Bring It On, Washington
Desiree Bullard
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: News
Less than three weeks since the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, little time has been wasted in setting forth plans to place the United States back on the path intended. Among the issues tackled in these first weeks of the presidency are averting the economic crisis, closing Guantanamo Bay, and setting a timeline for the removal of troops in Iraq while concentrating more on the war in Afghanistan. These are just a few of the issues the U.S. faces, and President Obama has wasted no time in addressing them.
The economic crisis is stifling the comfort and security of millions of American families. President Obama has called for his opponents and followers alike to join together, letting go of partisan politics to create a solution that will relieve the suffering of citizens across the country.
"They're not expecting Democratic solutions or Republican solutions, they want American solutions," Obama says of the American people. Yet many of the specifics in Obama's economic stimulus plan have been contested by Republican and moderate members of Congress. Many continue to call for major tax cuts.
Obama has remained cool-headed and quiet during these first couple of weeks in office. But last week, at an annual Democratic retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia, the president openly expressed his frustration with the lack of unity within Congress to pass his stimulus plan. "Don't come to the table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped to create this crisis," Obama declared of those opposing his stimulus package. While many Republican and moderate members of Congress oppose the stimulus plan, key Democratic leaders such as Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi support Obama and his plans to set the economy back on track.
During his first days, President Obama signed a bill to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay within a year. Speculation that innocent men have been held indefinitely and subjected to torture has made Guantanamo a touchy debate. The issue that arises with closing the prison is where to send the prisoners it now detains. Members of Congress have expressed concern over the possible relocation of these prisoners to their districts. Some feel the absorption of Guantanamo detainees into prisons in their districts will place their constituents in danger. Others, while still expressing concern, believe it may create jobs within those regions as security will have to be increased.
President Obama has also called for the withdrawal of most American troops from Iraq within 18 months. As the president hopes to withdraw troops from Iraq, he hopes to double our forces in Afghanistan, where he feels the real war continues. Specific plans for both Iraq and Afghanistan will be released as they are shaped and finalized.
In addition to these actions the president has taken so soon after becoming president, he has increased abortion rights for overseas citizens and union rights for workers across the country. President Obama has also begun talk of curbing global warming, with plans to weatherize homes to reduce energy costs. This will also create "green jobs" across the country.
The economic crisis is stifling the comfort and security of millions of American families. President Obama has called for his opponents and followers alike to join together, letting go of partisan politics to create a solution that will relieve the suffering of citizens across the country.
"They're not expecting Democratic solutions or Republican solutions, they want American solutions," Obama says of the American people. Yet many of the specifics in Obama's economic stimulus plan have been contested by Republican and moderate members of Congress. Many continue to call for major tax cuts.
Obama has remained cool-headed and quiet during these first couple of weeks in office. But last week, at an annual Democratic retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia, the president openly expressed his frustration with the lack of unity within Congress to pass his stimulus plan. "Don't come to the table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped to create this crisis," Obama declared of those opposing his stimulus package. While many Republican and moderate members of Congress oppose the stimulus plan, key Democratic leaders such as Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi support Obama and his plans to set the economy back on track.
During his first days, President Obama signed a bill to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay within a year. Speculation that innocent men have been held indefinitely and subjected to torture has made Guantanamo a touchy debate. The issue that arises with closing the prison is where to send the prisoners it now detains. Members of Congress have expressed concern over the possible relocation of these prisoners to their districts. Some feel the absorption of Guantanamo detainees into prisons in their districts will place their constituents in danger. Others, while still expressing concern, believe it may create jobs within those regions as security will have to be increased.
President Obama has also called for the withdrawal of most American troops from Iraq within 18 months. As the president hopes to withdraw troops from Iraq, he hopes to double our forces in Afghanistan, where he feels the real war continues. Specific plans for both Iraq and Afghanistan will be released as they are shaped and finalized.
In addition to these actions the president has taken so soon after becoming president, he has increased abortion rights for overseas citizens and union rights for workers across the country. President Obama has also begun talk of curbing global warming, with plans to weatherize homes to reduce energy costs. This will also create "green jobs" across the country.
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Aeon Pi
posted 2/12/09 @ 12:02 AM EST
We understand what the people are going through. We are those people who lost their homes in the first foreclosure (scandal) epidemic years ago. Many of us saw this as a sign to start making the changes that would ensure not only our survival but the sustainable future of our families. (Continued…)
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