Happy New Year Obama 2014

2013 was a year of big ups and downs for President Obama…and Congress and Americans for that matter. As we begin a new year, it’s time to focus on the road ahead and what might hopefully be a year for making progress on important things that will make our lives and futures…and those of the next generations…better.

So, if you could offer one resolution to President Obama that he could commit to  in the upcoming year, what would it be? Any issue, social or political, what would you want to see President Obama dedicated to in 2014?

And just for fun, what predictions would you make for 2014? What do you think Republicans will be up to? What’s in store for the nation and/or the world? How will the ACA/Obamacare proceed and be used in campaigns? How will the 2014 elections shape up and what will be the fallout from them?

Feel free to speculate to your heart’s desire, you can’t be more off the mark than celebrity pundits, their terrible track records are hard to beat even if you tried.

Meanwhile, from all of us at PlanetPOV to all of our members, readers and their families, a very Happy and prosperous New Year’s to all!

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CAdawn
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CAdawn

I’d like to see the President make a push for updating our infrastructure. We are falling way behind other countries and the next generation will not thank us. We will deserve their anger. Updating our power grid, our bridges and roads will add thousands of jobs and put our people to work at decent paying jobs. If we don’t save the middle class this country is doomed to failure.
Plus, extend the unemployment benefits. That money goes directly into the economy, not into an offshore bank.
My 2 cents.

jjgravitas
Member
jjgravitas

I’d like for President Obama to make a resolution to take on the issue of Income Inequality in the USA. That’s one he hasn’t had a chance to tackle yet. People are writing about this issue, seemingly wishing that someone in power would take this on – a perfect time for the President to take it on, now that the ACA is underway, we will be leaving Afghanistan soon. Start by using the bully pulpit: make it a talking point in his speeches, to get people thinking about it and discussing what can be done, how to turn it around, or even if it should be turned around. The republicans are guaranteed to counter that it isn’t a problem since they are already in the pocket of the super-wealthy (that’s actually true for the left as well, though not nearly as much … if your super-rich and you are throwing gobs of money at the democrats, you are not doing it to protect your bank account).
Income inequality is an extremely complex issue, mainly because it is caused by policies that have been in place for a decade or more. But it is doable. in the ’90’s, Clinton did it by raising taxes on the super-rich to eliminate the deficit and the national debt. But to make this happen, we will first have to get a democratic majority in both houses of congress. Which brings me to me second resolution for the president. He needs to pay close attention to the congressional elections that will be taking place this year. Get people thinking about who we are putting in power. Does the Midwest really want to re-elect the greedy ideologues that have been doing everything in their power to destroy our government at every level? What will it take for the Midwest to seriously question the leaders they elect to office?

Beatlex
Member
Beatlex

I don’t have a prediction,just a hope.That the party of stupid are found out by the majority of Americans for what they are.Water carriers of the Corporations who`s only function is to make money on the backs of the rest of Americans

KillgoreTrout
Member

I won’t presume to make predictions, but I would like to note the things I would like to see happen in the coming year.

I would like to see a just and fair immigration reform. I would like to see such hard workers be brought out of the shadows they now live under. They can contribute greatly to our economy, our society and our diverse culture.

I would like to see the supreme court reverse it’s decision on Citizen’s United. Corporations are NOT people. This concept undermines our entire democracy.

I would like to see equal rights for all American citizens, regardless of race, religion or gender.

I would also like to see an end to the war on Americans, via the anti-marijuana laws. Such a beneficial, medically viable substance has no rightful place on the Class 1 determination of drugs like cocaine and heroin. I would also like to see the legalization of industrial hemp. An extremely fruitful plant that has hundreds of beneficial, industrial uses, from bio-fuels, to textile use, food sources…etc.
Such a legalization of all things hemp (marijuana) related would relieve the tremendous burdens on our judicial, penal and tax depleted systems. In tax dollars alone, we would save billions by not arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people who are harming no one. It would also free law enforcement to go after the real harmful drugs that result in such death and destruction every day, week and year.

We also need to put an end to the privately owned and operated prisons. Their whole reason for existence is to incarcerate as many people as possible, to turn a profit. This entails the arrest, conviction and incarceration of people who are non-violent, pot users.
America houses more people in our jails than any country in the world. Many, many of these inmates are good, law abiding people, except for their possession and/or sales of a harmless substance. This is a true black eye on the American judicial system. It needs to end.

Nirek
Member

KT, I would like to say that your list is mine, too. You’re thoughtful and make so much sense.

pinkpantheroz
Member

Looking at the plethora of tasks that President Obama will have to address makes me more in awe of his abilities as President, especially with the useless Congress hampering every and any move.
If he has a few more seconds in the rest of his term, I’d love to see his administration address head on a challenge to the ‘Corporations are people’ decision, reform of campaign contributions via superpacs, and to reinstall the restrictions of lobbyists. Oh, and, of course, World Peace!

Things I’d like to see in 2014?

Twerking singers coming down with disk problems.
Real women on fashion catwalks.
Politicians forced to drive electric cars ( excluding Teslas, Audis or Beemers!)
The end of overseas Political Junkets – er – Research Travel.
Gov. Christie on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Huffington Post going belly up!

KillgoreTrout
Member

LOL! PPO, I love your comment. i couldn’t agree more. I love the wish that twerkers develop back problems. They deserve it. Private twerking in the privacy of one’s home is a different matter! 😉

The Supreme Court’s decision on Citizens United is THE biggest assault on American democracy than any other I can possibly think of. The longer we allow corporations the same rights as we the people, the further decline in democracy we will see. That SC decision is extemely dangerous to our democracy. more dangerous than any terror attack, or Jihad against the US. This is insidious and destructive to all that our founders wanted and provided for.

kesmarn
Admin

Happy New Year’s Day, AdLib and Planeteers! If I were the President’s Resolution Czar I would say that a high priority would be put on getting the minimum wage increased, on getting some help for young people trying to get through college without crippling debt, and on protecting Obamacare, Medicare and Social Security.

Predictions? I think people will wise up to the Tea Party and their masters, the Kochs. In fact, I think they’ve already started to. Interestingly, I have a feeling that it was the cut in food stamps and unemployment assistance that may have been the last straw. Poor people who were voting GOPTP prior to that? — well, even they had a hard time blaming that one on Obama. Even they are starting to wise up.

Gallup just released poll results from “Most Admired Man in the World” and “Most Admired Woman in the World.” They asked Americans what their choices would be for each. The results: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

I’m so relieved that it didn’t turn out to be Sarah Palin and Phil Robertson.

That gives me hope for 2014. 😀

Dbos
Member
Dbos

My wish for the New Year is for all Liberals, progressives, moderate democrats blue dog democrats and real independents to ban together and elect a congress that will work in the best interest of ALL Americans ; my advise and hope for the president is to not screw that alliance up; backing programs and legislation desired by his supporters .

escribacat
Member

Happy New Year, planeteers. I’m so glad the holidays are over!! 😆 I think the president has done a good job shifting the paradigm on health care and LGBT rights. Both of those issues have undergone radical transformations since he took office. It’s too bad folks don’t give him much credit for those amazing achievements.

I would love to see him do the same thing now for climate change. I think the radical deniers on the right are still controlling the conversation and they are keeping the world from taking the type of action that needs to be taken. This discussion needs to be moved front and center before it’s too late (if it’s not already too late.) I think all the other issues are moot if we don’t get a handle on climate change.

confuseddemocrat
Member

The New Years Resolution that I would like the Prez to make is that he will jettison the notion that GOPers want to negotiate and that GOPers do not view politics as a zero sum gains process.

The Budget deal did very little to help democratic constituents and was really a bill to help defense contractors at the expense of federal workers, retirees and the poor.

Another resolution that I would like the Prez to make is that he will mention and address the plight of the poor and working poor at least once before the ensuing elections. The poor are being treated in a similar manner as the HIV+ victims were treated in the mid-1980s. By Democrats ignoring the real problems of poverty in the US, we are implicitly lending credence to the GOP notion that poverty is a character flaw of immoral people and thus unworthy of public assistance.

Assumed Name
Member
Assumed Name

Hear, Hear!!

Assumed Name
Member
Assumed Name

Hi, Ad Lib.

I’ve nothing deep by way of predictions, but I do have one (well, two) general resolutions for our handsome, witty, and accomplished president: (1) Scoot over to the left. (You’re well beyond “center.”) (2) Stop compromising the teeth out of social welfare. (The Affordable Care Act can only take so many kicks to the shins.)

Toodle!

Nirek
Member

AD, the President should stand strong against stupidity. Use his common sense which he has plenty of to guide the country to “prosperity” (to take one of the opposition buzz words).

The Congress will come to their collective senses and start doing the peoples work. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek)

All wars will end and every nation will get along with their neighbors. Peace will prevail throughout the world. (One can hope)

Every Planeteer will give some love to others and receive much love in return.

We all will have a Happy and Wonderful New Year!

Sabreen60
Member
Sabreen60

Happy New Year Planeteers!

I have no predictions. I just hope we GOTV in November. I don’t have a resolution for President Obama. I know he will keep working for us as he has done for his entire presidency.