Obama's first year receives praise and criticism by Webster students
By: Jenn Proffitt
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
While President Barack Obama's campaign relied mostly on ideas of hope and change, it seems that, for Americans, change hasn't happened fast enough and hope can only last so long.
"He got a long way (during his campaign) on hope and change," said Amanda Rosen, a professor in the history, politics and international relations department. "People are disillusioned with him."
Jan. 20 marked the end of Obama's first year in office, and, on Jan. 27, Obama gave his first State of the Union address. The day before his speech, political blogs filled cyberspace with predictions on how Americans would react to Obama's speech. While some predicted his speech would anger many Americans, especially with talk of taxing the middle class, Rosen said the general tone of the country is cautiously hopeful.
"Who knows how much longer a speech can set that tone," Rosen said.
Obama tried to alleviate some of those fears, especially those driven by a failing economy, with his speech.
"It's because of this spirit - this great decency and great strength - that I have never been more hopeful about America's future than I am tonight?" Obama said during his speech.
While hope still seems to drive the American public and a faith in their president, there are many unaddressed issues in the government that were not touched on by Obama during this speech.
"I hope to see Obama deal with climate change," Rosen said. "It keeps getting pushed to the back burner. There are a lot of issues in this country. (I wish) the United States would join its peers and pick up the mantle for climate change. We're a huge part of the problem and not part of the solution."
Madison Gordon-Forbes, a sophomore art major, is a gay rights advocate and would like to see more efforts to make gay rights a federal issue.
"I'd really like to get my rights," Gordon-Forbes said.
Gordon-Forbes would also like to see more work on the national health care plan and better healthcare in general for people who are "shit out of luck as far as health care is concerned." While she said she understands the mess Obama walked into, she feels he isn't making the steps toward getting more done.
"He got a long way (during his campaign) on hope and change," said Amanda Rosen, a professor in the history, politics and international relations department. "People are disillusioned with him."
Jan. 20 marked the end of Obama's first year in office, and, on Jan. 27, Obama gave his first State of the Union address. The day before his speech, political blogs filled cyberspace with predictions on how Americans would react to Obama's speech. While some predicted his speech would anger many Americans, especially with talk of taxing the middle class, Rosen said the general tone of the country is cautiously hopeful.
"Who knows how much longer a speech can set that tone," Rosen said.
Obama tried to alleviate some of those fears, especially those driven by a failing economy, with his speech.
"It's because of this spirit - this great decency and great strength - that I have never been more hopeful about America's future than I am tonight?" Obama said during his speech.
While hope still seems to drive the American public and a faith in their president, there are many unaddressed issues in the government that were not touched on by Obama during this speech.
"I hope to see Obama deal with climate change," Rosen said. "It keeps getting pushed to the back burner. There are a lot of issues in this country. (I wish) the United States would join its peers and pick up the mantle for climate change. We're a huge part of the problem and not part of the solution."
Madison Gordon-Forbes, a sophomore art major, is a gay rights advocate and would like to see more efforts to make gay rights a federal issue.
"I'd really like to get my rights," Gordon-Forbes said.
Gordon-Forbes would also like to see more work on the national health care plan and better healthcare in general for people who are "shit out of luck as far as health care is concerned." While she said she understands the mess Obama walked into, she feels he isn't making the steps toward getting more done.
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