What should President Obama Do After He Gets Into Office? How will you contrib?

[SummerChild]

Ok, Greekchatters,
Now we get to have our say in response to that question posed during the debates: what should President Obama do first once he gets into office?

Work on the economy, health care, education, foreign relations, anything else?

Personally, I hope that he will work on immediately taking steps to create incentives to bring jobs back to the U.S. and to create jobs that can ONLY be done in the U.S. (e.g., building infrastructure). I think that the most essential of all things is simply folk being able to make a living. I think that health care can be paid for more readily, for example, if folk have jobs. I am always annoyed when I have to call half way around the world to simply book a flight to a city 2-3 hours drive from me. Americans can use those jobs...and others. Computer Science jobs are going to India like 40 going north (ok, that's a midwestern phrase for those who don't know - I think it relates to the Great Migration) so now CS majors don't even have jobs. This is getting crazy. Law firm work is going oversees. It's ridiculous.

What do you think he should work on?

I'm not sure how I can contribute to that. Still working on that one.

SC

[darling1]

this is the question that i am asking myself right now. i think the answer for me is to do the following:

-be engaged in the government process. for me, do as much reading as i possibly can and be as knowlegeable on the issues that are important to me

-volunteer locally - i think right now, the best way i can serve is to get more involved in my community. understand the issues that affect my immediate area. volunteer my time on local campaigns

-keep my children engaged in the process. this will be the first time since i have been in the maryland area that i will be excited to do the touristy activities in dc. we will go on tours, to museums and whatever activities that i can get my hands on.

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Ok, Greekchatters,
Now we get to have our say in response to that question posed during the debates: what should President Obama do first once he gets into office?

Work on the economy, health care, education, foreign relations, anything else?

Personally, I hope that he will work on immediately taking steps to create incentives to bring jobs back to the U.S. and to create jobs that can ONLY be done in the U.S. (e.g., building infrastructure). I think that the most essential of all things is simply folk being able to make a living. I think that health care can be paid for more readily, for example, if folk have jobs. I am always annoyed when I have to call half way around the world to simply book a flight to a city 2-3 hours drive from me. Americans can use those jobs...and others. Computer Science jobs are going to India like 40 going north (ok, that's a midwestern phrase for those who don't know - I think it relates to the Great Migration) so now CS majors don't even have jobs. This is getting crazy. Law firm work is going oversees. It's ridiculous.

What do you think he should work on?

I'm not sure how I can contribute to that. Still working on that one.

SC

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

What should President Obama do first once he gets into office?

Work on the economy, health care, education, foreign relations, anything else?

What do you think he should work on?

I'm not sure how I can contribute to that. Still working on that one.

SC

The first things President Obama needs to do is name is cabinet, be thoroughly informed on national security issues, and corral all of congress to act thoughtfully and expeditiously on important pieces of legislation within days of being inaugurated.

The second thing he needs to work on is get inaugurated. One creative way he could handle that is forgo the party-harty until this hole is cleaned up that we are in... Or maybe it is a capital campaign to generate funds? I would say it would a HUGE fundraiser and I think the American people should be invited in such a way that it is a clearinghouse for key tasks that lie before us with a phone banking system... Include the world powers on those actions.

The other issues are that we are in a global economy. And the US needs to work on its infrastructure. Numerous other countries, especially those who are of the 2nd and 3rd World are ill-equipped with "reliable green technology"--the exception is Brazil.

The US can be at the forefront with being good stewards of the planet and create "reliable green tech" while slowly phasing out our 20th century energy technology. We also need "green living"--furthering recycling and composting--helping people reduce their carbon footprint. Recycle things that we never considered--like computers...

Healthcare will only get worse due to the baby boomers aging. How we can assist in that effort is to inform and educate appropriately of exactly those health issues. No one is going to do 8 years of med school and residency if they haven't started already. However, the structures we have are going to change due to sheer numbers. We are going to have to get creative in seeking healthy solutions. Part of infrastructure improvement that needs to be required is Public Health. Back when the current regulations were enacted, various diseases were unconsidered--such as SARS, MRSA, and Tuberculosis--whose laws were enacted in the early 20th century that are unfounded these days. Those concepts need to be updated...

Although it is the best method, forcing diet and exercise is not working as effectively as we anticipated... So we need to create public health parameters the are more enlightened that they have been before. Such as people who suffer in pain--they usually don't exercise: fibromyalgia, arthritis, MS, chronic diseases and mental health issues...

And our foodstuffs rules need complete upgrading. Poor regulation has caused numerous people to get sick of stuff that should not be happening in this country--spinach, tomatoes, possibly meats--those are easy fixes that I think the Bill and Melinda Gates is currently working on for the World in Global Health. In fact the Dean of Global Health at University of Washington is out of Harvard and is well adept in providing unique solutions to tough health problems with little cost...

Inherently, President Obama will have to tackle foreign relations. But I think very few people anticipated the World's response to his election. They are excited and willing to help. Which means it might just take a few visits to the UN if he adds a very great representative to the UN and possibly names Bill Clinton to the job he wanted--as UN Secretary General. I think in one swoop he will quell the hotspots in the world with "aggressive diplomacy"... LOL...

As far as the jobs aspects, entrepreneurship can be encouraged that we as individuals can do without his efforts. Small Business Education should be easily accessible with realistic expectations. I think tax incentives for the first 2 years, etc. can be given to those who pursue the sba 7a loans, etc.--and that's off the top of my head.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Ok, Greekchatters,
Now we get to have our say in response to that question posed during the debates: what should President Obama do first once he gets into office?

Work on the economy, health care, education, foreign relations, anything else?

Personally, I hope that he will work on immediately taking steps to create incentives to bring jobs back to the U.S. and to create jobs that can ONLY be done in the U.S. (e.g., building infrastructure). I think that the most essential of all things is simply folk being able to make a living. I think that health care can be paid for more readily, for example, if folk have jobs. I am always annoyed when I have to call half way around the world to simply book a flight to a city 2-3 hours drive from me. Americans can use those jobs...and others. Computer Science jobs are going to India like 40 going north (ok, that's a midwestern phrase for those who don't know - I think it relates to the Great Migration) so now CS majors don't even have jobs. This is getting crazy. Law firm work is going oversees. It's ridiculous.

What do you think he should work on?

I'm not sure how I can contribute to that. Still working on that one.

SC

An economic plan has to trump all else, becuase everything else takes ....money.

I think you'll see the Administration come fairly quickly with an economic stimululs plan, not just roads, bridges (which are sorely needed) but to address the nation's energy concerns, (a new energy delivery grid) as well. In many locales these plans are already in place, just awaiting $ to put them in place. The infusion of jobs will help stimulate the economy.

(Can I just speculate that "economic stimulus" has already come to every MLK Boulevard in America becase the Obama gear is moving at a brisk pace!! lol)


Longer term, (16 months to 2 years) ending the Iraq and Afganistan wars and reestablishing a multi-dimensional sense of international diplomacy and leadership are very much needed.

I also think some advances can hopefully be made in the area of health care as well.

Locally, some of the brothers of my chapter have already begun discussions on continuing the education/involvement of the black community, to keep it engaged after the hype of the Obama election worn off.

Politics is won by people who "stay in the game," educate themselves and organize effectively in their own self interest.

[RedefinedDiva]

The first order of business should be the economy! We need to get back on track.

Secondly, I think he needs to start working on the universal health care initiative. Even if it doesn't work or if it needs some tweaking, something needs to be done immediately. I also think that a lot more force needs to be placed on preventative care. That will help to take care of some of the major health care issues that need to be battled down the line.

I also agree with SC when she stated that we need to get more jobs BACK to the U.S. I am so tired of having to take care of business, i.e., book flights, speak to credit card companies, etc., and reaching someone that hasn't a clue of what I'm saying! Trust me, it's ridiculous!

Lastly, we need to work on foreign policy. I think that we may be able to make inroads with leaders of other countries. I'm not saying we can all be "friends," but I'm sure if we can improve relations, we'd all be better off.

I too will get more involved in the "process." I've always been interested in politics on a surface level, but I am ready to take a more active role. I am also trying to encourage others to step their game up, so to speak. No more EXCUSES for lackluster behavior/performance.

[mccoyred]

I think his first order of business should be the economy as well. However, he needs to look at it holisticly. Healthcare costs of small businesses and their tax rates directly affect how many people they are able to hire. Tax rates and regulations (environmental, financial, etc.) of large businesses directly affect how many people they can avoid laying off. Jobs directly affect whether people can stay in their homes and spend for the holidays. Consumer spending directly affects the retail sector which drives GDP. Getting out of Iraq will bring vets home who may need jobs and it will help lessen the debt by not adding $10B/month to the Bank of China. Reducing the national debt will help grow the GDP and strengthen the economy.

He needs to continue to pick good people who can carry out his mandate to get this country back on the right track.