The unknown senator from Illinois, a young black political outsider with a Muslim middle name, a passionate community leader that no one estimated would come to carry the weight of the collapsing global economy, largest amount of threats to American soil, and pivotal geopolitical challenges on his shoulders, managed to not only rectify these problems by salvaging our sinking nation, but enact unimaginable progress. Propelling through unprecedented Congressional obstruction, and vitriolic media attacks, he managed to navigate the country out of the worst recession since The Great Depression into a 4.7% unemployment rate, end the war in Afghanistan, kill Osama Bin Laden, prevent Iran from gaining nuclear capability, provided healthcare to 30 million who were uninsured – allowing people to be treated for illnesses without going bankrupt, imposed the toughest climate regulations in history and checked off numerous civil rights feats such as legalizing gay marriage.
The senator from Illinois, with his captivating intelligence and poise, managed to make his idealistic vision of “Yes We Can” resonate in the withered and cynical spirits of Americans – energizing them with a little hope during the turbulent thunderstorm. It’s no wonder our orator-in-chief won the hearts and minds over the spouse of one of the greatest Presidents of the 20th century in the form of Hillary Clinton – he’s carried the presidency scandal free with great class, charm, kindness, family values and even humor. For many, it was the first time they felt their voices mattered – felt included in the political process as he opened up the White House to all cultures, ages, nations, and ethnicities, making little black boys grow up believing they too, could be president. I and many millions of others will deeply miss this phenomenal president, but look forward to having him stand alongside us as a citizen. History will no doubt smile on Obama for his graceful and consequential presidency.
Sitting on an approval rating of 57%, I believe it’s worth it to look back on the tremendous gains he made to fully appreciate his impact. But what we may see as a time for reminiscing the closing chapter of a remarkable presidency, conservatives see as Obama having 10 days left to put them all in FEMA camps, take away their guns, and instill sharia law. They’ve apparently elected a successor to save us from what – a booming economy? A strong border with record deportations? Not going bankrupt for getting needed medical attention? Equal rights? The truth is that when one is accustomed to white male supremacy, equality feels like oppression. Healthcare for all feels like oppression. An economy working for the middle class feels like oppression. But farewell to that, Wall Street, Exxon, and all the swamp monsters are directly in charge now.
Obama inherited the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, 10% unemployment rate, low consumer confidence, increase in foreclosures – you name it – and salvaged it. We now stand at a 9-year low unemployment rate of 4.6%, with increased consumer confidence, a booming auto industry, and a deficit shrunk my three-fourths. Doing all of this with a stimulus package consisting of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment act. Since, economy has added 15.5 million new jobs since 2010 and had 75 consecutive months of private-sector job growth – the longest period on record. This past December adding 156,000 new jobs. On top of that his auto industry bailout has added over 100,000 jobs; in 2011 the Big Three automakers gaining market share for the first time in two decades.
“Food stamp recipients didn’t cause the financial crisis; recklessness on Wall Street did,” Obama declared in his 2016 State of the Union address, and do match his sentiments. In 2010, he imposed the most far-reaching Wall Street reform in history with the signing of the Dodd-Frank Act – a pivotal move after their very recklessness caused the disastrous financial crisis. It creating a consumer watchdog to prevent mortgage companies from exploiting Americans, prevent reckless risk-taking, and overall building a safer foundation for economic growth.
And of course, Trump in his narcissistic fashion, credits himself for the consumer confidence rise from 25 in ‘09 to 113.7 – the highest its been since December 2013, as reported by The Conference Board. But of course the despot with delusions of grandeur will steal a man’s 7 years of hard work, it’s not like the economy and stock market have been breaking records these past two years or anything.
Critics often derail his economic success by pointing to the doubling of the national debt, but actually a frivolous criticism from people who have no clue how it even works. For one, Congress approves all spending so perhaps their unjustified anger should be directed to them considering the president isn’t a dictator. Secondly, Obama increased the debt by 68 %, adding $7.917 trillion, Reagan on the other hand, increased it by 186% but you don’t see anyone talking about that. Our GDP is certainly a lot bigger than it was in the 80s so there’s no sense in looking at the actual dollar amount, percentages provide a clearer more comprehensive view. Thirdly, like Reagan, Obama was navigating the country out of a recession, and doing so requires deficit spending to push the market back up to equilibrium. So either you increase the debt or leave everyone on the street to die in a horrible depression-turned-recession. There are no “balancing budgets” during inequilibrium, it’s just basic economics. Also, it’s estimated that under Trump debt will increase $34 trillion over the next 20 years by giving $7 trillion tax cuts to millionaires and $5 trillion of tax cuts to corporations, not to mention infrastructure spending, military expansion, and $35 billion border wall.
Under the Obama administration, the U.S. improved its image on the world stage with his peaceful diplomacy and rhetoric, managing to reverse the sharp decline in world opinion towards the U.S. of the Bush years. In his first term, favorable opinion rose an average of 26% in 10/15 countries surveyed by the Pew Global Attitudes Project.
He largely achieved this by getting us out of war, lessening our image as war-hawks, opening up foreign relations with other countries, spreading democracy, killing Osama Bin Laden, and arriving at diplomatic negotiations with our adversaries over nukes.
Killing Osama Bin Laden – the leading perpetrator behind the 9/11 attacks didn’t quiet his detractors heinous slander about him being “un-American” or a Muslim. According to them, “He didn’t pull the trigger.” Well you see, there’s this Constitutional clause about the president being the commander in chief of the armed forces. Lincoln gets credit for navigating through the civil war, Wilson gets credit for WWI, and so on and so forth. People don’t get to cherry-pick the successes and failures that are attributed to presidents.
He also reached a peaceful settlement with the historic Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) which curbed the Islamic Republic’s ability to obtain a nuclear weapon. The success was no easy feat and excellently displayed Obama’s skillful and adept diplomatic abilities. A common misconception his name should be cleared of is that we paid Iran $400 million of ransom money. In reality, it’s just a fake-news story attempting to once again discredit him for the exceptional accomplishment. It was really a reimbursement for funds owed since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Not to mention that he also got us out of a senseless disastrous war where thousands of Americans were sent to die in. When he came into office 180,000 troops were deployed and on December 18, 2011 the last troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan and Iraq.
His foreign policy moves haven’t always been perfect, but we’re definately alot better than we were 8 years ago – not as big of war-hawks. Those who criticize him for not going “far enough” turn a blind eye to the fact that he never had a real super majority in Congress. Take Guantanamo bay, on Jan. 22, 2009 he issued an executive order calling for the closure of the prison facility within one year, but like what would become a tiring precedent, Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – refused. Back in February of 2016 he made a final attempt to no surprising avail. What is largely unspoken of, is the reduction of the number of detainees by 76% – tremendous progress against the ugly stain the facility is on American democracy and due process. His administration also oversaw the removal of Bush torture policies which allowed prisoners to be detained in tortured under scanty evidence that would not allow prosecution. Furthering these reversals by dismantling the de-jure remnant of racial profiling that was the post- 9/11 registry. Obama throughout his administration sought to uphold democratic principles and not have our image tainted with calls of hypocrisy.
In July of 2015, he re-established U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations, opening their embassies for the first time in 50 years.
He also toppled the Gaddafi regime to defend Libyan civilians, ending his forty-two-year dictatorship. On Feb. 1, 2011, he took the right side of the Arab Spring, by ending Egyptian president Mubarak’s thirty-year rule.
Obama became the first U.S. president to visit Hiroshima – the site of one of two nuclear bombs that together killed almost 300,000 civilians – during the 71st Memorial to call for a “world without nuclear weapons” and meet survivors.
Overall, he greatly improved relations with the world, upholding the idea that America represents a country for all. Another myth that’s worth debunking, is that he deported more people than “all other presidents combined.” For low-info individuals, the statistics at face seem like easy bait for some good ol’ Obama-bashing, but the reality is that metrics changed. Thus, the definition of deportation changed to include those who were turned away at the border crossing, artificially inflating numbers. It’s much different than ripping tax-paying families apart with established homes, jobs, and friends apart. Deportations of people apprehended in the interior of the U.S. dropped from 237,941 in Obama’s first year to 133,551 in 2013, according to immigration data. So where is this “weak border” conservatives speak of? Record numbers of illegal immigrants are being turned away. Shouldn’t both sides be pleased?
On domestic and social issues Barack Obama has made unparalleled strides. Becoming a champion for the LGBTQ community by appointing two pro-gay-marriage judges to the Supreme Court that would later legalize it and repealing the stigmatizing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 1990s-era restriction, allowing gays to openly serve in the military. Acting like a true constitutionalist because in our secular society, with a privileges and immunities clause, and the Ninth Amendment, outlawing marriage in between two people has no place.
For a century, Democratic presidents such as Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, Johnson, Carter, and Clinton have been trying to implement universal health care – Barack Obama finally achieved it. Thirty-million previously-uninsured Americans were finally able to get the healthcare they needed without going tens of thousands of dollars into debt. There have been countless stories of cancer-ridden patients, or others with debilitating illnesses getting the needed treatment without having to lose an arm and a leg. Sure it’s not perfect ( single-payer would be better) but it’s a giant step in the right direction that has certainly laid a foundation. don’t know what’s so radical about ensuring Americans don’t have to decide between going into bankruptcy and getting treatment or dying. The United States has moved towards a more modern society such as the UK’s, Canada’s, and France’s.
“No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” “It is indeed one of the biggest threats facing our planet today.” Our planet, silly conservative detractors. Terrorism won’t end civilization as we know it; we could all thrive if we stopped twisting each other’s words. Barack Obama imposed the toughest climate change regulations in history being the first president to acknowledge the existential threat global warming is on our world through the Paris Agreement, Clean Power Plan, Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, and EPA emissions rules
He even killed the construction of the Keystone Pipeline to not undercut efforts against climate change.
Protections were even extended to our environment through the signing of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act (2009), designating more than 2 million acres as wilderness, created thousands of miles of recreational and historic trails, and protected more than 1,000 miles of rivers. Also creating the largest ecologically protected area on the planet in Hawaii encompassing over half a million square miles.
Obama truly was a president for all the people, making progress with veteran affairs by increasing the 2010 department budget by 16% and 2011 budget by 10%. Going on to sign a Gi bill offering $78 billion in tuition assistance over a decade, then giving tax credits to businesses to encourage the hiring of veterans.
He was a champion for civil rights and equal opportunity. Signing the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009), expanding existing hate crime protections to include crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation, gender, or disability, in addition to race, color, religion, or national origin.
He undid decades of harm the racist criminal justice system disproportionately imposed on African Americans, by pardoning a historically groundbreaking number of convicted felons who had been given heavy sentences for minor drug offences.
By appointing two female Supreme Court justices – one the first Latina to ever serve – he inadvertently declared that our government should move towards representing all of its constituencies because America is far different than it was in the 1800s, and brilliance should be recognized no matter what.
Obama also opened up the White House to everyone – all cultures, musicians, nations, the youth of the nation. Held science and technology fairs and challenges in the White House – made it a priority to spark an interest with our youth. All of this serving to include people in the political process and reassure them that America belongs to everyone.
All of these foreign, domestic, and social feats become much more remarkable when one realizes he did all of it with unprecedented Congressional obstruction, heinous media attacks, and a hostile party relentlessly attacking him and his family’s every move. Few presidents have been treated so poorly as he has – specially when most attacks are not policy related – they surpass the racist label. Calling him the “anti-christ,” a terrorist, denying his Christianity, starting birther conspiracies, saying he hates America and many more flagrant lies. And as for the GOP, their well-known anti-Obama campaign started the night of inauguration. Take a look at these quotes from top conservatives:
-“Our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny Barack Obama a second term.” – Mitch McConnell
–They’ve suggested things like not inviting him to deliver the SOTU, or depriving him of the use of Air Force One.
-“I do not believe that the president loves America,” said Rudy Giuliani, “He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up.”
-“What if [Obama] is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan,anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]?” Newt Gingrich asked. “Obama’s more African in his roots than he is American.”
And the latest from Trump ally Carl Paladino, “Obama catches mad cow disease after being caught having relations with a Herford. He dies before his trial and is buried in a cow pasture next to Valerie Jarret, who died weeks prior, after being convicted of sedition and treason, when a Jihady cell mate mistook her for being a nice person and decapitated her.” On Michelle Obama:“I’d like her to return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla.”
These aren’t unique incidents, there could be a book filled with disgusting, racist comments republicans have made about the Obama’s – peppered with Obama effigies, and the n-word. They still have the nerve to claim he was “divisive.”
You see he was divisive for being black, for rising above his “proper station in life.” Republicans are experts at mental gymnastics and blaming the other side that which they are guilty of. The numbers however show he succeeded despite constant roadblocking and the ignorant masses which rallied against him based on the color of his skin. How convenient to blame political divisions -aka racists vs non-racists- on the first black president. What’s the logic behind that? “Since he’s black he forced us to unleash our racist drivel which in turn caused the non-racist half of America to oppose us?” They don’t regard Bush as the worst president – not Carter, but Obama, all for being the first black president. When you’re accustomed to white supremacy, equality feels like oppression. An intelligent black man taking the place of a stupid, disastrous white one, feels like oppression – that’s the “divisiveness.” Despite all the vitriol he rose above the human vermin’s hisses, carrying the entire country with grace and dignity.
The election of Barack Hussein Obama was a blast against 400 years of slavery, 60 years of segregation, and the institutional racism that still remains. It shattered the legacy of white supremacism, breaking barriers, and gave people hope for the first time in their lives that true progress was being made and that their voices mattered. His election embodied American ideals of “you can make it here if you try,” that all men truly were “created equal.” The significance of the election was best captured by none other than Michelle Obama’s 2016 DNC speech: “I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn..” It gave little black boys everywhere the idea that they too could be president and brought a smile on the faces of those who lived through segregation.
On a lighter note, here’s something both parties can agree on – he was the coolest president ever. Topping the top three’s in terms of charm and definitely number one in humor. With his many appearances on talk show television, we’ve gotten to know him what feels like more personally – and our President has some quick wit.
Obama has been just the epitome of “presidential” – without all the contrived sliminess that usually comes with it. Charming, fiercely intelligent, kind, great with kids, well-read, diplomatic, able to provide thoughtful, nuanced responses to complex problems – basically the opposite of his successor.
What I most admired about him is that when he said he would change the world, he honestly believed he could. I remember him mentioning in a documentary that in order to be a politician there should be, “that romantic notion that what you can do can change things for the better.”
He never wavered from that sense of idealism which many tend to lose during dreary times, doing the best he could with the hand he was dealt. Idealism creates resilience, and we should all hold onto it -without it there’s no propelling forward. Half-hearted efforts have never won anything. Half-hearted efforts didn’t make this country the world power it is now.
I want to thank Obama for making me both an idealist and a patriot. For showing me that the America where hope, liberty, and equality for all applies, still exists and is worth fighting for. That being self-made and self-assured will get you places. I and millions will deeply miss his sound judgment on matters affecting people at home and around the world.
He will also no doubt go down as one of the greatest orators in history – sincere, hopeful, realistic, and direct. When was the last time a politician ever inspired anyone? With that I will leave you with some of my favorite excerpts from his speeches…
“We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.”
2012 Madison, Wisconsin rally:
“Now, the folks at the very top in this country, they don’t need another champion in Washington. They’ll always have a seat at the table. They’ll always have access. They’ll always have influence. That’s the nature of things.
The people who need a champion are the Americans whose letters I read late at night after a long day in the office, the men and women I meet on the campaign trail every day. The laid-off worker who’s going back to community college to retrain at the age of 55 for a new career, she needs a champion. The restaurant owner who’s got great food, but needs a loan to expand after the bank turned him down, he needs a champion. The cooks and the waiters and the cleaning staff at a Madison hotel, trying to save enough to buy a first home or send their kid to college, they need a champion.”
“They don’t have lobbyists. The future never has as many lobbyists as the status quo. But it is the dreams of those children that will be our saving grace. That’s what will propel us forward. That’s what will make America continue to be this shining light on a hill.”
“We’ve come too far to let our hearts grow faint. Now is the time to keep pushing forward: to educate all our kids and train all our workers, create new jobs, bring our troops home, care for our veterans, broaden opportunity, grow our middle class, restore our democracy, and make sure that—no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter how you started out, no matter what your last name is—you can make it here in America if you try.”
“We did not, in the words of Lincoln, adhere to the “dogmas of the quiet past.” Instead we thought anew, and acted anew. We made change work for us, always extending America’s promise outward, to the next frontier, to more people. And because we did – because we saw opportunity where others saw only peril – we emerged stronger and better than before.”
“And most of all, democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice doesn’t matter; that the system is rigged in favor of the rich or the powerful or some special interest.
50th Anniversary from Selma to Montgomery Marches Speech:
“America is not the project of any one person. Because the single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes, We Can.’”
Thanks, Obama.
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