US election (merged threads)

[Megazone]

Most decent Americans of every colour, creed etc. will associate Obama more with the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ('Obamacare') and his vehement advocation of US gun control shirley? In both cases he's had to wage war against some formidable opponents. He's one of the good guys.

Really?

Let's just ignore the fact he carried out military interventionism in Libya without Congressional approval.

Great guy.

 

[Two Professors]

Number 5 no chance. That would Trump everything

She is very popular in the area I holiday in.Chap next door,retired farmer,has a massive poster of her in his workshop.Wouldn't take much of a swing to get her in.

 

[Titanic]

On the plus side, several traditionally Republican large population counties have well and truly went Democratic (Hamilton County, OH, home to Cincinnati) (Orange County, CA, went Dem for the first time in 80 years) (Salt Lake County looks like a comfortable victory for HRC) (and Virginia in particular....). I haven't checked yet on Riley County, KS

Is that the distant echo of faraway straws being clutched at?

 

[Hastings gull]

My phone broke this morning... It won't let me turn the wifi on. I don't know how but I'm sure Trump is to blame for this!

Don't be so silly. it is brexit that is to blame.

 

[Diablo]

I dunno, he's done a fair bit for black Americans.

Restoring Economic Security to African American Families: Businesses have added over 14 million jobs over 70 straight months of job growth, the longest streak on record. While we still have more to do, this job growth has helped cut the African American unemployment rate in half – from 16.8% in March 2010 to 8.3% in December 2015, its lowest level since September 2007. The African-American unemployment rate has fallen by more than the overall unemployment rate in the past few years, and is further below its pre-recession level than any other racial or ethnic group.

Permanent Tax Cuts that Promote Work and Reduce Poverty: The President established and recently made permanent significant improvements to tax credits for working families. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) were expanded to encourage work and help low-income parents afford the costs of raising a family, together providing about 16 million families a year with a tax cut averaging $900. Because of these improvements, a single parent working full-time, year-round at the federal minimum wage gets an additional CTC of more than $1,700; if the expansion were not in place, that parent would not receive any CTC.

Making College More Accessible and Affordable: The President signed legislation increasing the maximum Pell Grant by more than $1,000 and total Pell Grant funding by 70%, helping millions of low- and moderate-income students afford college every year. He’s also taken steps to reduce student loan burdens, including ending student loan subsidies for private banks and shifting the savings back to students, reducing student loan interest rates to historic lows, and capping student loan payments at 10% of income for all students. The President also established and made permanent the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides a tax cut of up to $10,000 over four years for nearly 10 million working and middle-class families a year paying for college.

Getting more Americans into Better, Higher Paying Jobs: Last July, the Administration released a plan for job-training and employment programs to be more responsive to the needs of employers in order to effectively place ready-to-work Americans in jobs that are available now or train them in the skills needed for better jobs. Since then the government has awarded over 15 competitive job-training grants that total over $1.2 billion. Some of the biggest competitive grant program are targeted towards expanding proven, job-driven strategies, including $175 million into expanding apprenticeship programs. To go along with the apprenticeship program, the Department of Labor has also proposed a rule to increase equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship programs for traditionally under-represented groups.

Helping the Long-Term Unemployed Get Back to Work: The Administration has taken steps to help more of the long-term unemployed get back to work, around one-quarter of whom are African-American. The Department of Labor awarded nearly $170 million in “Ready to Work Partnership” grants to support the best models for partnerships between employers, non-profits, and the job training system to help train and connect the long-term unemployed to work.

Rebuilding Transportation Infrastructure, Rejuvenating the American Workforce: In December, President Obama signed the long-term transportation bill, the first passed by Congress in 10 years. Transportation accounts for 11 million jobs, and transportation-related employment accounted for about 8.7% of civilian workers in the United States. In 2008, African Americans comprised only 6% of the industry, and women comprised only 3%. Every $1 billion invested in infrastructure supports more than 10,000 jobs and that is why this administration launched the new one-year pilot program, Local Hire. As a result, Federal Highway Administration’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program requires State DOTs to make full use of apprenticeship and training programs targeted to develop the skills of women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals to ensure that a competent workforce is available to meet highway construction hiring needs.

Smart Transportation Planning Creates Opportunity: The working poor spent nearly 10% of their income just commuting to work, more than twice the 4% average for the total population. Transit users in cities with robust transit systems can save up to $10,230 per year by taking transit rather than owning a vehicle. Transportation infrastructure can revitalize communities, create pathways to work, and connect hardworking Americans to a better quality of life. This is evident in seven cities across America participating in this Administration’s Ladders of Opportunity Transportation Empowerment Pilot. Leadership in Atlanta, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Richmond are receiving technical assistance to ensure that improving their local infrastructure also translates to economic growth that doesn’t leave anyone behind.

Helping Americans Keep Their Homes: African American families have been particularly hard-hit by the housing crisis. The President has taken action to help homeowners, including expanding access to refinancing – allowing responsible borrowers to save an average of $3,000 per year. The Administration has also taken measures to allow homeowners behind on their payments to modify their mortgages to avoid foreclosure – with more than 1.5 million borrowers having received permanent modifications through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Administration’s cornerstone foreclosure prevention program, and millions more receiving private modifications that were modeled off of HAMP.

Making Owning a Home More Affordable by Cutting Mortgage Premiums. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has long been an important source of financing for African-American families seeking to buy their first home. In recent years, nearly half of African American home buyers used FHA to get a mortgage. Recently, the President announced a major new step to make buying a home more affordable and accessible for creditworthy families. The FHA reduced its annual mortgage insurance premiums by half a percentage point. For the typical homebuyer, this reduction translates into a $900 reduction in their annual mortgage payment. Existing homeowners who refinance into an FHA mortgage will see similar reductions to their mortgage payments as well. Following the reduction in 2015 the number of African American borrowers (new purchase or refinance) with an FHA loan increased by nearly 50%

Creating a Simple, Safe and Affordable Starter Retirement Savings Product: Social Security is and must remain a rock-solid, guaranteed progressive benefit that every American can rely on, but too many Americans reach their golden years without any personal savings or pension whatsoever. According to the Urban Institute, the risk of an insecure retirement is especially high for minorities: white households have six times the wealth, including retirement savings, of African Americans or Hispanics. To make it easier for families to save for retirement, Treasury recently announced the national launch of myRA, a new starter retirement account designed for individuals who don’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement program. According to a Federal Reserve report, 42% percent of workers don’t have access to a retirement plan through their jobs. myRA is designed to help bridge this gap, and help workers get on the path to long-term savings.

These programs although nice benefit only employees of federal contractors, so Obama only get’s partial credit on the following two.

Expanding Access to Paid Leave: last September, the President signed an Executive Order requiring federal contractors (only) to offer their employees up to seven days of paid sick leave per year. An estimated 44 million private sector workers – about 40% of the total private-sector workforce – do not have access to paid sick leave, and low- and middle-income workers are much less likely to have it than high-income workers. As a result, too many working Americans cannot afford to stay home if they are ill or to take care of a sick child if it means the loss of pay. The President has called on Congress to pass legislation expanding paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to millions more workers.

Increasing Wages for Working Families: The President has called on Congress to increase the Federal minimum wage, he issued an Executive Order, setting the minimum wage at $10.10 an hours starting his year, for employees of Federal contractors. Obama has called on congress to raise the Federal minimum wage to $12 by 2020.

According to researchers at the Economic Policy Institute, this Act would lead to a raise for 45% of all single, working African-American mothers. Overall, increasing the minimum wage as proposed would increase wages for an estimated 35 million workers. Since Obama call for an increase in the minimum wage in his 2013 State of the Union address, 17 states and the District of Columbia have answered his call. That means that today, a total 29 states and the District of Columbia have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage.

A few more of his “what I’ve done for Black people claims” were a little far reaching:

Protecting Families from Financial Abuses, Hidden Fees, and Deceptive Practices: To prevent mortgage companies, credit card lenders, and payday loan companies from exploiting consumers with hidden fees and other deceptive practices, President Obama fought to pass the most far reaching Wall Street reform in history which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). It’s hard to see much the CFPB has done for Black folks, and they have still failed to act on recommendations to revise payday loan policies across the country.

Providing access to broadband for families in low-income housing. This move benefited 200,000 children in low-income households living in public housing. Good for them, but not for the masses.

Expanding Overtime Protections: In June, the President announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) would propose extending overtime pay protections to almost 5 million workers. This one is just a proposal and not passed yet. If passed as proposed, most salaried workers earning less than a projected $50,400 would be able to take advantage of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime protections.

There were a few other achievements, mostly dealing with entrepreneurship, but you get the drift. So now, the facts have been checked and mail this to your relative who says the President hasn't done anything for Black people. Or, if you weren't impressed with the list, do the same thing with a note, "Is that it," and see what kind of response you receive.".

The proposed rule would prevent a future erosion of overtime rights and ensure greater predictability by automatically updating the salary threshold in the future. It would help promote higher take-home pay and allow workers to better balance their work and family obligations. In so doing, it would help shore up the middle class and provide an easier pathway for those aspiring to share in the standard of living it affords.

could you give us a precis please..no time to read all that

 

[The Clamp]

What about Nobel prize-winning Obama becoming the longest war-time President In US History?

Didn't you think that was "batshit mental"?

I think he inherited a lot of conflict from the Bush administration. In his defence, but I'm sure you know his record on war, I think these are the reasons he was awarded a Nobel prize:

Ended the war in Iraq - promised to woihdraw all US troops. Accomplished by Dec 2011

Began Drawdown of War in Afghanistan: From a peak of 101,000 troops in June 2011, U.S. forces are now down to 91,000, with 23,000 slated to leave by the end of summer 2012. According to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the combat mission there will be over by next year.

Reversed Bush Torture Policies: Two days after taking office, nullified Bush-era rulings that had allowed detainees in U.S. custody to undergo certain “enhanced” interrogation techniques considered inhumane under the Geneva Conventions. Also released the secret Bush legal rulings supporting the use of these techniques.
Began Asia “Pivot”: In 2011, reoriented American military and diplomatic priorities and focus from the Middle East and Europe to the Asian-Pacific region. Executed multipronged strategy of positively engaging China while reasserting U.S. leadership in the region by increasing American military presence and crafting new commercial, diplomatic, and military alliances with neighboring countries made uncomfortable by recent Chinese behavior.

Increased Support for Veterans: With so many soldiers coming home from Iraq and Iran with serious physical and mental health problems, yet facing long waits for services, increased 2010 Department of Veterans Affairs budget by 16 percent and 2011 budget by 10 percent. Also signed new GI bill offering $78 billion in tuition assistance over a decade, and provided multiple tax credits to encourage businesses to hire veterans.

Tightened Sanctions on Iran: In effort to deter Iran’s nuclear program, signed Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (2010) to punish firms and individuals who aid Iran’s petroleum sector. In late 2011 and early 2012, coordinated with other major Western powers to impose sanctions aimed at Iran’s banks and with Japan, South Korea, and China to shift their oil purchases away from Iran.

Trimmed and Reoriented Missile Defense: Cut the Reagan-era “Star Wars” missile defense budget, saving $1.4 billion in 2010, and canceled plans to station antiballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic in favor of sea-based defense plan focused on Iran and North Korea.

Began Post-Post-9/11 Military Builddown: After winning agreement from congressional Republicans and Democrats in summer 2011 budget deal to reduce projected defense spending by $450 billion, proposed new DoD budget this year with cuts of that size and a new national defense strategy that would shrink ground forces from 570,000 to 490,000 over the next ten years while increasing programs in intelligence gathering and cyberwarfare.

Helped South Sudan Declare Independence: Helped South Sudan Declare Independence: Appointed two envoys to Sudan and personally attended a special UN meeting on the area. Through U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split in 2011.

Killed the F-22: In 2009, ended further purchases of Lockheed Martin single-seat, twin-engine, fighter aircraft, which cost $358 million apiece. Though the military had 187 built, the plane has never flown a single combat mission. Eliminating it saved $4 billion.


He's done a lot.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Nailed it.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

What about Nobel prize-winning Obama becoming the longest war-time President In US History?

Didn't you think that was "batshit mental"?

See another one. What the hell does anyone else have to do with the fact that Donald Trump is a terrible choice for President.

Are you happy that Donald Trump is president?

 

[Danny-Boy]

Taking the positives from today, the Democrats have four more years to prepare the formidable Michelle Obama to kick Trump's butt back into the boondocks where he belongs. Assuming he manages not to disgrace himself to the point of being kicked out of office long before then.

I think one attempt at a husband/wife Presidency is one too many. Michelle ain't their belle... personally a great shame to me that John Kerry will now be lost to US politics. I think he would have made an outstanding President. And probably the tallest one.

 

[The Clamp]

could you give us a precis please..no time to read all that

He's done a lot for black Americans by making it easier to get off welfare and putting systems in place for them not just to find work but to be bale to afford housing, medical etc. He really has done a lot.

 

[beorhthelm]

Most decent Americans of every colour, creed etc. will associate Obama more with the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ('Obamacare') and his vehement advocation of US gun control shirley?

they will indeed, but you over look that a substantial minority consider him an un-american devil incarnate for those policies.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I think one attempt at a husband/wife Presidency is one too many. Michelle ain't their belle... personally a great shame to me that John Kerry will now be lost to US politics. I think he would have made an outstanding President. And probably the tallest one.

Good point, well made. There's probably nobody taller.

 

[Megazone]

See another one. What the hell does anyone else have to do with the fact that Donald Trump is a terrible choice for President.

Are you happy that Donald Trump is president?

Ignore the obvious point.

In reference to your question. Yes, more so than Clinton. At least we don't have to worry about going to war with Russia and Iran!

Would you have been happy with Clinton getting presidency?

 

[The Clamp]

Really?

Let's just ignore the fact he carried out military interventionism in Libya without Congressional approval.

Great guy.

I think some people get so overwhelmed by their default setting of "all people in power are evil and up to no good" that you cannot see when someone has actually done some good. Obama is one of the good ones.

 

[Simster]

As a regular visitor to France I wouldn't bet against it. Le Penn is very popular in the rural areas. Same as I wouldn't bet against the far right winning in Holland.

IMO, the same thing will happen in France as it usually does when the FN gets a whiff of power. Whoever is in the final run off with them will hoover up all the non-racist votes. However, I wouldn't rule out the FN getting to the final run off and after Nice I wouldn't rule out the final result being a lot closer than usual.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

they will indeed, but you over look that a substantial minority consider him an un-american devil incarnate for those policies.

You mean these guys?

 

[Two Professors]

IMO, the same thing will happen in France as it usually does when the FN gets a whiff of power. Whoever is in the final run off with them will hoover up all the non-racist votes. However, I wouldn't rule out the FN getting to the final run off and after Nice I wouldn't rule out the final result being a lot closer than usual.

Blimey,do they have racists in France?

 

[Megazone]

I think some people get so overwhelmed by their default setting of "all people in power are evil and up to no good" that you cannot see when someone has actually done some good. Obama is one of the good ones.

Are you aware Obama was calling for amendment limiting free-speech rights?

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/obama-calls-amendment-limiting-free-speech-rights

 

[Hastings gull]

Taking the positives from today, the Democrats have four more years to prepare the formidable Michelle Obama to kick Trump's butt back into the boondocks where he belongs. Assuming he manages not to disgrace himself to the point of being kicked out of office long before then.

So the Clintons try it on and even with DT's own goals, she still cannot command voter confidence, and you want to try it again. The voters showed what they think of politicians perceived to be out of touch, and feathering their own nests, and you want to repeat the whole exercise.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Ignore the obvious point.

In reference to your question. Yes, more so than Clinton. At least we don't have to worry about going to war with Russia and Iran!

Would you have been happy with Clinton getting presidency?

Trump is tearing up the Iran nuclear deal on day 1.


Is he backtracking already ?