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Obama wins: America loses (again)
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By Tribune-Review
Published: Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 11:35 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Voters turned out in record numbers on Tuesday to re-elect President Barack Obama. In doing so, they chose to double down on four years of failed Democrat policies that left America weaker and more vulnerable and will continue to do so.
Four years ago, upon Obama's first win, we predicted he would prosecute an economic policy of unprecedented and recovery-retarding taxing, spending and control that would park the private capital so vital to a robust market economy, further crippling the very people Obama promised to heal. That came to pass. Expect a second term filled with the same redistributionist and command mindset that can lead to no good end.
We also predicted a foreign policy of deferentialism that would endanger American sovereignty and invite aggression. And that came to pass, too. Emboldened by re-election, expect only damaging deals to be cut with the likes of Russia's Vladimir Putin and other thuggish foreign leaders to whom this president will continue to bow.
What we could not have predicted was how scandal-ridden the Obama administration would be. Now re-elected, expect more roguish behavior from the likes of Eric Holder, the lawless and orderless attorney general, sweetheart business deals with campaign cronies and all manner of executive orders that mock the hallmark checks and balances of republican governance.
Yes, the American electorate has spoken. And, sadly, it has chosen to make America even more of a shadow of its once grand self.
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Submitted by:
chuck
on Thursday, November 8, 2012
sorry art..i base my conclusions on facts and not the internet. Maybe you should look beyond the mainstream media before you call my opinions a rant. If you think obama i a good leader maybe you really don't know what a good leader is. That is my opinion not a rant, that opinion is based on facts as i outlined below. thank God i have an independent mind and arrive at conclusions based on facts and no idealogy. Look at the big picture and not just at the your idealogy.
Submitted by: Karen on Thursday, November 8, 2012
This has been an interesting discussion. I'm pleased to see that not all readers of the Trib-Review hold the same conservative political views- that's been an eye-opener to me. I've been a reader for some time and am happy to see there are others like myself who read the Trib, but who are not necessarily cut from the same ideological cloth as the paper itself. I've have found that, although I NEVER agree with the paper's editorial bent, the reporting on local issues is thorough and often more detailed than what I get from other local news sites. (I'm also pleased that comments are not censured before they make it beneath an article: the ability to express a difference of opinion in this way is deeply appreciated. Also..... one doesn't have to join FACEBOOK to do so, something I find odious.) Folks can disagree yet still pitch in and get along. To my mind, THAT'S what a democracy is about, so thanks for the opportunity to express some deeply held beliefs right out loud and in fairly civil terms.
Submitted by: Art on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Chuck, it seems that you are still believing the lies and myths that that the republicans spouted during the recent election. You need to learn the facts my friend, don't base your rants on what you read on the internet or you will remain clueless.
Submitted by: leon on Thursday, November 8, 2012
This commentary is just so sad. It's reeks of a " sour grapes " attitude by this paper or whomever wrote this editorial and completely misses on several points. Why did Romney lose ? First the GOP didn't understand national demographics. Women, African American, Hispanics, et. al. turned their backs on the GOP because the perception is that the GOP hates them. Ryan and Romney couldn't deliver their own states ( theirs a message thereThe lack of inclusion reeks of a lack of diversity in thought, ideas, and party membership ) I'll just reference Romney's concession speech audience to the President's audience. Which looked more like America? Enough said ! Now the Republican pundits are howling about the need for the party to become more inclusive, which must drive Tea Partiers crazy. Whats the incentive for the aforementioned to EVER align with the GOP after being rebuked for so long. The GOP may have made itself totally irrelevant by following a strategy that saw two US Senate spots go to Democrats because the Tea Party candidates didn't have the sense God allegedly gave them before spewing their comments regarding abortion. It's also hilarious to watch all the finger pointing going on in the GOP as to Romney's demise ( especially from the Tea Party faction). They just don't get it and they never will. President Obama has nothng to lose in his second term. The GOP, on the other hand, needs to come to the table with a conciliatory attitude to prevent political gridlock, especially considering mid term elections. The " chickens will come home to roost "in two years if the GOP doesn't follow the mandate of the electorate. Bet on it. Either do whats best for the nation and seek compromise, bury your hatred, or be voted out, and watch your party become irrelevant.
Submitted by: chuck on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It also appears that Karen thinks reaching across the isle is the obama my way or the highway philosophy. If you think 8% unemployment, more people dependent on welfare, more people dependent on food stamps, leaving your embassy people in Libya to die without sending help, apologising to the world for everything america has done, trillions of dollars of debt passed on to generations to come, and an economy poised on the edge is progress made then you need to redefine the meaning of the word progress. It is sad that this teflon president, that nothing he does wrong is accounted to him. It is always someone else's fault. It is going to be a tough four years. I wonder who he will blame for the next screw up or will he just cover it up like Libya.
Submitted by: chuck on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Well it appears that Karen is a kool aid drinking msnbc regular who doesn't have all the facts correct. The first 2 years of obama's term he had a democratic majority in both houses. So instead of concentrating on improving he economy he decided to ram a health care bill thru that most people dont want Maybe he should have concentrated on fixing the big mess you refer to instead of making it worse.
Submitted by: Karen on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I'm hearing quite a 'vineyard' of sour grapes here and none of it surprising. What I'd like to point out is that President Obama went through an entire first term trying to work with a Congress hardened into a brick wall of 'NO!' The Republicans had decided to veto anything that came down the pike, and did so. I think this second term will reveal a much changed presidency... one that has nothing to lose by being forceful since all attempts to extend hands across the aisle and work together has been met with utter opposition and a marked inability to compromise. What progress has been made has been hard won. I think the Republicans now holding seats will be loathe to go another four years with nothing to show for their efforts beyond rubber-stamping vehement 'no's' on all bills and nothing to mark their time in congress other than the ability to frown and turn their backs while the county waits...... and waits..... and waits. This second term is going to be what the president's FIRST election was all about.
Submitted by: Patrick on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The GOP has been take over by Tea Party supporters who talk to empty chairs. The message they convey is as empty as the chair, as evidenced by the above editorial. That's why Romney lost the election. You can't be a self described 'severely conservative' candidate and expect to win a national election. Get over it. Obama won. Romney lost.
Submitted by: Simi on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
GOP can never win with Liberal States like Pa, NY, NJ, California, Illinois and Massachusetts! Have been raised and have gone to Pitt under grad and grad school - what happened in this state to make it so far left? When the greatest generation passed on their kids like me had to move out of state for job - PA became a basket case of folks living of the Federal Government. Thank God for the Steelers - rest of the State especially those idiots in Philly will regret voting for Obama over all the trouble we as a country are going to experience over the next 4 years!
Submitted by: Tom on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The GOP has no one to blame but themselves for Obama's victory. The editorial appears to imply the voters are stupid, but it's the Republican party's extremism that cost them the White House. Will the party change? Very doubtful! Anti-government radicalism will continue to be the theocracy of the Grand Old Party. I was looking for a moderate alternative to Obama, but I just couldn't trust the fantasy-based Republicans. An old white-male party will not serve the desperate needs of America. And the extreme congressional Republicans, mostly safe in non-competitive districts, will continue to spit fire and brimstone and enforce litmus tests on any moderates.
Submitted by: mad on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Ronald I agree. Most Obama supporters (including the celebrities) can't tell you anything about his ideas or policies. The poorer and most numerous ones do definitely vote to keep the freebies coming; and the wealthy celebrity class continues to support him (with some exceptions) in the name of "compassion" while not considering where the "assistance" is going to come from or what the taxes might be on the money that a celebrity makes, in a country that is not only broke, but very seriously in debt. This is absolutely the way Obama and his keepers want it. They want an elite ruling class (as long as they are part of it ) with a large majority of numb people (followers) that don't understand basic economics and history. They are succeeding in getting what they want.
Submitted by: Paul on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Here is the bottom line, the numbers will change a bit as states certify their results but ultimately about 13 MILLION FEWER people voted for President in 2012 than they did in 2008. 10 million fewer for Barack Obama, who only matched John McCain's 2008 performance, and 3 million fewer for the Republican ticket. It should be abundantly clear from those number in the context of the problems the country faces that the electorate does not share your vision of progress being made. The "vigorous turnout" exists only in your imagination and this result is a simple matter of an utterly failed administration facing an opponent who failed to convince people he was sufficiently different to warrant their vote.
Submitted by: Anne on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
This country was founded on 1 person 1 vote; Today we see you can't buy the election and you can't lie to win. Frankly I'am proud of our country. I was worried that it could be bought and that people were not that smart.
Submitted by: Ronald on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Where is the steady progress you speak of? 14.2 million more people on food stamps under Obama. The price of gas has doubled during his term. Food prices have doubled. Obamacare (Socialized medicine). Sounds like more like Europe than the United States. If this is "real change" I say no thank you. I think the vigorous turnout you speak of is more about people not wanting to lose their monthly checks than any kind of faith. Most Obama supporters can't tell you anything about his polices. They just like him because they see him on the view and david letterman all the time and think he is cool. As for the venom that you speak of, I have seen much worse from Msnbc with Chris Matthews calling the whole country racist everyday and Lawrence O'Donnell saying he wants to fight Mitt Romneys kid.
Submitted by: Art on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I would have expected better from your newspaper. Karen outlines it all below. The majority has spoken, and the POTUS will again reach out to thickheaded John Bohner to come to a compromise that is good for our nation, not a political party The Trib needs to put aside their venom and ask it's readers to support the POTUS in his efforts to do what is good for all Americans, not the ones stuffing the pockets of politicians.
Submitted by: M on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I cannot help myself here. I must agree with this story. I also cannot believe that the American people, once an intelligent group, could get hoodwinked in this fashion yet once again.
Submitted by: Karen on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Though I'm not surprised given the Republican/Conservative bias of this newspaper- the venom, the sheer negativism of this editorial still manages to appall me. President Obama stepped into the rubble of a wrecked economy four years ago and though progress is slow, it's steady. The vigorous turnout for this election says much about American faith in what he is trying to accomplish. It's clear the people have spoken. "People"- not corporations and not the sway of those who control the coffers. 'We the people of the UNITED States' ... have placed our faith in continued efforts for real change.
sorry art..i base my conclusions on facts and not the internet. Maybe you should look beyond the mainstream media before you call my opinions a rant. If you think obama i a good leader maybe you really don't know what a good leader is. That is my opinion not a rant, that opinion is based on facts as i outlined below. thank God i have an independent mind and arrive at conclusions based on facts and no idealogy. Look at the big picture and not just at the your idealogy.
Submitted by: Karen on Thursday, November 8, 2012
This has been an interesting discussion. I'm pleased to see that not all readers of the Trib-Review hold the same conservative political views- that's been an eye-opener to me. I've been a reader for some time and am happy to see there are others like myself who read the Trib, but who are not necessarily cut from the same ideological cloth as the paper itself. I've have found that, although I NEVER agree with the paper's editorial bent, the reporting on local issues is thorough and often more detailed than what I get from other local news sites. (I'm also pleased that comments are not censured before they make it beneath an article: the ability to express a difference of opinion in this way is deeply appreciated. Also..... one doesn't have to join FACEBOOK to do so, something I find odious.) Folks can disagree yet still pitch in and get along. To my mind, THAT'S what a democracy is about, so thanks for the opportunity to express some deeply held beliefs right out loud and in fairly civil terms.
Submitted by: Art on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Chuck, it seems that you are still believing the lies and myths that that the republicans spouted during the recent election. You need to learn the facts my friend, don't base your rants on what you read on the internet or you will remain clueless.
Submitted by: leon on Thursday, November 8, 2012
This commentary is just so sad. It's reeks of a " sour grapes " attitude by this paper or whomever wrote this editorial and completely misses on several points. Why did Romney lose ? First the GOP didn't understand national demographics. Women, African American, Hispanics, et. al. turned their backs on the GOP because the perception is that the GOP hates them. Ryan and Romney couldn't deliver their own states ( theirs a message thereThe lack of inclusion reeks of a lack of diversity in thought, ideas, and party membership ) I'll just reference Romney's concession speech audience to the President's audience. Which looked more like America? Enough said ! Now the Republican pundits are howling about the need for the party to become more inclusive, which must drive Tea Partiers crazy. Whats the incentive for the aforementioned to EVER align with the GOP after being rebuked for so long. The GOP may have made itself totally irrelevant by following a strategy that saw two US Senate spots go to Democrats because the Tea Party candidates didn't have the sense God allegedly gave them before spewing their comments regarding abortion. It's also hilarious to watch all the finger pointing going on in the GOP as to Romney's demise ( especially from the Tea Party faction). They just don't get it and they never will. President Obama has nothng to lose in his second term. The GOP, on the other hand, needs to come to the table with a conciliatory attitude to prevent political gridlock, especially considering mid term elections. The " chickens will come home to roost "in two years if the GOP doesn't follow the mandate of the electorate. Bet on it. Either do whats best for the nation and seek compromise, bury your hatred, or be voted out, and watch your party become irrelevant.
Submitted by: chuck on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It also appears that Karen thinks reaching across the isle is the obama my way or the highway philosophy. If you think 8% unemployment, more people dependent on welfare, more people dependent on food stamps, leaving your embassy people in Libya to die without sending help, apologising to the world for everything america has done, trillions of dollars of debt passed on to generations to come, and an economy poised on the edge is progress made then you need to redefine the meaning of the word progress. It is sad that this teflon president, that nothing he does wrong is accounted to him. It is always someone else's fault. It is going to be a tough four years. I wonder who he will blame for the next screw up or will he just cover it up like Libya.
Submitted by: chuck on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Well it appears that Karen is a kool aid drinking msnbc regular who doesn't have all the facts correct. The first 2 years of obama's term he had a democratic majority in both houses. So instead of concentrating on improving he economy he decided to ram a health care bill thru that most people dont want Maybe he should have concentrated on fixing the big mess you refer to instead of making it worse.
Submitted by: Karen on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I'm hearing quite a 'vineyard' of sour grapes here and none of it surprising. What I'd like to point out is that President Obama went through an entire first term trying to work with a Congress hardened into a brick wall of 'NO!' The Republicans had decided to veto anything that came down the pike, and did so. I think this second term will reveal a much changed presidency... one that has nothing to lose by being forceful since all attempts to extend hands across the aisle and work together has been met with utter opposition and a marked inability to compromise. What progress has been made has been hard won. I think the Republicans now holding seats will be loathe to go another four years with nothing to show for their efforts beyond rubber-stamping vehement 'no's' on all bills and nothing to mark their time in congress other than the ability to frown and turn their backs while the county waits...... and waits..... and waits. This second term is going to be what the president's FIRST election was all about.
Submitted by: Patrick on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The GOP has been take over by Tea Party supporters who talk to empty chairs. The message they convey is as empty as the chair, as evidenced by the above editorial. That's why Romney lost the election. You can't be a self described 'severely conservative' candidate and expect to win a national election. Get over it. Obama won. Romney lost.
Submitted by: Simi on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
GOP can never win with Liberal States like Pa, NY, NJ, California, Illinois and Massachusetts! Have been raised and have gone to Pitt under grad and grad school - what happened in this state to make it so far left? When the greatest generation passed on their kids like me had to move out of state for job - PA became a basket case of folks living of the Federal Government. Thank God for the Steelers - rest of the State especially those idiots in Philly will regret voting for Obama over all the trouble we as a country are going to experience over the next 4 years!
Submitted by: Tom on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The GOP has no one to blame but themselves for Obama's victory. The editorial appears to imply the voters are stupid, but it's the Republican party's extremism that cost them the White House. Will the party change? Very doubtful! Anti-government radicalism will continue to be the theocracy of the Grand Old Party. I was looking for a moderate alternative to Obama, but I just couldn't trust the fantasy-based Republicans. An old white-male party will not serve the desperate needs of America. And the extreme congressional Republicans, mostly safe in non-competitive districts, will continue to spit fire and brimstone and enforce litmus tests on any moderates.
Submitted by: mad on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Ronald I agree. Most Obama supporters (including the celebrities) can't tell you anything about his ideas or policies. The poorer and most numerous ones do definitely vote to keep the freebies coming; and the wealthy celebrity class continues to support him (with some exceptions) in the name of "compassion" while not considering where the "assistance" is going to come from or what the taxes might be on the money that a celebrity makes, in a country that is not only broke, but very seriously in debt. This is absolutely the way Obama and his keepers want it. They want an elite ruling class (as long as they are part of it ) with a large majority of numb people (followers) that don't understand basic economics and history. They are succeeding in getting what they want.
Submitted by: Paul on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Here is the bottom line, the numbers will change a bit as states certify their results but ultimately about 13 MILLION FEWER people voted for President in 2012 than they did in 2008. 10 million fewer for Barack Obama, who only matched John McCain's 2008 performance, and 3 million fewer for the Republican ticket. It should be abundantly clear from those number in the context of the problems the country faces that the electorate does not share your vision of progress being made. The "vigorous turnout" exists only in your imagination and this result is a simple matter of an utterly failed administration facing an opponent who failed to convince people he was sufficiently different to warrant their vote.
Submitted by: Anne on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
This country was founded on 1 person 1 vote; Today we see you can't buy the election and you can't lie to win. Frankly I'am proud of our country. I was worried that it could be bought and that people were not that smart.
Submitted by: Ronald on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Where is the steady progress you speak of? 14.2 million more people on food stamps under Obama. The price of gas has doubled during his term. Food prices have doubled. Obamacare (Socialized medicine). Sounds like more like Europe than the United States. If this is "real change" I say no thank you. I think the vigorous turnout you speak of is more about people not wanting to lose their monthly checks than any kind of faith. Most Obama supporters can't tell you anything about his polices. They just like him because they see him on the view and david letterman all the time and think he is cool. As for the venom that you speak of, I have seen much worse from Msnbc with Chris Matthews calling the whole country racist everyday and Lawrence O'Donnell saying he wants to fight Mitt Romneys kid.
Submitted by: Art on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I would have expected better from your newspaper. Karen outlines it all below. The majority has spoken, and the POTUS will again reach out to thickheaded John Bohner to come to a compromise that is good for our nation, not a political party The Trib needs to put aside their venom and ask it's readers to support the POTUS in his efforts to do what is good for all Americans, not the ones stuffing the pockets of politicians.
Submitted by: M on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I cannot help myself here. I must agree with this story. I also cannot believe that the American people, once an intelligent group, could get hoodwinked in this fashion yet once again.
Submitted by: Karen on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Though I'm not surprised given the Republican/Conservative bias of this newspaper- the venom, the sheer negativism of this editorial still manages to appall me. President Obama stepped into the rubble of a wrecked economy four years ago and though progress is slow, it's steady. The vigorous turnout for this election says much about American faith in what he is trying to accomplish. It's clear the people have spoken. "People"- not corporations and not the sway of those who control the coffers. 'We the people of the UNITED States' ... have placed our faith in continued efforts for real change.
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