What President Obama Has Done

There’s been a lot of talk about President Obama’s accomplishments — or lack thereof. Some politicians have referred to him as “the worst president in American history.” And then they’re those newscasters and such who refuse to give him the well-deserved title of “president.” They’ll call him “Barack” or “Obama” but I guess they’d choke if they put President in front of his name.

I even had a conversation recently with a facebook friend who criticized him for saving the auto industry! Perhaps, if this gentleman had to feed his family with an auto indutry salary, he’d feel differently. So I decided to post President Obama’s accomplishments. I won’t change everybody’s mind, and I know I’m going to piss some people off. But I’m the messenger of truth today– dropping that science.
The link to this info and more are listed here: http://www.2012obama2012.com/President_Obama_s_Accomp.html and on my blogroll.

http://newsontheline.blogs.com/blogapalypsecom/This list is NOT exhaustive.

President Obama’s first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama’s critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

President Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.

•Passing the “largest” economic stimulus bill in American history.
•Ordering the closing of Guantanamo Bay military detention facility and abolishing “enhanced interrogation techniques.”
•Setting a fixed timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq.
•Ordering 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan and enlisting, with modest new assistance, European allies in a new multi-layered strategy there and in Pakistan.
•”Returning science to its rightful place” by lifting the Bush restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research.
•Signing laws to expand children’s health insurance (financed by a 61-cent per pack increase in the federal cigarette tax the adviser did not tout).
•Signing a law meant to improve the ability of women who allege pay discrimination to sue their employer.
•Diminishing the role of lobbyists in the White House.
•”Forge a meaningful statement from the United Nations” criticizing North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile.
•Lifting travel and remittance restrictions for Cuban Americans who seek to travel more frequently to the island and send more US currency to their immediate family.
•Appointed the first Latina to the US Supreme Court.
•Engaging world leaders in Europe, Turkey, Latin American and the Caribbean with “strength and humility.”

Plenty more accomplishments to consider:
•Within one year, pulled the US economy out of its nose dive, revived credit markets & nudged the economy towards growth of 2.2% in final quarter.
•Also within one year, halted the devastating rate of monthly job losses he inherited, from an average 700,000 monthly in the first quarter of 2009, to 35,000 in first quarter 2010 – a major achievement the last administration was not capable of doing
•Passed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 in February – has played a key role in turnaround of economy over the last 3 quarters http://www.recovery.org
◦Stopped decline & grew GDP – from a -6.4% drop in 1st Qtr 2009, to -0.7 rate in 2nd Qtr and +2.2% growth in 3rd Qtr
◦Further 2010 growth in GDP is estimated at 4.4% by year end
◦$90 billion invested in clean energy economy of the future – jobs, lower dependence on foreign oil, enhance national security, clean environment
◦$10.5 billion investment in modernization of national electric grid
◦$18 billion for upgrades & modernization of public transport systems, including new high speed rail
◦$23 billion investment incentives to small businesses
◦Over $1billion in job training grants for jobs in new clean energy sectors
◦Tax credits to stimulate development of clean energy manufacturing – wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, batteries, etc
◦Distributed education grants to US states, to keep teachers in schools
◦$1 billion investment in advancing use of cutting edge Health IT – By 2014, HIT will be made available to 100,000 hospitals & physicians & thousands of people trained for careers in HIT & health care, from nurses and pharmacy techs to IT technicians and trainers.
◦$650 million for Communities Putting Prevention to Work, public health program to address obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking.
◦Subsidized extended COBRA benefits for unemployed
◦NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED “YES” FOR THIS IMPORTANT BILL, NOW CREDITED AS SAVING US ECONOMY FROM DISASTER, BY SEVERAL INDEPENDENT NON-PARTISAN GROUPS

•Passed the largest middle-class tax cut in history – $288 billion
•Saved, or created around 2,000,000 US jobs
•Cash for Clunkers Program: ◦690.114 new cars sold
◦Dept of Transportation claims 52,000 jobs were saved

•Guided GM & Chrysler through bankruptcy
•Passed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
•Passed the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009
•Passed the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights Act of 2009
•Passed Ryan White CARE Act of 2009 – repealed HIV entry ban
•Approved California’s adoption of car emission standards for cleaner air & climate control – had been blocked by President Bush for 6 years
•Launched the White House Food Safety Working Group – initiative to modernize the US food safety systems & better protect Americans http://www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.com
•Lived up to campaign promise & helped file the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009, which ◦Repeal tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas & replace with incentives to create jobs in USA
◦Crack down on US citizens & companies using offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes -22,000 parties identified & $210 billion in back taxes and penalties to be collected over next 10 years
◦Collected $780 million fine from UBS for offshore banking violation

•President Obama has cracked down on high level of financial losses from across-the-board fraud & abuse of Medicare (estimated $600 billion lost over last decade from inattention to Medicare fraud)
◦January 2010 National Summit on Health Care Fraud
◦New inter-agency Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) introduced – http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov
◦5 new Strike Force Teams added in 5 new cities – 13 more to be added in 2011 (Strike Force teams have collected $250 million in restitutions, fines & penalties since 2008)
◦Expanded Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) Program – $13.1 billion has been returned to Medicare
◦7 new Obama initiatives, starting in 2010/2011 will generate a further $15 billion in savings for Medicare over next 10 years
◦Successful completion of largest pharmaceutical fraud case awards Medicare $2.5 billion from Pfizer
◦January 2010 launch of nation’s first Health Security Strategy – comprehensive strategy to protect Americans’ health during a national emergency

President Obama is a US Citizen…Spread the Word!

Hi everyone!

People who are determined to keep us divided start these rumors about Barack’s birth certificate to manipulate us into thinking he is not an American citizen. The fact is Barack Obama was born in the state of Hawaii in 1961, a native citizen of the United States of America.

Learn the facts and see the birth certificate for yourself:

http://my.barackobama.com/birthcertificate

Together we can make sure these negative and divisive attacks don’t affect this election. Smears claiming Barack Obama doesn’t have a birth certificate aren’t actually about that piece of paper — they’re about manipulating people into thinking Barack is not an American citizen.

The truth is, Barack Obama was born in the state of Hawaii in 1961, a native citizen of the United States of America. Next time someone talks about Barack’s birth certificate, make sure they see this page.

http://fightthesmears.com/articles/5/birthcertificate

Thanks for your help.

The Obama Paradox

Let’s Claim This Victory!!

Jeffers —

I’m writing to you on a great day for America.

This morning, I gathered with members of Congress, my administration, and hardworking volunteers from every part of the country to sign comprehensive health care reform into law. Thanks to the immeasurable efforts of so many, the dream of reform is now a reality.

The bill I just signed puts Americans in charge of our own health care by enacting three key changes:

It establishes the toughest patient protections in history.

It guarantees all Americans affordable health insurance options, extending coverage to 32 million who are currently uninsured.

And it reduces the cost of care — cutting over 1 trillion dollars from the federal deficit over the next two decades.

To ensure a successful, stable transition, many of these changes will phase into full effect over the next several years.

But for millions of Americans, many of the benefits of reform will begin this year — some even taking effect this afternoon. Here are just a few examples:

Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.

Seniors will receive a rebate to reduce drug costs not yet covered under Medicare.

Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents’ plan until the age of 26.

Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.

Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.

Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.

Insured Americans will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.

All Americans will benefit from significant new investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, and the creation of state-level consumer assistance programs to help all patients understand and defend our new rights.

As I’ve said many times, and as I know to be true, this astounding victory could not have been achieved without your tireless efforts.

So as we celebrate this great day, I want to invite you to add your name where it belongs: alongside mine as a co-signer of this historic legislation. Organizing for America will record the names of co-signers as a permanent commemoration of those who came together to make this moment possible — all of you who refused to give up until the dream of many generations for affordable, quality care for all Americans was finally fulfilled.

So, if you haven’t yet, please add your name as a proud health care reform co-signer today:

http://my.barackobama.com/cosigner

Please accept my thanks for your voice, for your courage, and for your indispensable partnership in the great work of creating change.

History, and I, are in your debt.

President Barack Obama

GOP Hypocrisy

President Obama Keeps on Keepin On

Valjeanne —

I just finished delivering my first State of the Union, and I wanted to send you a quick note.

We face big and difficult challenges. Change on the scale we seek does not come easily. But I will never accept second place for the United States of America.

That is why I called for a robust jobs bill without delay. It’s why I proposed a small businesses tax credit, new investments in infrastructure, and pushed for climate legislation to create a clean energy economy.

It’s why we’re taking on big banks, reforming Wall Street, revitalizing our education system, increasing transparency — and finishing the job on health insurance reform.

It’s why I need your help — because I am determined to fight to defend the middle class, and special interest lobbyists will go all out to fight us.

Help me show that the American people are ready to join this fight for the middle class — add your name to a letter to Congress today:

http://my.barackobama.com/SOTU

We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But we don’t quit. I don’t quit.

Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.

President Barack Obama

My Voting Story is in Essence!!

OK it’s not really a story — more like a blurb -:) And it’s beside I’m sure countless others. But my feelings on the night Brother President was elected were (and are) heartfelt and I’m so proud!!

The Obamas: Portrait of America’s New First Family: From the Editors of Essence
at http://www.amazon.com

P.S. I sure wish Brother President would pick up a copy of Immortal — he likes Harry Potter 🙂

The Ugly Side of Anti-Healthcare

It’s getting ugly out there.

All across the country, right-wing extremists are disrupting congressional town-hall meetings with venomous attacks on President Obama’s plans for health care and clean energy.

Last night in Tampa, Florida, a town hall meeting erupted into violence, with the police being called to break up fist fights and shoving matches.1
A Texas Democrat was shouted down by right-wing hecklers, many of whom admitted they didn’t even live in his district.2
One North Carolina representative announced he wouldn’t be holding any town-hall meetings after his office began receiving death threats.3
And in Maryland, protesters hung a Democratic congressman in effigy to oppose health-care reform.4

Do your thang Brother President!

Fight For Our Healthcare!!

Dear Friends,

President Obama is trying to reform our broken health care system, which has left more than 45 million Americans uninsured[1] and millions more with insurance that won’t provide the treatment they need.[2]

Some in Congress are with Obama. But the insurance industry, with help from Republicans[3] and so-called centrist Democrats,[4] is leading the charge to kill a key part of his plan — a government-run insurance plan that would increase the number of Americans covered, called the “public option.” Industry groups are spending millions — $35 million in lobbying costs alone[5] — to convince people that they won’t be able to choose their doctor, that government will be making their medical decisions, that they’d be forced to take the government’s plan, and that the plan is part of some socialist plot — all lies. In reality, the insurance industry is trying to protect its enormous profits on the backs of everyday people.

For Black folks, the stakes couldn’t be higher: we are twice as likely as Whites to be uninsured, we have more than double the rate of infant mortality, we face more than twice the rate of diabetes-related deaths than Whites — and the list goes on.[6]

While the fight rages in Washington, our voices are simply not at the table. That’s why I’ve joined ColorOfChange.org in telling Congress that every person in this country should have equal access to affordable health care, regardless of race, income, or any other factor. Will you join me? It only takes a moment:

http://www.colorofchange.org/health/?id=2822-580602

Americans understand the idea of the public option and overwhelmingly support it — three out of four people want the federal government to offer insurance coverage.[7,8] But powerful lobbying groups like America’s Health Insurance Plans, Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America, and the American Medical Association — representing the insurance industry, the drug industry, and doctors — are doing everything in their power to maintain the status quo.[9]

Several organizations have pushed back, including MoveOn.org — a key partner of ours in this fight — but it will take all of us standing up if we want to win.

A public option makes sense for the country as a whole, and it makes particularly good sense for Black folks. Many of us make too much to qualify for Medicaid but either aren’t eligible for or aren’t adequately covered by private, employer-based plans. Overall, 21% of Blacks are uninsured, compared to 12% of Whites.[10]

We need a public insurance option, but that’s not the only thing we should be fighting for. We need to push for equity in all aspects of our approach to health care. Every community deserves quality medical treatment, research and resources. That’s not what we’re getting now, and the numbers prove it:

* 22% of Black women say cost keeps them away from the doctor’s office, compared to 15% of White women [11]

* Black women have the highest rates of new AIDS cases, cancer mortality, obesity and low-weight infants of any ethnic or racial group [12]

* There are 13.6 Black infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.7 White infant deaths per 1,000 live births [13]

* There are 47 Black deaths from diabetes-related illness per 100,000 people, compared to 22.5 White deaths per 100,000 people [14]

* There are 60.1 new AIDS cases per 100,000 people among Blacks, compared to 6.7 new cases per 100,000 people among Whites [15]

Our opportunity to address the disparities that keep too many of us from enjoying long, healthy lives is now.

Please join me in telling our lawmakers that the first step toward improving our health care system is including a public plan that makes good health something everyone can afford:
http://www.colorofchange.org/health/?id=2822-580602

Thanks.