Time for Obama to start getting tough

[dwc77]

Well, I keep telling myself that no matter what Obama does or is likely to do, he is far better than the nightmare John McCain would have been. Still though, I am already getting a little tired of and concerned about Obamas Mr Nice Guy routine.
First it was trying to play nice with republicans, which everyone knows won't work. Now I have heard some people say that this is a political ploy and republicans have fallen for the trap - they do look bad. So ok, I will give him the benefit of the doubt on this one even if it isn't the way I would do it.
But there are mounting other cases as well where Obama needed to get tough but hasn't. The latest we are now hearing is that the Treasury Department pressured Dodd into inserting the loophole into the legislation about executive pay limits. They said they were afraid of being sued. You have to be kidding! If some of those executives want to sue, I would love to be a defense attorney on that case, Jethro Bodine could win that one. Instead of just knuckling under and giving in, here is what their response should have been;
"WE AREN'T PAYING THESE BONUSES. YOU WANT TO SUE OVER BONUSES FOR YOUR LOUSY PERFORMANCE? OK, BUT BE WARNED. YOUR NAMES AND FACES WILL BE PLASTERED ALL OVER THE FRONT PAGES OF EVERY NEWSPAPER AND ON THE TOP NEWS STORIES OF ALL THE NETWORKS. WHEN IT GOES TO COURT, AS THE DEFENDANTS WE WILL DEMAND A JURY TRIAL. YOU COULDN'T FIND 12 JURORS IN THE USA TO SIDE WITH YOU ON THIS ONE EVEN IF YOU BROUGHT JOHNNIE COCHRAN BACK FROM THE DEAD AND PAID OFF THE JUDGE. AND IF BY SOME MIRACLE YOU DO WIN, WE WILL PASS A LAW WRITTEN JUST FOR YOU THAT TAXES THE PROCEEDS AT 100% SO YOU AREN'T GOING TO GET IT NO MATTER WHAT. BUT HEY, YOU WANT TO SUE? BRING IT ON!"
But you just aren't ever going to see this kind of stance from the Obama administration, he seems to want to avoid conflict at all costs. And of course after the (would be) cowboy president we just got rid of, this kind of trait isn't all bad. I know it's still early in his first term, but this country is in a very serious crisis situation and nothing but strong leadership is going to succeed. Obama is a great talker, he says all the right things. But talk is cheap if it's not backed up, and there are times when a leader has to put their foot down and send a clear message that he isn't going to be played. So far he hasn't been very good at this. The tough talk has been there but the tough action has not. If he doesn't start putting away the Nice Guy routine at least occasionally, he will be seen as weak and you will see more and more times when his bluff is called. And that won't be good for any of us.

[Uzybone]

1. Avoid conflict?

Have you seen his budget???? Dumb OP.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Oh looky! Another "obambi" poster! How cute!!!!

[Just-plain-Kathy]

3. Welcome to the DU....

I agree with in many ways. ...It saddens me that AIG will still be getting their money and we'll still be occupying the Middle East right up until the next big election.

[FarLeftRage]

4. You've been here since 2001...

And you only have 33 posts???

You have to post here more often!!

[dwc77]

5. Yes, have been around since the first days of DU

I generally listen rather than talk, you learn a lot more that way. But thats not the only reason. Not sure about now but back in the early days you weren't allowed to start a new post until you established yourself as someone who wouldn't criticize Democrats or otherwise not tow the party line. I don't go along with such thinking and refused to play. I have some good friends who have been banned here. I have always wanted to think that one of the definitions of being a liberal was to be open minded and not be so called ditto heads. We shouldn't just go along with whatever our party leaders say the way repubs seem to do. But any criticism of democrats here usually isn't very well received. Check out the first two replies here, instead of a discussion it's just insults. I have a tendency to say what I think and in certain company sometimes it's best to just not say anything.

[FarLeftRage]

7. Hey!

I agree with you. I am very much the same way. I used to be a Democrat, but I followed my political beliefs and moved further to the left. That does not mean that I do not support Democrats, just by the sheer fact that I used to be one. I do support and hope that the Democratic party is the best political force in America at this moment. It does have it's flaws and I do not agree 100% with the party. But since I am an open minded person who believes that gov't should serve the we the people first and in the best way that it can, that is way I am here. I now all too well about speaking my mind and about the times and places to do it. I usually let other DUers know, when I am with them in person. People are sooo much more receptive and listen when they are not typing at a PC in total anonymity. As far as replies go, well I don't always read them, because those who respond with truly idiotic and totally non-rational answers are on ignore.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

6. Maybe that's how he started...but his budget is really very good and he has said that the GOP

can support it or he is willing to force it through with 51 votes.