2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Should President Obama pick a new VP? [View all]exboyfil
(17,862 posts)but Obama messed up when he allowed the Bush tax cuts to continue. That was the loss in vision. You have to pay for these social programs. Strike one. Obama also went over to Asia and promised how we are going to refocus our military in that area instead of telling our allies it is time to pony up for your own defense (same for Europe). Strike two
I think Obama has handled the Mid East pull out well. Other than that and some aspects of the healthcare legislation, I honestly cannot say he has done much. I am still voting for him, but I am holding my nose doing it.
Obama has had four years. He was given a steaming pile, and he was far better than the alternative. He has a case to make but neither him nor Biden have done a very good job to this point in my opinion.
Social Security - remove the cap on all earnings and reduce the percentages withheld about the $105K (with those earnings not counting towards the benefit formula). Some room with the extra revenue to reduce withholding rates for everyone.
Single payer where everybody is in common pool starting with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and Federal Employee Health Insurance with premiums based on income. Single payer negotiation for services and drug costs.
Reduction of military spending to 3% of GDP (from 4.7%+)
Return to Clinton era income tax rates (just sunset Bush tax cuts)
Tighten up immigration so that it makes economical sense (low skilled workers with families can never cover their costs with taxes for example but PhDs that generate jobs and pay high taxes do)
An aggressive trade and tax policy focussed on adding labor content jobs in the U.S.