State of the Union 2014

[Warriorbird]

I posted that I found it ironic that Obama admits income inequality has gotten worse during his presidency because you would think that would prove to his supporters what a failure he is but instead his supporters are using that as proof that Republicans are assholes.

Kembal posted that Obama gets a pass on income inequality getting worse during his presidency because (supposedly) none of his policies specifically made income inequality worse.

I questioned why Obama gets a pass on that from Democrats when just a few years ago (in some cases a few days ago) they were bashing Bush for the recession and high unemployment due to his "failed policies."

I asked for specifics of which failed policies of Bush's led to the recession and high unemployment and so far the closest I've received was Bush's inaction led to the recession and high unemployment.

My point has thus been proven. Thusly.

Thank you and good night.

I'd suggest that Congress is far more to blame than either.

[Johnny Five]

The rate of decrease has been consistent with previous presidents.

That is an incorrect statement. The average peak of high unemployment only peaks for maybe 2-4 years. Clinton received a huge spike before he even became president and it barely took him a year (after his initial year, since we are giving it to the presidents) to drop it down to reasonable levels.

[Tgo01]

I'd suggest that Congress is far more to blame than either.

The "Democrats" of PC can do no wrong and either can Obama.

So what is Obama doing then? Can we give him credit for Obamacare or is that because of Congress too? Higher corporate profits; Obama or Congress? War ending in Iraq; Obama, Congress or Bush?

[Warriorbird]

So what is Obama doing then? Can we give him credit for Obamacare or is that because of Congress too? Higher corporate profits; Obama or Congress? War ending in Iraq; Obama, Congress or Bush?

Obama actively negotiated with industry to make ACA happen. That's him, for good or ill. Higher corporate profits? Corporate America, though both Obama and Bush should probably get some credit for bailouts which no one will give them. War ending in Iraq? Slightly Obama, but he extended the stupidity. I'd say credit America getting tired of it.

[Johnny Five]

So what is Obama doing then? Can we give him credit for Obamacare or is that because of Congress too? Higher corporate profits; Obama or Congress? War ending in Iraq; Obama, Congress or Bush?

He doesn't need congress. He just makes it happen, snaps his fingers you now make $10.10 an hour!

Obama actively negotiated with industry to make ACA happen. That's him, for good or ill. Higher corporate profits? Corporate America, though both Obama and Bush should probably get some credit for bailouts which no one will give them. War ending in Iraq? Slightly Obama, but he extended the stupidity. I'd say credit America getting tired of it.

Yeah cause Detroit is in great shape right now.

[Warriorbird]

He doesn't need congress. He just makes it happen, snaps his fingers you now make $10.10 an hour!

Chicken Little time. Shockingly enough he's not the first President to use an executive order.

[Tgo01]

Obama actively negotiated with industry to make ACA happen.

Exactly. Obama actively didn't negotiate to make income inequality better so it's all on him.

My point has thusly been proven again.

I'm on a roll.

[Johnny Five]

This was an actual decent conversation till you came along. OVER AND OUT!

[Warriorbird]

This was an actual decent conversation till you came along. OVER AND OUT!

Stop being so mean to Tgo01.

Notably, some parts of the auto industry are doing well. If it has issues I don't think you can blame them on Obama. They're a combination of Corporation/Union problems.

[Jarvan]

Right... Just like your republican arguments for climate change, take a look as long as labor statistics have been gathered. There have been hikes associated with every change in presidency.



The rate of decrease has been consistent with previous presidents. Bush's peak was 6.1 in May of 2003, He got it to 4.4 in Dec 2006, a reduction of 27.8% over 42ish months.

If we don't look at the initial peaks, and we take Obama's peak unemployment after year 0 of 9.8% in Nov 10, the latest figures put it at 7.2 in Sept 13, a reduction of 26.5% over ~36 months

They're still marginally similar.

I wonder what it would be though if we dug up the real numbers, and not the "feel good" politician numbers. (This applies to all Presidents)