Log in

View Full Version : OBAMA WON!



heydude
11-7-12, 12:23am
I LOVE YOU OBAMA! FOUR MORE YEARS! YES!

gimmethesimplelife
11-7-12, 12:27am
I can't begin to convey how grateful I am.....especially to those folks in Ohio who put him over the top. Now ObamaCare won't get overturned, now I won't have to live in constant fear of getting sick and being ruined financially, now maybe there can be some peace in the lives of millions due to letting this fear go.....I am just so grateful. Rob

gimmethesimplelife
11-7-12, 12:30am
I'd like to add that as of January 1st, 2014, I won't have to feel so embarrassed at being a US citizen......my mom's family is all in Austria and they just can not begin to believe how a nation of this size and this wealth and this power does not care about it's citizenry enough to institute universal health care.....I have been so embarrassed by this for so many years and now I can let this go......Thank you universe for this victory! Rob

iris lily
11-7-12, 12:37am
I can't begin to convey how grateful I am.....especially to those folks in Ohio who put him over the top... Rob

I'm shunning Alan beginning immediately.

Hey, Alan, I did MY part, I brought MY state in for our guy!

gimmethesimplelife
11-7-12, 12:42am
I'm shunning Alan beginning immediately.

Hey, Alan, I did MY part, I brought MY state in for our guy!LOL Iris Lilly.....probably it was the auto bailout and the lowering unemployment rate in Ohio that made this possible.....I'm guessing. I thought of you when I saw Missouri went to Romney, I thought you'd be happy about that. I'm guessing Alan voted for Romney too.....Rob

heydude
11-7-12, 12:43am
Just think what cool things he will do next! I love Obama.

Obviously, people like Obama care. I love You Obama. Did I say that yet?

No one better complain about the popular vote if it turns out like 2000. We had to deal with Bush on that one.

heydude
11-7-12, 12:52am
Just think what the economy will look like in 4 years with Obama! Don't worry, he will clean up all your messes GOP!

iris lily
11-7-12, 12:59am
Just think what cool things he will do next! I love Obama.

Obviously, people like Obama care. I love You Obama. Did I say that yet?

No one better complain about the popular vote if it turns out like 2000. We had to deal with Bush on that one.

Oh I won't do all of that complaining about the electoral college and whine about getting rid of it--that is YOUR side, not mine--but I might well remind all from time to time that Romney was the popular favorite (if in fact the ends up with the popular vote.) I will not be able to restrain myself.

gimmethesimplelife
11-7-12, 12:59am
Honestly? I truly believe things will not get much better economically with either at the helm. My belief is that we have reached a point with technology that there are too many people seeking work and too much technology inexpensively replacing folks seeking work, and I don't know that any politician is going to change this. Including Obama. Believing this as I do, I voted for healthcare and consumer protections. I also believe down the road there still will be painful adjustments for many as how do we get the good paying jobs back, and as more and more of them go away, where will the need for lower paid service workers come from? I see the future as being a lot more simple, a lot less materialistic, more about basics such as enough food, roof overhead, and access to health care. I do believe that under an Obama reign, there can be more of these basics for more people, hence my support of and vote for Obama.

LDAHL
11-7-12, 1:17am
Just think what the economy will look like in 4 years with Obama!

Greece, with a touch of Zimbabwe?

LDAHL
11-7-12, 1:24am
Oh I won't do all of that complaining about the electoral college and whine about getting rid of it--that is YOUR side, not mine--but I might well remind all from time to time that Romney was the popular favorite (if in fact the ends up with the popular vote.) I will not be able to restrain myself.

Yes, there's a certain comfort in that. Also, we'll be spared endless voting machine conspiracy theories and accusations of racism.

The Storyteller
11-7-12, 2:32am
Obama is winning the popular vote. Sorry to disappoint.

Maxamillion
11-7-12, 2:54am
Such a relief! I'll sleep well tonight.

ApatheticNoMore
11-7-12, 3:01am
Kill lists
Indefinite detention without trial
Approval of the northern part of the Keystone pipeline (yes I really think so - although with enough grassroots opposition it is possible it could fail, would have to be massive though)
Cutting (or is that gutting?) of medicare and social security via the grand bargain
Trade agreements that overrule the local ability to make environmental and other laws (Trans Pacific Partnership)

Oh well it's what people want. Congrats.

heydude
11-7-12, 3:27am
Obama said in his speech that it does not matter if you are gay or straight. Kinda a big deal for a president to say that.

I like how he talked about having hope even when the goal does not seem possible. Been there done that. I love Obama.

AND, he was the first president to say he was for gay marriage AND in an election year. Back bone + guts.

The commentators were saying that the GOP has to come up with a way to include hispanics, blacks, young people or they will die off. All these groups Obama won and they are all growing. I like Obama's diverse America. I like how they said that the first Obama celebration was tears and surprise (that we actually did it). The second celebration they said was more mature, as in we are now on to something and are expecting a diverse America and that America is changing.

Zoebird
11-7-12, 4:08am
Greece, with a touch of Zimbabwe?

I'm thinking we should go the way of Iceland, myself.

Rogar
11-7-12, 8:14am
Greece, with a touch of Zimbabwe?

If the worse comes, at least Colorado and Washington can get their bongs out. Sort of legally. It will be interesting to see the effect on our economy provided the feds don't crack down.

danna
11-7-12, 8:41am
From up here in Canada I say Plus 1 to all that "givemethesimplelife" said.

Question for Apathethic No More? Re: I do believe it is possible that pipeline will go through too, but wasn't Rommey
running on the fact he would do it. You are all right to protest it; I am sure your news isn't covering it but, lots of people
here are protesting the one they want to put through the Rockies to our west coast. This is not regular oil (more like tar)
and seems to be harder on the lines so the possiblity of leaks seems to be greater. The companies record is not good.
I am not an expert but, my understanding is they would need to use different liners/or something in the pipes to make them
stronger but, of course that would cost more money..............

Merski
11-7-12, 8:47am
I hoped he would be given another term because it takes more than 4 years to turn around some of the problems we are facing. Go Barack and fix things...I had faith in you and I'm glad others did as well. Couldn't stand the folks that were trying to stop him and put a hitler mustache on his picture.

citrine
11-7-12, 9:20am
I am so very excited too that he won!!!! I was doing the happy dance when I woke up and found he won at 1:00am this morning!!!!
As for all the current problems, Bush had a LOT to do with it.....it takes some time to work out the ****! Also with Obama cracking down on companies outsourcing, I am sure a lot of corps will bring business back in the States for the tax benefits!!

Alan
11-7-12, 9:29am
I'm shunning Alan beginning immediately.

Hey, Alan, I did MY part, I brought MY state in for our guy!
:doh:I did my best! Even buying my daughter a house in Kentucky so that she couldn't cancel out my vote.

Florence
11-7-12, 9:30am
I am so relieved! I love President Obama and am so glad that he was re-elected. I'm happy that healthcare reform can proceed and more people will have access to healthcare. I am glad that we will be getting out of Afghanistan as well as Iraq under the Obama administration. And finally, I think that the environmental issues that are so important to me will be handled better with President Obama. Oh yes, maybe it is too much to hope for, but maybe debt can be addressed in a rational, balanced manner. ~Happy~

Gregg
11-7-12, 9:37am
Congratulations to all of you who supported the President. I think we can learn a lot from this election cycle, but for today take a minute to bask in the glow. Tomorrow the 2016 campaign begins.


The commentators were saying that the GOP has to come up with a way to include hispanics, blacks, young people or they will die off. All these groups Obama won and they are all growing. I like Obama's diverse America.

I think those commentators were exactly right about expanding the party base. It will make for some interesting discussion in the coming months. Truthfully I'm not sure if the GOP will be able to make itself viable going forward or if a different party will rise from the proverbial ashes. It happens. Remember the Whigs, Federalists, etc. It seems like this could be an opportunity for Libertarians to make some inroads, but as much as I like Ron Paul they're going to need a leader with more charisma to get the ball rolling. For now I'm just going to try to get an idea of where the opportunities will be in the next four years.

Gregg
11-7-12, 9:39am
:doh:I did my best! Even buying my daughter a house in Kentucky so that she couldn't cancel out my vote.

Dang, we bought our son a house in Ohio last year. Who'da thought? (Sorry Alan.)

Rogar
11-7-12, 10:05am
I think those commentators were exactly right about expanding the party base. It will make for some interesting discussion in the coming months. Truthfully I'm not sure if the GOP will be able to make itself viable going forward or if a different party will rise from the proverbial ashes.

I would like to think that the voter is more sophisticated, but I honestly think that a strong candidate in the next election will not have to address big policy change. The traits of likability, clear speaking without hints of hidden agenda, not threatening big change, and giving an impression of representing all classes of people will go a long way. In my opinion, that is what decided this election.

The Storyteller
11-7-12, 10:24am
Tomorrow the 2016 campaign begins.

I understand Hillary is leaving as Secretary of State.

TWELVE MORE YEARS! TWELVE MORE YEARS....

The Storyteller
11-7-12, 10:28am
I'm sure the GOP party leaders want to remake their party to be more racially inclusive. Good luck with that. In 2010 Oklahoma had a ballot banning bilingual signage and ballots. This time, we had one banning affirmative action. Both sailed through.

A party is more its membership than its leadership.

gimmethesimplelife
11-7-12, 11:15am
From up here in Canada I say Plus 1 to all that "givemethesimplelife" said.

Question for Apathethic No More? Re: I do believe it is possible that pipeline will go through too, but wasn't Rommey
running on the fact he would do it. You are all right to protest it; I am sure your news isn't covering it but, lots of people
here are protesting the one they want to put through the Rockies to our west coast. This is not regular oil (more like tar)
and seems to be harder on the lines so the possiblity of leaks seems to be greater. The companies record is not good.
I am not an expert but, my understanding is they would need to use different liners/or something in the pipes to make them
stronger but, of course that would cost more money..............Danna, thanks for understanding! It amazes me as when I state things like this, it is (usually but not 100% of the time) people in countries that have universal health care that get it. Maybe after five years pass, people will get it here too. We will see. Rob

peggy
11-7-12, 11:26am
From up here in Canada I say Plus 1 to all that "givemethesimplelife" said.

Question for Apathethic No More? Re: I do believe it is possible that pipeline will go through too, but wasn't Rommey
running on the fact he would do it. You are all right to protest it; I am sure your news isn't covering it but, lots of people
here are protesting the one they want to put through the Rockies to our west coast. This is not regular oil (more like tar)
and seems to be harder on the lines so the possiblity of leaks seems to be greater. The companies record is not good.
I am not an expert but, my understanding is they would need to use different liners/or something in the pipes to make them
stronger but, of course that would cost more money..............

You know, this is my only real objection to the pipeline. If it goes through it will be going over some very important aquifers and the thing about them is, once they are compromised, we don't get a do-over. That and the silly notion that allowing this pipeline will somehow lower the cost of gas at the pump. Oil is traded on the world market and simply allowing this pipeline to the refineries down south won't change the price one penny.

peggy
11-7-12, 11:33am
:doh:I did my best! Even buying my daughter a house in Kentucky so that she couldn't cancel out my vote.

Well, never mind. My vote for President Obama didn't do squat in my state as it was in the tank for Romney from the beginning.
But, perhaps I can take some small comfort in the knowledge that maybe I cancelled Iris's vote?;)

puglogic
11-7-12, 11:37am
I get all geeked out on election night just from the thought of gazillions of people participating in our democratic process, all over the country, going to all those tiny polling places and big polling places, standing in line and taking time out to make themselves heard. I find acceptance speeches and all that grandstanding pretty off-putting, but I love to watch (on PBS!) the machinery of voting doing it's thing.

It's better for my personal view of the gubmint to have Obama in office (back to "voting your values"), but I'm under no illusion that any President can save us from what's happening, and what's coming.

Happy day to all who are happy he won, congrats on a good hard-fought campaign for those who backed Romney. There were some very good reasons for backing either candidate. Everybody wants things to get better; we just differ on the "how."

peggy
11-7-12, 11:52am
Congratulations to all of you who supported the President. I think we can learn a lot from this election cycle, but for today take a minute to bask in the glow. Tomorrow the 2016 campaign begins.



I think those commentators were exactly right about expanding the party base. It will make for some interesting discussion in the coming months. Truthfully I'm not sure if the GOP will be able to make itself viable going forward or if a different party will rise from the proverbial ashes. It happens. Remember the Whigs, Federalists, etc. It seems like this could be an opportunity for Libertarians to make some inroads, but as much as I like Ron Paul they're going to need a leader with more charisma to get the ball rolling. For now I'm just going to try to get an idea of where the opportunities will be in the next four years.

You know, I don't know if they have the will to do some soul searching this time around. I'm afraid they will double down and decide that they weren't quite 'conservative' enough. I really don't want to see the republican party go away. Well, this form of the republican party we have today can go away, but not the true republican party that is more interested in fiscal conservatism and streamlining government. Not do away with it, or drown it in a bathtub, but make it more efficiently work for all of us.

There are many aspects of the basic conservative party that are appealing. I just think they need to modernise themselves as to embracing and working within the America we have today. It's not the 1950's and never will be again. We have women who demand complete control over their own bodies, as every man and woman should. We have gay Americans who rightfully demand every civil right that every other American has. And America truly is a melting pot that isn't dominated by the white male hierarchy any more. None of these are bad things. Just the way it is. Period. The right needs to recognise this and get on with it. We need two parties, at least. I think that's healthy for the country. I actually would like to see the libertarian party become a stronger force with a more defined platform.

What I hope doesn't happen is what I'm afraid will happen, at least among Carl Rove and company. I don't want to see them trash Romney. I don't want to see them turn on their own and eat him. Sure I believe with my heart Obama was the best man for the job, and I don't have to repeat what I thought of Romney, but he was their candidate, and they owe it to themselves and their party, and to the integrity of their party, to own that. Romney spent a lot of money and worked very hard. That needs to be acknowledged.

redfox
11-7-12, 12:04pm
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/

This sums it up for me.

Gregg
11-7-12, 12:07pm
I don't think the Republican party is in danger of actually going away, but it isn't hard to see the division within the party getting deeper. I can see a very conservative right concerned with social issues as well as the fiscal side that alienates the more moderate party members who would rather see the government stay out of the social aspects, but don't have anywhere else to go that aligns with their fiscal beliefs. It's obviously already happening. Unfortunately the Libertarian party just isn't yet in a position to be able to grab all those moderate Reps. I know I keep wandering around in the Independent wasteland because the GOP has too much baggage that I don't want to carry. There are several aspects of the Libertarian party that should have immigrant and minority business owners and community leaders lining up to join, but its just not getting any airplay. Yet.

Bartleby
11-7-12, 8:36pm
:doh:I did my best! Even buying my daughter a house in Kentucky so that she couldn't cancel out my vote.

I think I'll move to Ohio. Can you recommend some pretty towns?

Alan
11-7-12, 9:13pm
I think I'll move to Ohio. Can you recommend some pretty towns?Sure, there are lots of quaint little towns in the southeastern part of the state and property values are really, really low since they are mining towns and are being regulated out of existence. Lots of nice houses at bargain basement prices with the added benefit for those interested in mindful, purposeful living of not having much choice in the matter. I'll prepare a list of names for you if you're really interested.

Bartleby
11-7-12, 9:24pm
Sure, there are lots of quaint little towns in the southeastern part of the state and property values are really, really low since they are mining towns and are being regulated out of existence. Lots of nice houses at bargain basement prices with the added benefit for those interested in mindful, purposeful living of not having much choice in the matter. I'll prepare a list of names for you if you're really interested.

Yes, I would be interested if it is not too much trouble. I am sure others would be as well.
B

Alan
11-7-12, 9:36pm
Yes, I would be interested if it is not too much trouble. I am sure others would be as well.
BMight I suggest a multitude of towns in Hocking, Perry or Athens counties as they're a little more scenic than the dozen or so other counties in the area. I would personally recommend the town of Logan in Hocking county. The nearby Hocking Hills State Park is spectacular! If you visit, spend some time at Old Man's Cave, it's well worth the hike.

Bartleby
11-8-12, 12:06am
Might I suggest a multitude of towns in Hocking, Perry or Athens counties as they're a little more scenic than the dozen or so other counties in the area. I would personally recommend the town of Logan in Hocking county. The nearby Hocking Hills State Park is spectacular! If you visit, spend some time at Old Man's Cave, it's well worth the hike.

Thanks Alan. I never knew about that area. It looks great, wish I could go right now ... will definitely make it to Old Man's Cave some day.
B

freein05
11-8-12, 1:58am
Sure, there are lots of quaint little towns in the southeastern part of the state and property values are really, really low since they are mining towns and are being regulated out of existence. Lots of nice houses at bargain basement prices with the added benefit for those interested in mindful, purposeful living of not having much choice in the matter. I'll prepare a list of names for you if you're really interested.

Who in the h@ll would want to live in a coal mining town. I had my annual physical today paid for by Obama care and Medicare and one question they ask is if I have Black Lung. Isn't that caused by coal?

Clean coal what a joke. Ask those living down wind from a coal fired plant what they think of clean coal. Natural gas is really the cause of the decline of the coal industry. It is cheaper and far less polluting.

Zoebird
11-8-12, 6:54am
i love lots of areas of ohio. really lovely state. the part that I drove through (south eastern) was beautiful with soft rolling hills . . . just a beautiful place. :)

I agree with Gregg, btw. Moderate republicans are left out in the cold, libertarians do not have enough 'play' and the far right (social conservatives) are really dividing the party IMO.

Still, no one is talking about the military interventionism, as if its' a foregone conclusion that it's A-ok.

Gregg
11-8-12, 7:48am
I understand Hillary is leaving as Secretary of State.

TWELVE MORE YEARS! TWELVE MORE YEARS....


What's this Storyteller??? Am I to believe the Dems aren't going to slide old Joe into the top spot??? Doh!

Life_is_Simple
11-10-12, 10:39pm
I can't begin to convey how grateful I am.....especially to those folks in Ohio who put him over the top. Now ObamaCare won't get overturned, now I won't have to live in constant fear of getting sick and being ruined financially, now maybe there can be some peace in the lives of millions due to letting this fear go.....I am just so grateful. Rob
You will be so happy once the exchanges are set up. Being in Massachusetts, I can tell you what a relief it is to have access to health insurance that is not tied to a job.

Life_is_Simple
11-10-12, 10:40pm
Just think what cool things he will do next! I love Obama.

Obviously, people like Obama care. I love You Obama. Did I say that yet?
...
One can never say it too many times ;)

freein05
11-10-12, 10:48pm
The Democrats now control California. Maybe we can get something done to correct the states financial problems. We also approved a tax increase to help with debt problem.

Go California!

Edited to add:

" Republican voter registration has dipped so low — less than 30 percent — that the party's future state candidates will be hobbled from the start."

http://news.yahoo.com/gop-showing-calif-worries-party-strategists-185749953--election.html

peggy
11-10-12, 11:39pm
You will be so happy once the exchanges are set up. Being in Massachusetts, I can tell you what a relief it is to have access to health insurance that is not tied to a job.

Unfortunately, there are many states who, like petulant 5 year olds, are going to stomp their feet and not set up exchanges, even though it won't cost them anything and will save their citizens a ton of money, not to mention give them choice, the thing the republicans keep saying is all they want to offer people.

And I suppose these republican legislators who refuse to do this are unaware that folks actually talk to each other, or have freedom of movement between states.
How long will they last in office when people realize their friends and family in other states are able to shop for the best price in insurance without having it tied to a job, and the only reason they can't is because of...wait for it, republicans who are having a hissy fit because they lost. Or they don't want Obamacare to be successful, or they really don't care. Whatever the reason, all the people will know is that republicans are actively trying to make their lives harder, and we know how that translates in the voting booth.

Oh, and I just LOVE that the republicans insisted on calling it Obamacare. History will know, forever more, who fought for, and won for the people the first step towards national health care for all. Thank you Fox News for cementing in history President Obama's legacy!

creaker
11-11-12, 12:17am
Unfortunately, there are many states who, like petulant 5 year olds, are going to stomp their feet and not set up exchanges, even though it won't cost them anything and will save their citizens a ton of money, not to mention give them choice, the thing the republicans keep saying is all they want to offer people.


If the state doesn't do it, the law directs the feds to set it up in that state - smart strategy, a lot of states are caving just so they can get their hands on the money.

peggy
11-11-12, 12:32pm
If the state doesn't do it, the law directs the feds to set it up in that state - smart strategy, a lot of states are caving just so they can get their hands on the money.

Well that's good cause the exchanges are one of the key pieces that makes it all work for us.

Mrs-M
11-21-12, 8:40am
http://ic.hobh.org/forums/images/smilies/th_yesssmileyf.gif, he sure did! http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/smileys/clap-smiley.gif?1292867569

ApatheticNoMore
11-21-12, 3:17pm
Yea a very brief celebration for Obama winning among some (why I don't know, *at best*, he's a lesser evil, and celebrating evil is not my thing). One fear I always had regarding the presidential election was that "fit would hit the shan" afterward if you will. Basically that they were papering over things until then, the economy for instance is on many artificial supports (QE3 for instance but that's just one), I feared they were just propping it up until after the election and then they would let the bottom would fall out. I feared they'd attack civil liberties more after the election as well (growing totalitarianism, yea).

Well a few weeks on after the election is the "fit hitting the shan"? Way too soon to know, but a lot is happening in great rapidity. Patreus happened. On the surface just a sex scandal, certainly hidden until Obama was re-elected, I'm sure it has larger meaning, wanting to get rid of him for some reason, but why is beyond me, information we don't have, and therefore so is any analysis of the real meaning of that. Gaza is happening. Now it would be conspiratorial (not necessarily wrong just a bit far out there) to say that that was postponed for the election, especially as both candidates take similar positions, and it would likely have no effect whatsoever anyway. But it happens, and *U.S.* war support, Presidential and unanimous congressional, is going to hurt us. The self-interest of the U.S. people is in neutrality. Then the Senate is pushing a bill (that's already been passed in the House) that 22 government agencies, can spy on all of everyone's internet activity without a warrent, all your emails, facebook posts, whatever. But don't they already? Probably. But this makes more and more of it only too legal. Wait would that be the Senate that is controlled by Democrats? Exactly so. That is the great Democratic victory, hmpf. But I was really "voting women's issues", oh sorry, it's a nice frame but mostly notable for what it leaves out, too bad the world doesn't actually work that way and you got the crushing of civil liberties as well (not that you wouldn't have with Republicans, I'm just saying: stop celebrating these people). What really got reelected.

But a true bottom falling out? Nah not yet, I guess.

The Storyteller
11-21-12, 3:27pm
http://www.rozmichelle.com/journal/wp-includes/images/smilies/Eye_rolling_smiley.gif

peggy
11-21-12, 5:10pm
http://www.rozmichelle.com/journal/wp-includes/images/smilies/Eye_rolling_smiley.gif

+1

ApatheticNoMore
11-21-12, 5:25pm
Now that is a rational argument. Wait it's none of those things, you know what my argument is :moon:. Shakey, shakey :moon:. That's my argument.

You know you could accuse me of being speculative, of trying to hard for distant connections and grand themes, of calling a future that hasn't happened yet (the Senate has not passed the internet spying bill, it has not been signed by Obama - and I'll probably call my Senators - it's just civil liberties keep losing the fight so at this point ... I'm frustrated such bills are even before the Senate). But if not speculation, how do you explain what is happening in the world, like why do we keep losing civil liberties etc.? Because we are never told the real reason for anything. What are the real reasons for the wars? Noone even knows that, really. Terrorism? You believe that?

Anyway none has anything at all to do with why I don't cheer Obama at the most fundemental level. It's not the economy and economic projections though that looks to be build on sand (QE3 is a real phenomena and they don't know for sure how to unwind it), it's not Gaza although taking sides in a conflict like that draws a country into it (wasn't it one of Bin Ladin's fundemental points against the U.S.?), it's not wierd stuff with the CIA (like when is there ever not weird stuff with the spooks?). It's the kill lists, the NDAA, forever and ever, amen. That at base is why: Obama - heck no! But that things will probably continue to get worse, well people just voted for the status quo, which hasn't been good all this time ...

The Storyteller
11-21-12, 6:16pm
Here is a rational argument...

The enemy of Good is not Bad, but Perfect.

Here is another...

Where some see the lesser of two evils, others see the greater of two goods.

peggy
11-21-12, 9:32pm
Now that is a rational argument. Wait it's none of those things, you know what my argument is :moon:. Shakey, shakey :moon:. That's my argument.

You know you could accuse me of being speculative, of trying to hard for distant connections and grand themes, of calling a future that hasn't happened yet (the Senate has not passed the internet spying bill, it has not been signed by Obama - and I'll probably call my Senators - it's just civil liberties keep losing the fight so at this point ... I'm frustrated such bills are even before the Senate). But if not speculation, how do you explain what is happening in the world, like why do we keep losing civil liberties etc.? Because we are never told the real reason for anything. What are the real reasons for the wars? Noone even knows that, really. Terrorism? You believe that?

Anyway none has anything at all to do with why I don't cheer Obama at the most fundemental level. It's not the economy and economic projections though that looks to be build on sand (QE3 is a real phenomena and they don't know for sure how to unwind it), it's not Gaza although taking sides in a conflict like that draws a country into it (wasn't it one of Bin Ladin's fundemental points against the U.S.?), it's not wierd stuff with the CIA (like when is there ever not weird stuff with the spooks?). It's the kill lists, the NDAA, forever and ever, amen. That at base is why: Obama - heck no! But that things will probably continue to get worse, well people just voted for the status quo, which hasn't been good all this time ...

You're not shaky, completely.. ;)
Actually, civil liberties have gotten better, at least in my lifetime. They really have. Women have much more control of their own bodies, although some would work to take that away. Women's rights are also improving in the area of business. When I was little, it was accepted that a woman would be paid less for equal work simply because 'the man' had a family to support, and I guess the woman was working for fun..

Minorities have absolutely more involvement and say in this country. When I was born, that was before the civil rights of the 60's. Think of all we have done, and how far we have come. Voting rights are one example that is demonstrated every election cycle. And one we apparently must keep fighting for!

Gay rights, although still struggling in many states/areas, have improved SO much, you can't imagine.

Workers rights have improved so much. Health and safety regulations have improved working conditions for all workers, which is a civil right, and again, women aren't regulated to a few careers 'appropriate for the little women'.
Health and safety regulation as well as air and environment rules are 'rights' issues as we all have the right to live in a clean and safe environment.

So, civil rights have improved and expanded. No system is perfect, but you must acknowledge the fights and victories that came before you in order to continue working for these. Don't discount these very tough battles won simply because you wern't involved. They were real, and they were big, and they were very hard to win, but win we did.