You Mean We Can Talk Back? »
Posted By Beau7890 1 year ago in Political News
Sometimes, the change is enough to make your head spin. This is one of those moments.
Here's the status quo: A president who has overt contempt for public opinion, who shields himself from opposing views and whose idea of White House Web site interactivity is a video of his dog.
And here's the change: The Obama transition team is actually soliciting public comments on its Web site, reading them and responding to them.
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Beau7890
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toph19731 year ago
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Goppy1 year ago
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willottica1 year ago
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One of the things I love most about living in Canada is that I feel completely free to speak my mind to the Government. I sent an email yesterday to our Prime Minister, the leaders of the opposition parties, the Governor General, and my own MP. It was not flattering (though not rude either). I included my name, address, and telephone number. I have no fears of receiving a National Security Letter, or magically appearing on an airline watch-list.
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I don't know how many people would feel similarly comfortable criticizing their presidents or government leaders. -
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Beau78901 year ago
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Maybe you should tell them that. The current discussion is about the economy, and I know you'll have some advice about that as well. I'm sure you can find a way to work in your comment above while you do.
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You can tell Obama's transition team what you think here:
http://change.gov/page/content/discusseconomy
But be sure to give some evidence that the people he's choosing are criminals. Otherwise, I'm sure his staff would correctly discover you have nothing constructive to say and ignore you.
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Beau78901 year ago
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"Joe the Plumber" was campaigning. And "Joe the Plumber" turned out to be neither actually named Joe nor a plumber, but rather an opportunist seeking publicity and money. He got the publicity...if it turns out to get him a talk show, he can thank the media for playing his game.
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riverdog1 year ago
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I think this idea of direct correspondence via internet to the President and his minions is a great idea. Not just to vent and whine, but to provide constructive ideas for them. Judging by the last 8 years, hell, the last 30 years, these people who govern us are in a bubble and not connected to our 'reality'.
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Yes, there is scum in D.C. bent on generating wealth for themselves and associates by ripping us off. Of this there is no question. However, they are still behind the curve of forward thinking peoples outside of government. This tech savy approach may become a well spring of ideas for the new administration to act upon and SPREAD THE WEALTH to the working middle class who not only can spend our way out of economic turmoil, but who can move the agenda forward faster than the government has proven to be able to do. Wouldn't it be nice to rock and roll and really get stuff done for once? -
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Beeboppin711 year ago
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I think that President Elect Obama has some very refreshing ideas; and I'm always hopeful about the future of our nation after hearing those ideas. His sincerity is astounding!
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FTA - Obama last week told ABC's Barbara Walters: "I, you know, one of the things that I'm going to have to work through is how to break through the isolation -- the bubble that exists around the president. And I'm in the process of negotiating with the Secret Service, with lawyers, with White House staff. . . .
"I'm negotiating to figure out how can I get information from outside of the 10 or 12 people who surround my office in the White House. Because, one of the worst things I think that could happen to a president is losing touch with what people are going through day to day. . . .
"I want to make sure that I keep my finger on the pulse of the struggles that people are going through every day."
However, I do believe that there is a real threat of potential harm that may be done to him by others who are not as progressive. My greatest hope is that God and the Secret Service keep him safe.-
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Beau78901 year ago
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That statement about one of the worst things being losing touch with everyday people is a great quote.
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There's a threat of harm if his protection lapses in his attempt to contact people to get information from outside of his inner circle. But I don't think he'd try to wander into crowds without protection. Even so, it seems as if he's willing to take risks in order to demonstrate the value of open government. It's refreshing and ultimately will help the people gain more power over government.
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Ratskii1 year ago
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For those who asked about the change that Obama represents: If President-elect Barack Obama follows through with what he is doing here and keeps the public engaged with his administration and continues to communicate with them regarding his plans, it will represent a wellspring for the politics of this Nation.
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A president that is continually in communication with his constituents, to the extent that he is setting up major websites to garner opinions and suggestions, will set a benchmark that every other presidential candidate that follows him will have to pay attention too. -
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