The Problems of the United States: Do you Blame Bush or Obama or Both? (Congress, enemy)

[clb10]

We are in month 12 of the Obama presidency. Are the massive problems that Americans face a result of Obama's leadership or Bush's leadership.

Perhaps Congress is to blame.

What do you think?

[hortysir]

Both, but neither.
The Presidency is mostly a figure-head position without much real power.
Sure he has his plans and agendas, and tries to sway Congress to his will. He has his 'advisors' from every aspect of industry (or, in the case of our current President, "social groups" and unions).
I lay most of the blame on Americans first, and then Congress.
Last term Congress had a less than 10% approval rating, yet 90% were reelected.
Every politican, these days, has somebody in their pocket while they sit in someone else's.
No raises, cut their pay, eliminate lobbyists, and term limits.

[th3vault]

Congress. They were ultimatley responsible for everything other than the few executive orders.

They passed the bailouts

They passed the bills

Obama and Bush both deserve some blame, but Congress is primarily responsible for the majority of the problems.

[Sign]

Originally Posted by th3vault

Congress. They were ultimatley responsible for everything other than the few executive orders.

They passed the bailouts

They passed the bills

Obama and Bush both deserve some blame, but Congress is primarily responsible for the majority of the problems.

Agree.

[Jadex]

Originally Posted by clb10

We are in month 12 of the Obama presidency. Are the massive problems that Americans face a result of Obama's leadership or Bush's leadership.

Perhaps Congress is to blame.

What do you think?

I blame everyone in DC

[malamute]

I tend to blame the Congress and Senate the most. They are the ones who make up the reckless spending bills, the president should veto them but doesn't really have too much power when it comes to spending.

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by clb10

We are in month 12 of the Obama presidency.

Not exactly. President Obama was elected in November, 2008. His presidency started on Jan. 20, 2009.

Assigning blame - and I admit I do it as well - is ultimately a useless exercise. What matters is what we do going forward. Thus far, I like most of what President Obama has done, and some of what Congress has done (although their glacial pace for actually getting things done is irritating).

[Ferd]

I think it is too early to blame Obama for "the problems of the United States"

It is not however, too early to say that Obama's cures are completely wrong and will cause us vastly more problems in the years to come.

In the end the real blame goes to the American people for electing idiots to congress.

I have seen the enemy and it is us.

[subsound]

The enemy is all of our short sightedness in the last 30 years.

Rack up debt each year because when the interest comes due it will be the next persons responsibility to clean up the mess.

[Rggr]

I blame the majority of democrats and republicans - Congress and Presidents.