"Change has not come fast enough"

by Radu Triculescu 
All blog entries represent the views and opinions of the blog author, not of Youth Politix.

       Expectation ran high; no one expected a dull and uneventful speech, and the President did not disappoint. Most people anticipating this address knew exactly what they were waiting for: issues about money spending, from loans and medical care, to the fiscal policy of the entire country. On top of this of course, everyone expected President Obama to also provide some sort of flickering hope for liberals and democrats that he will not abandon his strive for reforming the United States’ health care system. Piling on top of these issues, viewers also expected Obama to somehow try to bring over supporters that he lost during his unexpectedly tough first year in office. 

This State of the Union, it seemed, was going to be a huge juggling act - and given the circus nature of Washington, the State of the Union was, in fact, nothing but a marvelous act of juggling. 

As expected, Obama touched on all the previously mentioned points, and many more. He spoke about the spending freeze that is to become effective next year, he spoke of repealing the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military, he emphasized the need for clean energy, and he spoke of his plans to bring home the troops from Iraq, as well as his persistence to not accept any health insurance bill that does not provide the appropriate reform. 

But despite these promising solutions to all the problems that Americans are facing, Obama also talked about the gridlock state of American politics today. He mentioned how Americans cannot afford bickering in Capitol. He mentioned how for some Americans, change did not come fast enough to save their drowning businesses. Finally, he admitted what most people already knew, that the change he promised in his campaign, was not delivered as fast as expected. 

Senate reacted to everything without hesitation. What is usually a chamber filled with debate, partisanship, and legislative matter, seemed to have turned for 70 minutes  into a giant political game of musical chairs, with more than half of the time democrats being the only ones clapping at the President’s proposals. This kind of behavior shows just how hard everything is going to be in the next year in certain aspects of politics, just as health care, energy, and fiscal policy. The political arena of the United States for the next year is set, and unfortunately, the tensions in Washington will not disperse. 

So I’m glad that up there, on that podium, you can afford to crack a couple of jokes Mr. President; it’s harder for some regular people to find good humor in times like these. Now lets try to get everything done. 

Hope in a Time of Destruction

By Kris Garriott
All blog entries represent the views and opinions of the blog author, not of Youth Politix.

Streets lined with sheet-covered bodies, buildings reduced to rubble, and countless people with nowhere to go. Such are the images that are coming out of Haiti in the aftermath of one of the biggest natural disasters in recent history. And so the troubled Caribbean island nation of 9 million people finds itself once again in the spotlight of the world stage. I am truly overwhelmed by the thought of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere having to overcome this challenge but feel incredibly moved and encouraged by the fact that the world is showing up at Haiti’s doorstep to lend a hand to this bleeding nation.

By many accounts the economic situation in Haiti was beginning to look up. Just the day before the earthquake hit, my family watched a PBS special about various enterprising businessmen who, despite facing challenges, seemed hopeful about what the near future would bring. Unfortunately, any progress that was made in the last ten years has now been erased and just to get Haiti back to its pre-earthquake status promises to be a massive undertaking.

As horrible as the crisis is, we shouldn’t overlook the world’s capacity to come together in this moment of despair. The US looks like it has taken the lead in relief efforts, installing a temporary air control center to manage the onslaught of planes trying to land on (and leave from) Port-au-Prince’s sole runway. Countries of all walks of life, from Canada to China and Venezuela to the European Union are eagerly stepping up to provide search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies, and money. Even Cuba is allowing American planes to use its airspace to evacuate quake victims directly to the US.

So don’t let people like Rush (“[The Obama Administration] will use this to burnish their, shall we say, ‘credibility’ with the black community—in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country.  It's made-to-order for them.”) and Robertson (“And [the Haitians] got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said we will serve you if you'll get us free from the French. True Story. And so the Devil said ‘OK, it's a deal.’”) get you down—the world is converging on Haiti, and even if it will only be a for a short time, it is proof that this diverse world will come together when most needed.

Obama's One Year Anniversary

By, Radu Triculescu 
All blog entries represent the views and opinions of the blog author, not of Youth Politix.

One year later, after the heat of one of the most brutal campaigns in history died off, seems to be the perfect time to analyze just how many of Obama’s ear-pleasing promises actually were followed up on, and how many he has broken. PolitiFact.com’s Obamameter is probably the best indicator of these promises. According to them, out of over 500 promises made, 91 have been kept, 12 have been broken, and 256 are in the works. 

            When it comes to promises made, some big ones jump out across the list, such as opening up access to more capital (easier access to loans) for businesses owned by minorities, establishing a credit card bill of rights, planning an end to the war in Iraq, and the providing of affordable child care, among many other ones. Promises broken, on the other hand, while less, are still resounding. Among these we can see his promise to publicly debate the Health Care Reform was broken, as well as his tax cut for seniors making less than $50,000, and increasing the funds for after-school programs around the country. 

            The upcoming years of his presidency however do not show any indication of slowing down. At this rate, we can probably expect that Obama, with the support of Congress, can most likely achieve close to two thirds of the promises he vehemently pushed during his campaign. No, it might not be a perfect game, but hey, when is a politician ever perfect? Plans to include environmental standards in trade agreements, requirements for justifications for tax changes, extend Bush’s tax cuts for lower incomes, and the funding of the Violence Against Women Act, are just some of the many plans that are already in the process. 

            Obama’s presidency, while widely criticized by many, is not as bad as some think. Although he may not be the ideal person that everyone made him to be during the elections, he is not failing his country as a president either. With the same determination that he has pushed so far, I hope he will push for the remaining 3 years, hopefully keeping his remaining promises, and breaking as few as possible. The promises got you elected Mr. President, don’t stop fulfilling them.