down, think for a minute, and clearly.
The article Mr. Robbins is writing is criticizing Mr. Obama's actions, not allowing him to blame Mr. Bush - as you state. Maybe you should read the article before jumping to conclusions. It is ridiculous to blame one person or one party. All of us need to take responsibility for our problems, especially the voters who seem to expect quick solutions to problems that were created over decades. It is going to get much worse before it gets better. Let's face it and get over it.
Finally, Mr. Robbins described Sarah Palin as compelling and controversial. Where do you get "hate" out of that? Why jump to hate? Again, you are quick to condemn here. I wonder why. It is easy to condemn and assign letter grades, but gee, how helpful is that? Are you adding to the discussion or detracting? I wonder.
Me thinks he (you) doth protest too much.
Thanks for your comment, Tom. But:
ReplyDeleteQuadrupled the debt? I’m afraid you’ve been swallowing lies from prominent Republicans. What debt are you referring to? The National debt when Mr. Bush entered office in 2001 was $5.6 Trillion (with a budget surplus. In 2000 economists were beginning to sound alarms over the consequences of dwindling public debt! No need to worry there,) Mr. Bush doubled the debt to approximately $10.5 Trillion during a period of national prosperity. It’s now about $12 Trillion. Mr. Obama quadrupled the debt?
Are you talking about the budget deficit? With slight of hand from clever accountants, Bush posted a 2008 deficit of $485 Billion, with a projection of $1.2 Trillion for the next year (and the next president)! $1.2 T is close to the actual 2009 deficit ($1.417 Trillion during what is really a national emergency). If you can come up with “quadrupled” from that, your arithmetic is as fantastic as Bush administration accounting.
Bush’s spending got out of control (only) in the last two years? Mr. Bush entered office with a budget SURPLUS of $237 Billion. By 2003 (in two years) he turned that into a $562 Billion deficit, (an $800 Billion budget switch). It only went up from there. His discretionary war costs at that time accounted for about 20% of that figure, while political and budget policies accounted for the rest. Apparently that didn’t alarm you.
What’s with the fusillade over SP? “Sarah Barracuda” is an appellation that she endorses. Jackson Dave really does sport a Sarah for President bumper sticker!
JD is no rubber-stamp for his man. Did you read the article? ed.