I find it hard to believe that yesterday marked a year until President Barack Obama leaves office. The man, who campaigned as an inspirational and transfigurative candidate, has experienced one of the most brutal presidencies in the whole of United States history.
Brutal. Not brutal in the sense of Obama being an authoritarian but brutal in all the criticism he has received and the sheer amount of opposition he has faced at every turn. Every action he has taken or proposed, no matter how insignificant, has received criticism that has ranged from healthy skepticism (which is completely reasonable and expected) to utter hatred and accusations of him being a "traitor", "un-American" and other loathsome terms.
Such language would never have been acceptable under any former president. I think it's important to remember that no matter how much anyone may disagree with Obama and his policies, everything he has done (and still wants to do) has been because he thought it was best for America. He never set out to "destroy America" or to engage in any similar nonsense - after all this time, after all he's been through, he still cares deeply for and loves all Americans, no matter how much any hate him. I also, after all this time, after all I've been through, believe in Obama and I care. I care - about Americans, about Britons, about everyone. Because that's what we should do. That's what "Hope and Change" was about and I believe that message remains relevant.
In January of 2008 - an astounding eight years ago - I lived in Southern Oregon, had two cats, both parents and no official education. Nowadays, I live in Nottinghamshire, have no pets, one parent, some academic qualifications with more on the way and a chance to make it into university. Oh, my universe sure has changed since the pre-Obama world; I am a massively different person to what I was back then.
While I am not a big fan of Obama (especially health care... I find it to be very expensive now), I think some of the accusations that have been placed on him have been unfair.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... in the pre-Obama world I was a grade school student. Now I'm a college graduate, no Nan, still live with both parents, still at the library and also have a full time job, and still figuring out life. I also know Arabic.
Hey, a good critic understands that they can change their mind about their previous judgments if they felt they were wrong. :)
DeleteYou've certainly made many achievements in that time! :D Sure, some things haven't yet worked out but they will.
People claim they are anti-Obama, but it's not because they're racist. I don't remember a Tea Party forming when Bill Clinton was in office.
ReplyDeleteAnd Obama is far less liberal in policy than Clinton was as president, and especially far less liberal in policy than when Obama was a senator.
Republicans will never work with him. It'd be like them dining out and saying the food is bad because they don't like the waiter.
While I don't think every Obama critic is a racist, as I do feel that are some legitimate reasons to criticize him (and by "reasons" I mean some of his policies, not the nonsense over his birth certificate), I do think that because of his heritage he has received far more opposition than past presidents.
DeleteAt the very least, this next election cycle is going to be entertaining. It shouldn't be, though, as elections are important and their outcomes affect the lives of everyday people.