During the Presidential campaign back in 2008 the American public was promised a great deal of change if we were to elect, then, Senator Obama to the Presidency. The American Electorate, desperate for something new after eight years of nausea, took the bait and elected the first black president to the White House.
Now, one year later, the American public seems to be disillusioned by the thought that President Obama did not bring about the change that he had promised. We are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, unemployment has risen to the double didgets, universal health care is no longer a reality, and the list goes on and on. As a result, the President's approval ratings have fallen dramatically. Worse than losing faith in President Obama, many have lost all hope in our political system. If things don't change with a democratic president and a large democratic majority in the house and senate, when will they ever change?
Last night President Obama delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of congress. It was a much needed transcendent speech by the suave American Presidential speaker. By stating that "jobs must be our number one focus in 2010" it showed that he is in step with the American people. He also insisted that congress not step away from health care reform, "not when we are this close." He also spent time talking about Iraq, Afghanistan, clean energy, climate change, education, bipartisanship, and a few other important issues.
In a vital part of President Obama's speech, he reminded the American people of what he HAS done since he has taken office. He insisted that the Recovery Act saved 2,000,000 jobs, a figure which has not been rebuked by FactCheck.org. He insisted that the Wall St. bailout, although "about as popular as a root canal," saved unemployment from going into Great Depression figures, saved homes from being lost, and saved businesses from closing. He also said that the government has recovered most of the tax payer money that they spent on the banks, and promises to recover the remaining sum. Furthermore, he talked about the important job he did rekindling Americas partnership and standing with the rest of the world, a relationship that was hindered during President Bush's 8 years in the circus, I mean White House.Last night's State of the Union address once again proved how powerful of a speaker President Obama is. Just as I, and many other Americans were beginning to believe that we had another failed president on our hands, he lifts us up and restores our faith.
I, once a staunch Obama supporter, am willing to give President Obama more time to fulfill his promises. I must say that I am disappointed that I have not seen more change over this past year, but I also understand how hard change is, even while your party may hold the presidency and have majority in the house and senate. Our constitution does not allow for sweeping change overnight, and perhaps that is a good thing.
We have at least 3 more years to find out if President Obama will be successful in fixing this country, and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, I will continue to question his every action, and continue to be skeptical of his optimistic rhetoric. After all, actions speak louder than words. Let's see more action!
