Hello everybody...Hope you are all enjoying the run-up to the...

[rasputin1952]

inauguration, I know I can't wait until bush is gone and Obama takes the helm!

Which brings up why I am starting this thread...Reality states that there is but one president at a time, and while bush is a miserable miscreant, the fact remains he is still in office until 1-20-09, at which time he will leave DC, (hopefully forever), and we can look forward to some changes.

About changes, these things take time, and even though Obama is working on some pretty hefty stuff, we should all remind ourselves that he can't actually do anything until he takes the oath of office. Virtually every change this country has seen, bar some wars and extreme events, has come after a pretty long time, so patience truly is a virtue when it comes to politics.

I for one, do not want most of the changes to take place about 45 minutes after Obama takes office, being too fast can lead to calamity down the road, almost every piece of legislation passed too quickly is fraught with all kinds of pitfalls, we should avoid quick decisions in law like we avoid killer bees.

About his Cabinet choices...as much as we wish this wouldn't be true, we have to face facts, we here on DU, no matter how much we would like to be a part of the process in selecting Obama's Cabinet, well, it just ain't gonna happen. As for the actual choices, I am sure Obama has done some serious thinking about whom he will choose, and while some may prove to less than adequate, none of us can be sure of that until the new administration is seated and they get to work.

I know that there will be some here that would squawk if the best possible candidates were in the Cabinet, that is their right...it is also their right to be wrong, we shall see as time goes by. We have our share of "gloom and doomers", some people think that every Silver Lining should have a cloud, well that is their right too, even though I find gloom and doom kind of OTT, especially since the nation has actually survived, (so far and with huge changes in our Civil Rights) under the current administration, I feel pretty good about the future.

So...it is possible to stop or slow down all of the negativity?. Let's give this man a chance, and give those he selects a chance, to make changes that benefit us all. 20 January 2009 we take the helm, and if Obama's presidential campaign is any sign of what is to come, I think we're in for pretty good times ahead.

Thanks for taking the time to read this...and remember, we're just starting on this journey, we haven't gotten to the point where we have to eat each other or beat others in to submission.



(edited: found a typo...:blush: )

[babylonsister]

1. Reason? REASON?? Ha! K&R! nt

[rasputin1952]

6. ...

:D :hi:

[Bicoastal]

2. Hey Ras--good post!

K & R! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[rasputin1952]

7. Thanks...

:hi:

[FrenchieCat]

3. I think I love you.......

Well, OK....."in Like" then! :)

[rasputin1952]

8. Thanks...

:hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Great post...

:thumbsup: :hi:

[rasputin1952]

9. Thanks...

:hi:

[rasputin1952]

5. Oops, replied to myself...n/t

[Born_A_Truman]

10. Great post!

I am enjoying the countdown!

[Starry Messenger]

11. I'm enjoying the run-up very much.

(I'm also hiding threads like crazy to keep my blood pressure down. Just remember kids...your little gray friend on the end isn't there just for decoration!)

[rasputin1952]

14. I'm a member too...And when I start a thread...I do it as a

member.

I love this place, it's my second family, I really like discussion, but I am not fond of arguments or negativity...:hi:

[Starry Messenger]

16. Heck I hope you didn't think I was hiding your thread.

:( I was just speaking generally. I love this place and the negativity tonight has been sad but manageable with the great tools this place provides. Your post I rec'd! On to January! :hi:

[rasputin1952]

18. Oh no, not at all...

It's just that occasionally, people see the Gray Ghost, and forget I'm a member...all they see is Moderator.

[Starry Messenger]

21. Ah!

Sorry, my metaphor got lost in my sake' from dinner. I meant the (x) at the end of the thread titles in forum. Click once and the pain is all gone! I forgot about the little gray man. :blush: All clear now.

[firedupdem]

12. Thank You!

I was starting to feel miserable!

[rasputin1952]

15. You shouldn't, the best is yet to come...

it just takes time...:D

[firedupdem]

17. Hey, just noticed you're in nebraska too! Now I feel better! n/t

[rasputin1952]

19. I'm in Norfolk, NE...not many of us out here on the Great Plains...

I always feel alone when I know others are having a meet-up someplace where people actually live...:D

[firedupdem]

22. I moved here to Beatrice from michigan this past summer...what

a shocker for a big city girl like me! Bored!!!!

[rasputin1952]

23. I'm originally from NYC...bored isn't the word...dead is more like it...

:D

[Longhorn]

13. Thanks, Ras!

This is a great post in all respects! :hug:

[Uzybone]

20. Kellog and Root

[DeepModem Mom]

24. Thank you! K&R!

[intheflow]

25. Ras, this is a perfect example of why I love being a mod with you.

You are a voice of reason in DU's often turbulent seas. Great post, my friend! :patriot:

[firedupdem]

26. kick!

[Dem2theMax]

27. My President is getting my support.

That feels so good to write - MY President. I am so proud of Obama. I trust this man.
I am going to wait and watch and listen and learn. I believe in this man and in what he can accomplish.

So rather than be negative about him and the choices he is making, I am going to enjoy watching him turn my country back into my country.

[stillcool]

28. you are a bright spot in the night time...

hard to believe it's only been 2 weeks and we have 2 months left to go before we get inaugurated. I'm going to wait until I get a President Obama before I throw him under the bus.

[rasputin1952]

29. Good Morning all...Thanks to all who read this and understand the

importance of patience and the way things work.

There's a lot to be discussed over the next couple of months, (just wait until the pardons hit the news!).

bush is the problem, we still have a couple of months, and he can do a lot of damage. We should all be aware the bush is one arrogant pinhead, he will never understand how much damage he's done. Obama's greatest strength is that he will take over the reins after the worst president in our history, I honestly believe he will do a far better job than some people think.

In any case, I find it absurd to knock the man before he even takes office.

[secondwind]

30. You are so right about this! I could not agree with you more .... K&R

Too much negativity the past week!



:puke:

[cali]

31. Thanks for this.

It can't be said too often, and you said it awfully well.

:hi:

[RichGirl]

32. Obama isn't president yet....

But I see good positive changes. First, while campaigning he never resorted to mudslinging and nastiness, yet he understands that aspect of campaigning and isn't punishing those who did resort to the usual tactics. He has shown everyone that you can win without that kind of stuff. Second, when he said he wanted to do business in Washington different, he really meant it. He is pulling people together with different ideas than himself and treating them in a respectful way that will encourage working together to get things done, instead of fighting. He is putting the country first instead of his own ego.

I am happy with his selections so far and truly hope that Hillary does get SOS. So many who hate the Clintons assume that he hates them too even though he has repeatedly said that he respects and admires them. Now is the time for everyone to take a good look at their own hate. What is it based on. The only drama surrounding the Clintons has been fabricated by a drama-hungry media. They are two very hardworking people who have dedicated their lives to making this world a better place. They are very loved, respected, admired and trusted around the world. Obama is very smart and knows how helpful this is.

Those who have criticized Obama most on this board are expecting him to conduct politics as usual, division and fighting, revenge, vindictiveness and paying favors to those who supported him and punishing those who didn't. That's not change. The changes he promised were based on making all our lives better and for that he will need the best, most experienced, most qualified people to work with and the cooperation of everyone.

[rasputin1952]

35. Yes, I agree w/much of what you posted...My face hit the floor

when McCain said we needed change...He's been dependent upon the government since he was born. Virtually everything in his life has been government sponsored, and he didn't do squat to change things as a Senator...for 26 years! The man was a terrible campaigner, and dead weight from the get-go.

I see a future in Obama's leadership, but a D Congress is the real engine for change. I feel that if this administration and Congress get the nation back on track after the bush disaster we're not going to see a resurgent GOP for at least a generation, if not longer...:D

[Window]

33. Thank you for sharing this most reasonable, sensible and timely post. K/R.

:kick:

[Marrah_G]

34. A most excellent post! K & R

[cbayer]

36. K & R

:toast:

[Adelante]

37. You're the best!

:hug:

[rasputin1952]

38. Once again, I'd like to say thanks to all who have taken a moment

to read the OP, and a special thanks to all who have responded...it is you who have made DU such a great place.

I read a little earlier that Obama is taking a very serious look at Executive Orders and Signing Statements, (well over 1000 "signing statements"!)

I think we have a winner here, and I find it difficult to wait until 20 January, but wait I shall...:D

[conscious evolution]

39. Learn how to spell

It is O'nauguration.

[rasputin1952]

40. ...

:D

[Maeve]

41. But Ras, we're so GOOD at eating our own!

:patriot:

[rasputin1952]

42. Fortunately, we only do it after the Circular Firing Squad!...

Besides, I want to beat the GOP into submission...:evilgrin:

:loveya:

[EFerrari]

43. Whenever Bush brought someone into his administration, I'd look them up

to figure out how he was going to screw us anew. Not kidding. It's a habit by this point.

Imho, it will be a while before people can trust, to the extent that politicians are trusted, this process we're going through. And, there's a lot of stressful stuff happening in the economy plus, here come the holidays.

It's likely that even people who want Obama to succeed will have bouts of negativity, just because that's what we've gotten used to. We are learning creatures. We attend to threats more than to the nice things that happen. Blame your frontal lobes. :)

It would be nice to be able to enjoy watching our new president prepare to take office with more anticipation than anxiety and to celebrate that this Winter.

:hi:

[rasputin1952]

47. I like that..."more anticipation than anxiety"...what a great line!...

:hug:

[Lisa0825]

44. Thank you.

:pals:

[jillan]

45. Thank you for posting this.

It's so hard to see all the negativity here after such a stunning win.

[rasputin1952]

48. I know people that would compalin about winning the Lottery...

after they found the winning ticket in the street!...:D

Some people are just plain miserable, no matter what happens. (I try to avoid them, btw...;) )

[Shiver]

46. Agreed

You actually beat me to this. I'd been planning a post in this manner in my head for a few days now, but you covered pretty much everything.

Would also like to point out, though, that we won this election through a combination of factors, not the least of which being that we actually, for the first time that I can remember, WORKED TOGETHER. In most elections, our end of the spectrum is constantly fighting, trying to get their specific pet issues at the forefront, never presenting a united face. We managed to do that this time, and look what we accomplished.

It was an uphill battle, getting an African-American elected to the highest office, but we did it. Now is not the time to drift back into our specific factions and start arguing again. This is proof, I think, that we work best by working together. Those of us so quick to criticize and complain about President-Elect Obama's appointees as not being "progressive enough" or "Clintonistas" aren't helping. I'm not saying blind loyalty is the answer, far from it, but don't be so quick to toss away the faith and hope.

All I'm trying to say is, let's not lose the unity. That's what the Republicans want.

[rasputin1952]

49. True words spoken there...the last thing we need is more division...

I also understand that there are a LOT of issues that people are passionate about. Before we tackle most of the "passion issues" of some groups, we need to work together to get the nation back on track, that will benefit us all quickly, we can deal with the other issues in the near future, but the immediate situation is to bring our nation back to the dignified position we should be at.

I heard on the radio today, that the entire world will breathe a sigh of relief and look to the US in a far better light after that shitweasel bush is gone...I believe that most of the world will do precisely that.

There will always be a few that could find something to squawk about...let them die on the vine...;)

[99th_Monkey]

50. You've said better here what I've been telling all the Nervous Nellys. Well said. ~nt~

[happygoluckytoyou]

51. sorry...i believe what hillary said...and i will be waiting on the 20th for the heavens to open.....

[rasputin1952]

52. I must have missed the memo, what did hillary say?

I try to stay on top of things, but there are times when something may slip by. I haven't paid too much attention to HRC, except for the possibility she may be nomionated for SoS...:shrug:

[BanTheGOP]

53. We can't dilly dally, though... we have an UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT!

We have the opportunity to push through significant legislation, but I disagree with the tact that we need to take time. That is what the transition period is used for. Keep in mind that if we can get Franken and Martin in the senate, that President Obama will be driven by the Congress to get things done.

I've listed several items that need to be initiated or even finished in the first 100 days at this location:
CONGRESS: THE FIRST 100 DAYS

1. Nationalize Energy Companies.
2. Fill the federal judge vacancies. See JUSTICE 40/40: 40 Judges in 40 Days for details. JUSTICE 40/40: 40 JUDGES IN 40 DAYS)
3. Sign the Kyoto Treaty. IMMEDIATELY.
4. Initiate a comprehensive universal health care plan.
5. Establish a fair tax system, including a maximum wage law and increased, fair gradation schedules.
6. Nationalize private retirement accounts.
7. GET OUT OF IRAQ! Announce a schedule that removes ALL US military personnel from Iraq by a certain date.
8. Cut Military Spending.
9. Investigate crimes by the Bush Administration.

These are but nine steps, certainly not all-inclusive, but easily delegated and consolidated, and CERTAINLY within the scope of achievability with a cooperative congress and administration. I had added a tenth, a new Fairness Doctrine that mandates real-time rebuttal for all political programs, that I'm still working on.