In an apparent attempt to counter the “what has Obama ever done for us?” sentiment many Americans feel these days, and the increasing apprehension over the thought of a second term for Obama, a recent video released by talkingpointsmemo.com provides a good clue as to the talking points the Left will extol as the alleged “signature accomplishments” of dear leader for the 2012 presidential reelection campaign.

The Talking Points Meme Defined (2:03 min)

Here we go again … the ole leftist talking points meme! The Progressive never tires of it. If you want to try this at home (the Talking Points Meme that is), just string a series of hyperbolic, fanciful, unsubstantiated claims together and then challenge the listener to respond. I believe the purpose of this technique is analogous to running someone over with a freight train.

And what’s up with the British guy meme? Does he do the Geico ads too? Could we not find an American? Or does it make the inflated assertions sound so much more erudite if it comes in the form of an English accent? Maybe he works for the Chatham House. But I digress–so many amazing accomplishments. Where does one start?

Well, let’s start at the beginning … shall we?

Our TPM talking point friend (the British guy) alleges seven major accomplishments Obama has achieved during his years in Office, if my math serves me correctly.

TPM guy alleges Obama …

1. Killed Osama
2. Ended the war in Iraq
3. Contained Iran
4. Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT)
5. Reigned in Wall Street
6. Prevented a 2^nd Great Depression
7. Passed landmark legislation–Obamacare

The Killing of Osama Bin Laden

“It is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it… anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

–Douglas Adams

President Obama’s decision to take out America’s most-wanted–Osama Bin Laden–was hardly what I would call “controversial.” Honestly, what U.S. president in their right mind would not take out the world’s most notorious terrorist who perpetrated the worst terrorist attack in the history of our nation if given the chance?

I could act like a main-stream, liberal journalist and ask why the President delayed his decision for so long? Or why we never got to see the body of Bin Laden? Or why Osama was given a sailor’s burial at sea? Or how this opens a dangerous new chapter in American foreign policy in regard to the sovereignty of other nations? How many trees were burned and innocent animals killed during the illegal raid? What about noxious fumes being released into the atmosphere from burning helicopters? Won’t this lead to an increase in Climate Change? Yeah … I will leave all the speculation to the hyperbolic types of the main-stream media.

But the main point, as far as I’m concerned, is the notion Obama killed Osama. Yeah, right! Barack the brave Ninja warrior leaped from a burning helicopter riding his skateboard in, with nunchucks in tow, to engage Osama Bin Laden in mortal hand-to-hand combat. PUH-lease! I think we know who killed Osama–SEAL Team 6, and the U.S. Military and intelligence services that made the operation possible in the first place. The hunt for Osama had been going on long before Obama ever “made the scene.” Let’s put the credit where it belongs … NEXT!

Withdrawal from Iraq

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”

–Napoleon Bonaparte

It was President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki who signed the U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement in 2008. Obama did nothing but watch SOFA take its course. For Obama and his minions to make the claim it was dear leader who ended the war in Iraq is absurd and infuriating. It is also an insult to those who served in Iraq–who did the hard work–provided the blood, sweat, toil and sacrifice; while the Left did everything it could during the Bush years to tear down any forward progress in Iraq. How about giving credit to where credit is due? It’s not going to happen with the Left–only when it suits their hidden agenda and predetermined outcomes.

Additionally, after the withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq, an escalation in car bombings and violence has exploded within Iraq. It doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon, either.

There is also the issue of Iranian dissidents at the Iraq-Iran border who are being brutalized by Iraqi Security Forces now that the U.S. Military no longer provides security.

The future for Iraq is anything but certain … NEXT!

Containing Iran

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to gets its pants on. “

–Winston Churchill

Talking point number three alleges Obama has managed to contain Iran. Interestingly, according to the video, the assertion appears to be Obama et al. managed to contain Iran via the Stuxnet worm? Is that the assertion here? Wait a minute! Didn’t the Israelis invent the Stuxnet worm? Is the implication Obama worked with the Israelis covertly to deploy the Stuxnet worm against Iranian nuclear facilities? Oh, no! The occupiers won’t like that, Mr. President! Working with the Jews won’t score you any points with your base, Mr. Obama. I don’t think Barack’s base will be too thrilled to learn that President Obama sped up Bush’s covert policies regarding Iran, either.

A 2011 New York Times article by William J. Broad, John Markoff and David E. Sanger provides a  brief overview of the Stuxnet project (emphasis mine):

“By the accounts of a number of computer scientists, nuclear enrichment experts and former officials, the covert race to create Stuxnet was a joint project between the Americans and the Israelis, with some help, knowing or unknowing, from the Germans and the British.

The project’s political origins can be found in the last months of the Bush administration. In January 2009, The New York Times reported that Mr. Bush authorized a covert program to undermine the electrical and computer systems around Natanz, Iran’s major enrichment center. President Obama, first briefed on the program even before taking office, sped it up, according to officials familiar with the administration’s Iran strategy. So did the Israelis, other officials said. Israel has long been seeking a way to cripple Iran’s capability without triggering the opprobrium, or the war, that might follow an overt military strike of the kind they conducted against nuclear facilities in Iraq in 1981 and Syria in 2007.[...]“

There is also is the mention of Iranian nuclear scientists being assassinated in the TPM video. Did the U.S.A. do that? Or is our talking points narrator referring to the Mossad and just taking credit for it? How about a little clarification here? Inquiring minds want to know.

The United States has had an opportunity to start a Fifth Column within in Iran and attempt to bring about “regime change” internally via Iranian students and dissidents fed up with the oppressive rule of the Mullahs and Imams. It’s one option that has never been seriously explored. But Obama has done nothing in this realm but give tacit lip service to Iranian dissidents and their stalled movement. Although dear leader had no problem bypassing Congress and violating the War Powers Act in Libya.

So, once again, Obama and the Democrats believe sanctions alone are going to contain a despotic government like the one which exists in Tehran … NEXT!

Intermission

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

“Political Correctness is just tyranny with manners”

–Charlton Heston

Apparently this is a big f___ing deal to the Left. Well, it is if your part of the military top-brass and are required to institute a sweeping policy change that’s existed since the establishment of the U.S. Military. Never mind the fact that our Armed Forces have been involved in ten years of continuous combat operations (longer for the USAF). Let’s throw some social-engineering into the mix for our combat forces and really muddy up the waters! What an accomplishment (sarcasm) … NEXT!

Wall Street

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

–Attributed to Abraham Lincoln.

Okay, here we go–Wall Street–the greatest bogeyman of all, according to the extreme left-winger. The assault on Wall Street by the radical left is really nothing more than an attack on free enterprise and capitalism itself. Our American economy is founded on the principles of freedom in business. But freedom in business is repugnant to Obama and his ilk, due to the fact that complete dominance and control cannot be exerted over businesses that operate in a free market society like the United States.

Pres. Bill Clinton signing the Motor Voter Act.

Of course, we then come to the infamous radicals of the Left–I’m talking about the Frances Fox Piven’s and the Robert Cloward types of Cloward & Piven fame that Obama has surrounded himself with–who propose the intentional destruction of our economy for the express purpose of bringing about a new system–a collective, socialist society; whereby, the federal government reigns supreme over the individual in all matters for the sake of the so-called masses.

Talking point number five alleges the Obama Administration has “reigned in Wall Street” via regulations–specifically regulations on financial instruments like derivatives.

I think a little history lesson is in order here. In 1977, Jimmy Carter gave us the Community Reinvestment Act. It was a bit of diabolical social-engineering that slipped past a lot of folks. The Community Reinvestment Act required banks and lenders to provide loans to high-risk, low-income customers. As a matter of fact, I walked into a bank lobby not too long ago and the bank was proudly displaying a notice of its participation in the Community Reinvestment Act.

During the Clinton years, the CRA was adjusted with “new regulatory revisions.” It was a young lawyer by the name of Barack Obama who represented in ACORN in defense of the CRA legislation. This whole episode gave birth to the ACORN Housing fiasco.

Then we come to the creation of government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. GSE’s are murky public/private entities. It is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between  the private and the public part of most GSE’s; and they generally run the risk of conflict-of-interest in their business dealings with the private sector–much like Congress exempting themselves from insider trading laws.

Ironically, Congressman Barney Franks claims that it was the regulation of derivatives that “reigned in Wall Street.” But it was Franks who was heavily involved in the bundling of derivatives, and other complex financial transactions, during his involvement with Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac–leading directly to the Housing Bubble burst in the first place!

The “irony” doesn’t end there. Obama has been closely linked with many Soros-like organizations (i.e. Moveon, NARAL, NOW, PETA, ThinkProgress, etc.); and he’s eager to embrace all of Soros’ political causes and goals. Like Franks, Soros plays both sides of the economic fence as well. Soros’ involvement in the European Maastricht Treaty was instrumental in bringing about centralized banking to Europe and helped established the Euro. The very same currency Soros now says will collapse.  Was that his goal? Soros has publicly stated he wants to weaken the dollar. Sure worked for the Euro! And George and Barry are buds! Doesn’t that make you feel better? NEXT!

A 2^nd Great Depression

“All wealth is the product of labor.”

–John Locke

Are you kidding me? Obama and his minions want to claim dear leader prevented a 2^nd Great Depression? If there is a 2^nd Great Depression, it will be because Obama and the Democrats made it so! Let’s look at some hardcore facts:

• Barack Obama has spent more money than all U.S. presidents combined.
• Barack Obama has spent more money on regulations than any previous U.S. president in history.
• Barack Obama has never provided a workable budget to the Congress.
• Barack Obama is running the highest deficits in U.S. history.
• Barack Obama saw our AAA credit rating downgraded on his watch for the first time since World War I.
• The national debt to GDP ratio is currently upside down on Barack’s watch.
• Barack Obama shoved through the biggest entitlement in history (Obamacare) during an economic meltdown in the private sector.

The bottomline (CNSNews.com):

“The national debt was $10.6 trillion ($10,626,877,048,913.08) on Jan. 20, 2009, the day Obama was inaugurated. As of the close of business on Jan. 11, 2012, it was $15.2 trillion ($15,236,307,075,631.58.) In Obama’s first 1,087 days in office, the debt increased $4.6 trillion ($4,609,430,026,718.50)—or an increase of $4.24 billion ($4,240,506,004.34) per day.[...]“

The American People were promised the unemployment rate would dip below 8% with the $787 billion stimulus package, not to mention all the TARP spending. Unemployment has stagnated at around 9-10% rates, despite the stimulus. Also, the promise of shovel-ready jobs and infrastructure spending turned out to be nothing but hot air.

Where are the jobs?

The uncertainty created by Obama’s assault on capitalism itself hardly engenders a climate for U.S. investors and small business owners to feel good about. If the goal by Obama and ilk is to trash the system, then they can’t expect folks to want to invest in a system that Barry and crew wish to destroy. It’s like a dog chasing its tail.

The often forgotten Depression of the 1920′s only lasted a couple of years because of President Harding’s efforts to reduce federal spending and cut taxes. Harding also supported and encouraged the entrepreneur and small business owner. Conversely, it appears obvious Obama and his followers are intent on waging war against corporations and businesses–demanding they pay their fair share. By the way, who determines a “fair share”?

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”

–Vladimir Lenin

Consider our massive and ever-increasing $15 trillion dollar-plus national debt. Once again, a little review of history is in order. Under Reagan, the debt to GDP increased by approximately 15 points. Under Clinton, it increased another 15 points. Under George W. Bush, the national debt remained a constant relative to GDP. The last year of George W. Bush,  when Congress was controlled by the Democrats, it jumped another 10 points in one year. Under Obama, it has jumped another 16 points (as of June 30, 2010) to 90% of GDP.

Let’s take a look at Congressional Budget Office (CBO) numbers regarding the federal public debt:

• 2008: $ 56,000.00 per household (when the president entered office)
• 2009: $ 72,000.00 per household
• 2020: $170,000.00 per household

So Obama and the Democrats have taken the share of debt to GDP from a Clinton/Bush average of around 65% of GDP to 90%. That was in 2010. Now we’re upside down on our debt, with a credit downgrade to boot! Hope and Change you can believe in? NEXT!

Obamacare

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

–Thomas Jefferson

From its inception, the Universal Health Care bill (H.R. 3590) was highly unpopular with a majority of Americans. Yet this did not deter or dissuade the Obama Administration and the democrat-controlled Congress in the slightest. The landmark UHC legislation was rushed through Congress in an audacious fashion. Obama and the Democrats even bypassed conference and rushed straight to reconciliation to avoid any scrutiny or roadblocks to the diabolical goal of implementing the largest entitlement in human history–at a time when the private sector was experiencing an economic meltdown, and unemployment was skyrocketing.

Laughably, Obama has excoriated George W. Bush for the exact same thing during W’s tenure in office.  And yet Obama brazenly engages in unconstitutional acts by bypassing conference and placing signage in congressional bills; thereby, circumventing the Congress, as is required by the U.S. Constitution.

In order to sell the Health Care sham to the American public, some Bernie Madoff-style accounting practices were employed to dupe the populace and keep the House and Senate in the dark as to the true nature of the UHC scheme.

Karl Rove dismantled Obama mouthpiece David Plouffe in an interview (see video above) with ABC This Week regarding double-counting being used in the proposed budget for the UHC bill.

“Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism.”

– Vladimir Lenin

Rove pointed out in the interview with Plouffe that Obama claims the socialist takeover of healthcare will reduce the deficit by $1 trillion dollars over the next ten years. The projection is pased on numbers from the CBO analysis of the Healthcare Bill. The CBO score only works if you:

1. Double-count $53 billion Social Security payroll taxes twice.
2. Double-count $500 billion in Medicare cuts twice — once for reducing the cost of the 38$ trillion unfunded liability in Medicare, and once for the current expenditures.
3. Double-count $72 trillion for premium payments for a new long-term care entitlement program twice.

Rove continues:

“Bush ran around 2% deficits during his years in office. Obama is running 5.1% deficits over the next ten years. Starting with the failed stimulus–Obama increased discretionary spending budget 25% starting in the middle of the last fiscal year! The spending exceeds anything any U.S. president has spent in U.S. history and Obama has done it in less than 20 months in office! Astonishing.”

Rove concludes:

“Remember, Social Security and Medicare are in the red now. The democrats will have to deal with this in two months. The Medicare Doc Fix is not included in the Healthcare Bill CBO estimate. We’ll see just how much fiscal discipline the democrats have when the Medicare Doc Fix comes up. There will be $2.4 trillion for the first ten years in costs for the UHC bill.  The former CBO director has been quoted saying the discretionary spending is unsustainable. It will bankrupt our country.”

At the time of Rove’s interview with ABC This Week  (March, 2010), the Medicare Doc Fix had not yet come up before the Congress. Medicare’s chief actuary claimed at the time the rosy Obamacare projections were complete nonsense. In reality, the Obama Administration underestimated costs by a remarkable 68%! Obama and the Democrats have been kicking the Doc Fix can down the proverbial road ever since. Much the same way they kick the can down the road with the federal budget via continuing resolutions.  It’s all smoke and mirrors.

The allegation by Rove of double-counting was later given credence when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius testified before Congress concerning the fuzzy math used in the so-called Health Care budget.

But the audaciousness of the Obama Administration didn’t end with double-counting and disingenuous claims.  President Obama cited The Heritage Foundation‘s research in an attempt to sell his health care package as a “middle of the road, centrist approach.” The Heritage Foundation responded, “We take great exception to this misuse of our work and abuse of our name.”

Lies, lies, lies …

But why not? Obama claimed his father was in World War II. (Obama’s father was born in 1936–do the math.) Why not just lie about everything and put it all in a talking points memo?

NEXT!