A great president for the US???

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:51 pm

skittles2004 wrote: Do any of you ever believe there will be a great president? I do.until then I'm still in school though! :wah:

Yes---------but unfortunately not in my lifetime.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:26 pm

skittles2004 wrote: Do any of you ever believe there will be a great president? I do.until then I'm still in school though! :wah:What qualities would you look for in a President Skittles?

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:08 am

President Bush will probably be remembered in history as a steadfast man who promoted the spread of democracy in hitherto unpleasant dictatorships (Iraq, Afghanistan etc.)

Ronald Reagan was another great President with his stand against the Soviet Union and his famous statement to Gorbachov to "tear down that Wall!"

And we shouldn't forget Richard Nixon despite the infamous Watergate scandal for his work in building relations with China.

We are in (some would argue) the unenviable position of being the world's only Superpower and the awesome responsibility which that position brings.

No other country has the political will, the military strength, nor the finances necessary to prosecute this position.

The guy at the top of the pile will always attract critisism - usually from those who know they can never accede to that position. That 'goes with the territiry" I'm afraid.

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:23 am

Ahhh... I could hazard a guess here and say that Philly Eagle is a card carrying Republican.. ya think...

Nixon -- One word "Crook"

Reagan -- Shadow government.. Ollie North.. nuff said

Bush the Senior -- "Read my Lips"

Bush the Junior -- Who..??

but that is not saying that the Democrats were all that great..

Carter -- fine humanitarian.. but never prepared to be prez..

Clinton -- Whitewater, MonicaGate... not to mention all the officials that commited suicide under his watch..

As far as another great president.. that is a tuff call. In today's political arena the art of compromise has been cast by the wayside.. bypartisanship is dead... trash your opponent is in..

I mean look at the possible candidates for the next prez cycle.. Bill Frist.. only if you want to go to church everytime he opens his mouth.. not many other Republicans out there that really peak my interest.. the Dems... Hillary the power Vampire.. she plain scares me...talk about your flipflop artists.. "I have been a life long Cubs fan.. until I decided to run from NY" Howard the Coward.. yep.. and I see another I have a Scream speech in his future.. no one on this side of the ticket that really impresses me either..

Sooo.. unless we see a true candidate rise thru the ranks in either party soon.. we will be stuck with the same ole thing..

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:49 am

Hi there Grey - yes I am a Republican and proud of it!

Re your comments on past Presidents - well I think you're being a little harsh on Richard Nixon. Watergate was nothing new. His crime was to be caught doing what others -of both parties- have done before and since without being caught.

Carter - as John McEnroe would say - 'You cannot be serious!' The man was an unmitigated disaster! He even managed to embarass the Democrats!

I had quite a high regard though for Bill Clinton - sure he made some miscalculations - including Monicagate - but he seemed to me to grow during his time in office and matured as he went along.

And what of the future?

In my opinion the successful candidate will (a) continue the President's current international policies of spreading democracy to erstwhile dictatorships and so relieve the populations presently suffering under them. (If we don't no one else has the will/strength/resource to do so)

(b) address the illegal immigration problem strongly once and for all. -the time for us playing 'nice guy' to Mexico and others is over.

(c) continue to expand the economy at its present healthy growth rates but cut back on, or preferably eliminate, out sourcing of jobs and technical expertise to 3rd countries (China is a good example).

Maybe it's Utopia but it would be nice!

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:17 pm

Nope.. Nixon was a crook.. true .. he got caught doing what others have done and still do.. but the man was as crazy a a freaking loon. I agree about Carter.. but his humanitarian efforts since the disasterous presidency have been commendable..

as far as the future.....

Nation building.. no way man.. we got enuff problems to deal with right here at home.. besides.. who is going to determine what nations we reform.. nope.. can't agree there..

Illegal immigration.. yep.. a problem.. but alot of the jobs filled by illegal immigrants are "below" the status symbol jobs people want now.. farm workers.. factories.. etc. create a livable wage for blue collar jobs and perhaps residents will want to do them...

Job exportation.. good luck.. as long as mega corporations can improve the bottom line.. they will continue to export jobs.. and resources overseas. It comes down to dollars and cents..

Yep.. it is Utopia.. unfortunately an unattainable Utopia..

David813 · Post by **David813** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 3:05 pm

Philadelphia Eagle wrote: Hi there Grey - yes I am a Republican and proud of it!

Re your comments on past Presidents - well I think you're being a little harsh on Richard Nixon. Watergate was nothing new. His crime was to be caught doing what others -of both parties- have done before and since without being caught.

Carter - as John McEnroe would say - 'You cannot be serious!' The man was an unmitigated disaster! He even managed to embarass the Democrats!

I had quite a high regard though for Bill Clinton - sure he made some miscalculations - including Monicagate - but he seemed to me to grow during his time in office and matured as he went along.

And what of the future?

In my opinion the successful candidate will (a) continue the President's current international policies of spreading democracy to erstwhile dictatorships and so relieve the populations presently suffering under them. (If we don't no one else has the will/strength/resource to do so)

(b) address the illegal immigration problem strongly once and for all. -the time for us playing 'nice guy' to Mexico and others is over.

(c) continue to expand the economy at its present healthy growth rates but cut back on, or preferably eliminate, out sourcing of jobs and technical expertise to 3rd countries (China is a good example).

Maybe it's Utopia but it would be nice!Ha! Bush is 'spreading democracy?':yh_silly Is that what he's spreading! Are you serious? There is no democracy in Iraq as we can't even secure downtown Baghdad, nor is there 'democracy' in Afghanistan as the formerly Reagan funded jihadists control all but most of the capital. OUR 'democracy' has eroded under the fascistic Patriot Acts. Bush a great prez! That hurts it's so funny. He should be hanged in Baghdad for war crimes. Sorry Saudi Arabia, your candidate Bush is a colossal failure as an economic or military leader. An irresponsible liar and smirking chimp that has humiliated this country and made the world more dangerous than ever. I'm so thrilled the whole govt. is REpublican. They are stuck with the consequences of their irresponsibility and ignorance. Other than that I'm pretty moderate.

David813 · Post by **David813** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 4:50 pm

TW2005 wrote: Good. The first step to recovery is to admit the problem!:yh_dance :yh_laugh

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:28 pm

Hi there Arnold - I'm not sure where you're coming from on this one.

Presumably your're looking at it from a British perspective as you come from there.

Let me explain.

China is indeed one of the world's fastest grwing economies as you say.

We have two problems in our trade relationship with them.

The first is that the United States has enabled China to grow its economy quickly by outsourcing expertise and equipment to them at a rapid rate. This, in turn, has led to the loss of jobs here - particularly in the textile industry.

Secondly - the Chinese government has pegged its currency to the dollar giving it an unfair advantage in price terms and a wide disparity between its domestic and export prices.

The Chinese recognise and accept that the Yuan is pegged at a rate designed simply to enable it to undercut not only US manufacturers but also those of other countries who trade with us and have promised to redress the situation.

There is a third reason contributing to the problem - that of garment quotas - and that we can do something about ourselves if necessary by re-imposing import limits.

There is significant concern here re the large (and artificial) imbalance of trade between the United States and China.

The Chinese are very much aware of this and, as I say, have promised to take urgent steps to redress the balance.

They are also aware that the patience of Congress is not limitless and that evidence to back up their stated good intent needs to be seen sooner rather than later.

I hope that clarifies the situation for you.

David813 · Post by **David813** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:34 pm

Philadelphia Eagle wrote: Hi there Arnold - I'm not sure where you're coming from on this one.

Presumably your're looking at it from a British perspective as you come from there.

Let me explain.

China is indeed one of the world's fastest grwing economies as you say.

We have two problems in our trade relationship with them.

The first is that the United States has enabled China to grow its economy quickly by outsourcing expertise and equipment to them at a rapid rate. This, in turn, has led to the loss of jobs here - particularly in the textile industry.

Secondly - the Chinese government has pegged its currency to the dollar giving it an unfair advantage in price terms and a wide disparity between its domestic and export prices.

The Chinese recognise and accept that the Yuan is pegged at a rate designed simply to enable it to undercut not only US manufacturers but also those of other countries who trade with us and have promised to redress the situation.

There is a third reason contributing to the problem - that of garment quotas - and that we can do something about ourselves if necessary by re-imposing import limits.

There is significant concern here re the large (and artificial) imbalance of trade between the United States and China.

The Chinese are very much aware of this and, as I say, have promised to take urgent steps to redress the balance.

They are also aware that the patience of Congress is not limitless and that evidence to back up their stated good intent needs to be seen sooner rather than later.

I hope that clarifies the situation for you.OF COURSE only the US is capable of bringing economic prosperity! If it's China or Bhutan any economic upswing is related directly to the US. This arrogance is tiresome and ignorant. The empirism and almost Roman flavor of such ridiculous chest beating is embarrassing.

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 4:33 am

I totally endorse all Arnold Layne says; look at what`s recently happened at Leyland / Rover; people kept saying, `Why not be patriotic and buy a British car?` and the reply came back loud and clear, "Because Japanese and German vehicles are so much better!"

As for will the USA ever have another great president, well....Hilllary Clinton???! And if not her, then, yes, I`m sure that eventually there will be another GREAT president, but I don`t know how long you`ll have to wait

David813 · Post by **David813** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:33 pm

john8pies wrote: I totally endorse all Arnold Layne says; look at what`s recently happened at Leyland / Rover; people kept saying, `Why not be patriotic and buy a British car?` and the reply came back loud and clear, "Because Japanese and German vehicles are so much better!"

As for will the USA ever have another great president, well....Hilllary Clinton???! And if not her, then, yes, I`m sure that eventually there will be another GREAT president, but I don`t know how long you`ll have to waitOh we'll have to wait a very long time! We haven't had a great president since Roosevelt (maybe) in the 1940's! Americans vastly overestimate their value to the rest of the world. Please exuse the arrogant ignorance of some of my countrymen!

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 4:48 pm

Eagle. If you go back and reread the posts on this thread you will see why there will never be "another" great president.

Ninty-nine percent of Americans exersise their prejudgices and bigotry and call it thinking.

Objectivity is dead, or at least in very bad health.

Most modern people think great is defined as "agrees with me".