AMA with Barack Obama

I am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 4 points5 points6 points 2 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 4 points5 points6 points 2 minutes ago

It's hard - truthfully the main thing other than work is just making sure that I'm spending enough time with michelle and the girls. The big advantage I have is that I live above the store - so I have no commute! So we make sure that when I'm in DC I never miss dinner with them at 6:30 pm - even if I have to go back down to the Oval for work later in the evening. I do work out every morning as well, and try to get a basketball or golf game in on the weekends just to get out of the bubble. Speaking of balance, though, I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to Gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD! permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 21 points22 points23 points 10 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 21 points22 points23 points 10 minutes ago

I understand how tough it is out there for recent grads. You're right - your long term prospects are great, but that doesn't help in the short term. Obviously some of the steps we have taken already help young people at the start of their careers. Because of the health care bill, you can stay on your parent's plan until you're twenty six. Because of our student loan bill, we are lowering the debt burdens that young people have to carry. But the key for your future, and all our futures, is an economy that is growing and creating solid middle class jobs - and that's why the choice in this election is so important. The other party has two ideas for growth - more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we've put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse. I want to keep promoting advanced manufacturing that will bring jobs back to America, promote all-American energy sources (including wind and solar), keep investing in education and make college more affordable, rebuild our infrastructure, invest in science, and reduce our deficit in a balanced way with prudent spending cuts and higher taxes on folks making more than $250,000/year. I don't promise that this will solve all our immediate economic challenges, but my plans will lay the foundation for long term growth for your generation, and for generations to follow. So don't be discouraged - we didn't get into this fix overnight, and we won't get out overnight, but we are making progress and with your help will make more. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 631 points632 points633 points 24 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 631 points632 points633 points 24 minutes ago

It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 242 points243 points244 points 25 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 242 points243 points244 points 25 minutes ago

Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 557 points558 points559 points 31 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 557 points558 points559 points 31 minutes ago

The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban's momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 809 points810 points811 points 35 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 809 points810 points811 points 35 minutes ago

Win or lose, I'll be thanking everybody who is working so hard - especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 199 points200 points201 points 36 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 199 points200 points201 points 36 minutes ago

We've really focused on this since I came into office - 18 tax cuts for small business, easier funding from the SBA. Going forward, I want to keep taxes low for the 98 percent of small businesses that have $250,000 or less in income, make it easier for small business to access financing, and expand their opportunities to export. And we will be implementing the Jobs Act bill that I signed that will make it easier for startups to access crowd-funding and reduce their tax burden at the start-up stage. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 765 points766 points767 points 39 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 765 points766 points767 points 39 minutes ago

Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 1527 points1528 points1529 points 40 minutes ago* (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 1527 points1528 points1529 points 40 minutes ago*

Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody - from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won't stray from that principle - and it will be reflected in the platform. permalinkcontextfull commentsI am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA by PresidentObamain IAmA

[+]PresidentObama[S] 1810 points1811 points1812 points 43 minutes ago (0 children) [–]PresidentObama[S] 1810 points1811 points1812 points 43 minutes ago

Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level - so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.

[–]SharkGirl 1504 points 51 minutes ago We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 1185 points 29 minutes ago* Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody - from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won't stray from that principle - and it will be reflected in the platform.

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[–]ormirian 2350 points 51 minutes ago* Are you considering increasing funds to the space program?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 1471 points 31 minutes ago Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level - so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.

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[–]FifthSurprise 762 points 50 minutes ago What was the most difficult decision that you had to make during this term?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 158 points 20 minutes ago The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban's momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget.

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[–]daveforamerica 319 points 51 minutes ago What is the first thing you'll do on November 7th, win or lose?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 482 points 24 minutes ago Win or lose, I'll be thanking everybody who is working so hard - especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices.

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[–]silent1mezzo 415 points 47 minutes ago What's the recipe for the White House's beer?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 158 points 13 minutes ago It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty.

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[–]karlfranks 93 points 51 minutes ago Who's your favourite Basketball player?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 433 points 28 minutes ago Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy.

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[–]suzmerk 321 points 55 minutes ago What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term?

[–]PresidentObama[S] 106 points 21 minutes ago Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change.

Apologies if it wasn't clear my response was tongue in cheek.