Here is your first weekly discussion question. Make sure you post your comments by midnight on Tues. Jan. 27.
Imagine you were President Obama. What would be the first issue you would tackle and why?
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The teacher is Richard Lewis. He writes about science for Brown University. He has been a journalist for 15 years, most recently with The Associated Press, and writes primarily about science. He taught this class in spring 2008.
Dear Students, Welcome to your class's blog home! Here you will find my questions for your weekly discussion posts. Your comments are due each Tuesday at midnight. Always remember: Make them thoughtful and keep them clean. Here you also will find your reading assignments from me. Make sure to do them. It affects your participation, and it will affect your grade. We'll add other elements as we go along. Let's have a good semester!
About the Class
The class has 3o students and is at capacity.
Required Readings
23 comments:
I would address the war in Iraq and begin the withdrawal of troops. We have spent WAY too much money on the war. The Iraqi government needs to be able to handle their own issues. We can't hold their hand anymore. I like that Obama has already begun working on this issue.
If I were President Obama I would tackle the economic issue that is happening. People are losing more and more money as time goes by and the public for the most part is freaking out. People savings and college funds are being thrown out the window and people are getting screwed! I think this is one of the most important issues to tackle first!
There are two main issues that I can't seem to pick one over the other. Fist off, the economy is terrible. We need to figure out what to do to stop it from getting any worse, and to establish how to get it going again. Second, we should defintately try to bring soldiers home from over seas. We should asses the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and see what progress we have made, what we should or shouldn't be doing there, and if it's necessary to still be there. I think most of the issues we have as a country are going to take alot of time to fix. Nothing will happen overnight obviously.
If I were President Blue Obama the first issue I would attack is our Economic Crisis. To first investigate and research the root of the problem would assist in finding the solution. Many things are the result of this problem we are now facing. To be able to have the foresight to see beyond the problem and focus clearly on solutions is the key. I would assemble a team with a balance of experience, drive and vision. With those elements I would be better prepared to examine all the things that effect the Economic Crisis and pin point the best methods for repair.
If I were President Obama I would start off with getting some sort on handle on the economic crisis. Our country is suffering badly right now and a lot of people are losing jobs and money. So I would start off by working with the people in order to enhance our economy and lead it into a better direction.
What issue would I focus on first and foremost if I were Barack Obama, President of the United States of America?
Great question.
Given where we currently stand today on January 26, 2009, it's a no brainer that I would address the grave state of our economy with my economic advisors and devise a workable strategy for our economy's revival, and the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq as swiftly as possible. All of this would take place- Day One in office.
However, If it were a semi-better state of the union where no such economic crisis or war in Iraq were present, I would wholeheartedly tackle revising our criminal justice system first and foremost, because that's one here in America in which justice is more often than not, very hard to come by.
I would begin with an immediate revision of the laws that keep drug dealers behind bars for life, yet let child molesters, murderers and rapists out early on good behavior. Secondly I would tear apart law enforcement from every branch from the ground up, where in 2009 still operate on racial profiling to "serve and protect."
Personally, I feel that's the major issue in this nation.
We have a justice system which possesses little to none, and I find that to be a sickness that quietly eats away at our society- particularly our unjustly accused and imprisoned citizens.
I'm sorry, but America needs more than an economic stimulus package to get on the right track.
Sure, fix that and we'll be back in "business", but we'll also be back to "business as usual" in this backward and often disgustingly corrupt society.
We need a makeover, inside and out, and newly printed dollar bills will not make any of our nation's ills look any better.....but hey, it'll sure spend better, right?
-GodsGirL
If I were president Obama the first issue I would tackle would be the economic crisis and poverty. There are people that have fought wars for our country and worked in or for our country for years who are are either homeless or dirt poor. We have legal and illegal immigrants coming here and making a life and receiving welfare and money,and living in houses, while our citizens who fought for our country have nothing.
If i were President Obama, I would definitely focus on the economic crisis of this country. Though this is a broad issue touching the lives of most Americans in many different ways, I truly believe that the raising cost of higher education is one of the biggest problems. It is leaving more and more people without college education just because they are not able to afford it. Honestly I'm not sure how i would fix this issue but I do think that something absolutely does need to be done as soon as possible.
The issue I would tackle is the division between parties. I would make an attempt at building a good working relationship with the Republicans, so that both parties will be able to work together to accomplish tasks. It seems that the Republicans and Democrats are more concerned with shooting down ideas, rather than working together on solutions
If I were President Obama, I would begin the same way he has, by advising a plan to change the economy and to change our relationship with other nations. I know that's two issues but I feel they are equally important. Although neither of these issues can be solved overnight, it is going to be a process of events that should be addressed promptly. By giving jobs back to those who have been laid off, and like GoDsGirl mentioned,doing business differently to benefit all, including the environment. I think Bush has given many foreign countries reasons to hate America. Obama is addressing to other countries like Isreal and Palestine that America is not their enemy nore to we mean to be.
America needs to move in a positive direction inthralled with change away from the damage caused in the past 8 years!
The first thing I would do is try to get the economy stable. I think that's an important jumping-off point, because once people are getting (and able to keep) jobs, and the economy starts to run smoothly, then we will have a much firmer ground to stand on to tackle other important issues such as getting the troops out of Iraq and creating better healthcare, drug, and immigration laws.
If I were Obama the first issue i would tackle would be the economy.People are loosing there jobs everyday and struggling to live a normal life. As the president I would focus on my people first and build outward.
I have personally affected by this crisis. I currently work and go to school full time. There are two reasons for this. I work so much so that I do not loose my job and so that I can continue to support my self. I have definitely felt the affects of our economies economic stand point. I still can not afford my school books for this semester and I am forced to choose between paying my bills over buying books. I have also lost scholarship and grant money because the state of Rhode Island can not afford to give me the money they use to. Just about everyone I know has been affected by this crisis whether it be directly or indirectly.
This past semester I took my first economics course and reviewed many concepts involving the economy and the government. From what I understand Obama seems to be moving in the right direction to correct our economy. He talks about rebuilding our infrastructure to make jobs, keeping programs in place that are working and replacing those that do not, giving every person the right to an education, and lowering taxes for those that need it and raising taxes for those who can afford it. From what I have observed I am please with Obama and I do have hope that will make a change.
If I were President Obama, I would first focus on re-building our economy. We are in the middle of a crisis that has weakened this country greatly. There are many other issues we are faced with such as global warming, problems with our healthcare and education system along with many others. How can we even begin to try and fix these problems when our economy is falling apart?
If i were President Obama the 1st thing I would tackle is the state of the economy. It is the most important issue going on right now and should be accomplished immediatly. If it the problem is as bad as it seems it is something that should not wait.
If I were President Obama the first issue I would give my attention to is the economy. We need to get people back to work. We need to create jobs in the U.S. If people are working then they won't lose their house, they will have money to spend, which will in turn stimulate the economy
If I were President Obama, I would first begin concentrating on our economy. Our economy is at an all time low, and should be the first problem that is taken into consideration about, not shutting down Guantanamo Bay. I would also focus with domestic policy more then foreign policy. Right now many people are laid off from work and need to begin working again to support/afford their basic living needs. We need to figure out a way to get home/private businesses operated so people can begin working again. Basically jobs are the main necessity. I think if the stimulus package becomes available it could help but in all actuality, an extra $500-600 will not last too long and can be blown easily. As far as the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would leave them there to keep regulating. Once our economy is restored, or moving in a positive upward sloping direction, we should be able to pick up the pieces from there to end this economic crisis hopefully once and for all.
I personally feel that there are currently too many issues that Obama needs to tackle to choose just one. Every issue has a valid argument why that issue should be the first to address. We have been in Iraq for far too long. We need to start executing an exit strategy. The economy is terrible. The big three automakers of our country are on the verge of going out of business. Unemployment in the larger scheme of things is at highs relative to the great depression. Healthcare industry is another problem that is causing the country to be in this crisis. The cost of healthcare is putting many families in bankruptcy. However, with all these issues if I were the President of the United States, I would first address the environment and technology issues. The reason I would go this route is not just because I believe in global warming but I feel that addressing these issues first will help foster changes in many other issues. I feel putting more pressure on the American auto industry to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles will not only help with the environment, but help stimulate the economy with the demand that is raising on more fuel efficient vehicles and the jobs that would come out of needing more people to help produce these vehicles. With more fuel-efficient vehicles will bring us closer to freeing our country from our dependency on foreign oils. Obama himself stated in his inaugural address, “…and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” There is now more and more evidence that can link many of our oil suppliers to some kind of terrorist group. So with us less dependent on their oil, we will no longer be financing any of their group’s activities. This would be a major step in he war on terror. With the advancement in technology also helps to bring cost of goods down. Whether we as a nation invest in Solar or Wind powered technology, the cost of energy will ultimately go down. Technology in the field of medicine will help bring a better quality of life for our citizens. And finally with all these advancements that we would be looking to invest in, what we first would need is an educated country to come up with these new innovative ideas. So this idea of investing in technology and the environment will have an effect on our schools in America.
Not to sound insensitive, but if I were Barack Obama I would let middle eastern foreign policy take a back seat to the domestic issues. I would start by working on the economy in some capacity because frankly, it can directly impact the citizens of the nation he represents, the citizens that elected him. I know that the middle east needs help, but so do the United States.
The first issue i would tackle as President would be getting the troops out of the middle east. We have lost way to much money and i have lost a few friends. The pay off of the amount of money we are putting in hasn't been shown. I think we need to redirect our focus back to the US. If we can make our country stable, we will have a better idea in how to help other countries.
I just realized what time it is and know it is a little ate, but I have to definitely agree with nigel about the absolute full plate Obama is receiving coming into office. Overall to me there is one answer and it has to be the economy that needs to be handled. President Obama is keenly aware of all the major issues that have been presented to him and knows all the promises he has made, but first and foremost if the economy is not handled and turned around for the better then there is no chance of other issues being handled. Let's face the obvious fact, a recession is as bad as you get before you go to a depression, and although this is nowhere near as bad as the Great Depression, Obama needs to handle the country and his reforms similarly to FDR's handling of the depression (even though it can easily be argued that he did not do that great). So in the end, to me, Obama is going to have a tough first couple of years with everything he has to deal with, but when it comes to when he will be starting to make a reelection push, he better make STRIDES in the economy issue after three years.
I feel as though the obvious answer must be the economy. Prices will not stop rising and people continue to lose their jobs. I don't know if I'm bias because the unemployment rate in RI is so high right now, but it seems the economy is the most important thing Obama needs to get involved with. Although, the war in Iraq directly effects our economy, much like all of our endeavors across the world; for example, Israel. What a mess, good luck.
-Dan Rendine
If I were President Obama I would first off start by dealing with the economy because it is in such bad shape. Prices are rising while more and more people are loosing their jobs. If he can help try to get more jobs available than people would be able to afford more and get the economy rising just a bit more.
Not to sound redundant but if I were President Obama the first issue I would tackle would definitely have to be the current economic crisis. It seems like it is nearly impossible to find jobs right now and the unemployment rate is sky high. This crisis is affecting people from every walk of life. One article I read noted that people with college degrees are experiencing the highest rate of unemployment and are finding it harder than ever to get re-hired after losing a job than ever before. Even those who are well educated are losing jobs because their employers cant afford to, or are choosing not to, employ so many people. This worries me and should probably worry all prospective college graduates. We are spending all this money and taking out thousands of dollars in student loans all for the ultimate goal of getting a job when we graduate to support a healthy and prosperous life. When I started college, getting a job upon graduation was expected and nearly a guarantee. Now, It is no longer even close to a guarantee, it is a hope. Before it was "I hope I get a great job," now its simply "I hope I can get a job, period." If our economy's health was to be restored this would not be such a concern for those entering the job market and many of the unemployed might be able to get jobs as well. If there is such little hope for getting jobs, people might even stop going to college for fear of it being a waste of money. This means even less money being poured into the economy. People pay to go to college in order to get jobs, in order to get paid, so that they can spend money. If this cycle ceases, or continues to slow down, the economy could only get worse. This is just one of many perspectives taken on the sky high unemployment rates, not to mention all the other types of people it affects who are equally desperate for jobs.
Obama could start by beginning with areas that face imminent crisis. For instance Rhode Island currently has the highest unemployment rate in the country. It might be a good idea to see what kind of improvements could be made here and how they could be made and then apply potential solutions on a larger scale.
One more issue I think needs to be addressed sooner rather than later is the preservation of our Social Security system. If our economy fails we might not be guaranteed the social security we've been paying for and have been promised our whole lives. I think it is extremely important to see to it that this system gets preserved and remains in-tact.
Obama certainly has a lot on his plate. Good luck to him.
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