A list of predictions for the Obama Presidency:
- We will see less than 50% of Americans paying income taxes
- We will see the credibility of U.S. Treasury Bonds, arguably the most secured investment, questioned with historical deficits
- Guantanamo Bay may close, but a replacement will be erected in its place somewhere else in the world
- Obama will be re-elected under the perception that he ended the war in Iraq and the economy is in recovery
- Republicans will return to the Majority in the Senate and House by 2016
- When he leaves office there will be no more diversity in the U.S. Congress than there is today
- Blue Dog Democrats will be outcasts and will have to be courted for votes on tough economic issues
- Obama will attempt but will be prevented from nationalizing Healthcare
- Obama's stimulus package will pass but little of it will be spent before 2011
- Obama's policies will reduce the production of coal and the number coal related jobs by 2012
- The DJIA will not return to +10K before 2012
- The top tax bracket will be +65% in Federal Income Taxes, +80% in total income
- Zero legislation will be passed impacting illegal immigration
- Strategic ground forces will exit Iraq in accordance with the signed SOFA under President Bush, but support forces will remain indefinitely
- His approval numbers will be below 50% before the 2012 election
- Obama and his foreign policy team will embrace a less prominent role in international relations, bowing to the U.N. and failing to counter the rise of China, India, and Russia
- For the first time since the French Revolution, fewer people will enjoy freedom and liberty in the world
- Iran and at least 3 other nation states will become nuclear capable
- Unemployment will hit 10% by 2011 and will not see single digits until after 2013
- The U.S. will suffer a terrorist attack, likely a dirty bomb in a major city center.
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Showing posts with label president. Show all posts
Showing posts with label president. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Obama's National Security Team
As Liberals shreeek at the media-labelled "centrist" cabinet, it is time for them ask, what is Obama's Management style? Don't know? Not sure? Confused...?
Let me help you out. Obama is either a top-down or bottom-up leader. In top-down fashion, he will dictate policy and his cabinet secretaries will execute on message. In bottom-up fashion, they will collaboratively form policy, his will be the voice, and they will execute. Bush was a bottom-up guy, he relied on the best and brightest to brainstorm ideas and then in a corporate style reviewed the options and he made a decision. I get the feeling Obama will be doing the same except with more group decision oriented approach. Having no business experience, it will not be a surprise for him to take a legislative approach. He and his team will gather and whoever is most persuasive will probably define more policy.
An interesting diversion from the past is that we may have a stronger voice in SECSTATE than SECDEF. Not to say that Gates is a pushover, he definitely doesn't seem that way. But when next to Hillary, Obama and his political team will be susceptible to the Clinton aura. There has long been an intra-cabinet fight for power between SECDEF and SECSTATE. Not since Kissinger has there been a stronger persona to reclaim SECSTATE status which has been waining the past few decades. Always an important position in the cabinet, SECDEF has a dominating budget and AOR (area of responsibility).
Jim Jones and Janet Napolitano round out this interesting cast of characters on Obama's National Security Team. Jim Jones is an interesting pick for ANSA, as he is not confirmed by Congress. He is likely a counter-punch to Hillary, known as a strong negotiator with a non-confrontational style. Seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, Janet's credentials for Homeland Security seem weak and more appropriate for Attorney General. Known to be a good Manager, she will likely have a little voice amongst the booms of Gates and Clinton.
It is smart to keep Gates on. He can successfully execute the closer or Iraq and give Obama the cover he needs to see it through the end of the negotiated SOFA (2011). He has a partnership with Petraeus and respect across party lines that Barack will need in order to win the long war in Afghanistan. Plus, he has the personality needed to make the drastic defense cuts Barack will need in order to deliver on his campaign promises. Gates will be there for 12-18 months and then replaced.
It is said that an Administrations policies are as successful as the cabinet personalities. The question is whether Obama can herd these cats towards his goals. Meanwhile, his appointments have the Liberal Sharks in a tizzy!!
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
Let me help you out. Obama is either a top-down or bottom-up leader. In top-down fashion, he will dictate policy and his cabinet secretaries will execute on message. In bottom-up fashion, they will collaboratively form policy, his will be the voice, and they will execute. Bush was a bottom-up guy, he relied on the best and brightest to brainstorm ideas and then in a corporate style reviewed the options and he made a decision. I get the feeling Obama will be doing the same except with more group decision oriented approach. Having no business experience, it will not be a surprise for him to take a legislative approach. He and his team will gather and whoever is most persuasive will probably define more policy.
An interesting diversion from the past is that we may have a stronger voice in SECSTATE than SECDEF. Not to say that Gates is a pushover, he definitely doesn't seem that way. But when next to Hillary, Obama and his political team will be susceptible to the Clinton aura. There has long been an intra-cabinet fight for power between SECDEF and SECSTATE. Not since Kissinger has there been a stronger persona to reclaim SECSTATE status which has been waining the past few decades. Always an important position in the cabinet, SECDEF has a dominating budget and AOR (area of responsibility).
Jim Jones and Janet Napolitano round out this interesting cast of characters on Obama's National Security Team. Jim Jones is an interesting pick for ANSA, as he is not confirmed by Congress. He is likely a counter-punch to Hillary, known as a strong negotiator with a non-confrontational style. Seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, Janet's credentials for Homeland Security seem weak and more appropriate for Attorney General. Known to be a good Manager, she will likely have a little voice amongst the booms of Gates and Clinton.
It is smart to keep Gates on. He can successfully execute the closer or Iraq and give Obama the cover he needs to see it through the end of the negotiated SOFA (2011). He has a partnership with Petraeus and respect across party lines that Barack will need in order to win the long war in Afghanistan. Plus, he has the personality needed to make the drastic defense cuts Barack will need in order to deliver on his campaign promises. Gates will be there for 12-18 months and then replaced.
It is said that an Administrations policies are as successful as the cabinet personalities. The question is whether Obama can herd these cats towards his goals. Meanwhile, his appointments have the Liberal Sharks in a tizzy!!
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President Obama!
Congratulations to President-elect Obama on his historic achievement. Aside from the obvious fact that he is now the first black President of the United States, Sen. Obama ran a campaign that was in a word, effective. He used technology, the momentum from the press, and an uncanny ability to sacrifice people for political expediency at the right times (e.g., Rev. Wright). Successfully blaming McCain for the "failed policies" of the Bush Administration was key to this entire campaign. In some ways, it's surprising to see no headlines stating "Bush Lost!" or something to that effect.
The political pendulum shifts from left to right, and this election is not unprecedented. President Clinton came to power in 1992 with a similar majority of Democrats in both houses. We weren't assigned our shovels then; rather, the Republicans swept control of Congress in the greatest revolution in American politics. We ushered in the era of Gingrich, the contract with America, and fiscal responsibility. We ran budget surpluses, and saw the biggest economic boom in decades.
You tend to learn a little more from defeat than from victory. While the Democrats can revel, quite justifiably, in their victory today and in the months to come, we Republicans can take hard look at what got us here. While the Democrats chose one of the most liberal Senators in their bunch to run, and win, the Presidency, we chose a moderate by most accounts. If Bush, or the GOP, has had any truly "failed" policies, it has been in trying to reach across the aisle. Attempting to gain good favor from the press and the Democrats, Republicans failed to act in accordance with our principles, to cut spending, and to win the arguments over limited government and greater responsibility and accountability.
Government works for us, not the other way around. That's a strong message that is not dead just yet. The true test of leadership is not in compelling people to act through the lethal force of passed legislation, but rather in convincing others that your arguments are right, just, and best for the country. As Conservatives we will not have the ability to pass laws for at least the next 2 years, so we must rely on the power of logic, and the courage of our convictions.
This Democratic victory does two major things. It gives us a chance for a rebirth as a Conservative party, and it allows us to finally absolve ourselves of blame for any of the shortcomings of the liberal ideology. Let's be perfectly clear about this. Republicans failed, not Conservatism. This batch did not have what it takes to make our arguments effectively to the American people. Sen. McCain is one of the most honorable men to have served our nation, and I'm glad to see him stick around the Senate for a while. Yet, we need a new batch of fresh, young, Conservatives with a flare for tradition! Defend life, defend America, and create a platform based on fiscal responsibility and self-sufficiency for all Americans. That's our simple charge going forward. 55 million Americans chose Sen. McCain as their President, and although that fell short of putting him in office, it speaks volumes about the health of our party. Florida voted for Obama, but they also voted for traditional family values. It's time to go back to our roots, summoning the spirit of Reagan, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, and find a new way forward so that this nation shall not perish from the earth. I respectfully disagree with my favorite radio host, Neal Boortz. He says that we are at a "tipping point" where over half of Americans, who don't pay taxes, will suddenly be the new majority. He brings up some solid points, and I highly suggest you read his "Nuze" column today. Still, our best hope is for a fresh, new batch of CONSERVATIVE Republicans in 2010 to lead the charge!
As a final note, I would like to say that Democrats have gotten what they (and the mainstream press) have asked for... THEY are firmly in power, and they can't blame Bush anymore. Let's see how it works for us.
--Joshua Brooks Sphere: Related Content
The political pendulum shifts from left to right, and this election is not unprecedented. President Clinton came to power in 1992 with a similar majority of Democrats in both houses. We weren't assigned our shovels then; rather, the Republicans swept control of Congress in the greatest revolution in American politics. We ushered in the era of Gingrich, the contract with America, and fiscal responsibility. We ran budget surpluses, and saw the biggest economic boom in decades.
You tend to learn a little more from defeat than from victory. While the Democrats can revel, quite justifiably, in their victory today and in the months to come, we Republicans can take hard look at what got us here. While the Democrats chose one of the most liberal Senators in their bunch to run, and win, the Presidency, we chose a moderate by most accounts. If Bush, or the GOP, has had any truly "failed" policies, it has been in trying to reach across the aisle. Attempting to gain good favor from the press and the Democrats, Republicans failed to act in accordance with our principles, to cut spending, and to win the arguments over limited government and greater responsibility and accountability.
Government works for us, not the other way around. That's a strong message that is not dead just yet. The true test of leadership is not in compelling people to act through the lethal force of passed legislation, but rather in convincing others that your arguments are right, just, and best for the country. As Conservatives we will not have the ability to pass laws for at least the next 2 years, so we must rely on the power of logic, and the courage of our convictions.
This Democratic victory does two major things. It gives us a chance for a rebirth as a Conservative party, and it allows us to finally absolve ourselves of blame for any of the shortcomings of the liberal ideology. Let's be perfectly clear about this. Republicans failed, not Conservatism. This batch did not have what it takes to make our arguments effectively to the American people. Sen. McCain is one of the most honorable men to have served our nation, and I'm glad to see him stick around the Senate for a while. Yet, we need a new batch of fresh, young, Conservatives with a flare for tradition! Defend life, defend America, and create a platform based on fiscal responsibility and self-sufficiency for all Americans. That's our simple charge going forward. 55 million Americans chose Sen. McCain as their President, and although that fell short of putting him in office, it speaks volumes about the health of our party. Florida voted for Obama, but they also voted for traditional family values. It's time to go back to our roots, summoning the spirit of Reagan, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, and find a new way forward so that this nation shall not perish from the earth. I respectfully disagree with my favorite radio host, Neal Boortz. He says that we are at a "tipping point" where over half of Americans, who don't pay taxes, will suddenly be the new majority. He brings up some solid points, and I highly suggest you read his "Nuze" column today. Still, our best hope is for a fresh, new batch of CONSERVATIVE Republicans in 2010 to lead the charge!
As a final note, I would like to say that Democrats have gotten what they (and the mainstream press) have asked for... THEY are firmly in power, and they can't blame Bush anymore. Let's see how it works for us.
--Joshua Brooks Sphere: Related Content
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