Quote of the century
 

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America 's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government can not pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America 's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, "the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."

-- Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006

You can bet that won't be his reelection campaign slogan. You can also bet that when the time of the election grows close you will see that a lot on his opponents campaign ads.

i prefer

"don't worry, be happy"

--Bobby McFerrin 1988

That will probably be more like the slogan Obama will use for his reelection campaign.

was it realistic to assume he could fix it all in 4 years though? Let's even take it further, is it realistic for us to assume anyone can fix a problem like this in 4 years?

I'm not standing up for him here, but could anyone get elected by saying 'we aren't going to be able to do much other than baby steps to fixing this huge debt problem' ?

I'd prefer an honest and upfront politician myself, but expecting anyone would vote for someone like that isn't even realistic in my opinion.

we are way past any one person being able to change the system.

I don't have an answer. I am not running for president. But the first line sums it up.


The fact that we are here today to debate raising America 's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure...
He was right on the mark.

I believe this one by George Orwell is better:

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

"The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor."
— Voltaire

Nothing will get fixed until politicians start working for us again, instead of running agendas based on the pocket they reside in. That means its fucked, basically.

yeah, it kind of sucks either way... If someone runs on the promise to fix the debt problem and comes up with a plan that works it would probably horrify the population and they would never vote for them anyway. Hopefully not though.

for a government of checks and balances, all leadership falls on the president?

Who was Obama pimping off in 2006 when he made that quote.

If the debt problem wouldn't have been made significantly worse by this administration,they could've made some room for him on Mt. Rushmore.

The fact that he and his party couldn't even come up with a plan, a bill, until just hours before default is a total and complete lack of leadership.

Ya, the Republitards weren't there. What an dumb statement. It takes 2 and in this case 3 branches of gov't to tango and all have to agree.:helpme