How well do I think our government is running these days? Well, I have to start with the top, i.e. President Obama. He has been in office over a year now, and like any other candidate made bold campaign promises that helped him get elected. One that I'm sure a lot of people focus on is the heath care reform promise. Well, we have national health care but I don't thin kit is necessarily what we imagined. I need to see the plan in action to render a final decision but I am definitely lukewarm on the fact there is no public option. I think it was a positive step that will help many who had no option for health care but sweeping change for the health care system I can't see happening.
Another promise was to shutdown Guantanamo Bay. I can't say he has failed to do this yet but he sure has taken his time in putting the wheels in motion. I have a feeling like any other job, once you get in the position, things are not as easy as you expected.
One thing I give a low grade for is the large increase in the national deficit. I realize that $&00 billion of the $1.72 trillion increase came from the Bush administration's bank bailout but in one year the debt increased by over three times the previous fiscal year! Part of that money was the $700 billion President Obama gave as the stimulus package. I don't think stimulus packages work. That is where I side more with the Republicans. Let the private sector help stimulate.
Now, what has Pres. Obama done right? Pushing for don't ask, don't tell to be repealed is a positive. He needs to carry through but all signs look that he can meet his objective. Foreign policy overall is above average. I still believe he will pull back on the troops but I think it was unrealistic to believe this could be done as quickly as everyone wants.
All in all, I think you have to let a first term president get through the first 2-2.5 years before you can pass real judgment. The first year is a learning process no matter who you are. I still believe I made the correct choice on my presidential candidate and that the rest of my generation is being a bit impatient to see him blossom. Ask me again next year, and see if I am still as optimistic as I am today. My grade for President Obama is a B+.
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I agree with you here when it comes to what we should rate our president. B + seems accurate since we have had some negative and some positive results so far. The national healthcare situation is scary and until it is put into place I will remain skeptical just like you. It is very hard to be in such a high position of power in the US and some have cracked under pressure. (Cough....George Bush) Hopefully he can go in depth to solve all the problems that are occuring. I would rather him work on one major issue thoroughly than to spread himself out to thin. The deficit problem is utterly ridiculous but if the stimulus plans were not issued we might have a different set of problems on our hands. Things to think about. There will always be a what if but all in all he seems like he's out to do the right thing for his country.
ReplyDeleteB+ for President Obama
ReplyDeleteIn a post about how Matthew see’s president Obama’s success in presidency (for the little time that he’s been in office) I’d say that he fairly evaluates from his own perspective. He goes about explaining why he makes the claims that he does in a very mature manner and offers the readers a refreshing stance on the subject being discussed.
Bravely touching on the topic of war, he writes, “I still believe he will pull back on the troops but I think it was unrealistic to believe this could be done as quickly as everyone wants.” I agree with this because to say the least…it IS unrealistic. We should cut Obama a little slack here, I mean, pulling the troops out immediately, cold turkey, isn’t an easy task.
Throughout the entire post Matthew covers a little bit of a few hot topics that parallel with our current president. Closing the post with “My grade for President Obama is a B+.” leaves readers with a little food for thought and a mature and realistic outlook to jump start their interest. I’d say check the blog out if you’re interested in getting a unique overview of the current issues in the government today.