President Barack Obama won in 2008 because we all rallied behind him and his platform for change. From town hall meetings to posting Facebook statuses in support of his campaign, this generation has contributed to and witnessed a change that was promised.
The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, education reforms for public education, student loan reforms, significantly expanding Pell grants, signing into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (a $789 billion economic stimulus plan), signing the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids (four million of whom were previously uninsured), mending international tides with some key players in the international global village, ending the war in Iraq and bringing home our troops.
After the Bush administration dumped the American people into an unnecessary war on terror and contributed to the country’s debt crisis, we all were looking for a knight in shining armor to liberate us. And President Obama did, little by little. He has accomplished so much in the three and a half years he’s been in office.
We sometimes get sidetracked from the real issues of the day because of the propaganda spread by the media and the negative rhetoric of the opposition.
What we need to do as citizens of Athens and the wider community is to continue to support him and his ideas. Support him by campaigning for his cause, the American cause.
We need to stand up to Washington’s loose arguments about Obama’s lack of persuasion and moral character.
As college students, professors, staff and community members, let’s all start today, right now. Let’s start the process of electing the same knight to fight our battles in Washington.
From his track record so far, his administration is seen as the most transparent and corrupt-free since the Clinton Administration.
President Obama has placed the American dream and family back where it belongs, in the heart of his polices and presidency.
Let’s continue the journey with him, in the coming months ahead. His campaign is open and ready for volunteers, interns and supporters.
Continuing this battle together will revitalize our civic republicanism — virtues essential for a communitarian justice.
Richard E. Newell is a graduate student studying political science.
