It was one year ago today that change came to America with the election of our nation’s first black president. Over the past year, the mortgage crisis and unemployment rate has leveled entire communities, creating ghost blocks and neighborhoods throughout America. Soldiers have been sent to war only to return home in body bags. The health care debate has become a forum for racist and classist remarks. There’s no denying this has been a difficult year for all Americans. But how much of it can be laid on the doorstep of the White House? Has he picked the right battles? Are there issues you would like to see more movement on? And how has that inaction affected you personally?

Panel:
Charlie Wheelan-Senior lecturer of public policy at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy; currently on leave this year teaching at Dartmouth College.

Esther Cepeda-Columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and author of the blog 600 Words

Chris Dudley-Republican Political Strategist

Michael Hawthorne-Environment reporter at Chicago Tribune

Music Button: Sabertooth, “Blues for C Piff”, from the CD Dr. Midnight Live at the Green Mill, (Delmark)