AAR

[AM78]

Obama promised to bring change to America. For me, I wanted change in Middle Eastern relations,and the Iragi War. I wanted an end to America's dependancy on Middle Eastern oil. Most of the candidates promised to do this. I dont really see 'change'.

Just two questions. What did you want/hoped Obama would change about America's situation? And do you see the change you wanted/hoped for?(These questions arent' just for Americans. People outside of the U.S are welcome to offer opininions.)

[Mark]

You can see a list of some changes I hoped for on a "Change" thread on this board. I have seen almost none of them realized. I've seen so few changes that I've taken to sometimes calling the President Barack Bush.

[AM78]

Found the 'change'thread.

I never accepted some of the reasoning against stem cell research.

[Lee]

My reasons for voting for Obama were two-fold: (1) We need a national healthcare plan, and this would not happen with a Republican president, and (2) Our Supreme Court is rapidly aging and the person we elected president in '08 would probably get to appoint 2 or 3 new justices. The right to abortion hangs in the balance. (BTW, this is what convinced my usually Republican hubby to vote for Obama).

So, for me, still less than a year in, change has at least started. I don't agree with the Obama administration on everything, but a good start.

[KarenS]

Considering America is still just right of center what can we progressives reasonably expect? Nothing happens too quickly in Washington so it can be frustrating. The problem with our elected officials is that they are beholding to the large corporations and unfortunately their allegiance goes to them before the people who elect them. If anything we need sweeping election reform but will it ever happen? No way, no how! So us little folks get a bone here and there and we're expected to be happy for what little they send our way.

I really wanted to see Medicare for all but that's not going to happen. I would be happy to see Medicare for folks 55 and older but that's probably gone by the wayside. Changing the age for young people to be covered under their parent's insurance to age 27 is good. Most of the changes are good but definitely could have been better. But the insurance companies have paid good money to keep their interests front and center at our expense.

Unfortunately expanding our interests in Afghanistan is not a surprise. Disappointing but expected. Our economy depends on the military-industrial complex so we need to keep building bombs, tankers, armaments to keep Americans employed. If we ever decide to move away from a war economy we then need a replacement. What could it be? Do we have the maturity as a country to walk away from war to other ventures?

I am happy with Obama. He can't do it by himself. He needs the help of Democrats and reasonable, moderate Republicans to move the country forward. Unfortunately there are many who don't want to move forward and are happy with the status quo. They have theirs but sure don't want to share the wealth.

I often wonder whether my activism is worth it. You try really hard to make change and then nothing happens so you wonder whether it's in your best interest to even get involved. What laws are passed are not for the benefit of the people but the corporations. The sad part is that our country is leaving the people(us) behind and we simply do not matter.

[LizE]

[LizE]

Hmm. Maybe I should have introduced those articles. The Glenn Greenwald one deals with a recent Washington Times article about Adm. Dennis Blair's congressional testimony regarding assassination.

[Claire]

I don't usually post much in the WWW but on the topic of change I'd like to see term limits set for congressmen and women. Then maybe more could get done. They get in office and it seems all they can think about is how to stay there and they get bought and paid for by lobbyists. I'm not sure what the magic number is for terms but something so that we don't have radical legislation pass but so that we get rid of the pigs at the trough. I'm sure we could come up with names on both sides of the aisle who need to go!

[KarenS]

[erhea13]