Comment on Dr. Grace's opinion about President Barack Obama

Professor Grace has given his opinion about President Obama and a lack of concern for the economy that leads to a downhill stock market. His assertions are stemmed from the article "Barack Obama 'too tired' to give proper welcome to Gordon Brown," which implied that Obama is "doing too much." Later comments stated that the President is placing too much focus on stem cell research, education, and universal health care. From the beginning of Obama's campaign, health care and education have been two key subjects that he wanted to fix. Throughout that campaigning process, Americans followed his journey and raved off of the changes he proposed. Those topics are still things that we want to see come about; however, President Obama's strong focus on these issues is a little unsettling. Although I do not agree that President Obama has a lack of concern for the economy nor is he the sole reason the United States has a declining stock market, Obama's focus on stem cell research, education, and universal health care is unbalanced with other economic issues.

Stem cell research has been a controversial issue for some time now. Under Bush's presidency, a limit was place on the amount of federal funding used for this research. At the beginning of this month, President Obama removed those limits, an action that has started an uproar. With all of the things that are going on with the U.S. economy, starting another controversy is not what the country needs. Many states are already in line to "buck" the lifted ban and hold opposing sides to the President. In the event this takes place, President Obama can look forward to spending time debating against legislators and state governments on his decisions. That time could be spent in another direction, on a different subject, or fixing our current situations. Focusing on an issue that has been a debatable topic for years and far from compromise doesn't seem to be the best option.

Health care is another touchy subject. Some say it's too high, not enough, insufficient, and many other things. No matter the reason, America has incurred multiple problems in dealing with the situation. One of Obama's main campaign pitches was focus on improving health care for all citizens, which he wants to do through universal health care. Again, his suggestions have created rise to debate. Not everyone agrees with the proposal of universal health care nor do they see all the benefits that President Obama describes. Joe Messerli gives a few cons about universal health care, a main one being

"Free" health care isn't really free since we
must pay for it with taxes; expenses for health care would have to be paid for
with higher taxes or spending cuts in other areas such as defense, education,
etc.

The cost of having to implement this plan is what stirs up opposing views on this issue. President Obama is aware that not everyone wants to support this universal health care, especially those who are insured and will have to pay for the uninsured through higher taxes. Another debatable issue that will consume our President's time.

Lastly, there is a concern about Obama's focus on education. Now, most people would wonder why there is a problem about focusing on education. In fact, teachers have been in search of a president that cares about them and the education system. However, it's not the topic that causes problems, but it's President Obama's strong will to defend his budget. Any new plans, bills, laws, or related activities that we do will have a cost. But, the amount of that cost is what will determine whether people go with the plan or against it. Obama and Republicans are having a battle over the President's will to stay true to his $3.6 trillion budget, a budget that included activities to improve both health care and education. Not everyone places education on the top of the country's priority list, especially with the U.S. in its current financial state. President Obama will again have to look forward to opposition and debate on budgetary issues for education. Debates in Congress that will consume portions of his time which are precious and critical in this time and age.

The three topics that were mentioned are all issues that need to be focused on; however, the degree of focus can be adjusted. Our President is doing a lot to improve the country's position and is in need of our support. It's not easy for one person to fix the problems created by men a while ago. If the President wants to gain more support, a compromise could be a possible solution. Recalculating the amount of time he chooses to focus on those issues, picking and choosing his battles accordingly, and prioritizing similar to his current supporters, Obama might be able to see better days and more rest for the next visit of Gordon Brown!

Sources:
1. Reuters. "States Moves to Reject Obama's Stem Cell Reversal." Newsmax. 17 March 2009. 17 March 2009 <http://www.newsmax.com/us/states_stem_cell_ban/2009/03/17/192635.html>.

2. Messerli, Joe. "Should the Government Provide Free Universal Health Care for All Americans?" Balanced Politics. 16 February 2009. 17 March 2009 <http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm>.

3. Baker, Brent. "Friendly TV Reception for Obama's Health Care 'Fix'." NewsBusters. 6 March 2009. 17 March 2009 <http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2009/03/06/friendly-tv-reception-obamas-health-care-fix>.

4. Nichols, Han and Roger Runningen. "Obama Defends Health Care, Education Budget Plans (Update 1)." Bloomberg. 17 March 2009. 17 March 2009 <http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aFxVMApffam8&refer=us>.

5. Shipman, Tim. "Barack Obama 'too tired' to give proper welcome to Gordon Brown." Telegraph.co.uk. 7 March 2009. 17 March 2009 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/4953523/Barack-Obama-too-tired-to-give-proper-welcome-to-Gordon-Brown.html>.