Ever since this past election, you have probably seen and heard about President Obama everywhere. Of course there is no mystery to why, considering the countless promises and problems on his agenda. This being his first term, and the fact that he has been given a “rockstar” appeal has left a major burden on the shoulders of our 44th president. The latest and most important issue on the President’s agenda has been the economy.
Day after day, we have all heard how the economy is in the shambles. It doesn’t matter if you’re 17 or 70; the economy is affecting teenagers and the elderly alike. Teenagers want to get jobs, make money, and spend that money on miscellaneous things such as gas and fast food. When the economy continues struggle, this common practice is hindered. On the other hand, it’s not just teens who are affected, but our grandparents too. How will they retire? Will social security be enough? Will Medicare take care of them? The problems pile on. So now that all heck has broken loose, who will figure out what to do?
As a result of all this chaos, President Obama proposed a bill regarding an economic stimulus. This bill was asking congress to give the president somewhere in the range of 789 billion dollars so he could help maneuver America out of this current economic meltdown. Although Obama promised bipartisanship politics throughout his presidency, this whole ideology came to a rocky start when only three Republicans throughout Congress voted for the stimulus package. Therefore, President Obama was allotted the hefty sum to begin his attempt of fixing our economy.
Even though the bill passed, something still bothered me. I fully understand that as an affiliate of your political party, you are to upheld the views and beliefs of the party you are representing. The reality is that voting for a stimulus bill is not voting for abortion or the approbation of gay marriage; issues that conservatives traditionally vote “No” on. This is simply a stimulus bill. It’s apparent that the amount of money allotted to the president is a large amount money. In my opinion, the amount wasn’t the only reason that only three Republicans voted for the bill. It is possible that the Republicans as a party resented Obama’s victory in the election. It could be possible that Republicans, individually, decided to vote against whatever bill Obama would propose, regardless, of what was being proposed. Of course Democrats and Republicans are two different parties with two opposite point of views. This fact can’t be denied. Nevertheless, partisan politics should not interfere in the future of this great country. With this stimulus package serving as a “crutch”, America’s economy should be back on its feet sooner or later.
–payam93
First off, I’m going to start by saying, great article Payam! Second, I’m going to agree with the many questions you said earlier and state just how rediculous the division betwen the parties is (personally, I’m usually never one sided, I just go with whomever is best for the coutry, the way it was meant to be). I’m glad you have such an optimistic idea about the future of our country but the problem with what is happening is that the government is seemingly incabable of giving the right amount of money to the right places (honestly, the car companies?!). While I agree 100% that the U.S. economy is in a recession and that we should act, its obvious the schism between the two parties is starting to become a major problem with the welfare of the country and its citzens, as they all are twiddling their thumbs waiting for something to happen or for someone to do something (thank god Obama is president now). Well, I truly am elated to hear how optimistic you are about the progression of this division and the effects it has, but pesonally I’m starting to find it to be rediculously annoying.
You make good points. It is utterly ridiculous how we give our hard earned tax dollars to irresponisible car companies, mortgage companies and insurance companies. If they make the mistakes, why should we bail them out? You have to let them fail and crumble into pieces. What values are you teaching the people of this country when you bail them out. If these companies do not learn their lessons the first time, who says they won’t continue their corrupt business dealings a second time.
Saying that this isn’t the time for partisian politics is like saying this isn’t the time for a democratic republic. Democratic republics are by definition are partisian. Personally I think the republicans are doing the right thing by hindering Obama as much as possible. The checks on his power are very slim and you can’t get angry at them for trying. The republicans hardly got any say in the bill so it wouldn’t have been bipartisian even had they voted for it.
And voting for the stimulus bill was voting for a waste, money isn’t going to bail anyone out at this point they need to die and restructure. And the earmarks to the bill were deplorable.