The first 100 days: A look at Obama's beginning

President Barrack Obama arrived at a political milestone April 29, as he wrapped up his first 100 days in office. According to most analysts, Obama is off to a very proficient start considering the number of projects and problems he faced coming into office. Though the tradition began with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his progress dealing with the "Great Depression" following his inauguration, the first 100 days is now a marker of all Presidents and their progress. According to an editorial in the April 29 New York Times, "crises, not days, is the first word which comes to mind when we think about the number 100 and Barack Obama's presidency." In his first 100 days, President Obama has dealt with restructuring the country's financial and economic systems, the bankruptcy and restructuring of the nation's automotive industry, ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rise of pirate hijackings in the horn of Africa, shutting down Guantanamo Bay, revitalizing America's global reputation and developing a plan to combat global warming. Tammy Schneider, a nursing student at Rasmussen College in Green Bay, is inspired by Obama's strength and calmness, however, she feels he has moved too slowly on one certain issue. "Healthcare was to be the No. 1 priority on his to-do list," she said. "I am very disappointed he hasn't made many movements towards fixing healthcare." The New York Times editorial stated Obama is aware that the economic recession and the difficulties that have followed can only be fixed indefinitely when the country reforms its healthcare system. "I don't really care about the financial situation, healthcare is what we're discussing in class," Schneider said. "Thailand is the country we're looking at the most. They looked at 15 different countries around the world to try and model their healthcare after. Obama's hope is to do the same, and it's just not fast enough." Concerning the accomplishments and decisions Obama and his administration have made, Schneider spoke of the necessity of time to see the end result. "I really can't say if I'm happy or if I'm disappointed, but it's going to take awhile. "He's somebody new, with new ideas, someone refreshing," Schneider said. "They (past Presidents) ignored the issues, he doesn't." The President, whose approval rating is at 64 percent, has engineered many plans of re-organizing and redeveloping America's economic, financial and foreign policy affairs. He has balanced the many crises with sound judgment and expectations. However, many of his individual policies are not as popular. For instance, the $700-plus billion budget has very little popularity, with some polls suggesting only one in ten Americans approve. Through this and much criticism over the release of sensitive documents dealing with past torture techniques used on terrorist suspects, President Obama continues to move forward. In a national press conference marking his first 100 days in office, President Obama said his administration has made strides in restoring the confidence in the American people. However, he felt "sobered by the fact change in Washington comes slowly." During the press conference, many questions were asked regarding foreign policy, including the recent increase of violence in Iraq. Diego Ojeda, a Colombian American teacher at Evansville High School in Evansville, Wis., believes Obama's foreign policy actions are changing the minds of many people and nations around the world in their opinion of the United States. "I think first off, he was very popular as a candidate in Latin America," he said. "Bush didn't make much of an effort to talk with Latin America, so as a candidate and now as President, Obama has made many people happy." When asked if he sees Latin America falling under the economic and political influence of growing superpowers such as India and China, Ojeda argued how important the role of the United States is. "Latin America has more economic ties with the United States than any other country," he said. "You don't find a lot of Indian or Chinese people in Latin America." Though Obama has spoken with many Latin American and other world leaders who are considered antagonists of the United States, Ojeda believes Obama is making the right decision. "Just because Obama shook Chavez' hand, he doesn't agree with everything Chavez says," he said. "By opening the doors, he's saying you're important and we want to be in touch with you." Though the future looks brighter for revitalizing the United States and Latin America's relationship, there is much to learn and look into. "People blame the Mexicans for everything, but they don't realize the United States provide the market for the drugs and money," Ojeda said. "They provide cheap weapons to the Mexican cartels. If there wasn't a market here, there wouldn't be problems." Ojeda believes the world needed someone like Obama, someone who is able to communicate and is open to communicating with friends and foe alike. "There are over 60 million Latinos in the United States and when people in Latin American nations see Latinos represented in the government and Obama respecting them, they are proud and want to have more of a relationship with the United States," Ojeda said. For those like Schneider and Ojeda, the initial grades for Obama's first 100 days are high but could be higher. There is the hope, Obama with his openness for ideas and communication, who is able to tackle many projects, will continue to strive and enhance the United States' position in the world. "He's somebody new, with new ideas, he's someone refreshing," Schneider said. "They (past Presidents) ignored the issues. He doesn't."