Opinions in the Burlington area: What the public wants to hear from President-elect Barack Obama in his inaugural address
By Kate Austin
December 11, 2008
The United States’ recent struggle with economy has many Americans worried. During interviews in the Burlington area today, people said that this is one concern they would like for President-elect Barack Obama to focus on in his inaugural address.
“I definitely want to hear him talk about the specifics about what he’s going to do with the economy, what his plans are,” said Associate Professor of Communications Harlen Makemson of Elon University. “I’m encouraged by the people he’s putting into place but the problems are so many and so immense I’d like to know where he’s going to go first to tackle these sorts of things.”
Obama said on December 6 in a radio address that his economic team is developing an economic recovery plan to “help save or create at least two and a half million jobs, while rebuilding our infrastructure, improving our schools, reducing our dependence on oil and saving billions of dollars.”
Joni Grooms of Burlington wonders how Obama plans to pay for all the new things he's proposing for America.
“Mainly what I would like him to talk about is how he’s going to pay for all of the things he’s proposing,” said Joni Grooms of Burlington. “The new jobs and the changes for America, how he’s going to pay for them. If he’s going to raise taxes or exactly what he’s going to do, if he’s going to cut other things out of the budget.
For some, concerns go beyond the obvious issue of the economy and into personal interest.
“I’d like him to talk about the economy, to continue to do the things that’s necessary to get the economy back on track,” said Tony Williams from Burlington, a 33-year veteran of the air force. “And at the same time, also concentrate on getting the military people out of Iraq. I don’t feel like they should have been there to start with.”
“My hope is that Barack Obama will be able to inspire a whole new generation of people who are committed to public service,” said Director of Service Learning Mary Morrison of Elon University. “[People] who can restore the next generation’s belief in government and the power of government and also in their own efficacy for addressing issues on a local level. People who believe that community service is one of the highest callings that they can have as a citizen of the United States.”
Director of Service Learning for Elon University Mary Morrison wants to hear Obama inspire Americans to perform public service.
The hope of an inspirational speech is shared by Assistant Director of Residence Life Brian Collins, but for another purpose.
“I’m hoping that he talks about improving the way America is viewed by the rest of the world and talking about how we need to come together as a community and that there is a world community and that we all play a part in that,” he said.
“What the United States does has an affect on what everyone else does and vice versa,” Collins said. “Our energy policies for example, play a big role in how we are viewed in the world and how we work with other countries.”
Some people are just excited to see the new president address the country again.
Pauli Hawkins of Burlington says she's proud of what Obama has done.
“He’s such a good man, anything he says I’ll be happy with,” said Pauli Hawkins of Burlington. “We have someone now who I can understand and who is intelligent, for the first time in a decade. He’s worth listening to.”
Walt Yates from Murphy, NC plans to attend the inaugural address.
“I’m really not concerned if he, like, covers the issues this time,” said Walt Yates, a junior teaching fellows student at Elon University. “I think more of…something that people can really latch on to as a like great speech and sort of just the start of what he’s going to do in politics.” Yates plans on attending the inaugural address with a class he’ll be taking through the Washington Center.
“I think he’s always a good speaker and very motivational,” said Chika Kusakawa, a senior from Princeton, N.J. “I wouldn’t mind hearing his Election Day speech again.”
