Thank You Mr. President

The 44th President of the United States concludes his service to the country in a few short days. Barack Obama's presidency has meant different things to different people across the country.  That holds true for me too.  I've not agreed with every policy enacted or decision made but I believe President Obama has been an upstanding steward of our democracy for the last eight years.  He has governed with dignity, poise, and patience in the face of an opposition that has acted repeatedly to disrespect the man, often on a personal level.

I've great concern over what a future with the 45th President at the helm will bring but I'd like to set that aside for the moment and express my gratitude to President Obama for his work the last eight years.

Mr. President, I thank you for your service; here are a few of your accomplishments that resonated in particular with me:

Economic Recovery - sure the economy is cyclical but the 2008 recession became a crisis with a lot of help from banks that ran amok, two ill advised wars, and eight years of poor policy decisions.  First, Mr. President, thank you for not letting the American auto industry die.  The decision was never about saving GM, Ford, or Chrysler, it was about saving their people and many others that would have suffered under a Big 3 collapse.  Second, thank you for banking finance reform.  Industry cannot police itself.  I hope some of the Wall Street reforms enacted survive such that the next economic crisis will be less severe.

The Affordable Care Act - Unless your father gave you millions to start your own business most of us have probably worked part-time, been unemployed, or worked for a small business that didn't provide health insurance.  I sure did, and while to a 22 year old brain that might seem like an acceptable risk, the truth is, it's an unacceptable risk for anyone living in the greatest country on earth.  The ACA isn't perfect but it's a starting point that gave help to millions.  Thank you Mr. President for giving us something to build on.

The Paris Climate Accord - It really doesn't matter which political ideology is on top if on top means: on top of a raft bobbing up and down in Waterworld.  Thank you Mr. President for taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  This is a global problem that takes global leadership and you've given us a start.  If we squander the opportunity to build upon this work the consequences for generations to come will be catastrophic.

Ending the War in Iraq - There's no good way to cut and run from a disaster and Iraq was a disaster.  Everyone and their brother will armchair quarterback this one for a long time.  Did you move to fast or wait to long.  The bottom line is there is no right time to pull out of a quagmire.  The clean up guy on this one gets little thanks but you have mine Mr. President for doing a difficult job.

Setting an Example - The presidency isn't easy under the best of circumstances.  Politics is hard and the President must endure withering political attacks.  It must be difficult to remain "presidental" during those times.  You have also had to face personal attacks that no predecessor has had to endure.  I'm sad that our country still has pockets of people that engage in thinking that has no place in the 21st century.  As President you've likely been able to experience the best and worst Americans can deliver.  Thank you Mr. President for enduring the bad and sharing the good with dignity, patience, humor, and honor.

Good bye, Mr. President; job well done.