Like many other American’s at this point, I am feeling the burn of a slow moving economy. I find myself wondering if the Democrats and Republican’s will come to an agreement on the budget before we sail off of the “fiscal cliff” to our dooms. Since I was one of the many people who was negatively affected by the crash of the housing market, I am looking back longingly on the Clinton era. Aside from the fact that I thought Bill Clinton had one of the sexiest smiles imaginable, there were a couple of reasons that I think he was a great president.
During the presidency of William Jefferson Clinton, the nation and I seemed to prosper. The former president led the United States during a time of more peace and economic growth than any other time in the country’s history. Home ownership grew, and I became one of the many Americans to purchase their first home. I was a part of the growing middle class, and at this time, the American dream seemed obtainable.
Clinton was elected to the presidency in 1992. He was the third youngest president in United States. During his presidency, Bill Clinton created one of the strongest economies in history. He moved the country from a record deficit to a surplus. When Bill Clinton took office in 1992, the United States deficit was over $200 billion dollars. But, by the end of his eight years, the country had a surplus. What did this surplus mean to me and other American’s? It meant lower interest rates on home mortgages and other loans.
Former president William Clinton also increased minimum wage. Although the increase in minimum wage did not affect me personally, I feel that it did help to stimulate the economy. People were spending more money, and the United States seemed to be flourishing.
Former president Clinton helped to create a newer and fresher Democratic Party. It retained the values of the old Democratic Party. It remained committed to helping minorities, women, and the economically disadvantaged, but its new focus was strengthening the middle class. As a woman, minority, and a part of the middle class, the ideas and beliefs of former president William Clinton were similar to my own.
Why can former president William Jefferson Clinton be considered the people’s president? Because during his presidency America experience a time peace and prosperous. I remember those days fondly.
