CNN

@ Fair is Fair

That's not exactly the complete analogy as I see it. Add this to the story – You've opened up your new credit card to pay for the old debts, but you've also put your kids through college and they come back and help pay off your debts with their 50k salary.

As I understand it, that's the kind of investment strategy Obama is trying to accomplish. As far as the pork thing goes, did you come to that conclusion by reading the entire stimulus bill or is it from GOP propaganda?

He going to see how much more of our debt they are willing to buy.,
or just hand over the keys to the United States to them.

If the economy turns around and starts to grow by the end of the first quarter of next year, the haters will say he could have done it quicker if he stayed in the White House and worked and listened to the Republicans. If the deficit is cut in half or more by the end of his second term, haters will say he could have done it quicker if he had listened to the Republicans.

No matter what he does, haters are going to complain. They are complaining because they are jealous of the fact that someone other than their candidate worked to correct what their candidate did not know how to fix. REMEMBER, he said that he did not know much about the economy and when it was going down the drain, he said the fundamentals of the economy are sound. Go on haters and be jealous. I do not care who fixes the economy. I just want it fixed and I happen to think the President chosen by the people should be given a chance to do it.

@ Nick West Hills CA:

I agree. Buy American.

I also disagree. To insinuate that only GOP likes cheap Wal Mart prices is quite short-sighted, and downright incorrect. EVERYONE likes those cheap Wal Mart prices – hence, the problem.

So what's the answer? Can we make comparable products in this country? Not at a competetive price. Which means we must then put a tarriff on the Chinese product to level the playing field.

BUT WAIT. If we did that, the Cinese would accuse us of protectionism and wouldn't be so eager to but our debt.

Uh-Oh.

I can't stand China. Pay them back the money we owe them and leave them alone. They mean us no good.

Watch your back Mr. President.

We have a Sensible and an Intelligent President now.

Cool!!! They all seem thrilled to meet President Obama. It's as if he's extraordinarily special and they just can't wait to see him!

Great!

Nick maybe they can't afford the to buy luxury items and expensive ones like you. Give them a break, and let people buy from whereever they want, it is their money and not yours.

I have to admit I was worried when obama was elected.
Now I find my worry was justified. He is not intelligent, he just talks a good game and people who really don't understand the economy but want handouts just fall in line to anything he says.

He is a lot of broken promises and bad decisions so far and let's just hope there is something left to salvage in 4 years when he leaves.

Hey, at least it's not Schock...he'd go over there warning China that we're thinking about giving nukes to Taiwan (because he's stupid). ha

Obama is really really smart when it comes to identifying his target and reach his goal in a diplomatic manner. I give him lots of credits when he stands on the world stage shaking hands with even frictive foes.

Give our President a break. He can not change eight years of all the mess ups the Republicans have made. Let's give him a year in the White House and I am sure he will pass all the test that is put before him. He has alot of great people working for him and he has the American public's best interest formost in his site. Let's take the claws out of his back, and give Presendent Obama a chance.

From an Obama supportor

Ha ha,Rush is down to talking about dish soap and turtles while world news of importance is occuring.

Dutch, you're right. It appears people criticize the word criticize.

Instead of hating Obama, I think some of you here should channel your efforts into writing up your ideas on his blog, and shout as loud as possible if your ideas are good. And please, don't go back to what the Republicans are doing, write up a proposal that looks exactly like Bush's concept of the economy, lowering taxes. I read the entitle bill drafted by the Republicans, simply... stunningly.... ignorant. They don't have an idea how the economy operates.

I think I need to help out conservatives a bit... I think we've come to be thought of as the skaters in high school that no one thinks too much of.

I didn't like GW. I like Obama... so far. Although I am afraid of the debt we're in and I don't want to see us turn to too much nationalization and socialization. I like a little like healthcare and unemployment, but we still need competition in order to further ourselves technilogically and fiscally. Obama's visit to China doesn't seem nessicarry (sp?) yet! There's still a lot to do on the homefront before we finish the war in Afganistan and get this country back on track.

Barbara also makes me look bad haha

How refreshing to finally have a President who behaves diplomatically and is greeted enthusiastically by other world leaders.

As long as people keep shopping at Wal Mart and other stores that pressure their suppliers to cut costs by sending manufacturing to China, China will grow, and we will shrink.

Buy American-made products, you fools.

Ironically, most right wingers just LOVE them cheap Wal Mart prices.

How stupid.

This is what we needed as a nation. A leader that doesn't embarrass us with every other word out of his mouth. A leader that is perceived as intelligent, forthright, strong and thoughtful. THIS IS OUR TIME.

The only people who talk about Obama; taking away your guns, him being a messiah, or a celbrity, or a socialist, is not an American, etc., etc., are scared little people who want everyone to be scared little people – which is code for "angry old Republicans. This species has de-evolved to the point where they have a very primitive brain. "Fight or flight" is all they can handle. They cannot handle anything remotelly rational – look at the Dick Chaney – he's lost completely his mind and soon will need a drool cup.
Well your day is done – go the way of the primitive brained dinosaur. You don't want to evlove so nature is taking it's course and you are moving quickly toward the cliff. Please take your narrow minded ideaology and theology and go away. Let the evolved and still evolving species have a turn. Obama is certainly that.

What right would we have to point a finger at anyone with respect to human rights? We tortured people. We have no moral right to criticize China on Tibet.

It's not like Tibet would have human rights if it wasn't ruled by China. Tibet would be a dictatorship.

China should be a good friend, we should not make China an enemy. They are a lot more like us than we are willing to admit.

to Roger:
That's because he let Cheney do all the heavy lifting.
Bush had a rough time putting two sentences together

How do we "defer the question of human rights", when those principles are the foundation of our nation? I understand China will not change their tyrranical and murderous policies, but our tacit acceptance of them is as wrong as maintaining Gitmo or AbuGraib.

Is Obama seeing what he can get for the White House and in the same process selling a fewe more of our American freedoms. Obama has already spent our kids into bankrupcy, so why not sell the rest and make a deal for socialist international money.

The sad thing – People around the world reading posts here thereby confirming how ignorant some Americans are of the world.

The good thing – People around the world know how smart Obama is and will give him support on world issues.

Barbara, President Obama welcomes all of our ideas, suggestions, innovations. That being said, perhaps you should channel some of your fury into helping your country. Perhaps you have a better solution to undo eight years of turmoil in just a few months...even a few weeks.

@ Independent Jim:

WOW... Excellent analysis! Kudos to you!

Accountability April 1st, 2009 10:58 am ET

Finally…a President who can be a diplomat instead of a war monger….

--------------

Excuse me! Obama just expanded the war in Afghanistan by sending 17 thousand more troops! It's amazing how you Liberal fools have such selective memories!!

"Not a word about North Korea, I'll bet. China holds the keys to solving that problem….. if Obama can hold China's feet to the fire on that issue, heck, even I'll vote for him in 2012. But my guess is that he'll be as weak and feckless as Kim Jung-Il expects him to be."

Bearing in mind that Bush's myopic focus on Iraq allowed North Korea to develop a nuclear weapon...

@ Tim, who said "742,000 jobs lost in March. Great job Obama!"

What was he supposed to do to stop it? Every economist has said we'd be in recession until at least late 2009 NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. Obama himself said as much and said that the plan was, if everything works as they hope and expect, that we'd see the recession ending late 2009/early 2010 and find ourselves stabilizing during 2010...with a return to where we were prior to the recession hopefully by 2013. Here is the problem with your position:

"You libs are idiots. Obama is not the 'Messiah' and cannnot fix everything instantly like you seem to think he can!!!"
then
"Obama hasn't fixed everything instantly...what a failure...thanks for ruining the country Obama!!!"

You gotta pick one or the other...you can't just use both talking points depending on the context fo teh article you're posting in. Put downt he shovel and stop digging the GOP's hole all the deeper.

Thanks, Mari, for the insight. It means more to hear someone closer to the situation explain the issue. All my life I have heard that we can't have any relationship with Cuba because THEY ARE COMMUNIST!

Then, I can't go to Walmart without buying 90% Chinese. I'm not sure, but I think they are communist, too.

I would much rather be friends with the Cubans than having to work for the Chinese.

My God!!! What has this country come to? Is our political process become a joke? Are our leaders to be compared like horses sprinting to the finish–who's leading, who's losing? Damn if George W. was not a good president' he is no longer in office. Yes, Bush made some major blunders–thanks to our right-wing voters, Bush had eight years to compromise this country. Nevertheless, he is gone, and this country has risen from the ashes on more than one ocassion. I imagine during those times, especially during the Great Depression, many thought Roosevelt was spending us into bankruptcy. Well, he did not and we became a better country because of his work. It is amazing how many of you guys are so ignorant.

Today is a different world than it was in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, even 90s. I think it's great to have "talks" but still standing firm. Bush created a lot of hatred against us and regardless of fighting the economy or fighting terrorists, other countries ARE important. I read so many naive posts. At almost 60, I've seen a lot and lived under many presidents. I'm quite happy with Obama and his team.

Sheesh. Stop with the 'socialist' nonsense already! We just got out from under the boot of a would-be dictator that was illegally in office for 8 years! Celebrate! Obama's trying to fix Bush's disasters. It's not going to happen overnight. Not only does Obama have to try to fix the economy, he has to repair all the foreign relations that Bush alienated with his arrogance and stupidity.

And maybe, just maybe, he can convince China to put some real quality control in their products.

Well if you don't like the path that Obama is taking the country, you can always LEAVE....our airlines still have international flights...you don't have to stick around and see the "doom/gloom" that Obama is bringing upon the U.S....

You don't have to like Obama but he is still THE PRESIDENT...you don't have to like the Democrats, they are still THE MAJORITY IN CONGRESS...

It doesn't change the fact that Bush is still an idiot who has done one smart thing since leaving office...and that is keeping a low profile....

Obama is clearly well qualified and has his moral compass in the right direction; but could step up to the daunting crisis he inherited as he took office and be effective in the wake of the obstinate Republican opposition. The Answer is clear; he has proven to be exceptionally driven and effective leader in spite of the steady drumbeat from the other side persistently trying to tear him down.

Thank you President Obama – I have absolute confidence in you and the strong team you brought together in Washington to do the peoples business.

The President is doing a great job.

@ The Black Spider:

Interesting analogy. May I offer another?

Your household (America) has spent beyond it's means (revenue), and you find that you cannot pay your current obligations. You decide to get another credit card (debt) to pay your current obligations, as well as a new big screen TV (pork project).

I just can't see how it can work.

The Chinese conduct foreign relations in a very symbolic way. This trip does not look particularly good given their recent strong comments about concern over the stability of their investment in our debt, which involves stability of the dollar. That's one reason the Chinese want to take the world off the "dollar standard" – they think (or at least they are posturing) that it will improve currency stability world wide. It looks bad for the Presidebt to travel to China instead of the Premier traveling to Washington. Very likely seen as us going to them with "hat in hand" over the financial situation. Not likely a meeting of equals, particularly after the US failure at G20 to get concessions from the Europeans to have them begin huge stimulus bailouts in Europe (Sarkozy and Merkle already outmanuevered the Presidebt on that issue).

Talk about ultra-rightwing impatience! Obama has only been president for two months, and you're trying to blame him for the economic mess we are into, that was the result of George Bush and the Republican party whose platform was deregulation and who were asleep at the wheel with the regulations already on the books. Obama is trying to fix a ruined economy created by failed leadership out of Crawford, Texas. You're a bunch of sore losers living in denial.

President Obama should be thanked for the time he is putting in to help our nation. China should be thanked for the money we have borrowed from them to keep our country functioning.
Thank God we have a smart man leading us.

Kevin, maybe you should have been president. You seem pretty tough. Like George W. was tough as long as others were doing his dirty work. Don't wish too much for North Korea, or more of our jobs will head that way.

@Matthew from Detroit: It's time to take your meds again.

Obama did not start the financial mess. His administration is trying to help the economy. Yes, he is spending and increasing some areas of government. However, check your history and you will find the previous administration increased the federal gov dramatically.

The current administration has been on the job three months.

"we are now beholding to a major enemy……… China!"

We're enemies?

It's this kind of paranoid "You're either with us or against us" that so tainted the last presidency. Let's not make an enemy out of someone that doesn't have to be one.

Well I see that there are many who still buy into the media spin of "blame Bush" for everything. Bush certainly had faults but we have just begun to see what real destruction of the US can be. With Obama having declared many times that the constitution is a failed document and his goal is to "change" (re-write) it and with Sharia law on the horizon you ain't seen nothin' yet. Bush and team did what needed to be done, with the hate America actions of Kennedy, Pelosi and Reid corrupting the war supportiing Al Queda, to try and recover from the Clinton travesty but the Clinton legacy lives on in Obama to turn this country into a third world nation with only governmental elite having freedom and wealth. Now that we have seen the Supreme Leader Obama with the wave of his hand remove and replace business leaders we can expect more of this at his whim whenever the "Godfather" President Obama makes an offer you can't refuse.

In general, I believe the Obama administration is doing a wonderful job. Specifically, President Obama is doing a fantastic job.

Our relationship with china is all business just like people have with
their banker and we should thank the president of china for loaning
us money in a bad time .

I am skeptical of any positive outcome of the talks on human rights subject with the Chinese leaders. These talks have been going on for a long time and very little has been accomplished so far with regards to any improvement on human rights issue in China. The Chinese leaders must think it is none of our business.

Wow. Just reading some of the negative comments on this blog. Sad, really sad. How dare President Obama try to help the majority in this country... How dare he... He's so selfish...

You folks need to grow up...

I agree with the president going to China, He should talk with anyone willing to talk with us.

You are so right GrrlCanada. It is just unbelievable how people can find something negative and nasty to say about Obama,no matter what he does.Send troops and money to shore up the border issues with Mexico, and it's not enough.Send millions more,and he's putting the country in more debt. My goodness people, cut the man some slack,he speaks from the heart.You ever see the world reaction he received on Inauguration night?. . Yes President Obama, talk to everybody and at least hope they would be willing to sit and hash out the issues instead of just saying we will not deal with you at all.

When will liberals realize Bush's debt was NOTHING compared to the debt we'll continue to have because of Obama, so why do you even bring it up? Do you really think you can make the argument that in a decade we'll have a $10 trillion+ debt solely because Bush left behind a $1 trillion debt? Bush doubled the debt, but Obama is increasing it tenfold!

People that go on and on about Obama's "greatness" have to be cripplingly ignorant

Stay tuned for Rushs daily lies and half truths kiddies.He will brain wash you with his get rich quick schemes and corporate agenda.

742,000 jobs lost in March.

Great job Obama!

Republicans will be more silence by the day!
What a great President Barack Obama is!

Barack Obama has to put his own house in order first before thinking about going to China and Russia. We do not need public relations with these countries. We need jobs, we need stock market to go up to 14,000 points where it was before he took office and our retirement savings to come back. He has to keep our country safe. You cannot talk to radical governments just because you are radical. Every step you take, shows your inexperience and those advisers around you are taking salaries at our tax-payers' cost by giving you wrong advise. While in G20, you need to meet Czech Prime Minister who told you that your policies are 'way to go to hell'. Americans do not want to go to hell. You can do that.

I am not for big government spending at all but you have to use common sense and logic here.
Somebody (George W Bush) broke your car (economy) by drinving recklessly (war in Irak, Tax cut for rich, borrow money we don't have) into the ditch. You need to put the car back on the road by fixing it but you don't have any money. what do you do?
Borrow money to buy new parts (stimulus package) you don't have a choice. Pay the mecanics to fix it (also cost money). Then when you put the car back on the road you expect to make the money necessary to pay off the money you borrow to fix that car.
The debate should be do we buy some used parts or all new parts.
Nobody likes to spend money even the rich folks but you have to spend money to make money.

@ Mari,

Here's a shocker. THIS conservative agrees with you.

The embargo of Cuba should have ended at least 25 years ago. Counter productive and ineffective.

president obama is doing exactly what he needs to be doing – how refreshing to have a president who realizes the importance of working on relationships/dialogues with other countries

Not a word about North Korea, I'll bet. China holds the keys to solving that problem..... if Obama can hold China's feet to the fire on that issue, heck, even I'll vote for him in 2012. But my guess is that he'll be as weak and feckless as Kim Jung-Il expects him to be.

Who knows, maybe the Chinese will be able to help him run a socialist nation with a strong economy. Every executive needs a mentor, Obama's will likely be a socialist anyway so why not let it be the highest ranking Chinese autocrat?

Dear "In Houston Texas",

It is because we DO LISTEN to what he says that we are so against his policies. I suggest you do the same.

@ Bob the Observer........... Good question! My answer is that China has us (pardon the graphic language, folks) by the ..........balls!

Thanks to Bush and his .... DOUBLING..... of the National Debt, we are now beholding to a major enemy......... China!

As a Cuban refugee (1962 arrival) I have often argued with my Republican parents about Cuba. Elderly Cuban-Americans send millions in U.S. dollars and goods to Cuba every year........ keeping ........ Castro in power!

I remember well, when Lech Walesa (sp?) of Poland was asked why he revolted against the Soviets? Walesa said "I am tired of seeing my children starve!"

As long as Cuban-Americans support their Cuban relatives with U.S. dollars and goods, no revolution against Castro will rise up, because the people are "getting by"!

Yes......... by all means President Obama go to Cuba, abolished the stupid embargo ......... that for FIFTY YEARS HAS NOT CHANGED A THING IN CUBA! (now let's wait for the far-right-Cubans to start blogging and calling me a socialist!)

I wonder how much comrade Hu wants to talk about civil rights, toxic consumer products, avian flu, the environment, or Tibet?

Barbara, sweetie, there is a big difference between hanging out on the ranch in Crawford and traveling to other countries to meet w. foreign leaders. One is recreation, one is work. Surely you can tell the difference?

Debi...Great comment. How about we include South Carolina in that group.

Finally...a President who can be a diplomat instead of a war monger....

My tax dollars hard at work. Lets import more chinese goods to offset the money we owe them.

While we are losing jobs, houses, pensions and life savings this guy has left us workers behind.

President Obama, tell the Chinese that so sorry we have to take care of our own people now so business will be limited between us because our people need the jobs and we no longer want to grow your military so you can turn on us later in history. So Sorry !

The most amazing thing on here is how all these Obamabots who cannot defend their current President's actions simply still resort to blaming Bush for creating and implementing "the worst financial disaster since the great depression" and for "causing an unjustified war".

Yet in the same post they also include comments such as "Bush was lazy" and "Bush was stupid".

Well I hate to point this out to all of you....But if in 8 years George Bush accomplished all that you claim he is responsible for then he is neither lazy or stupid.

In fact....in order for him to trick the entire world into supporting his War....yes Congress voted for it....Yes the American People were in favor of it when it was being debated....Yes several countires joined us and at the same time developing this entire plan to take down the world economy while nobody noticed....

quite frankly....the man had to have been a genius.

Dawn
you are right. Obama has done more in the 2-3 months in office than bush did in 8 years. we are doomed. Obama is taking us all down a very scary road with no recovery to come. just more spend, spend, spend. butcher the constitution and so forth.

You can spew your hate day and night on this blog but in the end note this.
1. OBAMA will fix your Idol bush's economical mess by ending the stupid tax cut for big rich corporations and rich folks
2. Get the deficit bush created under control even if he has to add more in the short term
3. Set the fundemental for growth by reforming education
4. Restore American respect in the world
5. Make the america safer by going BIN LADEN not sadam husein.

I am proud to have a President who understands how the world (which we are a large part of) works. I am impressed that he is working so hard to deal with all the problems we face none of which he created or even had a hand in creating. And not just working hard for his base or those who support his efforts, but for all of America, and therefore the whole world.
Thank you Mr. President. (and Mrs. too)

Well Done! Despite all the Obama "haters" in this blog, President Obama is proving time and time again that he's the MOST QUALIFIED President to lead the United States into the 21st Century.

He's restoring America's stature around the world, he's political savvy and intelligent is beyond compared when it comes to dealing with foreign leaders. He knows when to "listen" and when to speak. I'm so very PROUD of our First Couple, they have proven that they have what it TAKES to put our country back on track while restoring our stature as a superpower, not a bully like our last President who walked around in a constant "clueless" mental state.

So you can "hate" all you want, but in the end, you ALL will still be as miserable as you are now. President Obama does not have the time, nor the energy to waste on folks who do nothing but "complain, complain, complain" but have NEVER walked in his shoes or can DO what he does as President of the United States.

The body language of these two is pertty good, even more noticeable is the 'wide' grasping handshake of Obama.....very receptive to each other.

It is amazing how bitter so many public commentators are. I guess if they make up their mind someone is their enemy, they are never going to be open to discussion. I am personally glad I don't know these people who are so sure that everything President Obama does is negative. I hope these nay-sayers are the minority, as was the case in the election, are continuing to be in the minority. They should remember the mess America was in when the last administration was in office, just mentioning our world relationships. The world is small and we have to make an attempt to work together.

Thank you President Obama.We will defeat the rich dictators and their golden parachutes.

Barbara – it's clear you lack gray matter. But seriously, get over it. Your leader is gone, and not a day too soon might I add, and a person with real intelligence, who is going to help fix all the problems created by your leader, is in office. Stop living in the past and embrace the future because time moves forward and you're just going to be left behind.

Obama needs to go meet the folks that BushCo sold the country to

Does the chinese leader know english and besides of talking about nothing did Obama ask why the Chinese are spending so much money on there military

You right wingers are not only losers but a joke, too. Ha!

Headline should read...

"Obama begs China not to call in loans created under former President..."

Some of you people on here sound so ignorant. If president Obama was just sitting in the white house you complain, if he is doing his job you still complain. So what he needs to do is continue to ignore you dummies and try and fix the economy.

And if he stayed in the White hous and didn't have the government investing in its citizens you guys would complain about that too. You conservative/Goper/anti-Obama/naysayers.... You guys complain about EVERYTHING. It's obvious that you are not listening to a word he saying. You mis characterize the actions that he is taking. You call him a socialist. (and when you do that, all liberal think the same thing, GET A DICTIONARY) You say his policies will destroy America. (like Bush?)
He can do no right in your eyes. You guys are unbelievable...to the point I think you are actually paid to post these things. But that's okay. Your words and feelings will not deter Obama, The Democratic party, or any other Obama supporter from trying to recover this nation to greatness.
Our spirit is strong. You will not break us. You can't outlast us and we will achieve our goal.

What are you talking about??? The shrub spent (as of August 12, 2007) a whopping 418 days of vacation! That's more than an entire year! Do you more than an entire year off for wokring 6 1/2 years??? Moron. Most of those 418, plus however many he took from then until Jan. 20th 2009 were spent in Texas. At least Pres. Obama while out of washington is doing something extremely constructive. It's not like he's vacationing in Hawaii playing golf and laying out on the beach! Spare me the FAKE outrage barb!

At least we're now talking with our Allies. They didn't take too kindly with the old attitude of "do it our way or we bomb you".

In a global economy, a leader must have face to face contacts with allies and foes alike. Our butts depend on that.

Fair is Fair, Barbara, and future dissenters,

Stop living in bitterness, jealousy, and your fantasy world, that makes you believe you were better off before. Stop blaming the President, and everyone else for your dysfunctions. Stop hating, live life to its fullest, and die happy. Peace.

Note the latent racism in some of these comments....how sad in America!
Also, intimating that Bush actually HAD a clue about the country's problems and fixing them is hilarious......I tho9ugh bush was a millstone around the Republican's necks?

The conversation -
China: We plan on calling the loans in August. Can we take Alaska, Texas and Louisiana as payment in full?
USA: Only if you take the current and previous govenors that live in those states with you.
China: Heck no. You keep those idiots.

I don't think Bushie's weed wacking compares to these trips. Just maybe some good will come out of Obama's trips. George W sent this entire country on a trip and we are finally finding our way home.
Keep up the good work Barack.

The only thing shocking is how people continue to show their ignorance. i doubt if the president needed this position to travel. I mean how trivial can one get? To ALWAYS have a negative comment about Prez. Obama is rediculous! Why can't we cut the man some slack, and hope that he and other leaders can help make this world a better place. Obviously, they won't reach everyone, including pessimists like you (barbara)

Well, it is unlikely that Obama could get the Chinese to have better labor standards, open to a free press and cut down on corruption that kills or hurts US citizens that buy Chinese products. I wonder what could be on the agenda.

Girl stop hating.

Human rights has to be on the table!

Actually Barbara, he didn't accuse Bush of going to Texax (sic) too often, those were the liberal bloggers that did so, and how does going to China for strategic and economic dialogue indicate that he doesn't know how to fix the country's problems? It's a hell of a lot better than spending weeks after weeks in Crawford and NOT negotiating with other countries. People are so blinded by ideology that they don't know what's good when it hits them in their faces. You must think the Colbert Report is also a serious show too, right?

Going to your ranch in Texas just to get away from Washington is much different than meeting with foreign leaders to discuss international relations and global issues affecting us all. To think that Obama became president in order to "travel, live in a big house and be treated like a king," is not only obscenely ignorant, but a sure sign that you have hated him from the beginning and therefore never gave him a chance in your tiny mind. Stop listening to the slandering rhetoric from the extreme right and give your President a chance to sort out one of the biggest messes this world has seen in quite some time. People like Barbara need to stop and look in the mirror, realize what is is they're projecting to those around them, and seek advice on how to recover from the hole they've fallen into.

Worst president of all time. I really thought this guy would be financially responsible but he is worse than anything we have ever had. Congress and Barack are on a spending spree that ends with the ruin of the us. He hates his country and he is proving it.

Clown boy has to meet with them. He is bankrupting the united states and now has to cater to them in any way possible. He is spending money we dont have and no one wants to stop him. He is already blowing out the deficit each year and will double the national debt. Totally irresponsible spending made to break our country.
Yes I think his intention is to break our country and force the people to NEED goverment. He is a benelovent dictator and understands the american people are stupid sheep that need to be governed.

@ Barbara......... Honestly! You far-right-folks never seize to amaze me, turning any and all articles about President Obama into a gripe-session!

What President Obama meant when he said "part of my job is to get away from Washington" is the need for a president, especially in times of crisis to meet with American people. Like he did when he traveled to California and held a town hall meeting!

He is not "getting away" like Bush did to his ranch in Texas! By the way, Barbara, the FACT IS ....... that Bush spent 40% of his presidency at his ranch. Or after 9/11 there is that clip in which reporters were asking about the attack, and he said a couple of things..... and then said to the reporters "watch this" and proceeded to show them his golf swing!

The far-right needs to take a breath and before you criticize think back to how a GOP president behaved!

Why don't we save the trip to the Big Communist Superpower until we have normalized relations with the Little Communist Puppet just off our doorstep.

Let him visit Cuba first. We need to re-establish trade and relationships with this nearby neighbor and potential ally.

Question: What does Cuba have that makes them worse than China? Why can our presidents fly to China and treat the nation with utmost respect while a potential friend and ally lies within a short flight of our own nation?

Maybe Obama can get some tips on how to fix the economy in a true Statist fashion.

Barbara I have been reading your emails the past few months and I have ccome to the conclusion that you dear are a miserable human being.

Thanks President Obama for the great job done so far.We will defeat the rich and prosper the middleclass.The corporate talking heads will not prevail.

Barbara:

Sometimes if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. I know you're mad because your guy lost, but some Americans would like to try to start feeling good about our country again, so take your sourness over to Red State or something.

@ Barbara: there's a big difference between going to "texax" to clear brush for more than 50% of your first 8 months in office and going to China to try to advance the cause of diplomacy. I know you've gotten used to a President being afraid to travel for fear of catching a size 12 loafer in the forehead, but it's actually a really vital part of the job to travel to foreign countries and actually sit down and talk with their leaders as opposed to shouting idle threats over the sound of a whirring wood chipper in the background.

Due to the shrub's legacy of 5 trillion dollar deficit sold to China, it is only proper that the manager of America should meet the owner!

@ Barbara. He is not going to China to cool off. He is not from Chine he is from Chicago and unlike Bush that goes to Texas all the time. The problem with people like you is that you are ignorant. Ignorant of the fact that a Presidents job is to make decisions based on the advice of his team. HE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN WASHINGTON TO DO THAT. Is there something that he would do, that you would not criticize? Stop seeing the world thru your red and blue lines and see it as a whole. You do more damage than good with your line of thinking

He should visit China since the Chinese have pretty much bought this country! Why not visit your landlord?

He'll probably drop a few billion of our tax while there $$$ to help China.

It is time to end the "Leave Your Comment" portion of such stories. I am sure you are trying to increase readership, but the comments are not worht the time it takes to read them.. .enough is enough !

Ahhh, Fair is Fair and barbara, I'm sure if the title read "Obama orders action that captures Osama Bin Ladin" or "Obama team solves financial crisis" you'll STILL have something to snipe about.

It seems that sharks are on here all day waiting to post anything negative the moment a story breaks....how sad...must be unemployed...I sure hope they don't use up the unemployment benefits, healthcare, and other safety nets that they hate so much. I am a son supporting his family because his parents lost their jobs to down sizing and only one could find work. They sure as hell are hard workers and have worked hard their whole lives...they don't deserve this crap....It is just nice to finally have a President working for us and taking on the tough issues rather than pushing them off over and over again.

All well and good, but does anyone want to report on HR 1664. CNN, bloggers, how about it? Thoughts, concerns?

I just went and read the text of the bill. Besides being rather vague in its statutory elements, there are a couple of loopholes that I (a simple seismologist, not a lawyer) saw that I'd take advantage of in structuring employee compensation.

In addition to being unconstitutional (IMHO) the bill only sets up more of the Barney Frank led AIG bonus style witch-hunts.

Can anyone out there provide some insight that I may have missed? Any interest in a serious topic?

Have a great day!

Pee Wee

@ Barbara: Yes, Bush did travel a lot. He was on vacation when bodies were floating in the streets of New Orleans, etc. Don't you think that if Bush wasn't on vacation he would have spent more time fixing the economy and not creating the financial mess we're in?

Wasn't it Bush who loved China so much that millions of American jobs went to China? Give me a break Republicans!

barbara– link?

oh thats right he never said that. so are we saying our head of state shouldn't visit the Chinese president? It's not exactly Burundi.

@ barbara, who said "didnt he accuse bush of going to texax to often and therefore not doing his job?"

My gawd you people are inane. Here's a little hint: fostering and maintaining healthy and productive relationships with other countries, particularly other so-called "super-powers" IS PART OF THE POTUS' JOB. I know this is hard for you to grasp because we had a GOP POTUS who, for the past 8 years, did precisely the opposite, and you and the GOP adamantly refuse to admit it, but seriously, the knee-jerk hypercritical talking points just make you look like a drooling dullard and only serve to further damage the public's perception of conservatives and the GOP. If and when you manage to figure that out, conservatives and the GOP might actually stop declining in public opinion polls.

Barbara – As far as I know – Texas isn't another country that basically is the new world's super-power.

That was a great comparison. Texas vs. China.

Good One!!

What exactly is there to criticize in this article?

Ok He has the right to meet with any Head of State he wants too. The President has done more in over two months than Former President Bush has done in eight. We need to get our economy moving. I believe everyone here will agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Headline should read...

"Obama begs China for more money to advance socialist agenda"

What an interesting article. Now that is fine journalism.

Asking for a handout like most of his adoring followers, no doubt.

well I am not shocked. Didnt he just say last week that the best part of the job is getting away from washington? didnt he accuse bush of going to texax to often and therefore not doing his job? every day i become more confident in the fact that obama only wanted to be president so that he can travel, live in a big house and be treated like a king. he loves it when people hold him up to savior status while not having a clue about how to fix this country's problems.