I am sick of this current election, and woefully pessimistic about our nations future with either candidate; so instead, I want to highlight some achievements of our current President, Barack Obama. I am sure some people will disagree with me, but Obama has done some great things in his 8 year presidency. Over the course of his two terms, unemployment has gone down, crime rates across the country have gone down, we successfully pulled out of a recession, and our economy is, slowly, starting to grow. Gay men and women are now allowed to serve in our military, as well as legally marry each other. Carbon emissions have plummeted, and credit card companies can no longer spring hidden fees on us. Obama has done all of this, and I haven't even gotten to the healthcare reform or higher education.
Obamacare has, well, gone down in flames. It did not have the intended effect and many Americans are still angry about it. However, at least he tried. He tried to come up with a reform policy that would provide affordable healthcare to low income families. He tried to ensure our health and safety by being a 'dad' and forcing us to get insurance. He evoked his executive powers to push his policies through a Republican congress for the benefit of all Americans. Unfortunately this plan failed. Obamacare is in shambles and has lately caused more harm than good for many families; myself included. At least he tried, which is something compared to the nothing everyone else has been doing.
But, little does the public know, or care to know, passed along with the Affordable Care Act was also the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. This was an addendum that allowed Democrats to weasel around the Republican filibuster and pass both acts with hardly any Republican votes. The important thing about the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act is that layered inside this healthcare reform was a section that would give a huge reform to the student loan program. The bill would allow a budget of $36 billion to expand the Federal Pell Grant, which provides funding for low income undergraduates, as well as a revolutionary student-debt relief that is quietly shifting the burden of student loan debt off of the shoulders of low income students and instead spread around to all taxpayers.
All of this is merely a snapshot of his domestic policies alone. Obama has done some wonderful things for our Country, but we have been to preoccupied to notice, or have focused too much on something we didn't like and missed all the other good and decent reforms this man has attempted. Obama was a great man, less of a politician, and more like a dad to Americans. Everything he did for us was with the best of intentions for all Americans as a whole, and he continued to work hard despite an entire Congress against him, and little recognition from us. Obama will be sorely missed once this election is over and we have chosen one of the two monstrous anti-humans as our next president.
3 comments:
Caitlin, I enjoyed reading your praiseful post about President Barack Obama, maybe I am a bit biased because I too, did see the benefits of his Presidency as well and felt as though he led this nation to his best intentions. Other than the main bills and acts he passed, that you pointed out in your blog post
seemed more opinionated and more of a list of what he’s accomplished. Your commentary seemed like it could have been expanded and written as more of a positive or constructive criticism of his time as President. Rather than ranting, you can use certain language to help ensure your readers that they aren’t just reading a biased rant. For example, when you wrote, “But, little does the public know, or care to know, passed along with the Affordable Care Act was also the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.” it came off as though the general public didn’t acknowledge or care about this Act, which is simply not true. The general public was very well informed of this act being passed and instilled in the healthcare system in America. There are few other points and facts that you bring up that are questionable, but otherwise I enjoyed your commentary and your particular reasons on why his eight years as president was successful and why the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election has a lot to live up to Obama's legacy.
Hello Caitlin,
I found your article "Obama's Legacy" very interesting. You have come up with an awesome ideas about the contributions made by President Obama and I completely agree with you. Yes, Obama has done a lot to make our nation a perfect place.
In order to make this article more interesting, I would like highlight few comments for this article.
As you have already mentioned about the Health Care Program, I would like to say something about the expanded Health Coverage for Children. Children's Heath Insurance Program (CHIP) helps to cover health care for 4 million more children, paid by a tax increase on tobacco products.
As far as I know, Obama also improved Food Safety System. He signed the FDA Food Safety of Modernization Act, which boosts the Food and Drug Administration's budget and expands its regulatory responsibilities to include increasing number of food inspections, issuing direct food recalls, and reviewing the current food safety practices of countries importing into America.
Obama has succeeded in accomplishing many things that are good for nations and citizens and yes, he will be missed.
Thank you
Barsha
Caitlin's commentary in stage five about some of Barack Obama's highlights and achievements during his presidency is a fresh outlook to current news about this years election. Like Caitlin I believe President Barack Obama has done great things in his 8 year precedency. President Barack Obama has successfully helped increase our economy as well as helped created a path for better healthcare and education.
Caitlin describes Barack Obama "less of a politician, more like a dad to Americans." This statement stuck with me. I never really noticed the dad features Barack Obama displayed to America, but now that I'm being made aware of it that's exactly how I see him too. President Obama has beed a great support to this country. He has been given people all over america hope and that's something that doesn't come easy. Caitlin also sees President Obama as less of a politician and I can't help but disagree with her. I believe that his politic views have been very clear and though like Caitlin explains has not always worked to America's benefit he has gone through great lengths to try to achieve a better America. As his term comes to an end and president-elect Trump steps up as the new leader of America, my wish is that Donald Trump is able to step up as president and learn from President Obama's mistakes as well as his achievements and continue to make America great.
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