US voters' views: Andrea Economos

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.

Andrea Economos Full-time mother | Republican

I think President Obama seriously misjudged Americans, who have a strong bias toward freedom and choice.

Age: 52 Lives: New York Occupation: Full-time mother Last election voted: Republican In 10 words or fewer: Friendly, generous, fun-loving, disciplined, inquisitive and persistent US voters' views: main page

"For me, the most striking thing about Obama's first year has been the gap between his promises and what he's delivered.

At first few people held him to account for his promises because of the dire economic situation with which he was faced.

They were willing to overlook the lack of bipartisanship, line-by-line budget reviews and transparency, all things he had promised, because of the urgency of his actions. He was trying to save our financial system, and people wanted to believe in him.

It was really not until the healthcare reform bills were being drafted, and details became public, that his promises came under scrutiny.

On many occasions his health pledges weren't consistent with the contents of the bills.

He referred to "my bill" when, of course, he had no such bill. He insisted illegal immigrants wouldn't receive services even after the citizenship verification steps had been eliminated from the bill, hence the "You lie!" outburst by congressman Joe Wilson.

He promised to reduce costs, in contradiction of research showing otherwise, and without reducing services. Savvy American consumers know to beware of promises like that.

I really began to question his understanding of market forces when he insisted a government option would provide greater competition.

I think President Obama seriously misjudged Americans, who have a strong bias toward freedom and choice in their decision-making.

In the end, Democrats are proposing cutting payments to healthcare providers, which does little to address rising healthcare costs, beyond refusing to pay for them. That's hardly 'reform'."

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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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