chaldean on the STREET
chaldean on the STREET What do you think of President Obama so far? By Anthony Samona President Barack Obama hits the two-year point in his presidential term this month. Community members shared their opinions about how he has fared thus far. President Obama has not been the best president this country has seen thus far, although he does have the potential to be a better one. It’s very important that he maintain a strong focus on the horrific acts that are taken place to Christians in Iraq. After all, it is his country that’s in Iraq trying to “make things better.” Miranda Ayar, 18 West Bloomfield President Obama has tried to help our economy a lot in the past two years. He is helping people on the verge of losing their homes through loan modification programs. He also encourages increasing the workforce by giving credits to organizations that make new hires. I hope we can see some more positive changes within the next two remaining years of his term. Julianna Kassab, 20 Southfield He has led this country well. Most people would argue otherwise because of the current state of our economy. Unfortunately, because of all the special interest groups in Washington, Obama can’t seem to get too much done for the better. There are still two more years in his term left, and many changes can be made within two years. Brandon Hanna, 19 Oakland Township After two years in office, no major changes have been made. We are still engaged in a losing war overseas and the health care reform has yet to be fully established. Disappointingly, President Obama still smokes cigarettes as he preaches for health reform. However, we have seen some positive spikes in our economy. He has tried to help our economy by presenting programs like “Cash for Clunkers” and the forced bankruptcy of select auto-makers. Ryan Samona, 22 Shelby Township It is still early to tell whether he has been doing a good job. He has reached the first half of his term, and some progress has been made. However, he still has another two years to complete, and America should give him time. As of now, I do believe that he is doing a good job, for instance signing the health-care reform earlier this year and maintaining a strong focus on Americans’ health. We should be patient and see what more positive actions can come out of him. Fady Mansour, 17 Commerce Township Obama has sent this country into more deficits. These deficits are in the trillions now! He stated he will make a change to this country. I still have not seen a change. As a Christian I am against abortions, however Obama is now funding abortions all across the country, and even in other countries. I do pray for Obama to lead this country down a better path in the next two years of his term. With the financial and war crisis this country is facing, we should have had a Republican as president. Rafed White, 28 West Bloomfield The negative side to Obama is that he has been supporting the rights for same-sex marriage and abortions. These go against our Christian beliefs. Another negative situation was the BP oil spill. Americans befuddled, “Where is the president? What is his say in this?” The problem went on for months and the media did not show Obama taking much action. However, the positive side to Obama is that he is an excellent speaker. He stuck to his campaign, especially how he said he will pull troops from Iraq and bring them home safely. We need to focus on the future, and look at the beneficial situations that will make this country stronger. Yousif Aljony, 18 Farmington Hills He is determined to communicate with other foreign powers, and works hard to make changes not only in the U.S., but in other countries as well. I see him as a calm and peaceful man. Obama has extraordinary communication skills. He works hard to improve education for children and make health reform plans as well. His speeches always keep me interested. Even though his views on same-sex marriage, stem cell research and abortions are un-Christian, this should not make others look down on him. There is time for him to make better changes to America in the upcoming two years. Fadi Arabo, 20 West Bloomfield President Obama successfully addressed how much our country needs “positive change” throughout his campaign speeches, and of course, lured in massive crowds that hung on his every word in a time of economic crisis. Although American society seems to expect a quick fix to every major issue, he should have focused more on realistic issues such as economic problems as opposed to health care reform. I think he talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk. Caroline Bacall, 24 Tempe, Arizona I very much value President Obama’s vision for the future of our nation; however he has failed in turning around America’s image completely with his failure to close Guantanamo Bay. Obama is the best leader in re-shaping our nation, rather than McCain. To have diplomacy and to be fair with other countries as well as being morally right is what he strives to do. However, to torture captives is something the “free world” should not have any connection with, especially since it should have ended within his first year in office as he promised. It makes the U.S. look inhumane and most of all, hypocritical. Jena Yaldo, 18 Farmington Hills 28 CHALDEAN NEWS JANUARY 2011
JANUARY 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 29
