Change.
We live in uncertain times: rising tensions in the Middle East, rising temperatures the world over, and declining economy striking fear into all of our hearts. It seemed all was lost in the waning months of George W. Bush’s presidency, as his second and last term ticked down to its final hour. It stood as a painful, but inevitable fact; 2009 would not be a joyous year for the world in recession.
But hope was not lost, and change was to come abruptly and suddenly, as one junior Illinois senator, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, stepped up to the presidential plate. Barack Hussein Obama II, the Forty-Fourth President of the United States of America, had joined the Presidential Primary on February 10th, 2007, announcing this in the same spot where Abraham Lincoln delivered his legendary “House Divided” speech, in 1858. A little under two years later, his inauguration ceremony would fall on January 20th, Lincoln’s 200th birthday.
To say Obama is an inspiration, a fighter and a hero would be understatements. The climb to Democratic presidential candidacy seemed like an impossible journey; his chief rival, Hillary Clinton, was favoured to win the candidacy for much of the primaries.
But hope was never lost, and he persevered, refusing to give up or back down. He set a record-breaking, history-making campaign, capturing the hearts of Americans, from Alaska to Florida, and everyone in between. After capturing the Democratic presidential presidency, he steamrolled through the presidential elections, with a staggering electoral vote margin, and 53% of the popular vote. Obama-supporters worldwide celebrated his victory, from your friendly Bruins to people abroad and beyond international waters.
Of course, we all know this chapter of our recent history, and I’m sure many of you are asking the biting question: What, exactly, does President Obama plan to do in the White House? Hopefully, my last-minute research can catch you up.
We already know of the things that he has already done: he directed the military to work on plans to withdraw their troops from Iraq, reversed Bush’s “Mexico City Policy”, the ban on federal funding to foreign establishments allowing abortions, and most notably, ordered the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
A few weeks ago, President Obama visited Parliament Hill to speak with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff, and various other Canadian politicians. To our disappointment, there were no public appearances planned, but Obama spoke to them about critical issues.
Obama and Harper agreed on their priorities: to restore economic growth, to spearhead a new initiative on environmental protection, and perhaps most concerning, to pursue a commitment to stabilize Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, a massive economical undertaking is in the works, the economic stimulus package. As the name suggests, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was written in the intention that it would provide a stimulus to the American economy, after being pounded by the recession. This downturn was primarily caused by the subprime mortgage crisis (a dramatic rise in mortgage delinquencies and subsequent foreclosures, resulting in disastrous consequences for banks and global stock markets), which lead into a credit crisis.
This act will result in federal tax cuts, more unemployment benefits and social welfare provisions, and large sums of money poured into American education, health care, and infrastructure sectors. Economic analysts both support and oppose this act, and both sides have convincing points. This reporter dreams of a good ending; Obama has taught us to hope for the better, so I can only hope the best will come out of the package.
$787 billion will be invested in this stimulus package. Ever since President Roosevelt, political analysts have studied a president’s first 100 days in office to determine how aggressive and determined he is to lead the most influential nation on the planet. His 100th day in office will be on April 29th, 2009. Obama, however, has an enormous task ahead of him, so perhaps it would not be fair to expect the world of him so soon.
But his position and rationale for many of his policies are very comforting; he exists to serve the people, not himself. Assisting the impoverished, the unfortunate, the jobless and the homeless are staples of his presidency; 64% of the economic stimulus package is aimed to provide social programs and public spending.
While it is still quite early to conceive an informed opinion on Obama’s presidency, his charisma and experience will most certainly have a positive impact in 2009, as we head into a dismal recession.
When there is change, there is hope.
Photo: New York Times (please don't sue)