It has been nine months since the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama. Unfortunately, I have yet to feel this highly anticipated “change.”
As an inspiring media professional, I notice many news productions and political commentaries focus on the negative aspects of his administration and do not fairly report the positive.
It seems that daily, more individuals are growing dissatisfied with the president and his plans of action. Just last week, Saturday Night Live did a skit on how President Obama has done absolutely nothing since he got in office.
Let’s not forget the “You lie!” comment from Rep. Congressman Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and how commentators Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh constantly make pessimistic comments about the Obama administration. Are such negative comments swaying the American audience and causing a loss of hope?
Certainly, there are individuals and organizations that support President Obama and the direction that he is trying to take this country.
For example, in early October, numerous female Democratic leaders, including members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, seemed to support his push for healthcare reform. They advocated for the inclusion of new legislation, which will cover women’s health care issues such as maternity care and coverage related to domestic abuse.
The White House has been slow in responding to the urgent need for more jobs, and the strategies used in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are vague and incomplete. As a result, it has left many Americans weary.
But the Obama administration has been diligently trying. Few naysayers choose to talk about how he and his administration stopped America from going into a full economic depression.
Perhaps I am not as well versed in national or international politics as some individuals, but I do feel that some things have gotten better. Even if we don’t agree with his advocacy for better education and community service, we must applaud his efforts in these areas.
I struggle with progress when it comes to ethnicity because issues relating to racial discrimination are always present. However, I must respect Obama for his action as he faces numerous threats against his life. People must be fair. Change takes time, especially to correct the numerous problems that America has been confronting for hundreds of years.
Although Obama is criticized nationally, he is being praised internationally. Evidence of this is his recent selection as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, which some people openly objected. Again, in a servant fashion, he has stated he will donate all of his award money to charity.
In all honesty I am and will continue to be a supporter of Barack Obama.
Despite Obama’s decline in popularity, I believe if his administration succeeds, America will succeed.
Alisa Routh is junior public relations student from East Point, Ga. She can be reached at famuanopinions@gmail.com.