Natalie Klingsporn

Period 1
December 20, 2015
President Barack Obama
President has shown political courage throughout his last 7 years in office despite the
pressure to be reelected in 2012 and the pressure to be liked. He has shown courage in
immigration reform, deals with cuba, health care reform, and in foreign policy. The president has
faced a republican congress for the majority of his time in office which has forced him to stand
against his political colleagues to promote change and improve America (Project Vote Smart).
In 2013 Obama created an executive order to deal with the changing tides of
immigration. He had been pushing for legislation to change immigration but after he felt that not
enough had been done in response to his requests, he decided to take action (Dann, Carrie).
The president incorporated three core elements in his executive actions: eliminating illegal
immigration, change deportation, and additional background checks. the goal of this reform was
to speed up the legal immigration system and help the American economy with new
citizens(Immigration). For President Obamas executive order he faced much criticism for his
actions. This showed his courage and willingness to propose change despite the dislike he
knew he would face.
The Affordable Care Act has caused controversy since its inception. Multiple other
counties provide comprehensive healthcare for all citizens,but America had a unique, individual
system where individuals had for figure out health care forthemselvs. Some employers would
provide health care, but others, such as small businesses, did not have the means. Now more
people have the opportunity to afford health care plans. This act has made health care easier
and more affordable for everyone (Morris, Davis). Obama not only face criticism from republican
opponents but also from fellow democrats. Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts said
that the entire democratic party would suffer because of the change created by President
Obama. He showed great political courage by going against his own party, standing against
political colleagues, and laying the foundations of the act in his first term, possibly risking
reelection.
In his time as president, Obama has challenged long held foreign policy regarding Cuba
and Iran. Obama opened the cuban embassy after nearly 50 years tension (Carruthers,
Wanda). Many critics accused obama because he allied himself with the questionable
leadership of the country. Then, Obama created a deal with iran to keep the country from getting
control of nuclear weapons. During the republican debate, many candidates referenced the deal

and how wasteful they thought the money spent was. they also made fun of his previous deals
and implied that he ruined America. Obama Displayed courage by sticking to his principles even
though he knew from the beginning that his decisions would be criticized by his political
opponents.
In December, Paris hosted a climate change summit, which President obama attended
and spoke at. Recently the President has released some executive actions to combat the
increasing climate change. He plans to cut carbon emissions and the impact of America on the
continually changing global climate. For years, the president has been battling big business to
increase renewable energy sources and to limit our dependency on foreign oils. Big business
has fought him every step of the way. For example, the coal industry employs a large number of
americans that might not be able to get jobs in other industries. Also, oil companies and car
makers do not profit as much from alternate energy sources as they do from oil sales. These
industries have stood in the presidents path, slowing him down in his attempt to lead the world
in climate awareness. The executive orders make progress by improving fuel efficiency
standards, increase renewable energy, and lower carbon pollution. With these executive
actions, American has taken a leadership role in starting the conversation in other countries
about climate change and what they can do for it (Climate change). Obama has shown great
political courage by opposing the large corporations and preserving in his determination to
improve the world for the generations to come.
In conclusion, President Obamas has had to face much opposition in the his presidency,
but he has maintained his principles and showed incredible courage throughout his presidency
in a variety of areas. All of his situations have affected America on a national level but some
have gone as far as a global level. (Featherman, John) President Obama is a role model in
political courage, particularly in the second term of his presidency, rejecting the idea of being a
lame duck president.

Works Cited
Carruthers, Wanda. "Jimmy Carter: Obama Showed 'Political Courage' in Cuba Deal."
Newsmax. America's Newspage, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/cuba-normalization-diplomacyembargo/2014/12/18/id/613790/>.
Dann, Carrie. "Obama Calls for 'political Courage' on Immigration Reform." NBC News.
NBC News, 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
<http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/25/17457059-obama-calls-for-political-courageon-immigration-reform?lite>.
Featherman, John. "Obama's Profile in Courage." Philly.com. Philadelphia Media
Network, 2015. Web. 20 Dec. 2015. <http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/U-TURN/ObamasProfile-in-Courage.html>.
"Immigration." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/immigration>.
Morris, David. "Health Care Showdown Shows Obama's Political Courage." Health Care
Showdown Shows Obama's Political Courage. On the Commons, 4 May 2012. Web. 20 Dec.
2015. <http://www.onthecommons.org/magazine/health-care-showdown-shows-obamaspolitical-courage>.
"President Obama's Plan to Fight Climate Change." The White House. The White
House, 25 June 2013. Web. 21 Dec. 2015. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-actionplan>.
"The Voter's Self Defense System." Project Vote Smart. One Common Ground, 2015.
Web. 20 Dec. 2015. <http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/9490/barack-obamaii/#.Vndm7I-cGhc>.