Four years ago, we elected Barack Obama to be our president. He captivated the nation with his goals, character and composure. Many people felt like he had a lack of experience, but we decided that he was the right person for the job.
Since being voted into office, Obama has proven he is an advocate for education. He has dealt with many issues that affect American River College. He has made going to college an option for many by increasing federal funding and he has helped double the amount of grant money offered to students.
Women deserve equality and the right to make their own healthcare choices. The first law Obama signed into office was the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” which gave women equal pay for equal work. Obama also supports a woman’s right to choose; under his healthcare law, Obama has made cancer screenings, contraceptives and preventive women’s healthcare accessible to millions of women (Refer to women’s rights online).
Obama supports marriage rights. Earlier this year, Obama became the first sitting president to support same-sex marriage. Obama signed the “Respect for Marriage Act,” which would require the U.S. federal government to acknowledge same-sex marriages. President Obama also repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” giving gay and lesbian service members the right to serve in the military openly.
In Obama’s latest job proposal, he has proposed an initiative to put veterans back-to-work. The plan offers companies who employ veterans a tax credit, and for companies who hire veterans who have been wounded in combat to receive a bigger tax credit.
Let’s not forget Obama’s finest moment as president on May 2, 2011, when Osama bin Laden was pronounced dead.  Obama gave the order for Seal Team Six to raid bin Laden’s compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan where he was shot and killed.
Gov. Mitt Romney’s policies are not as friendly to 47 percent of the population he claims not to worry about. His policies aren’t as clear as Obama’s; he has been referred to as an etch-a-sketch (he will say one thing, but later change his viewpoint) by his own personnel. Romney has recently spoken out about abortions, stating there are no legislation bills dealing with abortion on his agenda. His spokesperson, Andrea Saul, stated a few days later that Romney would support legislation bills targeted towards protecting life.
Over the past four years, Barack Obama has fought for education, equal rights and followed through with his policies, even in the face of adversity. These are the characteristics America deserves in a president.
As Barack Obama enters the Nov. 6 election, the American River Current will be in support of his reelection.