Obama's inauguration: What can we expect from his second term?

[Diglytron]

intro

Today President Barack Obama starts his second term. His first term was a difficult one for him. The republicans power in seats in the congress, the economy which didn't want to go well and problems in Iraq and Afganistan.

America will on Monday witness its quadrennial act of political alchemy. The base metal of a previously partisan candidate is transformed by the incantation of a few, solemn words into gold, becoming not just a head of government but a head of state – the only figure capable of transcending low politics and representing the republic itself.


That, at least, is the idea. Inauguration day is when the American presidency is revealed as not merely an executive office – even if, still, the most powerful in the world – but also a kind of secular monarchy. On Monday the avowedly egalitarian United States – which rejected all things regal when it broke from the British mother-country, insisting its president be known not as His Majesty but as plain Mister – anoints its leader with as much ceremony and ritual as it can muster. The oath, the address, the anthem, the parade: all that's missing is the Queen's golden coach.

from;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013...ation-day-pomp

Last inauguration was quite spectacular. I remember myself watching with passion and ruring. I really hoped he could change something. The millions of people all around America being so emotional for his victory. Beauty full television!

Here a list of things he achieved in his first four years.

Achievements summarised per topic

Arts and Culture

• Increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to the highest level since 1992. ref, ref, ref
• Created an artist corps for public schools. ref
• Championed the importance of arts education. ref
• Promoted cultural diplomacy. ref

My opinion after reading; some good things although much less then his promises before he started. Much of the funding laws being stopped by Republicans on the latest moment. A lot of promoting work which can't really count as a real achievement.

Finance

1. (Treasury) Sold 1.5 billion shares of Citigroup at a profit. ref
2. G-20 summit produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. ref
3. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals. ref
4. Financial reform has ‘strongest consumer financial protections in history.’ ref

other;

1. Cut salaries for 65 bailout executives (Pay Czar). ref
2. Banks have repaid 75% of TARP funds, bringing the cost down to $89B as of June 2010. ref
3. Closed offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes. ref , ref , ref

Financial system;

1. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): a $789 billion economic stimulus plan. ref
2. US auto industry rescue plan. ref, ref
3. Start-Up activity now higher than it was during the dotcom boom. ref
4. Created task force to fight deficit. ref
5. Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. ref
6. Temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. ref

My thoughts; his economical policy helped America forward, like his campaign slogan said. Though it diddn't change or helped America that much since the recession started to continue to a much larger form then anyone expected.

Next.

Technology

1. Promoted internet freedom as part of U.S. foreign policy. ref, ref , ref
2. Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009. ref
3. Satellite Television Extension Act of 2010. ref

1. Small Business Act. ref
2. Small Business Investment Act. ref
3. Proposed tougher meat industry antitrust rules. ref , ref
4. Denied federal contracts to tax delinquents. ref
5. Appointed the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer. ref
6. Established Federal IT Dashboard. ref

My thoughts; well the internet freedom was not really there. For the others ofcourse there were some good investments but not enough. Tech is the future. I think Obama has failed to see this, or at least, act towards more investments.

Next...

Taxes

1. Temporarily suspended taxes on unemployment benefits. ref ref
2. Established consumer tax credit for plug-in hybrid cars. ref, ref
3. $60 billion in spending and tax incentives for renewable and clean energy. ref
4. Tax breaks to promote public transit. ref
5. Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch. ref
6. Small business teax credits for the cost of health insurance for employees beginning 1/1/10 (HCR).
7. 2-year temporary tax credit up to $1 billion to encourage investment in new disease prevention and treatment therapies (HCR).
8. Income floor for medical expense deductions for individuals age 65 and older (and their spouses) remains at 7.5% through 2016; Raise 7.5% floor to 10% for all others (1/1/13) (HCR) ref
9. Health insurance premium tax credits and subsidies available for those with income up to 4x the federal poverty level (1/1/14) (HCR) ref ref

My thoughts; I think the tax laws and reforments were a step in the good direction. It was a very small step for four years though. If America keeps this system it will make its underlayer of society more poor and the rich more rich. This will not solve the big financial and economical problems America is now facing. Obama has to face a little socialist face to help America back to the top. Especially the most richest have to pay more tax.

I will update this during tomorrow.

source;

http://obamaachievements.org/list

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/op...card.html?_r=0

Now on to the second term! What can we expect from this TWC? What will be the result of the upcoming elections for the Senate and the other institutions?



Now lets watch to his second term with the use of some sources.

The first part focuses on the general tone the administration adopts and the manner by which it pursues its foreign policy. President Obama’s recognition that the US cannot control outcomes, and can only lead if others choose to follow it, was a hallmark of the Obama administration and is likely to carry over in his second term.


In stark contrast to his predecessor, Obama has consistently adopted both a more multilateral approach and a humbler tone. His comments to American audiences stress the exemplary, indeed unique qualities of the United States, and its capacity for global leadership. But his speeches to foreign audiences are striking in their lack of arrogance – a tendency that formed the basis for candidate Romney’s electoral claim that Obama’s visits abroad early in his first term constituted little more than “an apology tour".

from: http://theconversation.edu.au/foreig...ond-term-10639

About: What we can expect of Obama's foreign policy.

Tuesday's economic numbers show just how bad things are. Just 4.2 million people were hired in September. By comparison, only 4.2 million were also hired in both December 2008 and January 2009 at the depth of the recession. Total jobs have increased slightly only because people are afraid to quit their jobs. Indeed, amazingly, quits are lower today than they were during December 2008 and January 2009. During President Obama's second term, the economy should continue to limp along. A 2 percent growth rate, assuming that we can get back up to that, would leave us well below the average 3.1 percent growth rate that the US had between 1965 and 2007.

From : http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/...nd-obama-term/


About : Well, let say it like this : Fox News its view on Obama's second term economics.

Appealing to the centre is not easy for Mr Obama. His allies on the left are powerful and, in a country so polarised, the middle ground can be a dangerous place. But there are plenty of things that many on both sides of the political aisle could agree on, including tax and immigration reform, investment in schools and aid to businesses that are creating jobs. Crucially, Mr Obama could explain how he intends to cut the still-soaring debt without pretending that taxing only the rich will help in any meaningful way.


Mr Obama has a strong belief in social justice. It drove his health-care reform. But he needs to distinguish between a creditable desire to help the weak and a dangerous preference for the public over the private sector. The jobs that poor Americans need will be created by companies. Smothering firms in red tape is not the way to help them; Mr Obama should vow to stop adding to it, and to start cutting some of it away. The party faithful in Charlotte might not like centrist ideas much. But they would appeal to the voters Mr Obama needs to win over and, should he be re-elected, they will strengthen him in his dealings with the Republicans in Congress.

From: http://www.economist.com/node/21561890

About : A good 'independent' view on Obama's second term. Recommend reading!


So TWC, what can we expect from his second term. The expectations are at least to say way below they were before his first four years. Though the need for a strong president is more strong then ever.

Discuss and use the stuff I've placed in the OP its worth reading and can help you form a opinion!

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I expect him to "spend political capital" he believes he earned from the last election. He's already trying to do it. So little did he learn from Bush making the same mistake. Being brazen in the future will only hurt the party in the long run.

[YuriVII]

USA has many systemic problems going on in it. Its thanks to Obama and Bush and a bit of Clinton since he repealed Glass Steagal Act. so I'm not too partisan here in my criticism. Both parties lack the political will to do anything and Obama isn't going to be any different...probably neither will his successor whoever that will be. Only crisis will force anyone to do anything and even then. Symptoms of a dysfunctional system still remain.

Also continuation of foreign meddling and imperial adventures don't do anything good for the USA.

[Gaidin]

I expect him to "spend political capital" he believes he earned from the last election. He's already trying to do it. So little did he learn from Bush making the same mistake. Being brazen in the future will only hurt the party in the long run.

When you can play chicken with the House and they blink something must be going right for you.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

When you can play chicken with the House and they blink something must be going right for you.

And the debt grows and grows and grows.

[Gaidin]

And the debt grows and grows and grows.

You've drunk the kool-aid I see. The debt ceiling isn't about future debt and adjusting the budget. That's another issue altogether and one we would see eye to eye with I imagine though for sure I imagine we'd argue on what adjustments to make. The debt ceiling is about paying bills they've already racked up.

[RollingWave]

Over and under that he gets assassinated ? I mean one outta 10 POTUS have died under the gun and he's the 9th Prez since Kennedy.....

[gaunty14]

I think only 3 US presidents have been assassinated.

[RollingWave]

I think only 3 US presidents have been assassinated.

Lincoln 1865
Garfield 1881
Mckinly 1901
Kennedy 1963

[Thorn777]

Discuss and use the stuff I've placed in the OP its worth reading and can help you form a opinion!

fail

But it turns out that that $700 billion is just a small part of a much larger pool of money that has gone into propping up our nation’s financial system. And most of that taxpayer money hasn’t had much public scrutiny at all.
According to a team at Bloomberg News, at one point last year the U.S. had lent, spent or guaranteed as much as $12.8 trillion to rescue the economy. The Bloomberg reporters have been following that money. Alison Stewart spoke with one, Bob Ivry, to talk about the true cost to the taxpayer of the Wall Street bailout.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know...-bailout/3309/

As with many other pop talkingpoints you posted. Like...

As of June 30, more than two years in, fewer than 700,000 borrowers had received a permanent modification on their mortgage. Of nearly $30 billion allocated for HAMP, just $1.2 billion has been spent, according to a recent report to Congress by the office of the inspector general of TARP.
In an interview with iWatch News earlier this year, shortly before he stepped down as TARP inspector general, Neil Barofsky criticized the Treasury Department, which administers TARP, for not putting more pressure on banks to modify loans.
“Treasury refuses to acknowledge that the program is not working,” Barofsky said in the interview.
One of the problems he cited was the lack of cooperation by loan servicers. Treasury officials “have no stick,” he said, and are unable to force the loan servicers to make loan modifications permanent or to crack down on abusive practices.

http://www.publicintegrity.org/2011/...ittle-too-late
lol ing lol. Put that puny "assistance" Obama got for actual help in relation to what the "loan servicers" got. The 30 billion some place, helped to buy some good rhetoric though.

Meanwhile bankers got to big to jail.



And so on....at least ENRON got dwarfed under the Bush admin, as Arthur Andersen the creative accounting giant for ENRON.

They continue as Accenture though ran from another US corporation heaven, Ireland. But it goes to show how they get away with more and more under increasingly decreasing resistance.

Change you can believe in.

[Diglytron]

I expect him to "spend political capital" he believes he earned from the last election. He's already trying to do it. So little did he learn from Bush making the same mistake. Being brazen in the future will only hurt the party in the long run.

Yes, I expect him also to do this. Altough he probably won't succeed cause of the minority of the Republicans. I think the same with the closure of Quatanomo B will happen, it was one of his acts which he failed to do.

Another one where he possible will go for is further reforms in the healthcare system, taxes and also weapon control. I think those are the minor three where Obama will focus his 'political capital' on.

Both parties lack the political will to do anything and Obama isn't going to be any different...probably neither will his successor whoever that will be. Only crisis will force anyone to do anything and even then. Symptoms of a dysfunctional system still remain.

Also continuation of foreign meddling and imperial adventures don't do anything good for the USA.

Have to agree in this. Altough Obama looked very promising in the beginning I doubt he has the political will and strength to push for real reforments, which are very hard needed. Currently there is no sign of a good successor for Obama, but again, this don't have to say anything. Obama came also practically out of the blue.

Over and under that he gets assassinated ? I mean one outta 10 POTUS have died under the gun and he's the 9th Prez since Kennedy.....

lolwat?

Lincoln 1865
Garfield 1881
Mckinly 1901
Kennedy 1963

fail

Why? Cause some of my sources are political coloured? There is no independence in the media. And besides, you can form a opinion through coloured political sources, you just have to read everything and keep in mind why its written this way and what's true of it. I'm not sure why it is a fail if I suggest to use sources out of the OP. Most of the discussions here in the mudpit are quite unfunded and especially the OP's of serveral threads could be better. Thats what I try to do. Give more ground for a real, fundemental discussion !

[Thorn777]

Its not coloured its deluding.

[priam11]

Its not coloured its deluding.

Then you should feel right at home...

[Thorn777]

Then you should feel right at home...

Whats thats supposed to mean?

[♖The Balkan Sobranie♖]

Sic semper tyrannis.

[magpie]

Hmm, More debt, More war,s, ect.

[I WUB PUGS]

Hmm, More debt, More war,s, ect.

AKA: Baller Time.

[motiv-8]

Why is there no option for Islamic Caliphate?

[I WUB PUGS]

Solid question. Also why hasn't the Great Race War begun?

[mrmouth]

I just want to know who the nine halfwits are.