Next Time Just Say, "I'm the president of the U.S.A. I'm not your life coach."

 

New York Post cover girl Velma Hart seems to have surprised President Obama with a sharp complaint about her fiscal condition during a CNBC town hall.

Hart, chief financial officer at the veterans organization AmVets and a self-identified 2008 Obama supporter, made domestic and overseas headlines by pronouncing herself "exhausted," "disappointed" and still "waiting" for "a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class."

Hart did not specify her particulars, but she has children in private school and no credit card, so bully for Hart. Her problem seems to be that she and her husband have realized in middle age that they have not yet graduated from the "hot dogs and beans era" of their lives. (Just start calling it "cassoulet," Mrs. Hart. You'll even think it tastes better.)

I'm not sure what the president of the United States is supposed to do about Hart's troubles. Obama went on at fourfold Hart's length:

 

Note that the president does not answer the only question that Hart asked him (o forlorn hope) to answer honestly: "Is this my new reality?"

Comments

[Tony]

I agree. It was a heartfelt plea, but seriously, too many Obama supporters expected him to wave a magic wand and make it all better. There are few of us left alive who have experienced an economic crisis as bad as this one. This is one reason I avoid liberal blogs. I'm tired of the whining that things aren't perfect yet and the childish "I'm not playing anymore" attitude that's gonna lead to the Evil Ones controlling the House.

[TrickyVic]

""too many Obama supporters expected him to wave a magic wand and make it all better. """

Many republicans will be hoping the next guy can do the same.

In general we assume the President has the authority to make things happen. Most of that is reserved for Congress. But you will not win an election by saying you will work with Congress to make something happen. You come across like a can't do guy when the voting public wants a can do guy.

[Spoonman.]

The "Evil Ones"? Really?

[TrickyVic]

""The "Evil Ones"? Really?""

Yeah, Cheney et al is making a comeback.

[Aresen]

That's Darth Cheney in liberalspeak.

[Fatty Bolger]

It's just Tony.

[Lurker Kurt]

I think we should appluad Tony for making a non-trollish post.

[Mr. FIFY]

Tony is all for the current crop of evil ones running the show, but only bitches about the Team Red evil ones when THEY have all the power levers at their claw-tips.

Evil is evil. McCain would have had *his* bunch of cronies in power, doing evil, but we wound up with a gaggle of liberals doing their evil schtick. We would've been no better off either way.

[Tony]

FIFY yes there is such a thing as not thinking all forms of government in all incarnations are inherently evil.

It just so happens that one of the two major political parties in this country is evil. I am not interested really in anything but keeping it out of power.

[Mr. FIFY]

It just so happens that the two major political parties in this country are evil. I am not interested really in anything but keeping it out of power.

There. That looks MUCH better.

[Tony]

Well you can't keep both out of power, so if you really believe that both are evil, and equally so, then it sucks to be you.

[Mr. FIFY]

Hey, I'm not the one cheerleading for one-party rule here, Tony, so "it sucks to be you" would fit you much better.

[cynical]

Then why do you belong to it and repeat its talking points?

[Average Cuban]

Trust me, one-party rule is NOT fun at all.

[Random North Korean]

True dat, comrade.

[Tony]

Totally agreed. Especially if that party is a radical right-wing one bent on theocracy, wars for profit, and fiscal terrorism. I'm hoping we get a viable, non-evil second party here soon.

[Draco]

"Gentlemen... to Evil!"

-- Mr. Black

[Dr. Weird]

Gentlemen! Behold... CORN!!!

[Dello]

See! I KNEW that Cuba had a radical right-wing leadership bent on theocracy, wars for profit, and fiscal terrorism.

Micheal Moore was suckered!

[Metalocalypse bit]

Senator Stampingston: Gentlemen, it's clear that we're in a universally precarious situation. Dethklok has summoned a troll.

General Crozier: That's impossible, there's no such thing as trolls.

Senator Stampingston: Then how do you explain the dead unicorns?

[Apogee]

Paraphrasing Chris Rock: "You're supposed to make a non-trollish comment."

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

"What do you want, a cookie?"

Love that bit. Chris Rock can be funny as hell.

[Octothorpe]

The blame game.
Tony Tony bony
Banana fana foney
Fie fie Monie
Tony

[Apogee]

This is one reason I avoid liberal blogs. I'm tired of the whining that things aren't perfect yet and the childish "I'm not playing anymore" attitude that's gonna lead to the Evil Ones controlling the House.

Just read that sentence. Go ahead.

This has to be a spoof.

[Tony]

What's your issue exactly? It's not elegant, but it's perfectly grammatical.

Are you saying I'm a hypocrite? When have I ever complained that the world isn't perfect? That's your shtick (and that of too many liberals).

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

I agree with your general sentiment that too many liberals stupidly expected Obama to wave his magic wand and have gold-farting unicorns show up in their driveways. But the meme that the Republican party are "the Evil Ones" really is tired and old.

There is just as much (or as little) evidence that Republicans in general are "evil" as there is that Democrats are. As between the two, the Dems tend to turn my stomach more than the Reps. Over the past many elections, I've tended to feel slightly better voting for an (R) than the (D). Most of the Ds are pretty fucking stupid and vapid, not to put too fine a point on it. They don't seem to understand shit about the fundamental principles of our Constitutional government or basic human nature, believing instead in the inherent need of the people to be "led" by those who are smarter and know better (i.e., themselves, of course). At least some of the Rs in the past few elections seemed to acknowledge that the people should be allowed to decide many things for themselves, rather than have everything dictated by the fed gov.

But at this point, I can't find anyone on either side that I'd be happy voting for. The Rs have become right-wing, bible-thumping, homophobic, anti-science nuts, and the Ds are just more socialist than ever.

They're both evil, in their own way. But that doesn't mean that somewhere within the ranks of Rs there isn't someone who would not be "teh evil."

And, BTW, I think the use of "evil" in this context is pretty silly anyhow.

[Tony]

I consider torture evil. And phony baloney wars. And destroying the lives of millions of people (those you haven't killed in said war) through worship of nonsense economic fairy tales. Doing it all in the name of Jeebus is just icing on the cake of evil.

[Mr. FIFY]

But you're only describing one source of evil. Your party does not have blood-free hands, Tony.

[Upgrayyed]

We're all non-combat troops now.

[mad libertarian guy]

To be fair, that is what Obama sold with all his Hope and Change shit.

And the shit that was in his direct power, or in his direct power to influence, even things he fucking campaigned on, he hasn't even cpme close.

The Patriot Act
The Wars (and don't give me some shit about combat being "over" in Iraq)
The War on Drugs (that hypocritical fucker)

He's a sheepfucker, and that's not even a rumor.

[DG]

Ah, the lulz are strong with this one.

[TrickyVic]

I'd prefer he didn't act like our life coach.

[Enough About Palin]

^^THIS^^

[GoNavy]

Christ, I'd settle for his wife not to act like my life coach.

[R C Dean]

I'm betting he would, too.

[DADIODADDY]

yo hart
I happen to be very fond of hot dogs & beans...you chump.

[Almanian]

This all started with the pony-tailed guy at a "debate" asking Clinton a questions likening the candidates to "our father" and the citizens of the counttry as "teh childrunzzz".

OK, it didn't exactly start there, but that's when it started to really pick up steam....

[LauraB]

I think that was Carter. Watched it in grad school. I feel really old now.

[Fatty Bolger]

I'm not sure what the president of the United States is supposed to do about Hart's troubles.

Getting the fuck out of the way and letting the economy recover on its own would be a start.

[Irresponsible Hater]

Can't decide with Talking Heads song to quote, so here are two:

Life During Wartime
I got some groceries, some peanut butter
to last a couple of days
But I ain't got no speakers
ain't got no headphones
ain't got no records to play

Why stay in college? Why go to night school?
Gonna be different this time?
Can't write a letter, can't send a postcard
I can't write nothing at all
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
this ain't no fooling around

Once in a Lifetime
You may ask yourself
How do I work this?
You may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
You may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
You may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!

And just for good measure:
Danny after dentist
"Is this forever?"

[Douglas Fletcher]

please stop

[Mr. FIFY]

Puzzlin' evidence, indeed.

[Tman]

My favorite part of this exchange is the fact that Obama simply didn't answer her question. She asked "is this the new reality" and Obama then went on to explain what the currently reality is (wealth being spread, no pre-existing exclusions for insurance, college tuition benefits, etc.) without in any way addressing her question.

He could have just said "yes, Ma'am. This is what you should expect out of my administration for the next two and a half years" because nothing else in his answer said otherwise.

The level of arrogance and sophistry out of this guy is mindblowing. Even Clinton would've at least bit his lip a little and acknowledged her problems instead of blowing smoke up her ass with things she doesn't care about and flattering her because she doesn't have a credit card.

[Anonymous Coward]

When is the last time a politician answered a "yes or no" question with a yes or a no?

[Politician]

That is a very good question, and I'm glad you asked it. Thank you for coming here tonight and thank you for participating as you are doing. It is the hard-working men and women of this country, such as yourself, asking these questions, that make the United States the special place that it is among the nations of the world, and such a great place to live, work and raise your children.

When I was in the state legislature, I used to ask that same question myself, from time to time. Why can't politicians just answer a yes or no question with a yes or a no? I never did get a satisfactory answer myself, to tell you the truth. None of my colleagues seemed to be able to simply answer yes or no. I myself have worked long and hard, devoting much of my career and personal life to finding the answer to this question.

When elected, I will push for increased funding of research into this critical issue. We need more scientific inquiry. We need more people saying "yes," and fewer saying "no." And it is the hard-working people, such as you fine people who have come here tonight, who will make that possible. Join me and we can continue our important work towards assuring that America remains the world leader and great nation that it always has been.

I thank you for your support.

[Azathoth]

This would've been REALLY funny if Anonymous Coward had asked a 'yes or no' question.

[Lapsed Pastafarian]

I'll have you know that a local politician actually answered a question with the truth and no B.S. this morning on our news. Of course, I promptly fell off my chair and choked on my cereal.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

They probably figured, "Gee, a black, female, CFO of a non-profit who voted for Obama. What could go wrong?"

[Draco]

I know, right? I love it.

[R C Dean]

If she's making what most CFOs of sizable non-profits make, then one of Obama's little changes for the middle class is going to slap her upside her paycheck next year.

Funny he didn't mention that.

I imagine her middle class job of balancing the books has gotten harder, too, because of Obama's changes to the insurance business.

WTF did she expect? She's a CFO, presumably isn't a total idiot. Did she really think electing a campus-lefty tax-and-redistribute President was going to make her job easier? Was going to leave her upper-middle-class bank account fatter?

[Aresen]

She is a CFO of a non-profit organization. The job requirements for NP0s do not specify "non-idiot".

[Aresen]

IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY MOMENT:

The US President, seated with his chair resting on what appears to be the Presidential Seal. Standing before him, in a submissive posture is a citizen of the United States.

I will confess I have not watched a "Town Hall Meeting", but is this the norm? If it is, the American Republic is in worse shape than I thought.

[.]

Only the king may sit. All others must stand in the prescence of the king.

[Hamza]

Please, if you saw the president walking toward you, you would bow down like a little school girl. It's what happens when you meet people with prestigious jobs. Even most libs would experience some skipped heart beats if Bush Jr was near them during 2000-2008.

[Drax the Destroyer]

Real men would just throw shoes(and fresh feces) at these assholes.

[Mr. FIFY]

At least she didn't hyperventilate like that guy did during the campaign ("Oh, thank you, Jesus, for giving us this Man to run our pathetic lives for us!"), or claim that Obama was going to pay her mortgage and put gas in her car, or ask for new kitchenware like yet another campaign shill did back in '08...

...but she still expects too much from government, just like most people do.

[Velma Hart]

I did some serious backpedaling today, after I got some... um... phone calls. I was wrong to criticize Our President.

Did I sound convincing?

[IRS]

Yes, you did fine. Just watch your ass from this point forward, though.

[Douglas Fletcher]

I'd have been happier if she just called him a dumb motherfucker.

[Secret Service]

That would trigger a most unpleasant body-cavity search and an evening that would make Gitmo seem like a day spa.

We know where you live, Fletcher. Button your lip if you know what's good for you.

[TSA Goons]

We'll be looking for you at the airports, Fletcher. You are gonna regret fuckin' around with loose talk like that.

[P. J. O'Rourke quote for Tony]

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work, and then they get elected and prove it.

[Tony]

Cute, but irrelevant. I, for one, want government to be my life coach, and under one-party rule. Can't have a decent society unless we're being led by those who know better.

[Tony]

Ah, right as usual, Tony!

[Tony]

AND all, as usual, without a trace of haughtiness or elitism. Well-played, Me!

[Tony]

I'll let your fellow libertarian Tim Lee explain this for you:

Even the most hardened left-winger doesn't see government regulation as an end in itself; they see government as a means to various ends, such as public health and safety, economic stability, and so forth. When regulations aren't achieving those ends, and are instead benefitting special interest groups, it makes sense for liberals to favor their repeal. Not because they favor "deregulation" in the abstract, but because doing so is consistent with liberal values of equality, fairness, freedom, and so forth.

Via Chait, here's the Source

[wheelock]

Libertarians prefer better measuring sticks. Force and fraud are rationally arguable concepts. Equality, fairness and even freedom are considerably shakier.

[Tony]

You want life to be easier than it is. I get it.

[wheelock]

No, I want folks like you to stop pretending to be able to judge these things, and letting autocratic douche-bags take advantage of your folly.

[Mr. FIFY]

Tony, life could be simpler if we didn't have to put up with micromanaging twits from Team Red and Team Blue.

I rarely get past the first line of a George Will column, but this one was worthy of an exception:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.c.....ill17.html

Read it and get back to us about how simple life is today compared to the time period Will describes here.

[Mr. FIFY]

Not because they favor "deregulation" in the abstract, but because they favor lots and lots of regulation, which along with promising gullible voters the unobtainable pipe-dream of enforced equality, fairness, and freedom helps get them re-elected. And not because it helps society; that is just a side benefit. The real motive is gaining and obtaining political power.

There, that's much more like it.

[Mr. FIFY]

Nice try, by the way, but this Tim Lee fellow seems kinda pussyish for a libertarian.

[Mr. FIFY]

I apologize, Tony, for that next-to-last rant. I should have used the phrase "legislated equality" instead.

[COMMANDER]

TO THE WEAK-KNEED REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRAT?..Wake up america!!!! This goverment is the most corrupt we have had in years. The good old boy network is very much in charge.Mr. obama and pelosi are the puppet masters.How many of their good friends benefited by the agreement " what a farce. All of the u.sSenators voted for this. I am ashamed to say I voted for the these corupted self serving politicians.With good reason they picked an out of towner to be president.All u.s departments need an overhaul. We need to rid ourselves of the puppet masters and the dept heads that bow down to obama and pelosi.I am sick of the lip service I have been getting from these dummies over violations, their friends are getting away with.in the goverment . Barack Hussein Obama , threatens friends and bows to Mmslim.
INPEACH OBAMA ,GOD OPEN YOUR EYES.///For us there are only two possiblities: either we remain american or we come under the thumb of the communist Mmslim Barack Hussein OBAMA. This latter must not occur.THE COMMANDER.
OBAMA goes about his business by speaking the lie. II Thessalonians 2 says that he comes "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." Revelation 13:12 says, "and he spoke as a dragon...." Revelation 17 tells us that he was a false prophet, a prophet being one whose calling it is to speak and to teach. The armies of the world may have guns and tanks and bombs to bring people into submission; but the power of speech and ideas is a mighty power. In his initial attempts to destroy the cause of God, the devil used a serpent to deceive the woman with crooked speech: "You will be like God." Now he uses a "dragon" who speaks crafty, lying words. His speeches will be heard by millions who will hang on his persuasive rhetoric. The content as well as the form of his speech will attract. Like most false prophets, he will even be sincere and passionate. But he is a liar. He adds dashes of truth to the mix, so that his lie tastes like truth. He will use all the right catchwords, using the language of the church, even throwing in a Bible text or two. But he is the ultimate Liar, and will deceive many.
OBAMA will use every tool available: school teachers, politicians, news broadcasters, artists, musicians, scientists and doctors, lawyers and businessmen. All will be pressed into the service of OBAMA to deceive men. But especially he will use those whose calling it is to persuade and to teach -- men who claim to be preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE COMMANDER,,, REPOST THIS IF YOU AGREE .. THE END OF AMERICAIf ,one asks what he should look for in the days to come, we say this: there will be political union all nations will be gathered together into one mighty empire. This is the first of obama. There will also be religious union, joining all the religions and religious empires of the world. The powerful ecumenical movement of today, led by the religions of Christianity, will in the end fully succeed, swallowing up all the other religions of the world. You may expect to see one man over it all. obama.

[Mr. FIFY]

"Well you can't keep both out of power, so if you really believe that both are evil, and equally so, then it sucks to be you."

We COULD, if the majority of voters weren't so steeped in Team Red/Team Blue Onlyism.

I'd settle for a nationwide election where neither major-party candidate gets more than 25% of the vote. That would be so fuckin' sweet, and even sweeter if neither Team got ten percent of the vote.

The ultimate sweetness would be approximately 500 sudden, natural-causes deaths in Congress, but that's a coincidence that would take a lot of luck to bring about.

[life coach]

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