Like most Kossacks, I had been down for most of 2011 by the perceived giving away of the store by the President. The Payroll tax has been and silver lining and I have been enthused by recent turn of events with the President deciding to shift ever so slightly in favor of us progressives. Though personally not in favor of the Payroll Tax Cut, at a bare minimum, the hostage taking or its failure exposed the intentions of the Republican Party to the gullible public. I feel that he frittered away a golden chance to show that Progressive policies can work if implemented with the common man's interests at heart and administered well . That train has gone but 2013 beckons and I am an eternal optimist. I decided to write down a list of issues that showcased my unhappiness with the President's actions during his first term.
1. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts. Hopefully we won't see the "job creator" nonsense for continuation of the tax cuts rearing its ugly head..
2. Did not fight hard enough for the Public Option nor did he use the bully pulpit to educate the public about it.
3. Has been unable to close Gitmo plus has followed Bush policies on Patriot Act and WoT especially in the Af-Pak areas.
4. Could have negotiated better with the Repubs. Seemed eager to compromise and compromise he did.
5. Could he not find better choices than Geithner and Bernanke?
6. Jobs focus was missing especially at start of term when he had massive public approval. Could have unleased a "real new deal" with jobs in Forestry, Weatherization, Water Harvesting, Parks, Inner City betterment, and many more..
7. Did not appoint a separate commission to tackle Wall Street excesses. Waited for Dodd-Frank's watered down bill to do the job.
8. Failure to lead on immigration. Even simple tweaks to LIFE act (2001) could have resulted in helping thousands of Latinos and others in the shadows..
9. Feeble support for Union during Walker's reign of terror in Wisconsin & continued failure to speak out against the Repubs war on women & their bodies.
10. Has done precious little on outsourcing (tarrifs, duties) and has championed Free Trade treaties...
While I am unable to vote (not a citizen), I will still cheer wildly for the President for he is a decent man and doing the best he can (his opinion not mine) and am hoping that he charges hard left with a possible Pelosi led House and a 51 majority Senate in 2013. YES, HE SHOULD and we should push him as hard as we can..