Is Obama Delivering Hope and Change? What happened to Yes we Can?

Thanks for commenting and recommending Rhonda:)

Once tilted you better pray that the wind stays on the right side or you may capsize.

No doubt that President Obama has a lot to deal with. A lot can happen throughout the next few years. The 2010 congressional races should prove interesting.

ty acp

I agree it's been a difficult year and would have been no matter who was elected last year.  The platform for change was the right way to go, and I think most would agree based on the Bush years.  Two wars, rising unemployment, a faltering economy, health care cost out of control and no end in sight with the uninsured forcasted to be 50 million in the next year.  Legislation for health care reform is further along than ever before since Theodore Roosvelt tried.  Health care reform will become law in some form.  For me, thats enough to make his being elected worthwhile. 

Afghanistan is going to be the defining foreign policy move for this term, and American sentiment for continuing is decreasing.  It's a gamble politically no matter he decides. 

I also agree that a president can only  decry they inherited all the problems for so long.  Considering the degree of the economic depression/repression/recession and whether you consider the glass half empty or full, here are some accomplishments.

  Jan. 29 2009 – Obama signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Reducing discrimination based on gender, age, religion, or race.

Feb. 21 2009 – Obama signs a mercury reduction pact with 140 other nations. The policy reverses roles with George Bush and sets mandatory requirements by the United States. (source)

Mar. 30 2009 – Obama signs the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which serves to protect two million acres of land and creates a new system of land conservation for the Bureau of Land Management. (source)

May 19 2009 – Obama teams up with the auto industry to raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to an average of 35.5 mpg by 2016. The program is reported to save up to 1.8 billion barrels of oil or 900 million tons of greenhouse gases. (source)

Feb. 19 2009 – Bans the exception of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from accounting the deficit. This results in a 2.5 trillion dollar increase in calculated deficit to the United States. Bush got us into a war without accounting for the cost.

Mar. 9 2009 – Lifts ban on embryonic stem cell research. A major move in changing the politics of research and science in the United States. (source)

May 22, 2009 – Creates a credit card bill of rights. Limits unwarranted spending and gives consumers more options to pay their bills on time. It has been debated if this will negatively affect the industry. (source)

May 22, 2009 – Tries to curb wasteful spending by the Pentagon on the defense budget by signing the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act. Intended to price contracts and budgets lower; may potentially save billions of dollars in defense. (source)

June 22, 2009 – Allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have authority over the tobacco industry. (source)

Thanks for your comments a211423.  I.m just watching a video being aired by FOX.  It appears President Obama is now talking about a series of tax cuts and credits.  I wonder who advocated that before?  He is also talking about innovations in Green technologies.  Perhaps he is starting to respond to some of his critics.

He says he is going to be soliciting ideas from small and large businesses as well as all political spheres. 

You are welcome cowpoke : )

The sheer numbers of issues to be solved seem overwhelming to me, and soliciting ideas from all factions sets up an environment of trust and buy in from those who are most effected. 

Now that Karzai has been declared the winner without the run-off, the administration will be pressured to make a decision about escalating the war.  They could put it off, like you mentioned before until after the Asia trip, but seriously I don't think at this point it would serve any purpose except procrastination.  I have a feeling they already know what they are going to do, but are waiting for the right political climate.   

In regards to Afghanistan I certainly agree with you.  He has met with everyone that he had to meet and has opinions gathered from all sides, short of visiting Afghanistan and getting a first hand tour on the ground.  Whether or not he has decided to make the announcement before or after his Asia trip a week from Wednesday has not been clarified.  CBC reported yesterday that the decision was to be delayed until after his Asia trip.  There could be a reason for that. 

http://www.smh.com.au/world/obama-searches-for-common-ground-on-first-trip-to-asia-20091101-hrm7.html

Maybe he is waiting for discussions with China regarding Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Truth is I would hate his job.I think he is Bush fall guy.

Thank You for your comments jazzyazzy:)

First a correction: "cloud & capital" should be "clout & capital."

Now, the article is interesting and timely. I am very concerned that just as Bush's management approach was fatally flawed, so might be Obama's. Bush didn't believe in process and that was a problem because outcomes have more to do with the process than the goal itself.

Obama lacks executive experience and knowledge about enterprise management processes and therein lays a flaw. His management style and communications abilities are compelling, but getting things done is inhibited by incessant politicking.

well done article,  Very good insight

Thank you kindly politisite:)

Oh, we're seeing change alright, just not the change promised. and 'Hope' is thrown under the bus.