What has Obama achieved?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I agree with all of this. He came in on such a wave of optimism after the disaster that was George W, but was immediately thrown into the financial crash and stymied in his every move by the House and Senate. We will never know how great he could have been and that is a shame.
From the UK point of view, his "back of the queue" speech was a huge disappointment for me, very ill advised and probably counter productive. At the time I blamed Cameron but everyone involved should have known better and in a few weeks time they will all be gone.
That said I admire him greatly. He has been a true statesman and a credit to a nation whose politics don't deserve him.
In the last few weeks I have to say I have been extremely impressed by the First Lady. She has spoken so well and clearly from the heart. All told the Obama's have conducted themselves immaculately and have been a credit to the office of President.

Agree 100% (faints )

 

[Crazyface]

I agree 100%

He's going to have to negotiate very hard with his own party first but he'll not back down over whatever he thinks is important. I hope he does a fantastic job and shows everyone just what can be achieved. He'll also let everyone know when he's being blocked !!!!!

 

[FairwayDodger]

 

[sawtooth]

View attachment 21233

Some suggest the true figure is nearer 23% due to the way figures are reported. ie those that have given up looking for work aren't counted in the number.

 

[Jensen]

He nailed Bin Laden 👍

 

[Hacker Khan]

Watched the BBC2 program on Obama a few months ago and it was fascinating, really worth a look http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b074g0gt . He inherited a right storm with the economic crash in his first few months and he got the US though that very well. It's well known that it is very difficult for a US president to actually get a great deal done, especially if you do not control the house and senate, so he was always fighting a losing battle. With gun control, in the program he said something along the lines as if it won't happen after Sandy hook then it will never happen. And it didn't.

I think a lot of his legacy will be symbolic in that the US elected a black president, which was a massive step.

 

[delc]

Probably of no great interest to the average US voter but I think he has transformed America's image internationally from an all time low under dubya to a place where they are respected again. I don't admire many politicians but I think he's a truly great man.

Don't know the ins and outs of Obamacare, which obviously isn't well regarded by the republicans but, on the face of it, it appeared to be a great start towards getting healthcare for all Americans.

Seemed to guide America out of the global recession much more effectively than many western governments (notably our own) managed.

Decent progress on LGBT equality, not least of which was legalising same sex marriage, but sadly facing a backlash.

I think we can only speculate what he might have achieved without the republicans blocking his every move, I feel quite sad for him that he was stymied in this way.

For some reason, a State health care system seems to be regarded as un-American over there, especially by the Republicans. Something to do with their dog eats dog style of capitalism I suppose. I personally thought that President Obama was a class act, but hamstrung by the Republican majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

 

[MadAdey]

Depends on how you look at it.....

Lowered unemployment, increased the amount of jobs available, increased international exports, introduced healthcare to the poor against all the odds, lowered the GDP to its lowest rate it 10 years and the lowest average in over 40 years, to just name a few.

Tried to change the gun laws, but faced opposition that could never be overcome and at the end of the day it is a constitutional right to carry and the country as built on this constitution. Tried to change the attitude of people towards racism, but after 200 years of it and it being passed from generation to generation this was always going to difficult.

 

[Sweep]

Agree 100% (faints )

You see! There is a God! 👍

 

[Sweep]

Watched the BBC2 program on Obama a few months ago and it was fascinating, really worth a look http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b074g0gt . He inherited a right storm with the economic crash in his first few months and he got the US though that very well. It's well known that it is very difficult for a US president to actually get a great deal done, especially if you do not control the house and senate, so he was always fighting a losing battle. With gun control, in the program he said something along the lines as if it won't happen after Sandy hook then it will never happen. And it didn't.

I think a lot of his legacy will be symbolic in that the US elected a black president, which was a massive step.

Agree 100%
This thread is making me feel uncomfortable 😀

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Agree 100%
This thread is making me feel uncomfortable 😀

I'm sorry if that is the case. I started it as I genuinely don't know how he is perceived in the US and I'm interested to know whether he has made a difference. He comes across well on the world stage but that can mask domestic issues. Some positive points have been made so far so I have certainly learnt something.

 

[Sweep]

I'm sorry if that is the case. I started it as I genuinely don't know how he is perceived in the US and I'm interested to know whether he has made a difference. He comes across well on the world stage but that can mask domestic issues. Some positive points have been made so far so I have certainly learnt something.

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I was joking about for once agreeing with people I usually disagree with and them agreeing with me.
I have no issue with this thread at all. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

No problem. I'm wary at the moment of comments being taken incorrectly so I was a bit over sensitive about being possiblymisunderstood. I get what you're saying. Cheers 😀

 

[Foxholer]

No problem. I'm wary at the moment of comments being taken incorrectly so I was a bit over sensitive about being possiblymisunderstood. I get what you're saying. Cheers 😀

:rofl:

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've just read about one now which I had forgotten but is important. The thaw of relations with Cuba, embargo lifted.