OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION
R-N students and staff react to his plans
FERAAN MOHAMED, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News
President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address on January 27, speaking about his future plans to improve the country. He addressed the economy, taxes, education, the bank bailout, jobs, and insisted that America must become a leader in clean energy technology. His speech generated an array of reactions from Rutgers students and professors.
R-N student, Elizabeth Mendoza, a senior management major, was happy Obama emphasized the need for jobs and issued a punishment to big companies.
"I like the fact that he's going to take away all those bonuses and the fact that he's going to issue fees to all those companies," said Mendoza. However, she expressed doubt and concern regarding his troop withdrawal plan. "What I found hardest to believe in was his plan to pull troops out by this August. I'll believe it when I see it."
Another R-N student, Ali a senior accounting major who did not wish to disclose his last name, voiced similar concerns about Obama's foreign policy. "He missed the security of the country and also the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He didn't have a specific plan."
R-N professor of political science, Mary Segers, was mainly concerned with healthcare reform and wasn't reassured with the president's remarks. "I thought he regained momentum. He sounded humorous. He kind of explained the fact that he had inherited a legacy of problems from the Bush administration. I think it was important to put that in context," said Segers. However, "the administration signaled they moved away from the preoccupation of healthcare." She wants him "to continue the fight for healthcare." The same is true for Ali who was happy overall with the speech.
Despite the criticisms students and professors expressed, most still have hope that Obama can change the current state of things. Ali sympathizes with the president's position. "I am still hopeful," he says "It's really tough for him. Its not easy."
"We have to stop listening to all the negative stuff," said Mendoza. "There are jobs out there. You just got to get up and go."
R-N student, Elizabeth Mendoza, a senior management major, was happy Obama emphasized the need for jobs and issued a punishment to big companies.
"I like the fact that he's going to take away all those bonuses and the fact that he's going to issue fees to all those companies," said Mendoza. However, she expressed doubt and concern regarding his troop withdrawal plan. "What I found hardest to believe in was his plan to pull troops out by this August. I'll believe it when I see it."
Another R-N student, Ali a senior accounting major who did not wish to disclose his last name, voiced similar concerns about Obama's foreign policy. "He missed the security of the country and also the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He didn't have a specific plan."
R-N professor of political science, Mary Segers, was mainly concerned with healthcare reform and wasn't reassured with the president's remarks. "I thought he regained momentum. He sounded humorous. He kind of explained the fact that he had inherited a legacy of problems from the Bush administration. I think it was important to put that in context," said Segers. However, "the administration signaled they moved away from the preoccupation of healthcare." She wants him "to continue the fight for healthcare." The same is true for Ali who was happy overall with the speech.
Despite the criticisms students and professors expressed, most still have hope that Obama can change the current state of things. Ali sympathizes with the president's position. "I am still hopeful," he says "It's really tough for him. Its not easy."
"We have to stop listening to all the negative stuff," said Mendoza. "There are jobs out there. You just got to get up and go."
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