Obama: Has he sunken to new depths of irrelevancy?

[sns2]

IMO, he has almost reached bottom. No one has ever been afraid of him. Now, Raul Castro does not even greet him at the airport for his much lauded visit to Cuba. Bizarro.

He has not made the world a better place in any way, shape or form.

[hal53]

IMO, he has almost reached bottom. No one has ever been afraid of him. Now, Raul Castro does not even greet him at the airport for his much lauded visit to Cuba. Bizarro.

He has not made the world a better place in any way, shape or form.
...must be why he didn't show up with his selfie stick?

[bobinthesky]

Putin eats Barry's lunch almost daily, you can bet that's not lost on Castro.

He and Pierre Jr are the laughing stock of the world.

[Okotokian]

If you are just looking at the Cuban issue, I completely disagree. Restoring relations with Cuba is a breath of fresh air and sanity. Finally bucked the perceived power of a handful of ex-Cubans in south Florida and got real. Ridiculous that the US would continue to embargo Cuba, a nation that is no threat to anyone, and not Iran, China, or Russia.

[ak-71]

Some time ago I've heard that head of state not greeting arriving head of state is just fine if they meet later. May be not too flattering, but just fine and normal by the protocol.
But why would Trump know or care if it gives him something to be@tch about

[bukwild]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/castros-welcome-obama-to-cuba-with-a-slap-in-the-face/2016/03/21/c9d8d2c0-ef6b-11e5-a61f-e9c95c06edca_story.html

[ACM]

I like Obama- good guy with a sense of humour and a college background like most of us but he sure has made some strange decisions. He said he would not go to Cuba unless the human rights situation was improving yet the treatment of the women in white just before his arrival is more eveidence the same old applies. Similar to his decision to allow Iran off the embargo hook yet they are simply lying thru their teeth about everything. Good guy but a bit unrealistic- kind of like Junior up here.

[Grizzly Adams]

a college background like most of us

Mediocre student, got his college entry through the Affirmative Action clause. You Black, you're in.

http://www.westernjournalism.com/exclusive-investigative-reports/the-mystery-of-barack-obama-continues/

Grizz

[Slash8]

A dim witt I work with says hes going to instigate the launch of nukes in the middle east and then call Martial Law to throw the election. :thinking-006:

Ummm yeah .... ok

[deerassassin]

I like Obama- good guy with a sense of humour and a college background like most of us but he sure has made some strange decisions. He said he would not go to Cuba unless the human rights situation was improving yet the treatment of the women in white just before his arrival is more eveidence the same old applies. Similar to his decision to allow Iran off the embargo hook yet they are simply lying thru their teeth about everything. Good guy but a bit unrealistic- kind of like Junior up here.

He's a moron and a rascist.

[histyle]

IMO, he has almost reached bottom. No one has ever been afraid of him. Now, Raul Castro does not even greet him at the airport for his much lauded visit to Cuba. Bizarro.

He has not made the world a better place in any way, shape or form.

Obama is neither respected by allies, or feared by enemies. Usually lame duck status is achieved during the final year of the presidency, but I think he achieved this in the first year of his second term.

Being cozy with communists & dictators is his MO.

The world is much more stable now with the 'leader of the free world' being a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Oh wait.... :thinking-006:

[bobinthesky]

Obama winning the Nobel prize is proof that any idiot can do it.

[Grizzly Adams]

Obama winning the Nobel prize is proof that any idiot can do it.


The prize was awarded on the basis of the great things that were expected of him, not what he'd accomplished, the Left was so enthralled with the first Black president. If they had any balls they'd want the prize, including cheque, back.

Grizz

[winged1]

He continues to serve, but I don't think he has relevance with the new low intelligence crowd. God save America.

[quasi]

The only thing he has achieved is Obama care, and it will take 10 years or more to really help. (as did our socialized medicine). The Cuba move is good for both Country's, but bad for wealthy Canadians who enjoyed Cuba for holidays. Now prices in Cuba will soar with the influx of American money.

There are still people in the U.S. who have property claims in Cuba.

Obama is as big a failure as George W Bush, except he has a Nobel Prize and has boned Oprah.

[NewAlbertan]

IMO, he has almost reached bottom. No one has ever been afraid of him. Now, Raul Castro does not even greet him at the airport for his much lauded visit to Cuba. Bizarro.

He has not made the world a better place in any way, shape or form.

Obama will be viewed as the greatest visionary of the century. Too bad the "establishment" and close minded "change adverse" folks didn't let him execute.

Now Trump. Or another Clinton. Ffs. History will record this as the cliff America fell off on the way to their demise.

[histyle]

[QUOTE=NewAlbertan;3179492]Obama will be viewed as the greatest visionary of the century. Too bad the "establishment" and close minded "change adverse" folks didn't let him execute.

Agreed, historians are hotly debating whether Obama, or Jimmy Carter are the greatest 'visionaries' the US has ever had. :)

[fordtruckin]

The only thing he has achieved is Obama care, and it will take 10 years or more to really help. (as did our socialized medicine).
HAHA that's a joke right? The Affordable Health Care Act is completely different than Canada's socialized medicine. For starters if you have Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... you get it from one place. If I want to use the Healthcare.gov website it gives you a multitude of plans from multiple companies and your left to figure out if the plan meets YOUR needs. While you may be able to buy supplemental insurance your pretty much stuck with one of the companies and plans in your area. Add onto that the fact that the majority of health care providers or emergency rooms don't directly bill the health insurance you can get off of the govt website, your stuck paying out of pocket and submitting your claim directly. Where I might add it takes up to 3-4 months before you get reimbursed. If you think it was so good, I'd care to say you haven't had to use it. The smartest thing Obama could have done is to set up a single payer system like Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... It would be a hell of alot easier. But what do I know....

Obama is neither respected by allies, or feared by enemies. Usually lame duck status is achieved during the final year of the presidency, but I think he achieved this in the first year of his second term.


The lame duck period starts after the November Elections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lame_duck_(politics)#United_States

[Grizzly Adams]

HAHA that's a joke right? The Affordable Health Care Act is completely different than Canada's socialized medicine. For starters if you have Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... you get it from one place. If I want to use the Healthcare.gov website it gives you a multitude of plans from multiple companies and your left to figure out if the plan meets YOUR needs. While you may be able to buy supplemental insurance your pretty much stuck with one of the companies and plans in your area. Add onto that the fact that the majority of health care providers or emergency rooms don't directly bill the health insurance you can get off of the govt website, your stuck paying out of pocket and submitting your claim directly. Where I might add it takes up to 3-4 months before you get reimbursed. If you think it was so good, I'd care to say you haven't had to use it. The smartest thing Obama could have done is to set up a single payer system like Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... It would be a hell of alot easier. But what do I know....



The lame duck period starts after the November Elections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lame_duck_(politics)#United_States

I gather all the companies involved in this plan are losing massive amounts of money as well. Nobody's Happy.

Grizz

[denied access]

Obama winning the Nobel prize is proof that any idiot can do it.

I wonder when PM Selfie will be getting his?

[32-40win]

There are apparently a lot of very unhappy Cuban-Americans over this.
Take a long time to "reorientate" the Cuban people as well, many of them would really prefer what they have vs the influx of Americanism that will occur. However, there are a lot of them that are too young to remember Cuba before Castro. Wonder if Meyer Lansky's or Bill Bonnano's family will claim property?
I suppose he is trying to "win the hearts and minds of the Cuban people".

[sns2]

There were two CNN documentaries on relations with Cuba normalizing. The Cuban people did not sound over the moon about it, much to the chagrin of the tv hosts. However, who really knows. Those people may be in a world of hurt if they speak out what's on their mind.

All I know is that I am taking my kids there on Friday morning to see what it is like before Walmart hits town:)

[Grizzly Adams]

The Cuban people did not sound over the moon about it,

Poor bastards are stuck in Limbo. they'd like to reap the benefits, but the iron fist of the Castros is always hanging over there heads. their biggest worry is having enough to eat and clothes on their back.

Grizz

[chimpac]

HAHA that's a joke right? The Affordable Health Care Act is completely different than Canada's socialized medicine. For starters if you have Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... you get it from one place. If I want to use the Healthcare.gov website it gives you a multitude of plans from multiple companies and your left to figure out if the plan meets YOUR needs. While you may be able to buy supplemental insurance your pretty much stuck with one of the companies and plans in your area. Add onto that the fact that the majority of health care providers or emergency rooms don't directly bill the health insurance you can get off of the govt website, your stuck paying out of pocket and submitting your claim directly. Where I might add it takes up to 3-4 months before you get reimbursed. If you think it was so good, I'd care to say you haven't had to use it. The smartest thing Obama could have done is to set up a single payer system like Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... It would be a hell of alot easier. But what do I know....



The lame duck period starts after the November Elections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lame_duck_(politics)#United_States


Our health care is a monster black hole for our taxes and will drag our economy down until we have to give it up. It has been proven that socialist, Govt. run business fails every time its been tried. We have the highest taxes in the world now and it will only get worse if the Govt. continues to do the health care business.

[agentsmith]

I gather all the companies involved in this plan are losing massive amounts of money as well. Nobody's Happy.

GrizzI doubt that. Obamacare was basically a deal struck with the insurance companies where in exchange for them no longer being allowed to deny or cut off coverage, now everyone must have private insurance by law. This is why I laugh when people call it "socialism"... either they have no clue what that actually means, or they're just being disingenuous.

[agentsmith]

We have the highest taxes in the world now and it will only get worse if the Govt. continues to do the health care business.A quick Google search proves that's simply false. We're not even close.
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=highest+personal+taxes+in+the+world

Or check out this interactive tool:
https://home.kpmg.com/xx/en/home/services/tax/tax-tools-and-resources/tax-rates-online.html

[bobinthesky]

The prize was awarded on the basis of the great things that were expected of him, not what he'd accomplished, the Left was so enthralled with the first Black president. If they had any balls they'd want the prize, including cheque, back.

Grizz


I wish I could get paid on what I might accomplish instead of what I have accomplished!
:bad_boys_20:

[chimpac]

A quick Google search proves that's simply false. We're not even close.
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=highest+personal+taxes+in+the+world

Or check out this interactive tool:
https://home.kpmg.com/xx/en/home/services/tax/tax-tools-and-resources/tax-rates-online.html

I am quoting what Douglas Gray and John Budd said in third edition Canadian Guide to Will and Estate planning.
Donald Trump does not like what Obama is doing but thinks Canada has a good health care system. Heaven help The USA.

[Grizzly Adams]

I doubt that. Obamacare was basically a deal struck with the insurance companies where in exchange for them no longer being allowed to deny or cut off coverage, now everyone must have private insurance by law. This is why I laugh when people call it "socialism"... either they have no clue what that actually means, or they're just being disingenuous.

Read and Weep.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2016/02/07/insurer-obamacare-losses-reach-billions-of-dollars-after-two-years/#57aee837f0a2

Grizz

[Okotokian]

HAHA that's a joke right? The Affordable Health Care Act is completely different than Canada's socialized medicine. For starters if you have Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... you get it from one place. If I want to use the Healthcare.gov website it gives you a multitude of plans from multiple companies and your left to figure out if the plan meets YOUR needs. While you may be able to buy supplemental insurance your pretty much stuck with one of the companies and plans in your area. Add onto that the fact that the majority of health care providers or emergency rooms don't directly bill the health insurance you can get off of the govt website, your stuck paying out of pocket and submitting your claim directly. Where I might add it takes up to 3-4 months before you get reimbursed. If you think it was so good, I'd care to say you haven't had to use it. The smartest thing Obama could have done is to set up a single payer system like Alberta Health or Saskatchewan Health etc... It would be a hell of alot easier. But what do I know....




Agree for the most part. Single payer is much simpler. However, too many health insurance companies making huge wads of cash to give any of it up. Special interests would never have allowed single payer, so you get the byzantine maze you have now. But I'd blame the healthcare industry and lobbyists who bought politicians on both sides for that as much as Obama

[agentsmith]

Read and Weep.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2016/02/07/insurer-obamacare-losses-reach-billions-of-dollars-after-two-years/#57aee837f0a2

GrizzAs it says, they either miscalculated and priced their plans too cheaply, or did so intentionally at first to get more enrollment. And now they're jacking up the rates to make their money back. The insurance industry will be just fine.

[chimpac]

Agree for the most part. Single payer is much simpler. However, too many health insurance companies making huge wads of cash to give any of it up. Special interests would never have allowed single payer, so you get the byzantine maze you have now. But I'd blame the healthcare industry and lobbyists who bought politicians on both sides for that as much as Obama

Yes we have a single payer, so simple health care system (monopoly) in Canada and it's free and life is so good. We are so happy to be paying 50% of our income to the Govt.
Read some history about Communism and the Govt. owned, single payer, monopolies that put the Soviet Union into poverty and starvation.

[Whocares1]

Our Healthcare in Canada may not be the best but you know, I did not have to decide if I should sell my house or have an operation. I do not have to pay thousands in insurance costs just to be covered, I did not have to go back to work after I retire so I could have a minimum $5000 deductible healthcare insurance policy, instead of pay thousands a month. I did not have to pay over $8000 when my child was born.
Yes our system is expensive but it certainly is a lot better than what the US has /Had and is going to have. And I know that if I need it is there and I do not have to make a choice.
Buy the way things are not as cheap as you think they are in the US. Gas cheap yes but they have more tolls roads charges that out do any savings in gas. Last trip to the US in Utah/Idaho and Wash, the list cost for food is the same as up here , big difference. Booze and smokes cheaper yes but they should be taxed to the limit. School taxes significantly higher if you want to have your child get an education and then look at the cost of post secondary and so on. So it really is not that bad knowing that the majority my taxes are spent on healthcare.