Piece on Public Reaction to U.S. Involvement in Libya

Obama's Speech Fails to Reach the People

By Estefania Souza

BOSTON--President Obama attempted to clarify U.S. involvement in Libya in his speech Monday night. But there was on problem with Mr. OBama's address: many people did not watch it.

"I couldn't find the broadcast, said Gerrit Petersen. Petersen claimed to have looked for the president's speech on television, but was unable to find it.

Still, Petersen has a strong opinion regarding the U.S. involvement in Libya. "It's a complicated situation... but he (Obama) could have done better selling it to the people," said Petersen.
"[This time] we didn't have to be the world's cop," said Petersen, who considers himself liberal but Democrat at times. The U.S. is not acting alone, but in cooperation with other nations of the U.N. Security Council. "It's a multi-lateral effort...supporting rather than attacking," said Petersen.

Richard Lehr, a professor and Democrat at Boston University, was also unable to watch the president's speech. "I haven't thought [much] about it (U.S. involvement in Libya). [But] we have to be doing something," said Lehr.

"As commander in chief, [Obama] has to do something," said Allison Wensley, a graduate student and Democrat at Boston University. She also did not watch Obama speak on Monday, but she stands by his decision. "It wasn't our decision... it's the right thing," she said.

On the other hand, Lauren Seesel, a College of Arts and Sciences student and Democrat at Boston University, said that the U.S. should have waited longer to act. "I don't think they have much to do [there]," said Seesel.

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Piece on Obama's 2012 Budget Proposal

Obama’s Budget Under the Republican Knife

By Estefania Souza

BOSTON—President Barack Obama submitted his 2012 budget to Congress on Monday and emphasized the need to cut back on spending in order to support the United States’ economic recovery.

Soon after, House Budget Chair Paul Ryan, R-Wis., expressed his disapproval of the plan. According to the House Budget Committee chairman, Obama’s proposal will not help the country grow.

“It would be better doing nothing than if we would actually pass this budget for the sake of our economy, for the sake of our future and for the sake of our jobs,” said Ryan.

The 2012 budget caused controversy in both political parties, prompting Democrats and Republicans to question Obama’s leadership.

“[The] budget proposal raises a lot of questions about where the priorities of this administration are,” said Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., in a statement released after the President’s proposal was announced. Like many of his fellow Democrats, Tested expressed concern for Obama’s focus.

The president said his proposals are rooted in the country’s economic growth. Four main points make up the budget: a five-year freeze on discretionary non-military spending, a cessation to the tax-cut for high-earning families, a solution to future unemployment liabilities and a supplement to the health-care reform.

Still, Obama did not only focus of cutting back. He also proposed an ongoing funding of programs he called “investments.” “As we move to rein in our deficits, we must do so in a way that does not cut back on those investments that have the biggest impact on our economic growth because the best antidote to a growing deficit is a growing economy,” he said.

According to Ryan however, the budget is ore expensive than helpful. “This budget does more spending, more taxing, more borrowing…[and] it’s going to cost our country its credibility,” said Ryan. He said the budget is not adequate for the current American situation.

Ryan stated that Obama’s plans would not help the country. “You really cannot borrow and spend and tax your way to prosperity,” he stated.

He called the president’s budget “a punt” and said it did not even take into consideration the advice suggested by the Fiscal Commission.

While Obama stated that “[The United States] must fund those investments that will help America win the race for the job and industries of the future,” Ryan said that what the country borrows today will inevitably have to be paid in the future.

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SHORT NEWS-PIECE: SOTU 2011

Obama urges Americans to unite in the fight for the future.

By Estefania Souza

In an hour-long State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama encouraged members of both political parties to work together to maintain and maximize America’s super power status. The main concern he expressed was the advancement of the United States over the rest of the world through innovation, education, job creation, and debt reduction.

Obama said he believes that the key to success in the future lies in breaking the barrier between political parties and restructuring the government. He promised to make more jobs available to the citizens of the United States and to give everyone the chance to receive a proper education.

He stated his willingness to work with new ideas so as “to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.” According to Obama, barriers must be broken, and the United States should take advantage of its diversity to move forward as a country.

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