General Discussion

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)

113. When the question is asked "Are you better off under Obama than you were before he was elected?"

Tue Oct 21, 2014, 02:25 PM

Oct 2014

How do you think people respond?

My husband, for instance, lost his government job after the sequestration fiasco.

Several former neighbors lost their homes when the housing bubble burst.

Unfortunately, many people are still hurting. Even though the economy is recovering, many do not feel it.

Fairly or unfairly, Obama gets blamed for presiding over these events.

Instead of compromising, he should have been putting the Republican obstructionism front and center. But he rarely exhibits that killer instinct to go on the attack against the enemy. I don't even know if he views Republicans as enemies (they are!)

Economically, I'm definitely worse off. I'm paying about $2400 more per year in insurance premiums that have larger co-pays and higher deductibles. My insurance company was happy to mail me a letter stating the new pricing structures were due to the implementation of the ACA.

Now, I wouldn't be caught voting Republican EVER. But for the wishy-washy "swing" voters and the Independents... I can totally see them blaming Obama and thinking they were worse off with him as President.

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I simply don't understand how voters can turn their backs on a President who brought us back from [View all] kelliekat44 Oct 2014 OP

I think we had impossibly high expectations. PDJane Oct 2014 #1

And who raised those expectations for us? Peregrine Took Oct 2014 #51

Bull shit madokie Oct 2014 #144

Exactly. The problem with real change, as usual, is us. raouldukelives Oct 2014 #196

No, he did not. LawDeeDah Oct 2014 #160

That is complete nonsense. Adrahil Oct 2014 #171

I distinctly remember... ReRe Oct 2014 #178

Statistics tend to contradict you bigbrother05 Oct 2014 #187

I'm sorry, but anybody who just stayed at home is dumb. Adrahil Oct 2014 #194

You're right... ReRe Oct 2014 #201

Good for you and bad for them. Adrahil Oct 2014 #203

I don't know how he's accomplished... ReRe Oct 2014 #207

...but...but...but... he's NOT PERFECT ENOUGH!!!!!! calimary Oct 2014 #234

I'm with you Faux pas Oct 2014 #2

Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #3

^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ProfessorGAC Oct 2014 #13

+1000 heaven05 Oct 2014 #47

Yes! Tis a mystery, ain't it? LawDeeDah Oct 2014 #161

Voters? You mean "Democratic Candidates"? Scuba Oct 2014 #4

+1 justice1 Oct 2014 #9

Anybody in mind? fadedrose Oct 2014 #78

The only thing that makes sense to me... fadedrose Oct 2014 #95

+1 uponit7771 Oct 2014 #155

They're not, the media just wants us to believe that. JaneyVee Oct 2014 #5

^^^^ THIS ^^^^ FSogol Oct 2014 #6

^^^DOUBLE THIS^^^ valerief Oct 2014 #21

Yeah, hopefully that's right. Remember how they skewed all the polls in favor of R$... C Moon Oct 2014 #48

DITTO Iliyah Oct 2014 #60

Being ablely assisted by.... BobbyBoring Oct 2014 #64

You're dead on. Ineeda Oct 2014 #74

Exactly! The media of today is just a brainwashing tool! Truth has a hard time RKP5637 Oct 2014 #106

^^^ TRIPLE THIS ^^^ n/t Triana Oct 2014 #180

I really don't get the whole... NCTraveler Oct 2014 #7

This is an example of the thinking discussed in the OP riqster Oct 2014 #11

Not what I said at all. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #14

No, you said that nothing had changed. That is contrary to reality. riqster Oct 2014 #18

Absolutley nothing has changed fundamentally to the structure of the economy. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #20

Crap. Every numeric measure of the economy has shown improvement. riqster Oct 2014 #25

Minus your last sentence I agree with you 100%. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #27

That is hysterically funny. riqster Oct 2014 #32

I am always glad when someone laughs. Smiles need to happen more in this world. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #41

Ahhh . . . your first post seems to back Peregrine Took's OP about Obama shoving us off the mountain brush Oct 2014 #192

"about Obamshoving us off the mountain" NCTraveler Oct 2014 #193

I never said you said Obama shoved us off the mountain brush Oct 2014 #197

I never agreed with anyone that Obama shoved us off a mountain. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #198

So what is your contention? brush Oct 2014 #199

Can you please tell me where I replied to Peregrine? NCTraveler Oct 2014 #200

Never mind. It's not worth it. nt brush Oct 2014 #210

You tried multiple times to link me to something that wasn't there. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #212

In Spite Of All The Repub Obstruction - He Brought Us Back From The Brink..... global1 Oct 2014 #36

For my wishes to come true we need to hold both houses and the executive branch. NCTraveler Oct 2014 #43

Frankly, I think you hit the nail right on the head. I really think he thought there would be RKP5637 Oct 2014 #112

YES. n/t MBS Oct 2014 #77

Evidence is specious Man from Pickens Oct 2014 #58

Good post, Man from Pickens. I could expand on your thoughts but ballyhoo Oct 2014 #120

exellent post Skittles Oct 2014 #145

This really is a great post laundry_queen Oct 2014 #149

If Americans don't give Obama credit.. sendero Oct 2014 #165

Keep stabbing heaven05 Oct 2014 #50

Stabbing whom? NCTraveler Oct 2014 #55

I agree with you. The recovery mainly benefited Wall Street, as did his "Look forward, not back" Dustlawyer Oct 2014 #116

+1 ozone_man Oct 2014 #225

It's the product of a constant barrage of vitriol and misinformation. riqster Oct 2014 #8

Winner Cosmocat Oct 2014 #170

My guess is that is because of this: notrightatall Oct 2014 #10

And they didn't notice that feature when they voted for him in 2008? brooklynite Oct 2014 #16

The country/ media has not allowed him the credit for his victories. notrightatall Oct 2014 #24

"[O]versaw the apprehension of bin Laden..." OnyxCollie Oct 2014 #12

You think people are upset that Obama killed OBL? JoePhilly Oct 2014 #29

If memory serves me correctly, plenty of DUers were at the time. cherokeeprogressive Oct 2014 #115

A few were. Not many. Warren DeMontague Oct 2014 #158

Too true. n/t cherokeeprogressive Oct 2014 #185

I didn't weigh in at the time truebluegreen Oct 2014 #214

believe me, don't believe me, it happened. Warren DeMontague Oct 2014 #217

So no proof then. 'Nuff said. truebluegreen Oct 2014 #224

petty point heaven05 Oct 2014 #52

Awww, poor Binny... LawDeeDah Oct 2014 #162

Yeah, courts are so pass�. OnyxCollie Oct 2014 #168

Really? Holy crap... NT Adrahil Oct 2014 #172

Oh for crying out loud, bin Laden wasn't "assassinated" FailureToCommunicate Oct 2014 #208

He was unarmed. OnyxCollie Oct 2014 #209

Go and question an average American about what's going on in the nation and the world.. Fumesucker Oct 2014 #15

Well, he did allow millions to get tossed out of their homes to bail out Wall Street. Octafish Oct 2014 #17

Is have mixed emotions... Adrahil Oct 2014 #173

if obama were a white republican, unblock Oct 2014 #19

Agree. JoePhilly Oct 2014 #30

No doubt about that BeyondGeography Oct 2014 #31

true but it cuts both ways Puzzledtraveller Oct 2014 #65

well, yes. but then, we haven't had anything resembling a liberal in office since nixon. unblock Oct 2014 #67

Hmm. What could it be about him that might cause this reaction? 6000eliot Oct 2014 #22

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2014 #23

The same way Democratic candidates can, I guess. MontyPow Oct 2014 #26

If you are afraid to define yourself, others will. nt Eleanors38 Oct 2014 #28

Maybe I can help your confusion. It'd be one thing to say that he didn't get done everything he rhett o rick Oct 2014 #33

Travis Smiley zipplewrath Oct 2014 #34

The media has spent 6+ years pushing two caricatures of Obama. JoePhilly Oct 2014 #35

Yup. And that's on 24/7 on Fox News...while MSNBC is airing reality TV shows of prisons. nt SunSeeker Oct 2014 #45

yup JoePhilly Oct 2014 #69

Exactly! Andy823 Oct 2014 #56

Absolutely ... it spreads to the internet. JoePhilly Oct 2014 #71

Exactly right. Who does not think the 1% would not control the media and the message, time to Fred Sanders Oct 2014 #70

Anger the right, discourage the left ... shift turnout ... win!!!! JoePhilly Oct 2014 #72

I'm going to say this until it sinks in ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #73

Exactly ... they don't care why you hate the government, just so you do. JoePhilly Oct 2014 #82

That's a vast oversimplification Fumesucker Oct 2014 #154

Your OP Should Be Made Into A Campaign Ad And Played All Over The Country Until The Election...nt global1 Oct 2014 #37

+++++ LeftInTX Oct 2014 #39

He promised ChANgE. Not Status Quo bandaids leftstreet Oct 2014 #38

And how was one man supposed to make that change happen? Avalux Oct 2014 #40

Why did he drop the Public Option? Where's promised Jobs Plan? leftstreet Oct 2014 #42

Come on, use your brain. Avalux Oct 2014 #49

What insulting, victim-blaming, revisionist nonsense. woo me with science Oct 2014 #97

^^+1^^ leftstreet Oct 2014 #114

Thank you. 840high Oct 2014 #231

The majority of Americans wanted single payer leftstreet Oct 2014 #98

Polls? Avalux Oct 2014 #118

So you're saying...why bother voting? leftstreet Oct 2014 #122

Let me try again.... Avalux Oct 2014 #124

Try harder leftstreet Oct 2014 #126

BULL. Obama had a filibuster proof majority for only 24 working days. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #53

NO heaven05 Oct 2014 #61

Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #75

He and the Dems had solid majorities for TWO YEARS...while the country was crumbling around us. kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #119

When has he ever asked Americans for support? leftstreet Oct 2014 #125

He is always asking for support. You apparently aren't listening. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #138

He was on TV 6yrs ago asking Public Option support? leftstreet Oct 2014 #141

It was not a solid filibuster proof majority. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #135

Public pressure would have solved it leftstreet Oct 2014 #140

No it would not have. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #153

Weak excuse making and minimizing. That was a rare and generational majority TheKentuckian Oct 2014 #167

No, what was rare was the GOP pact on inauguration day 2009 to block EVERYTHING. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #213

So your argument is such majorities are common? TheKentuckian Oct 2014 #218

My point is that it was not a filibuster proof majority, something you keep ignoring. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #223

I forgot about Carter's majority, fair enough. Still a generational high, been a a couple of years TheKentuckian Oct 2014 #235

The obstruction was unprecedented. It more than doubled when Obama took office. SunSeeker Oct 2014 #236

yup. n/t MBS Oct 2014 #79

Why didn't he raise minimum wage and index it to inflation when we controlled Congress? joeglow3 Oct 2014 #191

Yep , and if you notice the difference in Recs -- truedelphi Oct 2014 #44

Well mr. prez heaven05 Oct 2014 #68

As far as yr remarks - truedelphi Oct 2014 #76

like I said heaven05 Oct 2014 #80

So you want us to believe this - that the elected Democrats would be shot and killed if they truedelphi Oct 2014 #127

happened once before heaven05 Oct 2014 #174

How are you living in the real world more than I am? truedelphi Oct 2014 #220

well we will heaven05 Oct 2014 #233

+1 leftstreet Oct 2014 #99

given the makeup heaven05 Oct 2014 #59

he has been mediocre and slightly to the right of center on the vast majority of issues. bowens43 Oct 2014 #46

Well heaven05 Oct 2014 #63

How are ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #81

Not that he's up for re-election Kelvin Mace Oct 2014 #54

Basically, I like the guy. Hoppy Oct 2014 #57

Because most people feel their lives are not getting better... modestybl Oct 2014 #62

You mean all those people out at the malls and casinos and on those cruise ships? kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #87

"Most people" I see are struggling to make ends meet. winter is coming Oct 2014 #105

I guess we just don't see the same people.. nt kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #148

Government - Federal, State, and local was intended to work Iliyah Oct 2014 #96

Understand this ... Trajan Oct 2014 #66

The power of money and propaganda kentuck Oct 2014 #83

A large population... gcomeau Oct 2014 #84

The Tee Vee Tells them to Vote Rapuglican AndyTiedye Oct 2014 #85

It is a well funded groups on the right who cherry pick Peacetrain Oct 2014 #86

Lack of ponies. nt MrScorpio Oct 2014 #88

Here's a thought: R.Quinn Oct 2014 #89

What's he running for? I'll vote for him. Iggo Oct 2014 #90

"Red neck biggots" Iamthetruth Oct 2014 #91

As soon as the 'red neck biggots' start respecting all democrats Trajan Oct 2014 #101

Yet another shot Iamthetruth Oct 2014 #219

Poor poor right wing republicans ... Trajan Oct 2014 #229

You're the problem Iamthetruth Oct 2014 #232

I've always have his back! In the face of historic republican attacks the President, Sunlei Oct 2014 #92

Americans Abroad riverbendviewgal Oct 2014 #93

a little note DonCoquixote Oct 2014 #104

It is not only the very rich who move abroad riverbendviewgal Oct 2014 #137

Thepoint is DonCoquixote Oct 2014 #146

the rest of the world riverbendviewgal Oct 2014 #147

because DonCoquixote Oct 2014 #150

canada has a higher tax bracket riverbendviewgal Oct 2014 #152

"Only the rich can afford to live outside of the USA now." Or the very poor (less than $500,000). ieoeja Oct 2014 #132

You are misinformed as many are riverbendviewgal Oct 2014 #136

Hear, hear! SpankMe Oct 2014 #94

In 2008 85% had health insurance, today it's 86.5% One_Life_To_Give Oct 2014 #100

Why are only the "perpetrators" who committed the crimes BEFORE Obama came into office expected to kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #189

One expects Bush's justice department to roll over One_Life_To_Give Oct 2014 #205

Too many TV-watchers who think the real world operates in sync with melodramatic overtones. randome Oct 2014 #102

Good Bye Knuckleheads keep walking around with your Head up your Asses. taotzu Oct 2014 #103

ouch! heaven05 Oct 2014 #175

No Ponies.... Historic NY Oct 2014 #107

Record number of people not in the labor force DesMoinesDem Oct 2014 #108

K & FUCKING R!!! Mister Nightowl Oct 2014 #109

the problem is both sides are right DonCoquixote Oct 2014 #110

Yes. Orsino Oct 2014 #121

Don't look to my state. Puglover Oct 2014 #111

When the question is asked "Are you better off under Obama than you were before he was elected?" Tatiana Oct 2014 #113

My household income has dropped 65% in the last 6 years. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #131

My household income is substantially higher than 6 years ago. ieoeja Oct 2014 #134

Do you still live in Texas? Major Hogwash Oct 2014 #143

Only wingers are ignoring that MORE PEOPLE (not anecdotes) are MORE better of today than in 08 uponit7771 Oct 2014 #156

TPP colsohlibgal Oct 2014 #117

Just look at how DUers attack Obama all the time flamingdem Oct 2014 #123

Do I understand correctly that you count Republicans among the 'back-turners'? JHB Oct 2014 #128

Because things aren't improving. Savannahmann Oct 2014 #129

Guess what...our population has also increased. People lived in storm drains after Reagan turned kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #190

You Folks? Savannahmann Oct 2014 #211

I'm pretty disappointed in him but looking at possible successors I'd vote for him again if I could tularetom Oct 2014 #130

I agree, I agree... Stellar Oct 2014 #133

Because the gains went to the 1%, and we're back in Iraq. Simple. grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #139

The stimulus being too small and the pivot towards deficit reduction are two of the reasons why the Chathamization Oct 2014 #142

This message was self-deleted by its author ann--- Oct 2014 #151

You know, the 2nd Term Midterms are always tough on the incumbent. Warren DeMontague Oct 2014 #157

Fear. Fear of change. JDPriestly Oct 2014 #159

I'll explain it: It's a combination of factors cali Oct 2014 #163

Who "counts" the votes? Corporations beholden to the 1%! blkmusclmachine Oct 2014 #164

don't worry your little head about it Demeter Oct 2014 #166

The fact that you (and so many others) DON'T get it -- is the MAIN problem. DeSwiss Oct 2014 #169

last line? heaven05 Oct 2014 #176

Most of the stuff you mentioned is not something Obama did or had control over. School policies are kelliekat44 Oct 2014 #188

I remember when GWB was president...... DeSwiss Oct 2014 #216

I can't speak for all voters. LWolf Oct 2014 #177

I don't understand what Democratic candidates hope to get by letting Republicans frame Obama merrily Oct 2014 #179

Do you think Democrats... ReRe Oct 2014 #181

What's so fucking hard to understand? 99Forever Oct 2014 #182

Because the republcan controlled media (Chuck Todd I'm looking @ you) has been .... Botany Oct 2014 #183

Well...it hasn't happened yet. And it may not. PatrickforO Oct 2014 #184

Really ? rtracey Oct 2014 #186

Democratic candidates are turning their backs on the President, perhaps you whereisjustice Oct 2014 #195

Somehow, some folks got the idea there would be real "Change". Silly Americans. nt NorthCarolina Oct 2014 #202

This message was self-deleted by its author ann--- Oct 2014 #204

Shocked, also. marble falls Oct 2014 #206

Their PR folks are all on the same page, ours attack our President and email team. nt stevenleser Oct 2014 #215

Because they are hearing a different message. kentuck Oct 2014 #221

The level of stupidity in America tabasco Oct 2014 #222

Democrats did very little to show a real difference BlueStreak Oct 2014 #226

Because many Americans are as stupid as a bag of rocks! n/t RKP5637 Oct 2014 #227

Maybe like myself they had their entire industry abelenkpe Oct 2014 #228

Much can be blamed on the MSM, along with lack of critical thinking by the populous still_one Oct 2014 #230