(05-12-2017 06:35 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(05-12-2017 06:23 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  So, Lad, what are the domestic and foreign initiatives of Obama that you are proudest of, and why?

I'm proud of how his policies got us out of the Great Recession (especially since all industry loans were paid back), and how it helped restart our auto industry and get them back to producing quality vehicles.

You do realize that there are a number of studies of many of his policies indicating that those policies actually worked to counteract the strength of the 'recovery'? And yes, Im using quotes around that word as the 'recovery' has been, historically speaking, an incredibly weak 'recovery'.

Are you aware how the auto industry issues in particular fundamentally damaged creditor's rights overall, and how at least some of the Bankruptcy Code provisions were probably undermined to a substantial degree?

Quote:I'm proud of the stance he took on not prosecuting states legalizing marijuana, but wished he hadn't pushed for, at least decriminalization across the board.

Not to be nitpicky, but one doesnt 'prosecute' states for drug violations. One 'prosecutes' individuals. As for the second clause, I think it would be abhorrent to the principles of federalism for him to have pushed that agenda. Look, I am actually pro-legalization measures, but am firmly convinced in the issue of strong states' rights. For him to have performed the second portion of your statement would have dovetailed into what my definition of a modern liberal or progressive has become vis a vis the allocation of power between the federal government, state governments, individual rights, and individual choice over issues that don't rise to the level of rights.

Quote:After Crimea, I think the sanctions on Russia were good because the decision to annex Crimea was wrong.

What about the perceived acquiescence to the Ossetia issue in 2009?

Quote:I liked that he signed the Paris Agreement, pushed for green energy production, pushed for carbon reduction, but also allowed for exploration oil in more areas off the Gulf. I also like that, as we saw an oil boom, he signed the bill ending the oil export ban.

As mentioned before, the oil boom was in spite of Obama's policies. Fundamentally die to changes in the economics of exploration technologies and drilling technologies. I don't give Obama any positive for the those of the oil industry, as the concerted effort by his Administration was to dampen it (at the least)