Now that more than a year has passed since the Presidential election, we asked some scholars to look back at the Obama years from 2009-2017. Historians often take decades to decipher a president’s role and legacy. This article is meant to serve as a first glance back; while memories are still fresh and not transformed by the passage of time.
While it is not possible to examine or reflect on everything, this article will touch briefly on the areas of: the economy, healthcare, the judiciary, immigration, and foreign policy.
BUT FIRST
Obama was elected on the promise of hope and change. He took office when the country was in the midst of the Great Recession. Wall St. was in turmoil. Companies were closing or cutting back. Unemployment was skyrocketing. The housing market was in crisis. Home values plummeted, and foreclosures rose.
ECONOMY
In the midst of a Great Recession, the economy required immediate action. Bailouts were given, unemployment benefits were extended, regulations examined, and reforms were enacted.
“Obama started to turn the economy around and put the U.S. on a path of economic recovery within six months,” said Dr. Emmanuel Ojameruaye, (Dr. Emma) President/CEO Capacity Development International, LLC.
“Obama’s key economic policies were the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010,” he said.
“These policies promoted job growth, wage increases, rising stock market prices, and increases in corporate profits. Home prices rose, illegal immigration declined, carbon emissions from fossil fuels dropped, and wind and solar power increased. People lacking health insurance dropped by 1.5 million and insurance premiums rose, but more slowly,” said Dr. Emma.
But according to Dr. Tom Shapiro, of the Heller School of Law and Social Policy at Brandeis University, “Obama’s policies to alleviate the recession were tepid, and more transformative changes were rejected by his administration.”
He did help the auto and construction industries but “kept past policies intact for wage and race inequalities. He could have reviewed procurement and contract policies and that did not happen,” said Shapiro.
Communities of color did not advance income-wise as much as the wealthy, and well-off whites. “Inequality between race and wealth was at all-time highs and continued to grow under Obama. There was a lack of courage in his administration to make changes,” said Shapiro.
On the positive side, many work force regulations were not complied with until Obama took office. “The Division of Wages and Hours, to protect workers from wage theft and pay, were rebuilt and re-energized under Obama. There were also tremendous advances in the Consumer Protection Bureau,” he said.
Dr. Brent Chrite, Dean of the Business School at the University of Denver, and a fan of Obama, reflects that “Obama never worked in the private sector, and I’m not convinced he appreciated the thriving vibrant impact of private businesses on the economy. I have great respect for his decision to support GM and Chrysler, but the regulatory climate was a little heavy during the recession.”
HEALTHCARE
“He was the first President to put healthcare on the path to affordability,” said Emma. Other administrations had tried and failed; most notably the Clinton administration.
“The Affordable Care Act was his most controversial action, and is still being debated today,” said Taylor. “But it is still the law of the land, and people are continuing to sign up for it in record numbers.”
According to Taylor, the larger issue is to what extent are we responsible for other people in this country regarding healthcare? “Do we share the costs or not? If we share, can we demand others live healthy lifestyles?”
JUDICIARY
Perhaps one of the most lasting effects a President can have is the appointment of Supreme Court justices, as well as federal and district court judges. Obama did appoint two women to the Supreme Court. When Justice Anthony Scalia died, Obama had about a year left in office, but was unable to get his nominee, Merrick Garland, a hearing.
“Obama appointed a Latino and a white to the Supreme Court,” said Emma. “Those appointments were more representative of the American population and society. The courts must represent a true picture of our society, and not be one-sided.”
Taylor believes Obama’s influence on the Supreme Court could be negated if Trump has the opportunity to appoint more than one Justice. “A President cannot create a vacancy on the Court,” he said. “It is only created by death or resignation. But whatever legacy Obama may have hoped to create with his appointments could vanish.”
IMMIGRATION
Obama was called the Deportation President, yet he also created DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
“Obama wanted to protect ‘dreamers’, but his actions were based on getting Congress to act,” said Taylor. “He wanted Congress to act, which is what Trump wants.”
According to Taylor, Obama did not have an open border policy, but wanted to welcome those who came to make a better life for themselves.
“People today are coming to America for the same reasons as those who came from Germany, Italy, Russia or Ireland,” said Taylor. “It’s the sense of economic opportunity. And we get the benefit of the best brains and lots of manpower.”
According to Taylor, immigration is based mainly on conditions at home and not on the notion that America is best. “America has taken in millions of immigrants, and demographic shifts have been set in motion. These shifts will continue even if no more immigrants are admitted,” he said.
“The question for us is how do we make the immigrants who are already here good Americans? Do we cast them aside or mold them into good citizens? Who is an American and what does that mean?” he asked.
FOREIGN POLICY
“Obama had a couple of significant impacts that weren’t necessarily aligned,” said Chrite. “He established and affirmed America’s place in the world with the caliber and credibility of his leadership. Foreign leaders reacted favorably to him.”
But Obama’s intellect, pensiveness and thoughtfulness were traits that sometimes negated bold action.
“On foreign policy his record is mixed,” said Chrite. “His actions in the Middle East were too cautious. Remember his comment about the use of chemical weapons in Syria? It was a ‘line in the sand.’ Obama did nothing when that line was crossed. There were no consequences. I think it had a significant impact on our credibility. He also struggled with the Afghan conflict; pulling back and then adding more troops.”
Taylor thinks Obama’s foreign policy reflected America’s place in the world.
“As a globalist, he wanted to be both a partner and a leader in the world. He might intervene, but he also wanted to be part of the world’s community.”
LEGACY
For Shapiro, Obama’s legacy revolves around regulatory structures and appointments. “He filled positions with quality people who could follow through with the missions of the agencies,” he said. “From the EPA to the Judiciary to financial protection and the Dept of Labor; he did a good job with that.”
Shapiro thinks Obama’s dramatic strengthening of regulations to protect low and moderate income families will be one of the positives of his legacy. But the widening of the racial wage gap will be one of the negatives.
“His legacy is complicated,” said Chrite. “I believe he will go down as one of the most highly regarded presidents in history. But I wish his political instincts and acumen had matched his intellect. If he had played more golf and done more glad handing, it might have helped. But Obama had a disdain for the policy making process. He did not like politics. Who could blame him?”
For Dr. Emma, Obama will be recognized as one of the greatest American presidents in history. “The truth cannot be covered up. His policies, achievements and leadership will be recognized; even if subsequent administrations undo what has been done.”
“His legacy is being established now,” said Taylor. “EVERY president has been a white male. Obama was the first black president and that will always be a part of his legacy.”
Comments
Post a Comment