Letter: Yes, I am better off with Obama

Ronald Reagan once asked, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

The economy in 2008 as a whole was on the brink of total disaster. Things were so bad that presidential candidate John McCain suspended his campaigning to concentrate on what he could do to stop the country’s economy from going completely down the drain.

The stock market was dropping like a rock, pink slips were being handed out like Halloween candy and people were losing their retirement funds and homes and jobs. Two wars were raging with no end in sight.

Four years later, Osama Bin Laden sleeps with the fishes; the war in Iraq has ended. General Motors is hiring, the stock market has come back and 30 million more people will have health care thanks to an admittedly imperfect “Obamacare.”

I look on the Republican side and I see birthers, tea partiers, union-busters and a man at the top of the ticket who wants to repeal Obamacare.

In 1952, Republican President Dwight Eisenhower had these comments:

“Workers have a right to organize into unions and to bargain collectively with their employers. And a strong, free labor movement is an invigorating and necessary part of our industrial society. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of their right to join the union of their choice.

“Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things, but their number is negligible and they are stupid.”

In the last two years, with the union-busting by the Republican Party in Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana, that number is no longer negligible — and it’s growing.

The Republican Party today has never seen a union that they didn’t want to bust, a job that they didn’t want to privatize or outsource or a safety net that they didn’t want to end.

So am I better off than I was four years ago with “Obamacare” and a President Barack Obama rather than a President Mitt Romney coming at me with a political gun in one hand and a knife in the other?

Yes, and we as a country are better off.

I’ll pass on voting for Romney, a man described as a “vulture capitalist” by Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

So, yes, I can support Barack Obama for president again.

Michael D. Day

union pipefitter

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by Whatnow - 15/10/2012

I am not better off. My electric bill has almost doubled, I am buying less groceries and eating more beans and rice, the gas for my car is outrageous and my health insurance has gone up. Everything has gone up. The cost of living is getting higher and my income is staying the same. Twinkie1cat, you would have gotten those benefits no matter what or when. You are only better off because you are now eligible. Those didn't start just four years ago. What did you do before 2008? Were you working? A student? Were you living with your family? Your circumstances were left out as to why you were not working and couldn't purchase school insurance if you were in school.

2) Comment by twinkie1cat - 15/10/2012

Let's see. In 2008 I had cancer, no job and no insurance, had to have surgery at Earl K. Long which gave me an infection that lasted throughout 2008. I was living off of school loans. Now I get Social Security Disability and have a Medicare Advantage program that gives me nearly free care and prescriptions that cost no more than $6.60 each. Plus they provide me with a YMCA fitness center membership. Yes, I am better off, much better off.

3) Comment by nimby? - 15/10/2012

in a perfect world one size would fit all , everyone would participate in "shared sacrifice/responsibility" . individuals have different needs , wants , priorities . what works for you may not work for me .

4) Comment by A_Sustainable_BR - 15/10/2012

I know there are a lot of people still suffering financially, but I think in general we are starting to see a turnaround, especially with employment numbers and overall consumer spending. I work retail at a large department store at the mall. Even though I know it's unrealistic to apply what happens here in Baton Rouge with what's going on in the rest of the country, my store has posted double digit percentage increases in monthly sales over the last couple of years. I'm not sure where the credit lies here, but I don't know what speaks to confidence in our economy (our local economy anyway) better than consumer spending.

5) Comment by Dotarian - 15/10/2012

tradewins said "...if a civilian may also be killed. that civilian is also the enemy. they are supporting our enemies in killing americans." Obviously stated by someone NOT familiar with the actual results of that attitude in our last lost war - Viet Nam. The saying back then was "Americans rule by day, VC rule by night". In many cases we held civilians responsible for that attitudes, and punished them in many known (and unknown) ways. ArcLight strikes wiped out entire villages with impunity. SpecOps would drop in overnight and kill all the local leaders suspected of collaborating with the VC. And what did it accomplish? It turned everyday peasants and civilians into hardened partisan fighters who supported General Giap with their heart and soul - and turned an entire country against us. Yes, I can see where bombing innocent civilians into oblivion because they're subjected to the tyranny of well-armed (and organized) terrorists would work. It's worked SO well in the past... (and don't get me started on how Japan used the same type of "Americans slaughter civilians" propaganda to encourage their people to fight to their last breath).

6) Comment by InPVille - 13/10/2012

@8.3: "The credibility of InPville, The_Host, nimby, . . ." -[**]- The problem with your credibility 8.3 in making your argument is that you have committed the Genetic Fallacy. You are saying that an idea is to either be accepted or rejected because of its source, rather than based on the merits.

7) Comment by MBW - 13/10/2012

I am better off than I was 4 years ago, without question. I have better benefits at work and make more money than I did 4 years ago...and I now have a president who more closely represents my views. I'd say that qualifies as "better off".

8) Comment by Triple - 13/10/2012

8.3, big assumption with only the information available on these discussions.  I would assume these posters have worked since an early age, payed taxes and mandatorily contributed to SS on a promise.  These poster are pessimistic  but hopeful to get 50% of their contribution .... support of their family comes with long range  planning started years ago, with sacrifice, only including SS for discretionary spending.   I think their concern for a return on SS contributions supports credibility.  What ever leisure they experience is deserved after 35+ years of work and raising children, who are successful adults.  These are my assumptions about InPVille et al.

9) Comment by 8.3 - 13/10/2012

The credibility of InPVille, The_Host, nimby?, tradewinns et al, etc. is somewhat if not entirely diminished by the fact that they are all dependent on government for their retirement checks, the old "I know you are so what am I" routine for government funded old crybabies with too much government funded leisure time, giving them the leisure to rant against government funding. Ergo, a farce of pretense which they are intent on transforming into a tragedy for those who actually fund their cushy government checks. Certainly, there are still some walmart greeter positions available for those who wish to send their government dependent checks back to the government. That is all, there are better pursuits than fondling ideologically inspired fecal droppings

10) Comment by Art Vandelay - 13/10/2012

The first sign of a petulant idiot with a bankrupt intellectual argument; the old "I know you are so what am I" routine. Yawn.

11) Comment by gvm - 13/10/2012

@rt Vandelay. It is astounding how people conveniently forget the facts of the record; obstinately and purposely keeping their ears shut while wailing ideological platitudes. The media cannot cover for the morally and politically bankrupt TP/GOP mob forever.

12) Comment by Art Vandelay - 13/10/2012

@Whatnow. It is astounding how people conveniently forget the facts of the record; obstinately and purposely keeping their ears shut while wailing ideological platitudes. The media cannot cover for Obama forever.

13) Comment by gvm - 13/10/2012

I'm much better off. Most of the country is too.

14) Comment by Whatnow - 13/10/2012

REMEMBER JANUARY 3, 2007 The day the Democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009, it was actually January 3rd 2007, the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the 110th Congress. The Democratic Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995. For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is "Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007, the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress: The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77 The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5% The Unemployment rate was 4.6% George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB CREATION! Remember that day... January 3rd, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy? BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES! THANK YOU DEMOCRATS (especially Barney ) for taking us from 13,000 DOW, 3.5 GDP and 4.6% Unemployment...to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac FIASCOES! (BTW: Bush asked Congress 17 times to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy). Barney blocked it and called it a "Chicken Little Philosophy" (and the sky did fall!) And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? OBAMA And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie? OBAMA and the Democrat Congress, especially BARNEY!!!! So when someone tries to blame Bush... REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd, 2007....THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!" Bush may have been in the car but the Democrats were in charge of the gas pedal and steering wheel they were driving the economy into the ditch. Budgets do not come from the White House. They come from Congress and the party that controlled Congress since January 2007 is the Democratic Party. Furthermore, the Democrats controlled the budget process for 2008 & 2009 as well as 2010 & 2011. In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which caused them to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got tough on spending increases. For 2009 though, Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid bypassed George Bush entirely, passing continuing resolutions to keep government running until Barack Obama could take office. At that time, they passed a massive omnibus spending bill to complete the 2009 budget. And where was Barack Obama during this time? He was a member of that very Congress that passed all of these massive spending bills, and he signed the omnibus bill as President to complete 2009. Let's remember what the deficits looked like during that period: If the Democrats inherited any deficit, it was the 2007 deficit, the last of the Republican budgets. That deficit was the lowest in five years, and the fourth straight decline in deficit spending. After that, Democrats in Congress took control of spending, and that includes Barack Obama, who voted for the budgets. If Obama inherited anything, he inherited it from himself. In a nutshell, what Obama is saying is "I inherited a deficit that I voted for, And then I voted to expand that deficit four-fold since January 20th."

15) Comment by InPVille - 13/10/2012

It is true that Bin Laden has ceased metabolizing. However, the man was the symbol of an idea and ideology which like the Hydra of myth grows two heads when one is removed. So don't get all starry eyed about having taken him out. It doesn't mean the problem he represented has been either removed or is that much closer to being removed. -[**]- While General Motors is still functioning, the value of the stock the government obtained in return for the people's dollars provided to the company is less than the stock was worth when the deal was made. Is the fact that the stock is worth less than when we bought it a sign that a good investment was made, that the company is on it's way to recovery, or is it a sign that the company still in trouble?

16) Comment by InPVille - 13/10/2012

I am happy for Mr. Day that he believes he is better off then he was four years ago. I'll admit the possibility that for himself he may speak the truth. After all some people became millionaires during The Great Depression. He says he is better off with "Obamacare". I suppose then that the 50% to 65% increase in the number of people who are now receiving Food Stamps than were four years ago makes us better off too. Then there is the +10% of citizens now eligible for Medicaid Benefits whose former financial situation made them ineligible. The percentage of people currently receiving disability benefits has similarly increased. Are disability benefit amounts greater than earnings? The Median annual income of Americans is somewhere between $2500 and $5000 less(depending on your source) than it was four years ago. It could be argued this is good since we are told money is the root of all evil. The case cannot be made that economy has even returned to the level before "The Great Recession" began. Stopping a decline and tepid movement in the direction of recovery is not the same thing as having moved to recovery and beyond.

17) Comment by InPVille - 13/10/2012

@OldManKinsey: "Well, I disagree with that assessment. Obama's stimulus package stopped the spiraling downward." -[**]- Did it? Show me where some identical situation occurred without the same stimulus and there was a continuing downward spiral. Alternately, show me a tested and validated economic model that shows this. Even if you can, that isn't what it was it was claimed the stimulus would do. The stimulus package and the other actions taken were supposed to bring down the unemployment rate to at least 6%. This hasn't even come close to happening. The economic system that promotes stimulus theory posits that with this Trickle Down Government activity there is a multiplier effect. It was supposed to generate even more economic activity than the mere effect of the $$ of stimulus spending. Nothing of the sort occurred. The latest study by the OGB(the source everyone refers to on such matters) says any benefit ceased to be detectible in 2011. Every time government takes an action saying the it will accomplish something and something else happens, the claim is made that the situation would have been even worse if the action had not been taken. These action/result/redefinition scenario has happened so many times the argument no longer carries much cred. -[**]- Good point ScotB!

18) Comment by Grannee - 13/10/2012

Corvette racer you should be ashamed of yourself. If you can afford to own a Corvette, I'm sure you can afford the increase in your premiums. What about what you pay to insure that vette? My insurance premiums went down because of Obamacare. Also, I had two options - (1) keep my son on my policy until he made 26; or (2) drop him so that he could be insured by his employer for FREE at his $9.00/hr. job by Blue Cross. Yes that's right folks...FREE! I am an Independent and so are my children. It is a shame how some people lie and equally sad how people are so gullible and believe those lies. Although I have not had a merit increase since Jindal took office, God keeps finding a way to make up the difference. If you live in Louisiana you should be better off. Heck, my husband has three jobs..IJS!

19) Comment by The_Host - 13/10/2012

Old Man- Yes or No. Obama did sit in the US Senate for 2 entire years as a PART of the problem before deciding he wanted to be in charge correct? Tell me would you not know what was going on after two years of working someplace where YOU were doing the goings on? How is it we constantly hear the liberals tell us he is brilliant while at the same time saying they had no idea how bad it was. We are talking about the same man here right? Brilliant yet can't work a job for 2 years and see the hole we are actually in even though you are the one holding the shovel? How does that work exactly?

20) Comment by ScotB - 12/10/2012

Our kids and grandkids are not better off. They are much, much deeper in debt. Private sector unions can serve a good purpose, Michael. I think it's the public sector unions that Republicans have had issues with. The government is spending too much and even the tax increases President Obama wants would only fund the federal monster 8 days. We have to cut spending and under this administration we have not passed a budget in Congress yet! Who'd have thought that! Almost 4 years and never a budget!

21) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

Well, I disagree with that assessment. Obama's stimulus package stopped the spiraling downward. Since then, the Republicans have obstructed at every move, including blocking a job bill for our vets. Republicans hold a large part of the responsibility for the slow recovery. But, we are recovering. Romney's plan for more tax cuts are is irresponsible and will send us back into recession. But, its a free country. Vote for them if you must.

22) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

Old Man Kensey – my last comment on this thread, I do understand your view-point and, and it was a cheap shoot about the previous 8 years on my part ( I think I knew what you meant) but the last four is Obama’s, I voted for Obama but not again, I bought the slick talk and the hope thing, not again. You blame Bush and I agree, not my favorite president, but we must move on. I feel that Romney will do our country best. Keep up the posting.

23) Comment by nimby? - 12/10/2012

as I said earlier dems/liberals sure do know a lot about Fox News , first hand knowledge they have witnessed . I'd joke that some monitor Fox news 24hrs a day if it weren't so . their is also an assumption that Rush is the official right wing mouthpiece . as far as the dem/liberal fascination with Rush it is similar to the Howard Stern phenomena , a shocked , insulted audience waiting to hear what is next ...

24) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

Actually chucky. I don't think you did. First, the previous 8 years, i was speaking the 8 years prior to O. Scape goat-- anyone blamed for things they did not cause. ^^^^^^^^ Now, Bush. How exactly does he fit into that category? Are you under the assumption he didn't start the Iraq war? Or, do you think we paid for them other than on borrowing? Bush is not being blamed, he is being held to account. You know, that word republicans like to use, what is it?? Ah yes, responsibility. There wasn't much of that during the Bush years. Hence Obama being handed a broken economy.

25) Comment by DMJ - 12/10/2012

Corvette Racer, you can thank your employer for that. Once again, the people who are actually to blame get off scott free but those actually trying to help DO get blamed. Gotta love American politics. Pray tell....just how did Obamacare cause your contribution to go up? (and you can't blame the general rise in health care costs on the Affordable Care Act)

26) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

Ok, understand your view point. Bush not scape goat union is scape goat.

27) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

@Old Man Kensey-You said “The only way you can believe you are not better off today is if you completely forget the previous 8 years. ”I said, 4 of those years are Obama's, he has been in office 4 of the previous 8 years (to spell it out) You said “Why do y'all always need a scape goat?” I said “ Like Bush” indicating that the left is always using Bush as a “scape goat”.

28) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

Bush isn't being a scape goat. He actually caused a lot of these problems. That would be holding him (and Republicans) accountable. Blaming unions for the current economy is scape goating because they didn't causes the problem. Same with blaming teachers for the condition of schools- they didn't cause the mess, but they are easy targets for the politicians (who did cause the problems).

29) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

Chucky- I can't reply to you if i cant figure out what your cryptic messages mean.

30) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

Old Man Kensey-"Why do y'all always need a scape goat?" just to put it in context.

31) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

@ Old Man Kensey- Like Bush ?

32) Comment by Corvette Racer - 12/10/2012

Thanks to Obamacare, my contribution to my company insurance plan has TRIPLED, my prescription med co-pay has increased from $10 to $25, and my doctor's co-pay has increased from $25 to $40. Am I better off? No way.

33) Comment by DMJ - 12/10/2012

Here's what Fox does: 1. One of their opinion people will throw out a baseless charge that they made up like....the latest jobs numbers are skewed to make the president look good close to an election. 2. One of their "news" people will report the "news" like so: "People are saying the latest jobs numbers might be the result of political tampering." Bam! There's your fair and balanced news everyone. And after that, we hear people say that they don't believe the jobs numbers because they heard on the news that the Obama administration cooked the books. Completely unsubstantiated rumor becomes news which becomes talking point. I've seen it a million times, especially over the past four years. Oh, and there's no way as many liberals listen to Limbaugh as conservatives. Who would want to listen to someone insulting them for 2 hours every day? You'd have to be a masochist to be a liberal and listen to Rush. Then again, liberals are often self-defeating. When Republicans lose, they blame everyone else- the media, the moderators, the pollsters, etc. When liberals lose, we blame ourselves.

34) Comment by nimby? - 12/10/2012

there seems to be a left wing conspiracy theory that anyone in disagreement is a Fox autobot . they refer to "talking points" , "code talk" , buzz words' , catch phrases" by memory . guess I don't watch enough Fox News because most of the time I have no idea what they are talking about . I trust they have actually heard this themselves and are not "simply parroting what they heard from someone else" . I remember a survey about a year ago that more democrats/liberals watch Fox than CNBC . the same survey reported that Rush's audience was equally split between parties . and I'm happy for Mr . Day .

35) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

What! Now!!! When you have no defense of the topic--- attack the messenger. Another segment of the working middle class that whatnow and the Republicans don't like. Why do y'all always need a scape goat?

36) Comment by Whatnow - 12/10/2012

Of course you are, dday. Union pipefitter. We knows who butters your bread. You are bought and paid for.

37) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

@Old Man Kensey- Four of which are Obama's

38) Comment by DMJ - 12/10/2012

I don't blame Republicans for not wanting to be reminded about Bush. If I was a Republican, I wouldn't want to be reminded about Bush either.

39) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 12/10/2012

Tradewinds is tired of being reminded of Bush's credit card wars. I'm sure he doesn't want to hear about all the interest we pay annually because of them too. That is becoming more common. The only way you can believe you are not better off today is if you completely forget the previous 8 years.

40) Comment by DMJ - 12/10/2012

Looks like you got everyone's panties in a wad, Mike. Great letter, as always.

41) Comment by tradewinns - 12/10/2012

i am tired of hearing all the bull about bush starting two wars. bush going into iraq i disagreed with (and still do) however the afganistan war, in case some have forgotten, was because of the attack on the twin towers. that, the longest war in american history, was totally justified. the problem with that war is we allow others to support those fighting us with funds and weapons w/o facing any retaliliation. the military did and could at any time wrap up the enemy quickly, but politics (all parties) are in play. as an example, we will not kill an enemy, no matter how important they are to our enemies, if a civilian may also be killed. that civilian is also the enemy. they are supporting our enemies in killing americans. i would not hesitate to kill the enemy, regardless of "collaterial" damage. i hold american lives at a higher value than any enemy life. if you don't, you are part of the reason for this longest war in american history.

42) Comment by Chucky - 12/10/2012

There had to be somebody.

43) Comment by [e-mail] - 12/10/2012

Some things never change and there is something to be said for steadfastness but there is also a time for honesty; it's never out of style, Democratic talking points notwithstanding.

44) Comment by Triple - 12/10/2012

Host,  What should we expect from the writer?  Typical scatology that he submits with regularity.  Check out the misrepresentation from Post 56 related to Agagent's comment on free birth control.  Is this intentional or subtle illiteracy?  If TP patriots are indeed the enemy of our republic, why didn't Ahmadinejad ask to meet with the party leaders?  He did want to meet with the OWS organizers - what should we conclude?  Wisconsin, the bluest of states, could not muster votes to recall Scott Walker after his "union-busting" efforts, this wasn't only a Republican win, but a win for the citizens.  Defeat them in the voting booth and we all benefit.

45) Comment by 8point6 - 12/10/2012

I hadn't seen any letters to the editor from d. day in a while. Good one. I'll still vote for Romney. The following sentence is sarcasm, for my "progressive" friends: I voted for Jindal because of the color of his skin. @agagent: Great comment, Thanks.

46) Comment by jdk944 - 12/10/2012

Mr. Day and The Advocate Editors - "two peas in a pod".

47) Comment by The_Host - 12/10/2012

I'll pass on Obama a man once described as "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." By his own VP Biden! Nothing racist about that comment. Oh and if you want to see racists and bigots go look at all the tweet that one BLACK LADY recently had when she said she was voting for Romney this time instead of Obama AGAIN. Again being lectured by a union pipe fitter who leaves out all sorts of details about history that don't suit his agenda.

48) Comment by Spudaroonski - 12/10/2012

“Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things, but their number is negligible and they are stupid.” Sweet. That pretty much sums up the conservative movement of today. You say when you look on the Republican side you see birthers, tea partiers, union-busters and a man at the top of the ticket who wants to repeal Obamacare. I see that too but what I mainly see are a bunch of racist, bigots and narrow minded angry white guys who are always looking for someone they can blame for their own inadequacies. Were Eisenhower around today that's one republican I would definitely vote for. Sadly those kinds of republicans don't exist anymore. Great letter Mr. Day.

49) Comment by postscript56 - 12/10/2012

Mr. Day - thanks for the letter. It is extremely important that the handful of us not yet seduced by right wing paranoia speak out for as long as we can. Need an example? Read agagent's comments. Note the belief that only liberal women use birth control, among his other looney comments. If we allow this kind of ignorance to win the day we'll all suffer for it.

50) Comment by unevahno - 12/10/2012

Thank you Mr. Day. The people who whine about "the economy" were deaf and dumb while Bush was putting 2 wars and a pharma giveaway on the credit card. Now that we have a "Kenyan" as president, they want him to clean up the mess quickly and without their help. In fact, they're committed to making America suffer so much that the less-informed will make him a one-term president.

51) Comment by gvm - 11/10/2012

If you can prove that you did any of those things when you were prospering immensely under GOP rule, then I'd be willing contribute to some of those causes. Are you game?

52) Comment by agagent - 11/10/2012

Since you are doing so well under Obama share your wealth: Buy some liberal woman her birth control pills. Help those who are paying a lot more for health insurance because of Obamacare. Pay down the $5+ trillion in debt accumulated under Obama. Give each household enough to make up for the decrease in their annual household income under Obama. Help pay back Obama’s union pension fund ball outs. Give restitution to non-union workers who were discriminated against by Obama. Buy insurance for those losing their employer-provided health insurance because of Obamacare. Help the millions of seniors losing their Medicare Advantage programs. Guard one of our dangerous diplomatic outposts because Obama does not provide enough security. Buy the security personnel guns and ammo since Clinton does not allow some of them to have it to guard our facilities. Pay the extra cost for everyone to fill their gas tanks. Give up your place in line for health care when Obamacare is fully instituted. Help pay for the billions of taxpayer money that Obama has spent while vacationing, fund raising, and campaigning.