On Obama's first day in office (2009), I remember Mitch McConnell saying that the number one priority of the Republican Party was to make Obama a one-term President. That was their number one priority. Not repairing the crashing economy. Not stabilizing world affairs. And of course, nothing about the looming environmental crisis or fair treatment of every citizen. That sums up the repulsiveness of the relentless political right in just a few words.
It was constantly a rough road for our 44th President. I was disappointed that he couldn't break the stalemate with Congress that so characterized his two terms, but whose fault is that? There were plenty of great things that Obama accomplished, and perhaps first and foremost was that he listened. Listened to people who thought that pipelines would damage the environment, for one thing. Listened to the majority of the country, who were demanding equal opportunity for all (all genders, cultures, religions, sexual preferences), advancing past decades, even centuries, of prejudice. And he got over twenty million people to take advantage of the Affordable Health Care Act.
The Health Care Act was huge for my family--my wife had no health insurance before the measure was passed. I lost a decent job in 2010 and was soon paying those COBRA scammers well over $800 a month to keep our coverage intact, which sucked the life out of our savings because I wasn't working. We decided that I couldn't stop carrying insurance because of my diabetes. It took a few years, and was a huge sigh of relief for me--and I'm not talking about money here--when Gina qualified for health coverage.
I regret not following Obama's eight year run as closely as I should have--my confidence in his bringing a sense of compassion and decency to the office had me missing all the deportation activity the administration carried out. And Obama's use of drones...rather disturbing to me.
Overall, I appreciated his caring, grace, intelligence and beautiful articulation. Obama's respect for others was remarkable in a time where other "leaders" choose to fan the flames in our hotheaded, divided nation. I loved how he was a true patron of the arts and I don't doubt that he will continue to address the divisive issues of our time. It's appreciated that President Obama brought us Michelle, perhaps the most accomplished First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt, and a jaw-dropping speaker (I use that term mostly because of the way she connects her delivery to what's in her heart). To my mind, this leader and his family are the epitome of class. Thank you, Mr. President.