Comments on: On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate Barack Obama’s performance in his first year in office?

By: colliesRus

colliesRus — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:57:58 +0000

These comments make it apparent that the Canadians are just as mean-spirited and ignorant as the
Americans. What would all you smarty-pants out there be doing if you were in charge? It's not a dictatorship.

By: Lawrence G.

Lawrence G. — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:28:23 +0000

From the comments we are now seeing,the Right wing and Republicans have become as fanatic as the Islamic extremists.
The distortion of facts, half truths, and outright lies are alarming.
Let us hope that they will come to their senses and become more productive.
Larry

By: RFS

RFS — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:05:37 +0000

Actually, JimD (and others of your ilk), I'm replying to the administrator who, after I wrote a long reply to your piece, refused to post it for your edification…and for the edification of all the other Obama bashers that I've been reading. I didn't know that this was just a forum for the witless and unreasonable to vent their bile over Obama…and that any opinions to the contrary are not shown or allowed. I ran into this same 'weird' little problem when I tried to post a dissenting comment at some right-wing blogsite; clearly, they dont like to hear other points of view that might actually make sense, contradicting theirs. But Macleans?! So…what is your problem Macleans administrator? You should at least give a reason when you apply your unexpected censorship – was it because I used the "s" word!? well…spank me.

By: JimD

JimD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:29:39 +0000

Larry and Ron, read some real news on the policies, legislation, and Executive Orders Obama has actaully signed, and on the appointments he's made (Cass Sunstein, Robert Gates, Rahm Emanuel, etc.).

I am all for single-payer health care with no insurance company middle men (like most of the developed world already has) but this bears no resemblance to what Obama actually supports with his actions. Don't listent to what the man says, base your opinion on what he DOES.

By: sea_n_mountains

sea_n_mountains — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:54:06 +0000

just like SH has taken our deficit sky high! we better send the Stevie too, right?

By: JimD

JimD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:35:13 +0000

I will ask you what I asked someone else earlier in the thread. Name two things he has accomplished. I don't mean "proposed" or "hoped for" or "planned", I mean an actual policy or piece of legislation that you woudl be happy to see passed if you were an anverage American.

By: JimD

JimD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:32:52 +0000

"he has accomplished so much"

Name me two things he has accomplished. Seriously. I will be completely shocked if you can, because I've been trying to find them myself and I can't.

By: JimD

JimD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:31:41 +0000

"great integrity who has the courage to stand up and do the right thing."

I think you mean "he has the audacity to say he's going to do the right thing, then do the exact opposite" . You need to start looking at reality and not listening to BS speeches.

By: JimD

JimD — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:24:48 +0000

Mar Ann, he doesn't care about health care, he just wants people to think that he does. Under the new legislation, government helath care costs as much as private health care today. The only difference is that you will now be forced to buy it (and thereby make the ins. companies richer), or else pay a fine.

By: Ron BC

Ron BC — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:08:23 +0000

Larry, It's good to know there are others who see the world, and the people in it, as they actually are warts, halos and all. Your statement about doing something for the common good brings out the very best in mankind. Most self interested republicans, I want mine now, and other egomaniacs just don't get it. In the end it doesn't matter what you got, it only matters what good you did in the world and how much you gave back. RonBC

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:07:47 +0000

Obama is a great man, and I think that he has accomplished as much as anyone could do in a country that thinks so selfishly. Many of these selfish people have been arrogantly paying for what they think is 'medical insurance'. However, it's a well known fact all over the world that when most of these people have needed to use their 'insurance', they have been denied it for one reason or another.

By: Brian H

Brian H — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:23:49 +0000

Maurice;
Because the fate of the US is your fate, too, like it or not.
Actually read some of the goals and plans of his mentors and heroes, not to mention our own ghoul, Maurice Strong, and you'll get the picture: collapse the industrialized economies to save the world for a bucolic future run by the Inner Greens. With about 1/10 the current population. Do you actually think you'd make the cut?

By: FJ KORD

FJ KORD — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:03:06 +0000

THE REVISED HEALTHCARE PLAN WITHOUT THE INCLUSION TO COVER EXPENSES FOR… ABORTION I THINK THE MAJORITY OF AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD ABSOLUTELY ENDORSE THIS NEW PLAN.

By: Maurice

Maurice — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:06:00 +0000

He is the President of the US, not the Prime Minister of Canada. Why would Macleans even ask this question?

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:14:23 +0000

Obama is a revolutionary Marxist trying to implement his socialist ideals on the people. He reminds me of Dalton McGuinty; he thinks government can run your life better than you. Dalton McGuinty’s socialist policies have made Ontario a have –not province. Obama’s policies will make the United States a have-not nation.

I can’t wait until he is out of office.

By: Lawrence Godin

Lawrence Godin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:32:20 +0000

Hurray ! Finally someone has common sense accurate evaluation of the impossible mess that Bush left for Obama.
Most of the other comments are simply Right wing Republican wishful thinking.
They simply can't fathom the idea that there is someone willing to do something for the common good, like health care.
Larry.

By: VinceP1974

VinceP1974 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:30:40 +0000

"He wants to see more equality in the standard of living"

Oh yay.. we all get to be equally poor.

Where in the Constitution is the President given this responsibility?

I'll wait…

By: VinceP1974

VinceP1974 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:28:48 +0000

"Considering the total collapse of the American (and thus the world) economy, that was imminent when he took office, there is ONLY one question that needs be answered about Obama's presidency:"

What was mechanism of the collapse and how did Obama somehow stop this?

By: VinceP1974

VinceP1974 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:27:46 +0000

No choice for Negative 5,395,970?

By: global what???????

global what??????? — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:05:45 +0000

Right on!!!

By: global what???????

global what??????? — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:04:49 +0000

Wow are you NDP?? Because you sound just like them.

By: global what???????

global what??????? — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:01:40 +0000

You are right on!!!!

By: global what???????

global what??????? — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:00:00 +0000

Perfect !!!!!

By: SezMe

SezMe — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:28:35 +0000

Considering the total collapse of the American (and thus the world) economy, that was imminent when he took office, there is ONLY one question that needs be answered about Obama's presidency:

"Does America still exist?"

If the answer to that is "Yes" then Obama has damn nearly walked on water……..

By: George

George — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:15:59 +0000

Here is a good article by Carolyn Baker that tells is as it is about Obama. http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/YOUR-DISAPPOIN...

By: Ron BC

Ron BC — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:40:42 +0000

The republican party, the unthinking religious bigots, the right wing talk shows and their ilk have poisoned the political landscape so much with their negative responces to EVERYTHING and ANYTHING the democrats or Obama proposes. They are now met with obstructionist retoric and, "If Obama loses we win," idiocy. Open your ears, eyes and minds people. Obama has proposed many reasoned and well thought out ideas, addressing a progressive future. The right wing and their ill informed followers have proposed, "No, No, Nothing." other than ,"Let's get back to the past," What an inane, idiotic, empty, go nowhere phylosophy. Ron BC.

By: k im

k im — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:39:05 +0000

I thought he has done very well considering the mess he inherited from junior and the clowns. The fact that he has accomplished so much when a good portion of the elected reps and those with a vested interest in bad government have gone out of their way to make his life difficult.

By: George

George — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:32:23 +0000

Unlike the situation in Canada where the Prime Minister rules his party, in the U.S. the President is not the undisputed lieder of his party and cannot dictate how the members of Congress and Senate belonging to his party must vote. Furthermore, a few senators, such as Lieberman, are Independent Democrats and have even less obligation to the party.So this super-majority is a myth. Obama cannot deliver because he is in effect powerless to deliver.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:03:41 +0000

President Obama is a man with great integrity who has the courage to stand up and do the right thing. I respect him for attempting to introduce a health care plan for America in spite of ongoing conflict and attack from individuals who do not believe that universal health care should exist.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:02:41 +0000

I don't see the problem with amnesty for illegals. They're human too. No better or worse than any other person in a country (unless they go around robbing people). I'm afraid I don't buy into this single country patriotism thing. If you want to keep them from illegally entering that badly, help pay for housing/jobs in their home country and improve border checks. While the dems may have put amnesty in for votes, I like to think at least part of it is compassion and logic.

Your country will still exist in more or less its current form even if it is 51% foreigners. Perhaps its morals will change, but the good or bad in that can only be seen in hindsight.

By: Mars

Mars — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:37:51 +0000

He is cooking his own -goose–thank goodness- the sooner he is voted out of office-the sooner the economy will flourish. Obama mania– can't people see thru such– just a great orator-with empty thoughts! Socialistic ideas do not work for everything- the odd program can fall onto that– but with the trillions he was given– why didn't he put it- or something into-fruition. Not even job openings–do something!– but all he is good 4 is -talk. Him & her are both there for the -show-lets hope it's soon over– America- U need a President!!!

By: misterpaul

misterpaul — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:10:35 +0000

He was a Chicago machine politician here in Illinois, his senate career also unremarkable. And it is no surprise to us in Illinois that he is turning in to the next Jiminy Cotter.

By: ElecroPig

ElecroPig — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:03:55 +0000

Harper's not doing any better, folks. We've got the same problems in Canada that the US does. Our money is worth nothing, as it isn't backed by anything, and the whole of the once voluminous Canadian Gold Reserves has been completely sold off. Our power grid is just as iffy as it was a few years back when we lost power from Ontario to the east coast. Our education system is getting more expensive, and turning out more and more "functionally illiterate graduates" every year. Our health care system STILL refuses to admit that nature MIGHT have some benefits, even as our cancer rates grow higher and higher every year.

Sure, Barry didn't exactly come through on a SINGLE CAMPAIGN PROMISE, but neither has Harper.

Consistent failures on BOTH sides of the border make one think that this is all a concerted effort…and not to the benefit of the people!

By: MARY

MARY — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:41:34 +0000

Those who tend to be most critical would likely be the first to say "I wouldn't take his job if they gave me a million bucks!" He wants to see more equality in the standard of living- it will never be perfect, but we can't have huge bonuses going to people who may or may not be productive. (Put your hand in a pail of water- when you take it out, the replacement time is about what would be needed to replace anyone )

By: Ron BC

Ron BC — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:40:42 +0000

By: Mary ann

Mary ann — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:59:48 +0000

Obama cares about health care for the poor of America. Those with some sort of insurance don''t care and don't want to help pay for those who can't help themselves. Our health care system is not perfect but it is better than what the average American must contend with. How can they be so stupid over there! They need his health care reform. MAK

By: Julian

Julian — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:42:55 +0000

Very well stated JimD. Much of the populace are programmed by a media that portrays president Obama as an agent for change but yet this is so contrary to the reality of what is unraveling in his administration and it's policies that influence. There undoutedly will be more economic carnage and social unrest in the USA in the years to come which ultimately will impact the rest of the world in varying degrees. Wall street influence and other unelected international special interest groups ultimately dictate and control the US governmant policies anyways. It does not really matter now what political party is in power whether it be republican or democratc.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:05:41 +0000

Hey! George……Obama is a Democrat. The Democrats have enjoyed a super-majority in the Congress for the past year, right? That is more power than most presidents get. Even with that majority he did not do enough to avoid getting clobbered in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. "We the People"…..just don't like the guys policies and we have spoken that loudly and very clearly. Is he listening? From his SOTU speech I do not think so. Maybe he truly thinks he is a celestial entity. The American people know better.

By: George

George — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:32:41 +0000

You forgot to mention his failure to stop Israel to expand on the West Bank.

By: George

George — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:25:18 +0000

Obama was a total failure because he really has no power. For example, the health care reform would cost about a trillion dollars in ten years. All Republicans in the House and Senate and many Democrats consider this much too high. But spending a trillion dollars per year on the military is fine with everybody. And Obama couldn' do anything about it even if he wanted. And this goes on and on ….

By: JimD

JimD — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:05:13 +0000

Obama is simply an actor who was selected many years ago and groomed as part of a marketing campaign by the ruling class. Unfortunately, he is a very good actor, and people can't face their cognitive dissonance.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:05:52 +0000

Stick a fork in him…………y'know? He just has to be 'fully cooked' by now. How can the American people stomach this charade? Unless the subject is all about him he is evidently tone deaf. No wonder he hides his Harvard transcripts, eh? And all this nonsense about the 'brilliance' of the man, promoted by the likes of The New York Times, no less….on account of two books he publicly claims he authored: when a forensic-like litewrary examination shows Bill Ayers style is all over the text. The guy is a serious problem for the USA. Does anyone hear the 'impeachment' drum-beat?

By: eor

eor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:13:33 +0000

Yep–Stupid is as stupid does–as a very smart man once said.

By: eor

eor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:09:47 +0000

Obama is in a position to have his thugs in every department of our government and isn't above selling all our secrets if he hasn't already. He did say in his book that he would "stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction". He made excuses for the Ft. Hood killer and has the Christmas panty bomber cached away where he can't be questioned. These are scary times.

By: eor

eor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:03:11 +0000

Not only that–they did not one thing to cooperate with President Bush for 8 years and blame him that nothing got done. A bunch of Rinos are equally to blame. But not President Bush. He picked his battles and kept us safe and with the highest employment for 8 years that we've had in years. Now what. Our area is 30% unemployment and no hope of anyone starting new business' and I don't blame them as I wouldn't gamble my money on Obamaland either.