Healthcare act shows all is well with Obama

As I read the Irish Examiner (Jan 22) and about US President Barack Obama’s inauguration, I was taken aback by the editorial.

The Irish Examiner is usually fair to Obama’s agenda, if not his accomplishments. There was a glaring omission from the list of accomplishments: healthcare for all. Though the process is in its infancy, tens of millions of people will attain some level of care. The Affordable Care Act, derided by his opponents as Obamacare, will place him in good standing with history. It was not mentioned in the editorial, which does mention two wars. Obama has withdrawn the military from Iraq and there is a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. A timetable that will be moved forward. It will never be fast enough, but that is the history of the US. Getting into wars comes quickly, getting out not so much.

I agree with the paper that Guantanamo is an affliction on the country, but it was not Obama that prevented its closing. As the editorial correctly states, it is the opposition that has done everything to stall, delay and postpone the closing of Guantanamo. This is what Obama has been dealing with since he was sworn in four years ago. Guns, taxes on the super wealthy, banking regulations, you name it and the Republicans have been opposed. Nothing appears to be changing, so the president will just plough along, getting things done.