Hope and Change leads to the same old thing

[CaptainCrunch]

I really hope that the American voters get a proper alternative to Obama

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/24/mc...#ixzz1elqA9tkk

Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, has asked The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review the Obama administration’s award of a $443 million sole-source contract to a company owned by a major Democratic donor.
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that the Obama administration has taken unusual steps to procure an experimental smallpox vaccine from a company owned by a major Democratic donor despite concerns from some experts that such a drug was unnecessary and would not be effective.

R

[mikey_the_redneck]

I can't believe some of the stuff going through under Obama's name.

Here's the latest.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-se...y-define-being

"The Senate is going to vote on whether Congress will give this president—and every future president — the power to order the military to pick up and imprison without charge or trial civilians anywhere in the world."

"The power is so broad that even U.S. citizens could be swept up by the military and the military could be used far from any battlefield, even within the United States itself.
The worldwide indefinite detention without charge or trial provision is in S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act bill, which will be on the Senate floor on Monday."

"In support of this harmful bill, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) explained that the bill will “basically say in law for the first time that the homeland is part of the battlefield” and people can be imprisoned without charge or trial “American citizen or not.” Another supporter, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) also declared that the bill is needed because “America is part of the battlefield.”"

[Northendzone]

At one time I thought Obama was Kwai going to be the answer, a fresh breath, a guy with new ideas.....sadly he almost seems worse that slick willy.....

[Komskies]

Smallpox vaccine eh? Good thing smallpox is completely eradicated already (save for the odd laboratory sample).

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I really hope that the American voters get a proper alternative to Obama

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/24/mc...#ixzz1elqA9tkk

it'll never happen. no matter who gets elected they'll always be in the pocket of special interests because of the vast amount of campaign money needed to get there. the only way that could ever change is if legislation was put in place to make all elections publicly funded, but fat chance of that ever getting passed

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

This is emblematic of the height of corruption engrained in the political process.

The people who ordered this should be forced to testify about its biological and clinical utility, and they should be grilled by scientists and doctors, not Claire McCaskill.

About 3 years ago, another company, Human Genome Sciences, was awarded over a 100 million dollars from the government to prepare an antibody against Anthrax. As far as I could determine, the company had no meaningful link to either political party. But the fear generated from 9/11 has really messed up the political process and opened a disgusting procedure for individuals to exploit the treasury.

Obama has done no better than any one else in combating this part of government. And as commander in chief, he's responsible.

[Azure]

Elections should be publicly funded, IMO. I hate it that the Conservative government here in Canada is reversing that. I have no problem with the parties using taxpayer money to run the campaign, provided it is done in an effective and efficient manner.

That and the dumb crime bill they signed into law almost gives me reason to vote Liberal next time.

Back on topic, Obama is just more of the same old. Funny how people just see that now. 4 years ago it was a different story.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Smallpox vaccine eh? Good thing smallpox is completely eradicated already (save for the odd laboratory sample).

It's worse than that, they already have a huge stockpile of the actual vaccine according to the article, created, tested and developed, which is also supposed to be effective when administered within 4 days of exposure.

This drug would specifically be for those +4 day cases.

Kind of strange for sure.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Azure

Back on topic, Obama is just more of the same old. Funny how people just see that now. 4 years ago it was a different story.

Actually, each president does have his own character.

Obama has accomplishments that are meaningful to his constituents, and his style of foreign policy (to a certain extent) is unique. Those voting for him did get meaningful change for certain social and political initiatives.

But in regards to the whole "herding cats" job of overseeing the shenanigans of congress, he's been no better than anyone else.

[Mike F]

A decent segment on Charlie Rose that aired recently that seems relevant to this discussion - Lawrence Lessig of Harvard University on his book "Republic, Lost; How Money Corrupts Congress—and a Plan To Stop It"

Link.

[Bownesian]

Originally Posted by Azure

Elections should be publicly funded, IMO. I hate it that the Conservative government here in Canada is reversing that. I have no problem with the parties using taxpayer money to run the campaign, provided it is done in an effective and efficient manner.

They still are to a significant extent through a couple of programs:

1) Electoral Expense Reimbursement
Gives back parties 50% of what parties spend in an election provided they get 2% of the popular vote nationally; gives back candidates 60% of what they spend provided they get 5% of the vote in their riding.

2) Political donations are 75% Tax Credits
For every dollar paid to a political party through a donation, the government pays $.75 back to the donor. The net result is the donor gives 1$ to a party which is matched by 3$ from the public purse.

So, with these two programs, the funding for elections is 87.5% public and 12.5% private at a party level and 90% public at an individual candidate level.

[Itse]

I think it's silly to put it specifically on Obama.

He didn't run on controlling special interests and corruption, he basicly ran on new tax and foreign policy and Obamacare. The last two he pretty much delivered, and he clearly has tried to change the tax policy somewhat.

For me, he's seemed pretty much as expected, in good and bad.

[Barnet Flame]

Who cares what the alternative individuals are?

Whoever wins will be in hock to whoever paid for him to get there. All you can hope is the guys that paid to get whoever wins do less damage than the guys who backed the loser.

[Tinordi]

You should watch the series The Wire to get an understanding institutional power. No one person changes anything.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Itse

I think it's silly to put it specifically on Obama.

He didn't run on controlling special interests and corruption, he basicly ran on new tax and foreign policy and Obamacare. The last two he pretty much delivered, and he clearly has tried to change the tax policy somewhat.

For me, he's seemed pretty much as expected, in good and bad.

I think its silly to constantly excuse Obama for the actions of his administration.

He is the CiC. Bucks stops with him.

Only thing he can't be blamed on is the actions of Congress.

On, and he did run on controlling lobbyists, and being more transparent. He has done neither.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Smallpox vaccine eh? Good thing smallpox is completely eradicated already (save for the odd laboratory sample).

Maybe this is why it's actually necessary investment in their eyes, as it would be an excellent terrorist weapon.

Also, as if there will ever be an alternative - it's not as though the republicans did it any less.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

Maybe this is why it's actually necessary investment in their eyes, as it would be an excellent terrorist weapon.

Also, as if there will ever be an alternative - it's not as though the republicans did it any less.

The Republicans do it quite well with DoD funding, or with starting wars and then suddenly losing billions in cash.

The whole system is flawed. It encourages actions like this. And each administration is responsible for continuing it.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

You should watch the series The Wire to get an understanding institutional power. No one person changes anything.

People who argue that Obama is just more of the same clearly don't understand how the American system really works. He is one guy with fairly limited ability to make law when you have such a broken set of houses. Perhaps if he was PM in a majority parliamentary gov't, he would be able to make whatever great changes (real healthcare reform, etc) he actually wants, but as it stands he can simply sit by the wayside as both stubborn parties do nothing in congress.
The man has attempted some pretty serious reforms, but has always been shot down, he would need to win both houses in 2012 in order to have any sort of shot of making real changes.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Azure

The Republicans do it quite well with DoD funding, or with starting wars and then suddenly losing billions in cash.

The whole system is flawed. It encourages actions like this. And each administration is responsible for continuing it.

Might it not be worth letting the investigation conclude before damning anyone for this action?

[Bunk]

I think the American system is at fault. It's now completely intractable because of embedded interests and partisanship. Just look at the healthcare debate - nothing meaningful will ever happen because of the private insurance industry and the power they wield.

Jesus Christ himself could have come down to earth, become president, and not been able to make any real change happen.