Hype, Not Hope

[Beet]

I remember when I lost my illusions. I was thirteen when I first saw the black and white video of skeletal bodies being dumped into mass graves in school. There was nothing not to understand.

[Beet]

Clinton- Tried to pass a left-wing government takeover of health care, with a plan secretively written up by his wife, a top adviser, and a group of experts. It didn't even make it out of committee because he alienated Congress.

Obama- Let Congress take the lead on health care. Showed flexibility abandoning his own position on the mandate in favor of what made more sense from a policy perspective. Abandoned the public option which his base was clamoring hard for. Cut a deal with the very insurance companies that killed Clinton's bill. Became the first President to pass UHC, the biggest legislation in 40 years, one with bipartisan roots. It was based on an earlier Republican plan and Mitt Romney's own plan in Massachusetts.

Clinton- Refused to compromise with Newt Gingrich and the Republicans after being humiliated. This resulted in the longest government shutdown ever. Was saved by an improving economy and overreach by Gingrich.

Obama- After being defeated in the midterms, worked with Republican leaders to extend the tax cut that his Republican predecessor had passed, ratify an extension of START, repeal DADT, and get health care to 9/11 first responders. Avoided a government shutdown.

Clinton- dogged by personal scandals beginning with allegations against him by Gennifer Flowers before he was elected President. Was accused of sexual harassment by Paula Jones. Was eventually found to have had an improper sexual relationship with a subordinate, lied to the American people about it, went through absurd verbal contortions while lying, and then lied under oath. The womens' activists who had supported him were savaged for this.

Obama- squeaky clean, great marriage, great daughters.

Clinton- inherited a growing economy and did it all under peace and prosperity.

Obama- turned around an economy in the throes of a depression.

But Clinton gave a better DNC speech!!

[Beet]

Clinton- first thing he did was pass a massive tax hike.

Obama- cut taxes on 95% of Americans, to a multi-decade low.

Clinton-signed an ineffective, unpopular assault weapons ban that didn't even define assault weapons, but managed to incite a massive backlash that cemented the NRA's dominance in American politics to this day.

Obama-didn't touch gun control, except to sign a bill allowing handguns in national parks for self-defense.

Clinton-signed the Community Reinvestment Act, which Republicans claim helped cause the housing crisis. Repealed Glass-Steagall, which helped cause the housing crisis. Ignored his own chairman of the CFTC who said derivatives would be a danger and cost taxpayers money. Signed the Commodities Futures Modernization Act which helped set off a wave of speculation in derivatives.

Obama-signed Dodd-Frank, which raised capital requirements for American banks. Recovered 90% of the TARP money his predecessor signed off on to save the banks. Signed the CARD Act which cracked down on deceptive lending practices. Got rid of the middle man Sallie Mae in student loans. Cracked down on deceptive advertising by colleges accepting federal loans. Turned around Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Clinton-signed permanent free trade relations with China, doing a massive favor to the CCP and irreparable damage to American manufacturing.

Obama-has pivoted US policy to Asia, improving relations with Southeast Asia and bringing on the region as a partner to check Chinese expansionism. Has overseen the first growth in manufacturing jobs in a decade.

And so on...

[Beet]

Clinton-oversaw a massive increase in illegal immigration, but failed to do anything about the problem.

Obama-deported more criminal illegal immigrants in one term than Bush in two terms, but stopped deporting the children of illegal immigrants who were assimilating into American society.

Clinton-had a chance to take out Osama bin Laden in 1998 but held back. Instead, bombed some random medicine factory in Sudan. The result was the USS Cole attack...

Obama-didn't make the same mistake.

I could go on...