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Obama's accomplishments

Reader comment on item: Romney's Remarkable Speech in Jerusalem
in response to reader comment: What the......

Submitted by Sigmund Derman (United States), Aug 16, 2012 at 13:30

Deborah,

The comments of mine that you address were part of my answer to Sara who asked "What has he done to earn your trust?" Perhaps I should have left the domestic stuff of it because those items are not directly related to Israel. But, if the editors of this will allow me one more somewhat tangential comment, I will answer you. This whole exchange, not just related to my comments but also to other comments really gets back to the often asked question of why do Jews generally vote Democratic.

1) I hoped that Obama would reverse the conditions that caused us to shift from the Clinton surplus to the Bush deficits. With great difficulty, largely due to lack of Republican cooperation but partly due to his own ineptness, he has partially done so by winding down our foreign involvement. But he still has not managed to readjust the taxes so that the harmful effects of many of the Bush cuts might be reversed. After 3 and ½ years he has managed to largely extinguish the terrible fire (some might call it arson) started by Bush. But the blaze was so intense that the destruction continued for quite a while. You might as well accuse the fire department of being complicit with an arsonist because it did not extinguish the fire soon enough to stop further destruction after the fire departement arrived on the scene.

2) Very few people who are knowledgeable about healthcare policy would consider the United States "system" to be even in the top ten among all nations. But this is not the place to debate such an issue. Suffice it to say I think that Obama has at least moved us in the right direction toward a national healthcare program that covers everyone as a matter of right.

3) I am happy that Obama finally stopped the Bush job destruction and that new jobs are being created again. Of course I would like faster results but it is a miracle that he has done as well as he has given the Republicans pushing in the wrong direction.

4) Government jobs and unions are one of the key features of our economic system. They help the whole thing work well and I am all for strengthening those sectors. Apparently you are not. Most Jews agree with me that the government is a productive economic force and that unions are beneficial. overlords,

5) On the "legitimizing of amorality" I would say that the economic reforms that Obama was able to get through generally work against amoral, immoral, and corrupt economic practices. Prevention of discrimination based on gender and sexual practices also reduce the amorality and immorality of unfair discrimination.

6) I think that Obama has used executive power quite sparingly compared to Bush. I am unhappy about the "the destruction of the protective devises [sic] of the Constitution" brought about by the Citizens United decision and a hope to see that reversed in a few years one way or the other.

7) Obama has done a far better job of protecting our borders than Bush ever did. No amnesty has been given to criminals on that score. (uncredentialed immigrants are far less "criminal" than, for example, vice-presidential candidates who are found to have cheated on their income tax).

8) Under Obama's watch, our oil and gas reserves have increased and our dependence on foreign oil has significantly decreased. And Obama accomplished this without gutting our environmental protections.

9) On the "over-extended military" Obama has succeeded in bringing home large numbers of troops and more and more are scheduled to be withdrawn in the near future. Unfortunately it is not possible to simply withdraw instantly. In the future I would love to see reduced foreign involvement.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (108) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
senior citizen [25 words]Jo Ann GillSep 9, 2012 15:26198474
Seniors Voting For Romney/Ryan Ticket [259 words]Rex BouvierSep 9, 2012 19:33198474
Israel Foreign Policy [14 words]JSK1108Sep 6, 2012 22:16198418
We see a friend of Israel in Mr. Romney. [98 words]Phil GreendSep 4, 2012 23:48198350
1Romney for President [7 words]k2680Aug 12, 2012 06:27197851
Romney and the VP Ryan [53 words]StasAug 12, 2012 01:38197837
What Romney said was just as true in 1930 as today, according to Will Durant [4 words]Solomon2Aug 8, 2012 13:42197752
Policy change or more living on change? [382 words]trans-parereAug 7, 2012 19:41197740
A Love Affair With GOP Romney/Ryan [241 words]Rex BouvierAug 11, 2012 17:24197740
Way To Represent [309 words]trans-parereAug 11, 2012 23:49197740
Trojan Horse [74 words]KatscapeAug 26, 2012 14:22197740
Politics are getting worse [70 words]stranchanAug 4, 2012 18:19197672
Romney the candidate [109 words]stryver1Aug 4, 2012 01:48197658
6The Moral Dimension [90 words]Edward HalperAug 1, 2012 12:21197620
1Morality of supporting Israel [73 words]StasAug 2, 2012 07:21197620
Romney's speeches [90 words]stranchanAug 1, 2012 01:42197614
President Obama's Naivete [70 words]HerschelAug 1, 2012 00:10197613
112 out of 3 is not good enough [41 words]Michael Hanni MorcosAug 2, 2012 06:55197613
1ROMNEY ON ISRAEL [58 words]JACQUES HADIDAJul 31, 2012 15:56197604
2Unfortunately, the operative word is 'IF" [84 words]saraJul 31, 2012 16:39197604
2ON WHY JEWS ARE SUPPORTING OBAMA [78 words]JACQUES HADIDAAug 1, 2012 13:20197604
Obama is not anti-Israel [180 words]AnonAug 12, 2012 02:07197604
can they the liberals think for themselves? [77 words]alice ramosAug 26, 2012 01:32197604
2Rousing speech; won't mean beans if he can't win [235 words]john w mcginleyJul 31, 2012 11:25197598
4Yea, rousing speeches do win... [183 words]stanley bJul 31, 2012 17:37197598
1You seem to have the answer [268 words]stryver1Aug 3, 2012 00:41197598
You might be right [4 words]john w mcginleyAug 6, 2012 11:00197598
Who Will Vote For Obama? [217 words]Rex BouvierAug 11, 2012 17:05197598
1Who will vote for Romney/Ryan? Not the senior citizens [120 words]dhimmi no moreAug 12, 2012 08:24197598
1Who discriminates and compartmentalizes? [193 words]saraAug 12, 2012 19:58197598
1They would vote for Romney anyway [88 words]salkeyJul 31, 2012 02:53197593
15Excellent speech-----Why are we being masochistic? [108 words]Michael Hanni MorcosJul 31, 2012 00:00197590
Romney vist to Israel [63 words]stranchanJul 30, 2012 23:31197589
4Who do you trust? [424 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Sigmund DermanJul 30, 2012 23:11197586
5Trust? [119 words]saraJul 31, 2012 17:10197586
Response to Daniel Pipes [40 words]saraAug 2, 2012 18:27197586
1Why I trust Obama [420 words]Sigmund DermanAug 3, 2012 20:39197586
4My, what rose colored glasses you have! [61 words]stanley bAug 4, 2012 16:40197586
3What the...... [367 words]DEBORAH THE JUDGEAug 12, 2012 02:29197586
Trust an American Politician? Really? [37 words]M. ToveyAug 15, 2012 15:10197586
Obama's accomplishments [628 words]Sigmund DermanAug 16, 2012 13:30197586
My error [217 words]Sigmund DermanAug 17, 2012 00:22197586
1Is Obama Trustworthy? [108 words]KatscapeAug 25, 2012 00:38197586
Expectation on Presidential election [49 words]KatscapeAug 25, 2012 21:42197586
Hope you are right [55 words]saraAug 27, 2012 19:30197586
1Romney has no backbone [131 words]Rebecca MouldsJul 30, 2012 19:51197581
Apathy and the fall of empires [193 words]saraAug 4, 2012 17:32197581
12Romney Is Not the Ideal Candidate for the U.S. and Its Ally Israel [1036 words]Rex BouvierJul 30, 2012 15:50197574
5Great post! [35 words]Hal MozerJul 30, 2012 19:26197574
1Spot On! [251 words]Sigmund DermanJul 30, 2012 23:30197574
The Point Is? [362 words]PhyllisJul 31, 2012 12:28197574
The Point is: Israel's Destiny is Already Set -Neither Obama nor Romney Will Get It Right... [196 words]M. ToveyAug 1, 2012 19:30197574
A Better Alternative For Israelis and Palestinians [108 words]Rex BouvierAug 11, 2012 16:05197574
Great post [124 words]AnonAug 12, 2012 02:42197574
Comment on "A Better Alternative..." [374 words]Sigmund DermanAug 16, 2012 12:43197574
2Scary Responses [194 words]Jules PostenJul 30, 2012 13:46197570
The current trend of anti-semitism [119 words]KatscapeAug 25, 2012 00:56197570
2Romney's Remarkable speech in Jerusalem. It is real leadership. [121 words]AnneJul 30, 2012 12:01197568
4How will American Jews respond? [109 words]Richard B.Jul 30, 2012 11:33197565
2My answer to your question [240 words]MiltonJul 31, 2012 09:36197565
1How Will The Majority of Jews Vote: Will They Vote For A Tea Party GOP Candidate Like Romney With All of His Gaffes? [828 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Rex BouvierJul 31, 2012 15:23197565
It's easy, RIchard [166 words]stanley bJul 31, 2012 15:49197565
Does History Speak Louder than Right-Wing Extremist Propaganda [169 words]Rex BouvierAug 11, 2012 16:32197565
2America is safe enough! [203 words]AnnatJul 30, 2012 10:51197564
2Romney's Visit to Israel [42 words]Margy PezdirtzJul 30, 2012 10:47197563
6The net effect: No change in US Policy [139 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
There is NO Santa ClausJul 30, 2012 08:21197560
1Agree with you wholeheartedly [15 words]saraJul 30, 2012 18:07197560
2Romney's future speech in Riyadh [97 words]IanusJul 30, 2012 18:37197560
1Bush's speech at the Knesset [126 words]There is NO Santa ClausJul 31, 2012 07:54197560
Is that so important? [183 words]StasJul 31, 2012 17:33197560
the US-Saudi Pact [36 words]There is NO Santa ClausAug 18, 2012 23:24197560
Dear Dr. Pipes [59 words]There is NO Santa ClausAug 18, 2012 23:35197560
The US-Saudi Axis [803 words]IanusAug 20, 2012 05:21197560
3to Dr. Pipes - thank you [14 words]lgJul 30, 2012 06:42197558
Politicians are big talkers [125 words]StasJul 30, 2012 02:59197554
2The Ties That Bind [122 words]Arlinda DeAngelisJul 30, 2012 02:45197552
2ISRAEL KNOWS WHO ITS FRIEND IS !!! [21 words]Jake JACOBSONJul 29, 2012 22:30197546
1Romney's visit to Israel [30 words]DanJul 29, 2012 22:25197545
1Romeny's Remarkable Speech in Jerusalem [117 words]JudithJul 29, 2012 21:32197544
1what you expect from Obama ? [36 words]goergeJul 29, 2012 21:11197543
4MITT ROMNEY IN ISRAEL [66 words]samirJul 29, 2012 19:58197540
May bhe God of Kolob bless and protect the Nation of Israel [22 words]TJ ParkerJul 29, 2012 18:51197537
4November cannot come fast enough [78 words]NuritGJul 29, 2012 18:47197536
But he didn't, Dr. Pipes! [60 words]Abu NudnikJul 29, 2012 18:09197530
Abu, "and" is a Conjunction [48 words]DallasJul 29, 2012 19:51197530
Read what you wrote [2 words]ChrisJul 30, 2012 01:56197530
9Romney speech [2 words]Steven LJul 29, 2012 17:59197528
7Romney's speech in Jerusalem EXCELLENT [15 words]M.D.Jul 29, 2012 18:34197528
2Bush's speech to the Knesset [129 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
saraJul 29, 2012 17:54197527
An unexpectedly strong speech [212 words]Ron ThompsonJul 29, 2012 17:00197524
8May he bless and protect the Nation of Israel [30 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Zion SquareJul 29, 2012 16:40197523
1Politician speak [63 words]saraJul 29, 2012 18:52197523
2Let us not forget [42 words]Janet SmithJul 30, 2012 01:02197523
Don't think so [44 words]ChrisJul 30, 2012 02:07197523
3Nation vs State of Israel [74 words]saraJul 30, 2012 16:39197523
5Hooray [10 words]Judi SchlossJul 29, 2012 16:29197522
3Why ? [26 words]Henry StockJul 29, 2012 16:18197521
1Alliances [184 words]PhyllisJul 29, 2012 15:57197520
17Romney in Jerusalem, The Eternal Capitol Of Israel!!!! [66 words]Michael GorinskyJul 29, 2012 15:46197518
3Forgetting our main allies [100 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AlexJul 29, 2012 15:35197517
8He's not running for Israeli PM [86 words]The voice of reasonJul 29, 2012 18:19197517
The State Department strikes again [43 words]ShishirJul 30, 2012 07:21197517
I Think Israel IS a Better Ally than Great Britain! [22 words]AlexJul 30, 2012 11:53197517
Well said - hope you are correct. [82 words]Hal MozerJul 30, 2012 20:02197517
Choosing Allies Requires Discernment [615 words]M. ToveyAug 15, 2012 16:07197517
Israel's choice [235 words]Kathleen LeontitsisAug 28, 2012 11:23197517
Romney is looking better [118 words]stranchanJul 29, 2012 01:23197508
Josh [157 words]SJoshJul 27, 2012 23:14197476

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