It's over.

Victor...according to what America has said through the polls and the votes, we (they) are not crying at all. Only those that think changing America to an out-of-control, radical, social and anti-American agenda are crying. But "we the people" are too strong to let even an accident like a super majority of village idiots take us over.

IF Obama had lost the election we'd have a bomb-bomb-Iran singing president who doesn't know a Shiite from a Sunni, and a vice president who is stumped by such difficult questions as: "what do you like to read?".

See ... it ain't so bad. ;-)

Victor...today unemployment rose to nearly 11%. Does that upset you and wish you hadn't voted for Obama?

Victor - I am with jmark on this one, even though Obama is still naive to think that he can work and comprmise with the rightwing who hate's him down to his core and actively wish for his death or assination; the idea of Having Mccain with Carribu Barabie in control is even scarrier.

Jacob...the hate is not from the rightwing but from liberals like you. To make such a sick and demented, untrue statement is racist and another pathetic liberalhamster lie. "the rightwing who hate's him down to his core and actively wish for his death or assination; "

Little can you understand that you and your liberal hardballers are what caused Americas rising. Tea parties too pal!

Seven in 10 Americans (72%) say Scott Brown’s surprise Senate win in Massachusetts reflects frustrations that many Americans share. By 55% to 39%, Americans say the president and Congress should now suspend work on the healthcare bill and consider alternatives rather than trying to pass the current version.
Read more at GALLUP.com.

The EU is the dominant economy in todays world. Yet some think we need to pay for their protection by our building ,equipping and manning missle sites there. When they have the technology and economic means to do this on their own for their own protection.
I wonder if the Chinese are looking for revenge for the genicide they endured at the hands of the Japanese as they massacred Chinese males during the Japanese Empires expansion that became WW2 in the Pacific. You can thank Japan for China becoming communist.

China's economy is going gangbusters at the present time. I heard on the news that they had a 10% rise in GDP for the fourth quarter.

As compared to the fourth quarter of 08'.

China already owns us

China . . . . why is it that we think the rest of the world should live our culture? I want you folks to think back to what was on the news three days after Katrina. The criminal activities came straight out of the Mad Max fiction movie. It made me realize we are only a few days of hardship away from stepping back to barbarians. What would this country be like with 1.4 billion people? We can't even manage 300 million.

I do business in China, I have associates & friends in China. They are some of the most considerate, caring people you will find on this planet. I go to a city of nearly 3 million and there is next to no crime. People are very happy, they work and care solely for their family, both young and old. They are free to go and do as they please. Chinese children are well educated and disciplined, like the old days here in the America.

When was the last time you saw a Chinese immigrant on the news that committed a crime in America? The limits on freedom in their culture are a necessity to keep peace among a population four & a half time ours with the same landmass.

Most of our problems we made, stop blaming the Chinese people.

Who's blaming the Chinese for our problems?

Government place limits on personal freedom. When governments murder their own citizens for protesting against repressive policy, as they did at Tiananmen Square, that's limiting freedom to a point that I'm not comfortable with. Imagine if dissent wasn't tolerated in America.

America has her faults, but I'm not ready to trade in my first amendment rights under the guise of my authoritarian masters keeping me safe.

@2Cents: 1 last comment before I go "on hiatus".

Personal observations are no substitute for rigorous statistical analysis. Aside from my envy of never having been to China, I will take the analysis of an MIT economics professor over hear-say any day.

http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/1553

You certainly have the right to view my personal observations as hear-say. I know "first hand" what I saw so I don't need some Dude from MIT to tell me different. I do wonder though if Mr. Dulfo has actually been to China. Much of his data is 1-2 decades old. China has changed drastically over the past decade.

FYI, here is the USA . . . Since 1940, an average of 91,685 more male babies have been born each year than females, a total of 5,776,130 over that 63-year period. Maybe that's why there is so much "increased aggressiveness" (as you put it) here in the US. Or maybe it's just our declining moralistic culture.

All this is just ridiculous to be part of your "What If Obama" blog. Killing babies whether they are boys or girls is murder. The "ratio" of the 49,551,703 babies murdered in this country since 1978 is irrelevant to me.

@2Cents: The article was written by a "dudette"...Esther Dulfo.

An N<30, as we all know from basic statistics courses, presents serious problems for statistical analyses (indeed, a sample size of 30 is itself problematic). Your N=1 statement is meaningless for a quantitative conclusion, though not necessarily so for a qualitative conclusion.

And, for the record, killing babies is illegal and murder in this country; killing fetuses is not. Murder is a legal definition, and the law, whether you like it or not, agrees with the aforementioned statement.

If Obama cannot achieve a progressive reform agenda in this country and we are at the whim of 19th Century economic mindsets, that have no ability to recognize that markets CAN be irrational (ex: housing prices ALWAYS go up), then there will be no government capacity to counter private sector abuses...and the EU and China will surpass us...my statement regarding the population imbalance in China is valid...and means if we are too out of it to take care of ourselves, what happens when China explodes?

Say it isn't so Victor; "I am going on hiatus", sigh...Will Rogers said; "The main thing about being a hero is knowing when to die", and "Being a hero is about the shortest-liver profession on earth."

Your rational thought and logical arguments will be missed.

On the flip side, Heinrich Heine said; "When the heroes go off the stage, the clown come on."

"We wander through this life together in a semi-darkness in which none of us can distinguish exactly the features of his neighbor. Only from time to time, through some experiance that we have of our companion, or through some remark that he passes, he stands for a moment close to us, as though illuminmated by a flash of lightning. Then we see him as he really is." Albert Schweitzer

"We have fewer friends than we imagine, but more than we know." Hugo von Hofmannsthal

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." Helen Keller

Victor: I guess that you are taking a break to figure out how to exist in the new twilight era of America. Some suggestions. Buy several pistols and assault weapons and plenty of ammo for them, especially the armor piercing kind. Fill out an application form for employment at China West (Wal-Mart). Move to a gated subdivision with 24 hour security. Cancel all subscriptions to any newspapers and magazines. Plan on going to church at Christmas and Easter, so you can at least call yourself a Christian, forget that one, I can't recommend you give up all your personal integrity. Have the TV modified so "fair and balanced" FOX comes on every channel. In other words, try to stop being yourself and emulate the herd of conformity that is the far right wing conservative movement. Good Luck! Oh, and one last thing Victor - don't get sick, but if you do, please have the courtesy to die quickly so you won't be a burden on the rest of us.

@Only & Ref:

Your comments, and humor, are appreciated. One thing I know, for sure, is that I don't know everything, and I hoped to engage in valuable discussions on this site. But when actual "discussions" devolve into mudfights, and I find myself defending FACTS....I mean, ACTUAL, DEMONSTRABLE FACTS...well, it gets tiring.

I CRAVE an honest debate with a smart, savvy conservative....who can teach me something, challenge my preconceptions....not say "why are you Liberal and hate America?"

Back to the hiatus....family coming over, and all...

Victor - Unbeknownst to you, there are a lot of readers out here that appreciate your side of things. We look for the balance on LLC and spend more time thinking about the issues and opinions of those that write for us.
While things may look dreary now (the sun would help!), know that one of the great things about the good ole' USA is that we don't give up easily. There are still alot of us out here that will not hesitate to get up each morning, put on our boots and plow on.
For those of us that are over the age of 40, we remember the dark, dreary days of the 1980's when the financial markets were scary, the economy was a horror story and the future was looking dim. But, alas, we pulled together and did what needed to be done.
So, rethink your 'Hiatus' and continue to tickle our brains with your opinion and facts of our world as we know it today. Who knows, it just might inspire someone to get off of the government hand-out programs and actually try and achieve a future for themselves!
Have a great week!

Ref

I'll go for the Terminator 2 Sarah Connor style weapons stockpile, in the Mr & Mrs Smith style garage.

Victor,

You've said everything that is true about the Obama administration.

He represented something new and progressive. Republicans decry his efforts because they say he is a socialist. I say he has not done enough.

It is like you said, he continued the Bush failures from the start and has done nothing to lead us into the future.

Tami - I wish more bloggers and posters were like you. I disagree with some of your stances, but I can have a real non-insulting conversation with you.

My hands are dirty, I got into the mud and have a hard time getting out of it becuase I beleive that people should fight back.

Thanks for being reasonable. Jake

Ahh, a true Renaissance man. You will be missed, Vic. Though I am conservative, I enjoy reading your blog... plus it helps offset the effects of Jim.

Hey, I finally found that Dennett book. About a month ago, I tried 2 book stores, with no luck. Yesterday I had to go "school dance dress shopping", and found "Consciousness Explained" AND "Breaking the Spell"... picked up both. Started reading the former today; looks like some "meaty" reading. Who am I going to ask the inevitable stupid questions I know I will have?

Hope the new "Renaissance" comes soon...

Victor, I sincerely hope that you come back soon. I think we all need to stick together and demand a better atmosphere here, and until we do that collaboratively, we will accomplish nothing. Please hurry back, I will miss reading your posts.

Good luck in everything you seek.

Jake - Believe it or not, I was once a real pain in the butt too! But, after raising 4 kids and experiencing some of lifes' interesting scenarios, I decided to 'calm' down. Don't worry, I'm sure that one of these days, I'll be making mud pies right along with some of the others! :)
Have a great week!

With regards to the Healthcare issues, I did finally realize something this past weekend. Because of all of the information, both true and false, that we were all exposed to, talked about or given via the media, I really think that a lot of us have been educated on just what the heck a lot of the entities involved in this subject are really up to and how they operate.
For that, I am thankful. It opened my eyes and made me re-evaluate how I now look at the content of anything that is the so-called truth or facts.
I think a lot of Americans have learned how companies, government, lobbyists and special interest groups really work. Seeing more transparency in where our money goes, how it is used and who buys off who is the one positive outcome of this whole mess.
Thanks to all that provided these opportunities for learning!
Have a great week!

Only a radical progressive could view Obama as not progressive enough. The reason he is ineffective in implementing his progressive agenda is directly related to the fact that Americans don’t want what he’s selling. He was elected by independents who believed that he was a moderate. It turns out Obama is radical progressive (no surprise to those that did their research prior to the election). Most Americans don’t want to live in his vision for America. American’s don’t want this country transformed to a social welfare state.

Only a progressive could claim that a Republican filibuster of health care legislation is unconstitutional. Only a liberal would view the non-passing of a bill that majority of Americans oppose as unconstitutional. Furthermore, the reason you don’t have your statist health care bill is not because of Republicans…it’s because of democrats. I trust you can count better than Obama? If you count the number of seats held by dems in both the senate and house you will see that democrats hold a majority…and a filibuster majority for 2009. It only took bribes and corruption by your progressive leaders to ensure the moderate rank and file members overlooked their constituent’s voice.

No president in my lifetime has used the bully-pulpit more often than Obama. But when the message is so out of touch with the audience, the bully-pulpit becomes a liability.

The past 100 years we have seen a massive expansion of government charged with “fixing” every aspect of our lives…they even tell us what type of light bulbs we must use. Yet…in your own words “it’s over”. Hmm...perhaps the vast expansion of government you fantasize about is not working very well.

This nation’s greatest hope is that the progressive left continues to underestimate, misread, and misunderstand Americans and our history.

@Seek: Since I am not a politician, I can afford to be polite, and listen. IF you truly seek truth, LISTEN to others different than you. If you disagree still, fine. But LISTEN first. Do me the honor of at least considering what I write below before you discard it. I respectfully disagree with most of your post. I DID argue that the filibuster is unconstitutional…I DID NOT argue that "the non-passing of a bill that majority of Americans oppose as unconstitutional." I DO agree that the Democrats have wilted like flowers in the heat of Republican rhetoric.

Obama is ineffective because he is NOT leading, and he let Republicans game the public's message and ceded the "bully pulpit". Obama could have adopted a strict Keynesian position, which posits that private markets CAN be irrational. Keynes said that budget surpluses during periods of prosperity are to be encouraged…and budget deficits during periods of woe are to be tolerated. In one fell swoop, the Bush deficits are condemned and the Obama deficits justified.

Taking that economic theory and giving it a simply understood metaphor could have sold it to the public. My metaphor of choice? Did not the Judeo-Christian-Muslim god send Joseph to Pharaoh to interpret his dream of the 7 fat calves followed by 7 lean calves to mean that saving in times of plenty helps during times of woe? Maybe "God" was a Keynesian. The Republicans would have been apoplectic in their rage, more so than the Democrats are today in their dismay.

Finally…"government" is the only bulwark against corporate dominance available to the people. The Founding Fathers knew of Hobbes and his positions in the "Leviathan"; since "Wealth of Nations" was only published in 1776, and the East India Company operated in Asia, it was not in the mind of the FF, and the safeguards the FF built were FOR the Individual AGAINST government…and NOT for the Individual WITH government against the corporation….

Great Smakdown Victor me thinks ST is just another Tea Bagger who didn't give a cr*p, about national debts, deficets or torture when GW Bush and the Republicans were in power.

@J: I'm really trying to be good here...not trying to smack down. HOWEVER...as another blog site states, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts.

That's is right. Lets get all down because another soapbox salesman didn't come thru on their promise. He isn't the first and won't be the last. The thing I struggle with is why are we, as Americans, waiting for gov't, regardless of side, to solve our problems. More often then not they are the problem. They are an elected club of disconnects who have no concept of living by the laws they create. Laws of policy have only done one thing, change this nation of people from proactive to reactive. We all in one way or another are standing in line for the free cheese that we already paid for. Now is not the time to quit. Get out there and make your cheese, don't stand in line. Where is the innovation, creativity, the hand to the plow mentality, be my brothers keeper attitude? Why let it go in hopes that someone else or something else can make it better for you. Only YOU hold that power. This country was not built by policy. It was built by those who wanted something more. They didn't wait, they worked. They didn't keep it to themselves, they taught or became so visible that it was caught. Victor, while I do not agree with you politically, I kind hate to see you so tired and giving in. It is not like you. Because I don't agree with your statements I research what I believe to be true. Sometimes I find what I don't like to hear and sometimes I am validated. Either way I am taken to a different level. Do not give up.

@CAD: Thanks for the feedback.

My blog piece, "It's Over", is related to Obama's lost opportunity for leadership this past year. The false meme of "government is the problem" has not been overcome...and so the continued "corporatisation" of America continues apace...

My "hiatus" is due, not to this, but to the persistent pontifications and needless vilifications of Jim Hayett and Amy Geiger-Hemmer, the Gomer Pyle and Frau Blucher of LLC. I have also come to realize that LLC has no interest is stopping the mudslinging show and embracing their First Amendment responsibilites for useful citizen discourse...hell, government/public work can be boring and mudslinging gives you more hits.

I continue to comment at WashPost, HuffPost....and will soon make an announcement re continued blogging.

Serious, intellectual conservatives like you (and liberals) I like; charlatans? Not so much...

A quick question to all... Was Rome built in a year? I am European and one thing I have noticed is that everyone was expecting Obama to become President and suddenly everything would change. It will in time and I fully believe so, but give the Man a chance and let's be patient, but while we are, it is also in our hands to help, to build stronger communities. Does anyone realize all that he is dealing with? I hear people complaining about the deficit. Sure.. but that had already started from the previous President. I hear about housing market, that too had started before Obama got into power. Shall we keep on going? Let's see... Unemployment, war, economy... So victor and others.. let's have faith in our President and give him a chance!

urban: You're right. People forget what was gifted to him by the previous administration. Unfortunately, any mention of that is cause for the folks on the right to shut down the debate by screaming "sure! blame it on Bush!". It's tribal warfare.