Hawaii understandably burst with pride four years ago when its island son was elected to the nation’s top job. President Barack Obama has performed honorably while coping with the economic disaster he was handed upon entering the Oval Office, while exercising domestic and foreign policies that have been in the best interest of Hawaii and the rest of the nation. He fully deserves a second term in the White House.
Obama took office as the nation was dealt with a recession on the verge of becoming a second Great Depression, caused by the George W. Bush administration paying for two wars for too many years with a credit card. Within months of the Obama administration, the economy began to grow, although slightly, with the help of stimulus legislation and the bailing out of the country’s automobile industry, which kept domestic car dealers operating in Hawaii and elsewhere.
Despite the economic difficulties, Obama kept to his word in achieving broad health care reforms that in large part were patterned after Hawaii’s universal health care law and protected it where slight differences existed. The historic achievement barely survived Republican attacks in Congress and is being targeted for repeal by opponents as it nears full effect. That would be a medical disaster.
More than any previous president, Obama has an ingrained understanding of this Asia-Pacific part of the world, and has looked to Asia for expansion of trade and security alliances. A nine-day mission to Asia and his hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit of leaders in Honolulu in 2011 strengthened and sustained U.S. leadership in the region. Obama has taken steps to strengthen military presence in this part of the globe, which is likely to involve increased involvement from Hawaii.
Ingredients of the Asian alliance have included the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement to eliminate tariffs and other barriers while strengthening economic relations between the two countries. Implemented in March, the agreement allows furniture exports and many other goods produced in Hawaii to enter duty-free to South Korea, among Hawaii’s three largest export markets.
Tourism gains from Asia are in the process of benefiting Hawaii immensely. Most recently, Obama signed an executive order allowing Taiwanese travelers to visit up to 90 days in the United States without a visa. He has expanded U.S. staff in China to boost nonimmigrant visa processing capacity.
Domestically, Obama has altered education policy by rewarding winning states in the "Race to the Top," competition, which has offered $75 million to Hawaii’s school system if it fulfills key pledges under the grant. This rewards positive steps, as it should, instead of punishing school systems through the unfunded Bush-era No Child Left Behind law.
Obama also has supported the Akaka Bill to provide tribal status to Native Hawaiians, legislation that Hawaii’s congressional delegation has promised to introduce following U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka’s retirement. The bill’s chance for approval appears to depend on the makeup of Congress; Republicans have been steadfast against it in recent years.
Obviously, Obama still has much more work ahead to grow jobs and the U.S. economy. But between him and his rival, Mitt Romney is a tepid alternative whose flipflopping on issues is especially concerning.
In a surprise endorsement Thursday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a political independent, articulated this succinctly.
"In the past (Romney) has taken sensible positions on immigration, illegal guns, abortion rights and health care — but he has reversed course on all of them, and is even running against the very health care model he signed into law in Massachusetts," Bloomberg said.
Barack Obama has remained true to his roots and steadfast in his positions. He deserves to remain in the White House for another four years.
