A little over two years ago I would have told you Barack Obama was going change the world. Posters from the campaign covered the walls of my room, and for all of October 2008, I was dedicated to campaigning for the liberal democrat who I just knew was going to change everything George W. Bush had undone. Obama was my new hero. He was the man who reignited my passion for politics: because of him I believed that there were politicians who were not corrupt and made policies that benefitted the people they represent and not the interest groups and corporate donors who fund their campaign. I cannot tell you how many times the “Yes We Can” song played on my iTunes.
Now, two years later, I am highly disillusioned. In reality, the standards I was holding Obama to were deistic, and while I said out loud that I knew one man could not change everything I was really hoping he actually could. With that said, I do not think Obama is doing a totally terrible job legislatively. It is his attitude I am struggling to adjust to.
At the end of 2010, Obama settled a major deal on taxes, agreeing to continue the current tax rates for American citizens who gain higher wages. The tax rates, passed during George W. Bush’s administration, were set to end in 2011. On the campaign trail, Obama was vehemently against the Bush tax cuts, but when he got into office he compromised a position. While he gave in on his campaign promise,† Obama did get other things in return. The current tax rates were extended for couples who make less than the $250,000 cut-off, and some tax cuts that were part of the 2009 economic stimulus law were also continued. And, Obama won an additional year of unemployment benefits for workers who qualified and a one-year reduction of Social Security taxes that would put two percent of pay back into workers’ paychecks.
It is easy to look at the Bush tax cuts and see a campaign promise broken. However, in 21st century politics it is important to understand that legislation is not as black and white as the media or even the politicians themselves wish to paint it. What bothers me about the Bush tax cuts is less that they were renewed and more that Obama let it be considered as a GOP win and not a compromise. He did not give a clear explanation or defense of the decision he made.
The issue I really have with Obama is his inability to stand up for himself. On the campaign trail he was an impassioned politician who knew how to fight back against McCain while simultaneously keeping his dignity. The GOP† is out for blood at this point.
They are dominating the House with conservative legislation that anyone with a heart would wince at. They are verbally and legislatively attacking Obama and the Democrats while they just sit there and take it. Obama needs to lead by example and learn to defend himself with an iron fist. Geting re-elected is important; I understand and respect Obama’s ability to compromise legislatively. I take issue with him not standing up for his party.
However, I also take issue with Obama not standing up for himself. By not verbally and legislatively defending himself, not only is it a slap in the face to the party that elected him but the supporters who sat in phone banks and went door to door for him during campaign season.