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bigtree

(85,919 posts)
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 08:11 PM Jul 2014

Prez meets with Kinsey Button at Magnolia Cafe in Austin



President Barack Obama meets with Kinsey Button at Magnolia Cafe in Austin, Texas. Kinsey, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote the President a letter in January explaining her family’s struggle to lead a middle class life when both of her parents lost their jobs in the wake of the Great Recession





It was shortly after Christmas at Kinsey Button’s West Campus apartment when she became inspired to write the letter that led her to be chosen to introduce President Barack Obama in Austin on Thursday.

Button was watching CNN and saw a fight over the extension of federal unemployment benefits unravel in a partisan fight. Her parents, Mitchell and Tina Button, were both unemployed at the time, and the fight struck a chord with the 20-year-old University of Texas junior.





At the urging of one of the politicians on TV, she put pen to paper and wrote a letter to the White House.

“I felt that this topic just really hit home and it was really personal, so I wanted to make my voice heard personally by physically writing a letter,” Button said.


Ralph Barrera

"Paying for college is hard even if you have two employed parents. The reality was at the time both of my parents were unemployed but my dad recently got a job," said Button.

Button is into politics. She's studying public relations and hopes to one day become a press secretary. Button says she wants America and the president to know that paying for college and the unemployment rate are real issues that impact average American families.




petesouza @petesouza · 22m
President Obama talks with Kinsey Button at the Magnolia Cafe in Austin today



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longship

(40,416 posts)
2. This is the kind of good shit that PBO does that informs doubters what he's really about.
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 09:03 PM
Jul 2014

What would you do with his opposition?

I have criticisms, but they all pale when the. "Bear is loose."

steve2470

(37,457 posts)
3. this is so awesome that he meets with people
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 09:12 PM
Jul 2014

great optics, as they say, and it also informs his proposals well.

 

MannyGoldstein

(34,589 posts)
4. "Now Kinsey... that's why I need your help in ratifying the TPP..."
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:39 PM
Jul 2014

"You see, once we've lowered trade barriers with microwage nations, people who make one-tenth of what we do will buy lots of US goods, and every American will be rich. And all those jobs that Americans don't like to do? The people making one-tenth of what Americans make will be glad to take those jobs. You see... It all works out.

What... you're wondering about the people made jobless by jobs going away? Why, I have estimates showing how there won't be any job losses... no you can't see them, they're secret... for your own protection... and if we do lose jobs, then Americans will be even more desperate for work, so they'll work for less, at temporary and part-time jobs... That's what we call 'Workforce Flexibility'... doesn't 'flexibility' sound like a good thing? It's real good for shrewd businessmen like Jamie and Lloyd..."

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
5. now you're hallucinating
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:48 PM
Jul 2014

. . . lots of projection there about proposals that haven't been disclosed yet.

Is this supposed to inform, or is it just more performance drama?

 

MannyGoldstein

(34,589 posts)
6. It's a cry for help, of course.
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:54 PM
Jul 2014

Just curious: why *does* our President want to keep the TPP secret (except from lobbyists and so forth) until after it's passed?

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
8. there's obviously something he's negotiating that he doesn't want to become part of U.S. debate
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:57 PM
Jul 2014

. . . I agree with Warren.

"If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States."

Now stop stinking up this woman's lunch.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
7. You been drinking???
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:55 PM
Jul 2014

WTF A thread about meeting with someone and you bring out the TPP. Something at best all you or anyone knows is a maybe when it comes to what is in it. Let the fucking chicken hatch before you start saying its the wrong color. I don't trust politicians either but I'm not going to go off on a tangent just because I fear the worse. Shit fire man let it rest. When you find out something concrete lets us know other wise forget it. All it seems to be doing is getting a few worked up and all for a come, a lie if you will. You don't know what is being said anymore than I know and I don't claim to know shit. Anyways thats what i think

Cha

(295,929 posts)
9. Austin, Texas is full of great people and here's one of them meeting the President!
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:58 PM
Jul 2014

Muchas Gracias, bigtree~

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
11. I think it's wonderful that the Prez is reaching out in such a personal way
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:01 PM
Jul 2014

. . . I can only imagine just how inspiring this must be for her, Cha!

I read where she's politically active. This should put some wind under those political wings of hers.

Cha

(295,929 posts)
12. Yes, it's too awesome for words.. Obama's in his element reaching out and connecting
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:04 PM
Jul 2014

with all kinds of different people around the country who care enough to write in and let it be known.. "I'd like to have a sit down with the President of the United States of America!"

Cha

(295,929 posts)
14. I should add..
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:11 PM
Jul 2014
"I'd like to have a sit down with the President of the United States of America" "We could do lunch"

Botany

(70,291 posts)
10. He really is a good man
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 10:58 PM
Jul 2014


The simple gift of his time and he wanted her to tell him what she thought.

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
13. listening to politically engaged and thoughtful individuals like Ms. Button
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:06 PM
Jul 2014

. . . is probably the most important thing politicians like the President can do.

Kudos to President Obama, for taking the time to listen.

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