He
stole our hearts back in 2008 on the campaign trail and swept us off of our
feet with his smooth demeanor, strong rapport with the everyday
American/Average Joes, and his optimistic yet realistic plans. As with any
famous politician, I have miserably watched the media poke fun at him over the
course of his reign as president. Remember when President Obama was dejectedly
interrupted with the phrase “You Lie!” shouted at him during his State of the
Union Address? Or what about the time they criticized him for taking a family
vacation. The exact explanation as to why he was being criticized was, “It is not appropriate for the president to
leave the White House when financial markets are plummeting and unemployment
remains high.” Really? Really though? I’m sure all congressmen and
representatives take vacations. The President has more pressure on him at all
times probably more than anyone in the entire world and if not that, in the
entire United States…why can’t he take his family on a mini vacation? Also, do
you remember the time Republicans picked on and made fun of the First Lady’s
behind? They criticized her for so heavily promoting eating healthy and staying
fit, but eating a plate full or ribs and poking fun at the fact that her tail
is round and full. I mean just plain ridiculousness! However, people who do not
follow Presidential legislation and only read online Yahoo headlines are prone
to criticize and think that President Obama has done a terrible job! Let me
clear that up RIGHT NOW—HE HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB AND I SUPPORT HIM 199.99%!
Let’s
take a look at some of the novel things he’s done over the course of only four
years. Let’s start off with the BIG, REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS SHALL WE?! Don’t
you remember the stimulus package? It actually did boost economic growth and
spending. President Obama was the ONE who brought the troops out of Iraq and
not only that but sent a group of Navy Seals to kill Osama Bin Laden, one of
the number one threats to the US for years! He also ended the “Don’t Ask Don’t
Tell” policy in our military. He appointed two women (one being the first
Hispanic woman ever appointed) to the Supreme Court (of only four women justices
in the Supreme Court’s ENTIRE history)! He passed the Hate Crimes bill and
invested in clean energy, health care and so much more. The first few things I
mentioned are more than enough, I think, to give the man the credit he
deserves. Not to mention all the fire he’s gotten from adversaries on all
sides. Remember the whole, ‘Oh he wasn’t even born in the United States?’ Our
own President had to release his birth certificate to the world and sure
enough, he is one of our own! One of OUR OWN! And they have the nerve to talk
about living in a ‘post-racial’ society. Ha. Yeah, sure you’re right…
Yet
and still, he has faced all the criticism with grace and humility. He has never
backed down from trying the absolute best he can to represent and be true to
hard-working Americans. I remember even when he was running he never stooped
down to mud-slinging campaign advertisements. Aside from breaking history, and a
huge glass ceiling for minorities, He has truly restored our hope in our
country, our families (bringing back troops), and our belief that the United
States of America is truly the best place in the world to live. I remember when
he won the presidential race how people ran out of their houses and bars into
the streets, cheering and praising God and the tears from thousands of
people…people who fought for freedom and equality during the Civil Rights
movement (my great-great grandparents), celebrities, and political leaders
across the world, as he gave his acceptance speech. I remember hugging my
grandmother and us crying our eyes out. I certainly hope we Americans have not
forgotten that victorious moment in history already! Let’s bring the magic back
and the hope back!
President Barack Obama has
fought for us without ceasing, so I ask you, won’t you keep fighting?! In the
words of world music revolutionary Bob Marley, “Get up, stand up, stand up for
Ya Rights! This year, because I can vote (now 19) I will be voting…I will be
fighting for the future of my country, my American brothers and sisters, my
family, and myself. I’VE GOT HIS BACK 2012! PLEASE COMMENT ON WHO YOU SUPPORT THIS ELECTION AND WHY! <a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/scholarship" ><img src="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/images/yourlocalsecurity/scholarship/scholarship-badge.png" alt="Blogging Scholarship" /></a><br / >by <a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com">YourLocalSecurity.com</a>
Yasmine,
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to see someone take such a passionate stand on politics. Not only do you care, it seems that you have looked into most of the main talking points surrounding Obama. I do feel obligated to say however, that even thought your article will likely receive a plethora of "Amens" from like-minded people, it is very unlikely to change or even influence the opinion of someone who sees it differently.
I'm going to try and dissect this from the bottom up here. Obama's birth certificate...while definitely blown way out of proportion, is at its core a perfectly acceptable request. His past wasn't well known, and one of the main requirements of being a United States President is that you must be born on U.S soil. That whole snafu could have been cleared up if a document had been released early on. That's not asking any more than a simple employer might for you to be eligible for a job.
Obama in his last campaign was pretty firmly against the wars in the Middle East and claimed he would have them long removed by now. To give him credit for the assassination of Osama seems a little far-fetched, as 2008 Barack Obama likely would have had the troops out before that even occurred.
He and his campaign engaged in just as much mudslinging as any politician before, with him accusing John McCain of a financial scandal in the past, and McCain in turn saying Obama had palled around with radicals in the 60's. I'm not saying this makes him bad, I just point out that he is definitely not above the political scheming that is so common in modern politics.
The stimulus package has seen some, and I repeat some, definable improvement in our economy, but many economists on both sides argue that it would have rebounded eventually regardless and that Government spending is never good because it creates a falsely inflated economy. The private sector has seen little growth and has not yet recovered to a place where it can carry our economy forward. Also on this point, have you looked at the U.S debt lately? Bush made it large, Obama has made it huge and seems to continue wanting to do so. This part angers me for every politician on any side of an argument. How dare anyone talk about unburdening the US population and helping those who can't help themselves when they are putting a mind-bogglingly huge debt on the shoulders of our kids and grandkids...they aren't even here yet. I'd say that makes them pretty weak, defenseless and undeserving of such demands.
My biggest regret is that in the 2008 election Senator John McCain got dragged down into the dregs of the election and got put with such a polarized running mate. I implore you to look up McCain and see why he was and is one of the most devoted US citizens to this day, and why his record of bipartisanship is in fact different than the normal politician.
I will end by saying that I do in fact support Barack Obama. I think compared to the other possible candidates he is definitely the most humane, understanding and devoted to the United States citizenry. I will however, continue to argue with people who deem him a political messiah character.
My ongoing views on politics are that the Party system is not only bad, it is in fact a cavity that is slowly eroding our Government. Checks and balances are almost completely gone, and people are elected now based off of which group they align more with, not their personal convictions. It doesn't seem right to me that the instant someone labels themselves a Republican or Democrat, they instantly, without any real justification have supporters and opponents.
I think Obama has done a good job as President and I think for that reason alone he should get another four-years to try and make things happen. I guess I view him as just another politician who has a lot of hype behind him. I don't disagree with all of it, but I get frustrated when people make him a "Superman" character in politics.
Well said! President Obama is a wonderful role model who has made great strides in the last four years to aggressively clean up the "mess" made by George Bush and the Republican party. To have someone's "back" means that you are going to stand by them, support them in a time of need, various occasions and situations. You stated the best way to "cover his back"..and that is voting for him...re-electing him in 2012! I am glad you will start in this election to exercise your right to vote as an American citizen. This is the greatest right we have! Our vote covers President Obama from behind in case someone (like Romney) tries to attack while he's looking ahead into the future and a brighter tomorrow for all Americans. It's about keeping hope alive!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT article!
ReplyDeletelove, love, LOVED IT! Even if I didn't support President Obama, after you have laid out the facts so well in this article I would be compelled to do so.
I'm with you and the millions of other Americans that will have President Obama's back in 2012.
Thanks for working to get the word out.
By the way, your argument is rational and in my opinion simply states factual evidence. If that's interpreted as elevating President Obama to super hero status it indicates truly how bad things were before he took office. Maybe he deserves that kind of praise. We all know he is still just a man.
Rev. D Alexander
Yeah...President Obama has brought the hope back. In today's news Obama is the only president since 2008 who has a budget surplus for the month of April! That's something to shout about! We need to have his back, because obviously he has ours. I wish I could vote more than once in this election. Thanks, Yasmine, for laying out the facts so well!
ReplyDeleteI think Obama has done a lot of great things which are all outlined in your post. One thing to keep in mind is that corporations continue to put a strangle on any progressive and productive legislation related to climate change. So a scientific threat becomes a political liability and it is a shame that there is not more leadership in the realm of getting off fossil fuels as a nation. We can all do our part but it does take laws and policies to force larger changes. We as citizens need to demand this more so that it will give more courage to our elected officials!
ReplyDeleteHey Yazzie! What a great essay! I also thought you should mention that it is also hard that Obama had to be president right after Bush, who didn't leave the US in the best condition. Obama has to deal with the economic crisis, the war, healthcare problems etc.. but I really liked your essay! :)
ReplyDeleteI love high unemployment rates! Mitt Romney 2012
ReplyDelete