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| Yes | 70% | 216 votes | Total: 308 votes | |
| No | 30% | 92 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesIn my opinion, the only 2 things that Obama will change in the next four years are Global perception of America and US Economy. But here is a twist. It is not going to be really changed by Obama, it just will happen under his watch.
Look, perception of US was at its lowest levels during the end of the Bush era. How low can you go? All you really need to do to change that is exactly what Obama has done so far, say that we want to be a part of the global community and will be more willing to keep a dialogue. But the reality is, it will not necessarily change at the end, at least not with all countries.
US is in trouble, economically and there are countries out there such as China that US needs to get close to, whatever the cost. I know as Americans, we are proud and always relied on our ability to make things happen but we are at the place where we have not been before or at least have not been in a very long time.
Regarding US economy the same applies. Obama got 'lucky' to take over as President when he did, at the lowest economic level. Unless the guy and his adminsitration really screw up, the only way from this abyss is up.
Unfortunately (in my view), Obama and his administration will get certain praises for economic recovery that will most certainly occur just because time heals/fixes many things. As an example, remember Obama's promise to save or create 3 million jobs? Well, so far job losses keep on piling on.
The only thing he has really done is to provide unemployed with longer unemployment benefits, which Does Not Create Jobs! But that is a different conversation altogether. I am beginning to think that the only way we are going to get more jobs is through government employment for Census 2010, but once again this is not something that Obama can take credit for.
Plus more government jobs are not really good for the economy because government does not produce anything. Instead government jobs will cause higher financial burden for the government and of course for the all of us, the tax payers.
Overall, there will be changes during the Obama administration but not the ones that would be necessarily good for the country or not the ones that can be credited to administration's policies, unless by accident.
Learn more about this author, Chase Y.R..
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No
There is no way President Obama will achieve any of his changes in the next four years. Obama wants dramatically change the way Washington works. Those on the other side of the aisle will not let that happen. They have too much invested to even give President Obama a chance.
As much as I am ashamed to say this, our country is still in the grips of neo conservative ideology, especially since the Minnesota senate race still hasn't been decided. The winner of this election will decide whether the Democrats have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. Without that, there is nothing the Democrats can get to the president's desk. The neo-conservatives (the majority of Republicans) will block any legislation, thereby gridlocking Congress. It is the same ploy used during the 2007-present Congressional sessions. The beauty of this ploy: The Republicans then blame the Democrats for not getting anything done, and our media buys it hook, line and sinker. It's propaganda mastery at its finest.
President Obama may indeed be able to close the Guantanamo prison, but with political backlash. He will be vilified by his own party because he couldn't do it instantly. He will be reviled by the Republicans just because closing Gitmo is a slap in the face to their previous policies and an admission of guilt. The Republicans don't like being held accountable for their mistakes and blatant misdeeds. They don't even like being called out on them. If Obama closes Gitmo, the Republicans will make darned sure Obama can't do anything else in his four years in office. That includes any economic recovery...
Plus, the challenge facing Obama is incredible. The previous administration has trampled all over our previous Middle Eastern allies (except Israel, and Obama might just strain that one), and friendships aren't mended overnight. As a country, we have to earn their trust again, and that does take time. If there is not a nation that will take the freed prisoners, we have a problem. If Obama allows these former prisoners into our country, there'll be backlash. Let's hope that there are nations that truly did see the election of Barack Obama as a turning point.
We also have to worry about any hard feelings about Obama's election amongst major corporations and CEOs in this country. Yes, there is a bailout on the table that would be sent out if it can get past Congress with Obama's new conditions. We'll soon find out if the Republicans are still bitter about the election by their votes. Obama is right. It is time to get beyond ideology and start doing wihat is good for the people of this country. Are the Republicans ready to do this, or are they still hanging on to their antiquated ideology? It really all depends on them.
I live in the deep south of the USA. I know this isn't a fair gauge of the rest of the country, but here, amongst the greatest portion of die hard Republicans, people are not willing to stand behind their new fairly elected president. They are determined to do anything to make sure President Obama and the Congress fails just because the president is a black man and because he's a Democrat. The constituents of the southern Republican Senators and Representatives are more interested in getting payback: "You didn't support my president and congress (Bush & Republican majority) so I'm not going to support yours." Those same Republicans that were elected need to continue what they have been doing and ignoring the wishes of their constituents and see these opinions for what they are: the ramblings of the deliberately ignorant. They need to sit back and do what's best for their country instead of what's best for their careers and personal bank accounts.
I really, really hope I am wrong in what is said here. I really, really hope that in the 2 months from election to inaugeration things have settled and people will at least listen to President Obama and are willing to take the risks. I hope that they will be able to swallow their pride about Gitmo, Abu-Ghraib, torture, and behaving like a bully for the past eight years and help Obama clean up this mess instead of hindering his efforts of recovery.
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