Thoughts on the President

[Lalaki]

Please remain respectful, and don't use mean language.

The 2014 midterms are coming up in the United States. Public opinion seems to be cynical regarding President Barack Obama. I wanted to see how NSG felt about him.

My opinion: I have mixed feelings on Obama. On one hand, I like a lot of his domestic agenda. Advocating for LGBT rights both here and abroad, attempting to fix health care (even in a flawed manner), immigration reform, etc. However, I humbly disagree with him on civil liberties and foreign policy. I would like to see a world where the United States is less interventionist in other countries, instead leading by example.

One thing I always keep in mind when it comes to lack of government action on many issues is the Congress. While Obama is by no means perfect, I feel like he has been unfairly gridlocked by our legislature. I do not make this criticism on a partisan basis, for I would say the same thing of Democrats obstructing a GOP President trying to get a basic budget passed. I honestly feel like things would be better for the nation if the House of Representatives cooperated more with the President. For example, they could try to amend the ACA instead of launching massive repeal campaigns that don't work.

Overall, I'd give the President a B, possibly a C. While not the best, there are other things to consider when judging his performance (Congress!) and results. But one thing I always remember is to respect all Presidents, for they have tough jobs. I disagree with most of George W. Bush's actions as President, but I have great respect for the man himself. And the same thing goes for Obama.

[The Scientific States]

He's alright. I appreciate the fact that he's trying to expand LGBT rights, and that he's trying raise the minimum wage. I feel like his stimulus package has helped our economy bounce back from the recession, but on other issues, I'm disappointed with him.

His foreign policy is lackluster, his record on civil liberties is very mediocre, and he simply refuses to do enough to solve the nation's inequality and healthcare problems.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

One of the best Presidents of the modern era.

[Lalaki]

He's alright. I appreciate the fact that he's trying to expand LGBT rights, and that he's trying raise the minimum wage. I feel like his stimulus package has helped our economy bounce back from the recession, but on other issues, I'm disappointed in him.

His foreign policy is lackluster, his record on civil liberties is very mediocre, and he simply refuses to do enough to solve the nation's inequality and healthcare problems.

I refer you to Congress for that. And I don't mean the current one. The President actually wanted a public option in 2008, even single-payer. But even when he had a Democratic Congress, it was unpopular. While the ACA is not perfect (by any means), we need to work pragmatically with it. If reformed properly, it may actually work well.

With civil liberties, I agree. I am for a strict interpretation of the Bill of Rights amendments, and Obama seems to have programs that are a bit in the gray area.

[Zelacraux]

I used to like Obama but I've been slowly becoming a bit cynical. I mean why is he still sending weapons to Israel? I understand we're allies but seriously?

[The Scientific States]

He's alright. I appreciate the fact that he's trying to expand LGBT rights, and that he's trying raise the minimum wage. I feel like his stimulus package has helped our economy bounce back from the recession, but on other issues, I'm disappointed in him.

His foreign policy is lackluster, his record on civil liberties is very mediocre, and he simply refuses to do enough to solve the nation's inequality and healthcare problems.

I refer you to Congress for that. And I don't mean the current one. The President actually wanted a public option in 2008, even single-payer. But even when he had a Democratic Congress, it was unpopular. While the ACA is not perfect (by any means), we need to work pragmatically with it. If reformed properly, it may actually work well.

I'm aware of that. However, I feel like he should still attempt to encourage congress to consider a single payer system.

[Benuty]

The US has periodically had times in which there have been no presidents whatsoever. This term is essentially a path with potholes .

[Lalaki]

I refer you to Congress for that. And I don't mean the current one. The President actually wanted a public option in 2008, even single-payer. But even when he had a Democratic Congress, it was unpopular. While the ACA is not perfect (by any means), we need to work pragmatically with it. If reformed properly, it may actually work well.

I'm aware of that. However, I feel like he should still attempt to encourage congress to consider a single payer system.

I'm really okay with any universal system. But I don't think single payer (even if advocated by Obama) is feasible. Remember, realpolitk. If universal insurance can be achieved with a market system, we must pursue that route. This is what the ACA tries to do, so we must focus on passing laws to make it better.

[Zelacraux]

He promised more jobs but I only see unemployment for the future generation.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

He promised more jobs but I only see unemployment for the future generation.

He promised more jobs and we have more jobs.

[Cerillium]

He's not my leader. I work and live in the US though, and I'm impacted by his policies. I'm not fond of him. I absolutely loathe the way in which he approached healthcare. It destroyed lives.

[Alexandreon]

Well, at the beginning I'd like to say that I'm not from the USA (I'm from EU), but US President is a person important enough to be assessed by the foreigners too, I think.

I can see that Obama has been partially blocked by the Congress, which confirms my judgement that US political system might be less efficient than European models (not always, but it's more prone to be such IMHO, but that's a bit offtopic). Therefore, some of his plans got undermined due to the two-party system...

I won't say a word about Obama's internal policy- I don't feel myself entitled to do so, I'll only state that some of my American friends complained about him, and complained a lot. I'll allow myself to say something about US foreign policy, though.

Generally, after the hyperactive phase of Bush, America fell into a kind of stupor, I'd say, which is particularly dangerous as, like it or not, the USA are the strongest state of something I'll call "Western world" in rather broad meaning. It is particularly visible in my region, Central-Eastern Europe, the region of former Warsaw Pact. Recent increase of Russian activity, or rather aggression is not mitigated enough in my opinion, and Obama's "RESET" idea was good, but lasted for tad too long- Georgia was an important signum temporis and memento.

Of course, one can't expect that US will always deal with everything, but European allies are not sure about US support in case of crisis, and that's one major charge against Obama's policy I can state.

Other than that, I guess that Obama is neither among the best nor among the worst US Presidents, but it is an opinion of somebody from abroad. I'll gladly see what Americans think about him.

[Zelacraux]

He promised more jobs but I only see unemployment for the future generation.

He promised more jobs and we have more jobs.

Call me ignorant but I wanna know how. How do you know?

[Kranstentistan]

His social policies are the shit, but his fiscal policies are abhorrent, and his foreign policy is horrendous. If I were to rate Obama's presidency, I'd go around like 5/10.

[Lalaki]

He promised more jobs but I only see unemployment for the future generation.

The President/Congress can't create jobs. Only employers can do that. What the government can do is facilitate the atmosphere for a good economy.

[The Scientific States]

He promised more jobs but I only see unemployment for the future generation.

The number of private sector jobs has grown under Obama, and thanks to his policies and stimulus, our unemployment rate is much lower than most other countries who were afflicted with the recession. Obama's handling of the recession was, in my opinion, the best thing he handled as a president.

[Atlanticatia]

He's decent.

I think a lot of the issues with his domestic policy rest with Congress. If his policy agenda was carried out completely, it'd be different. If Democrats held a supermajority in Congress from 2008-2016, I think things would be a lot better, and more favorable.

He definitely did some good as far as LGBT rights, advocating for minimum wage raises, paid family leave, etc. Obamacare, while it isn't perfect, is atleast a step towards universal coverage.

I give him a 6.5/10. His best aspect was his social liberalism, but foreign and domestic policy were just okay. Not bad, but not great. I don't regret having him as a President. He definitely left the US better than when he started, but I wish he (and congress) were more Progressive. He actually handled the recession quite well.

And, apart from policy, you can't deny that he's the coolest president we've had for awhile. (since, like, TR)

[Zelacraux]

Okay so maybe his job growth promise was good but what explains the amount of debt we're in? Honestly, I feel like my generation WILL be unemployed within ten years or so.
Sure employment has risen but I'm not seeing my generation's future in a good light.

[Lalaki]

I won't say a word about Obama's internal policy- I don't feel myself entitled to do so, I'll only state that some of my American friends complained about him, and complained a lot. I'll allow myself to say something about US foreign policy, though.

Generally, after the hyperactive phase of Bush, America fell into a kind of stupor, I'd say, which is particularly dangerous as, like it or not, the USA are the strongest state of something I'll call "Western world" in rather broad meaning. It is particularly visible in my region, Central-Eastern Europe, the region of former Warsaw Pact. Recent increase of Russian activity, or rather aggression is not mitigated enough in my opinion, and Obama's "RESET" idea was good, but lasted for tad too long- Georgia was an important signum temporis and memento.

Of course, one can't expect that US will always deal with everything, but European allies are not sure about US support in case of crisis, and that's one major charge against Obama's policy I can state.

Other than that, I guess that Obama is neither among the best nor among the worst US Presidents, but it is an opinion of somebody from abroad. I'll gladly see what Americans think about him.

That's odd. The United States is in a tight position when it comes to support. Some Europeans want US aid, while others are vocally critical.

[The Scientific States]

He promised more jobs and we have more jobs.

Call me ignorant but I wanna know how. How do you know?

We have statistics that show unemployment and the like.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung ... investing/

[Lalaki]

Okay so maybe his job growth promise was good but what explains the amount of debt we're in? Honestly, I feel like my generation WILL be unemployed within ten years or so.
Sure employment has risen but I'm not seeing my generation's future in a good light.

The recent recession has. President Bill Clinton balanced the budget, but we entered another deficit period later. When the economy crashed in 2007/2008, the government implemented massive stimulus programs under outgoing President Bush and incoming President Obama. It is circumstance.

The United States had a higher level of debt post-WWII. We have been in worse fiscal situations, and yet we got out of them. This will be no exception.

[Burleson]

He's a socialist with no respect for the Constitution. He won't stand up to our enemies. He isn't doing enough about illegal immigration and he's spending taxpayer money on services for them that should only go to Americans. He was essentially a failure as a president and a disgrace to his people.

[Zelacraux]

My generation actually has a higher population than the baby boomers. There are tons more of us than there are baby boomers.
And if this job growth remains true for the future, we'll see.

[Conserative Morality]

Very high opinion. I agree with him on most issues, as something of an interventionist liberal. 9/10 on foreign policy, 8/10 domestic.

[Alexandreon]

That's odd. The United States is in a tight position when it comes to support. Some Europeans want US aid, while others are vocally critical.

Yeah, I'm aware of that, like the faux pas of our Foreign Minister Sikorski, whose eavesdropped opinions were, to put it mild, contradictory with the official political line of our government. But I daresay the closer to Russia, the more US aid would be welcomed. Here where I live, with Iskanders in Kaliningrad capable of reaching almost entire area of the state, people would like to see a brigade or two of US troops here...