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As Barack Obama marks one year since he was elected US president, we ask Republican and Democratic voters from across the US to reflect on his performance.
Antoine Delaforterie
Car designer | Republican
Going further to the left by nationalising health care isn't going to get him re-elected
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Age: 48
Lives: Troy, Michigan
Occupation: Automotive designer
Last election voted:
Republican
In 10 words or fewer: Political misanthrope wishes humanity the best but tempered by reality
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"Almost a year on and Obama's coalition is unravelling. With each speech, he reinforces my sense that I am being talked down to. Although eloquent, he comes across as somewhat sanctimonious and snobbish. The protesters who have been showing up at city halls aren't radicals, just common people who have suffered economic setbacks. They see that with every speech Obama promises to spend more. In fact, the administration is planning a whole new level of taxation and regulation in the name of the environment. As a further irritant his economic policy of printing more money threatens to unleash inflation and wipe out our remaining savings. With the economy recovering maybe now is the time to stop spending and let the private sector take over. Obama may have received the peace prize for our new foreign policy - but that policy now seems to consist of vigorous hand-wringing and little action. We've replaced support for democracies with backing for the likes of Chavez and a reluctance to reinforce Afghanistan. The indiscriminate Taliban bombings have actually helped us by getting the Pakistani army to act. But Obama must provide the hammer to the Pakistani anvil. If he's not careful he'll lose Congress at the mid-term elections. Going further to the left by nationalising healthcare isn't going to get him re-elected. To avoid this fate he should fast-track the building of nuclear plants and work with Republicans on market-driven health solutions. Each would do more to create jobs and save the environment than taxing and regulating consumers to penury."
You can add your comments and questions on Antoine's views using the form below:
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The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider US public opinion.
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