Hello All:
Here
are the things he has done while in office. Some Good, Some not so good.
Passing it on for your information. God Bless Love to all 
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, LIGHT WORKER
Posted
by Star
Flower on October 11, 2012 at 8:12pm in Spirituality
In General
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Discussions
This is from two years ago, but
little has changed since then except that Congress has put forth a lot more
effort to obstruct the normal workings of our government. I really don't find
it difficult to love our President. But if you do, maybe you would kindly
consider that he needs more of your love, rather than less of it.
Star Flower
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like all presidents, Barack Obama has made mistakes. But, as a presidential
historian, I have been struck by claims being put forward by Obama’s many
critics and the news media that he has accomplished little when, in fact, his
presidency is easily one of the most active in history." Robert P. Watson,
Ph. D., Professor of American Studies, Lynn University.
• The 244 ACCOMPLISHMENTS of PRESIDENT OBAMA (List complied just prior to
Thanksgiving 2010)
ETHICS
• Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of
Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal
documents (2009)
• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much
as possible (2009)
• Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (2009)
• Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure
in the administration (2009)
• Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for
lobbyists (2009)
• Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes
are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)
• Initiated the “e-Rulemaking Initiative” (in cooperation with Cornell
University) to allow for online public “notice and comment” of federal laws and
initiatives (2010)
• Issued the “Open Gov Directive” ordering all Cabinet departments to promote
transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)
• Signed extensions on banning lobbyists from serving on agency boards (2010)
• Developed the “Do Not Pay List” with data on contractors and recipients of
federal funds who are deemed to be ineligible because of fraud and abuse (2010)
GOVERNANCE
• The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus
projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our
government (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for
political reasons (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings
of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed
with the results (2009)
• Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000)
(2009)
• Has urged Congress to adopt “Pay-Go” (whereby each dollar of spending is
offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the 90s but abandoned
in the 00s) (2010)
• Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders, although they
complain of a lack of access and information (2010)
• Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (2010) * Note: To
curb wasteful spending
• Tasked federal agencies to develop plans for disposing of unneeded real
estate and then to eliminate unnecessary or non-economical lands, properties,
etc. (2010)
NATIONAL SECURITY
• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn’t even used in
Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
• Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay
(2009) * Note: The closure has been delayed due to massive opposition but it
remains on the agenda.
• Stated his interest in housing terrorists at a new federal “super max”
facility in the US (2009) * Note: this has been delayed in the face of massive
opposition but it remains on the agenda
• Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in
2010 (2009)
• Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the
Czech Republic (2009)
• Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller
systems (2009)
• Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
• Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber-security czar
(2009)
• Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
• Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence
policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(2010) * Note: Components of the policy include: a pledge to stop nuclear
testing; a pledge to not build a new generation of nukes; identifying nuclear
terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major
threat; a pledge to not use nukes on a non-nuclear state in a conventional
conflict; etc.
• Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc… of individuals
and organizations supporting the regimes of North Korea, Iran, Somali pirates,
and other foreign threats (2010)
• Presidential Memoranda to extend certain provisions of The Trading with
Enemies Act which was to expire in September 2010 (2010) * Note: This includes
freezing assets and banning trade that benefits the Cuban regime; however
further efforts at normalizing travel to Cuba are supported
• Signed bill for southwest border security and increased funds and agents on
the Mexican border (2010)
• Signed the Comprehensive Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act to deal
with foreign regimes like Iran and North Korea (2010)
IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN
• Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the
withdrawal (2010)
• Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
• Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy
includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces,
developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
• Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US Marine units
and Special Forces in Afghanistan (2009)
• Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in
Afghanistan (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan
longer than their enlistment date (2009)
MILITARY & VETERANS
• Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they
wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of
fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story
pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen
soldier’s family
• Ended the Bush-era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties
(2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War
on Terror
• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers
were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our
soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs
• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected
military hospitals be improved (2009)
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a
post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his
intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new
procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new
technologies; creating new cyber security units; etc.
• Ended the Bush-era practice of awarding “no-bid” defense contracts (2009)
• Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems,
etc. (2009)
• Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans
(2009)
• Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters
from suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
• Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in
the military (2010)
• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)
• Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq
and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training,
funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for
women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse;
readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.
• Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)
• Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by
August 31, 2010 (2010)
• Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small
businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract
opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs,
etc.
• Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of
immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and
security personnel) (2010)
FOREIGN POLICY
• Closed the Bush-era “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy allowing “enhanced interrogation” (torture); the US
is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009) * Note: Obama
has permitted some controversial interrogation techniques to continue
• Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks and reestablished
international nuclear inspection protocols (2009) * Note: Bush withdrew from
non-proliferation talks and dismantled the inspection infrastructure
• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009) * Note:
These were suspended under Bush
• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
(2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in
his first six months in office (2009)
• Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
• Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping
captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
• Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning;
overturned the ban on providing funds internationally for family planning
(2009) * Note: The family planning efforts were suspended under Bush
• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to
visit families (2009)
• Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran
through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
• Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in
multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
• Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former
president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
(2009)
• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to
secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
• Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
• Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled
date) in order to accommodate Israeli’s economic and financial needs (2009)
• Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc.
(2009)
• Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab
leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
• Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
• Attended the Summit of America’s meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
• Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)
• Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia (2010) * Note: The agreement
calls for both countries to reduce their nukes by one-third (1,500) and launch
systems by half (800)
• Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)
• Executive Order to establish support offices in the State Department to
assist the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010)
• Presidential Memoranda to continue drug interdiction support with Columbia
(2010)
ECONOMY
• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) (2009) *
Note: Bush was the first president since Herbert Hoover to not make
infrastructure a priority
• Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages
(2009)
• Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees
(2009)
• Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax
cuts for working-class families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3
to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of
losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls
• Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing
insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having
trouble paying (2009)
• Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans
initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to
buy “toxic assets” from failing financial institutions (2009)
• Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and
removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
• Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for
creating jobs (2009)
• Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note:
In place of the old policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the
industry’s predatory practices were banned
• Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small
businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
• Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes
after China was found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009) *
Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all refused to “get tough” on China’s predatory
trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his presidency
• In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million
workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
• Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
• Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance
notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)
• Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)
• Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate
and end abusive practices and promote consumer protections
• Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The
bill includes: tax cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at
least two months; small businesses can write off their investments in equipment
this year; etc.
• National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical
assistance, training, trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US
businesses export products and services (2010)
• Initiatives to promote a “Wireless Broadband Revolution” (2010) * Note: Among
other things, broadband is finally being considered as necessary
infrastructure, with efforts to expand use, access, and spectrum…
• Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)
• Signed bill - US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)
• Signed bill - Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)
TAXES
• Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access
to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who
outsource American jobs (2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing
investments to brings jobs back to the US
• Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax
cuts for 95% of “working families” (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big
as was suggested during the 2008 campaign
• Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code
(2009)
• Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business
tax evaders) (2009)
• Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery
(2009)
• Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
• Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
• Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
• Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
(2010) * Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would
return their tax rates to the 1990’s level
BUDGETING
• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations
for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and
practices (2009)
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal
government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
• Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in
the federal budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an
effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller; such “off budget”
items are now included in the annual budget
• Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) *
Note: Bush did not list many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and
War on Terror
• Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in
2011 (2010)
• Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either
wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
• Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by
House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals
to balance the budget (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the
powers of the commission were watered down
• Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked
with submitting proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) *
Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were
watered down
• Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much
every year (2010)
• Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and
stick with marine One (2010)
• Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national
security (2010)
• Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for
federal political appointees (2010)
• Beginning to use “Pay-As-You-Go” (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with
budget cuts or revenue enhancements (2010)
HEALTHCARE
• Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
(2009)
• Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the
costs of Medicare (2009)
• Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from
negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to
again competitively bid (2009) * Note: Obama had promised to lift all
restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies for them to lower
their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions
• Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)
• Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
• Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
• Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines
(2009)
• Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill;
held dozens of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
• Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and
Public Health to be chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting
healthy lifestyles and integrative healthcare (2010)
• When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to
reaffirm that federal funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)
• Historic healthcare reform bill signed - $940 billion over 10 years (2010) *
Note: 32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and
costs will be lowered for most Americans, but many of the goals are phased in
over four years
Components of the bill
- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family
members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being
developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the
full reforms go into effect in 2014
- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
- Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals
keep their policies current or if they become ill
- An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
- Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage
(under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but
individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now
Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay
only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs
incurred within the “donut hole”
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare
under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making
up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify
for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all
large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or
pay a fine
- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
- There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
- Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or
appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance
companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and
approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health
insurance exchanges
Funding sources:
- Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be
charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees
instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker
receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance
companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a
maximum of $695/person)
- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals
making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan
(so-called “Cadillac” plans) they offer
Miscellaneous:
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
- By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased
expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
• Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel
efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)
• Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act (2009)
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the
federal government (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide
emissions (2009)
• Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of
their energy from renewable sources (2009)
• Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed
effort to clean up “Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable
sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s
energy reform was killed by Senate Republicans
• Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
• Cancelled several Bush-era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
• Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic
(2009)
* Note: Bush had withdrawn from such efforts
• Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009) * Note:
The Congress failed to pass such a bill
• Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy
production (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks
such as the Grand Canyon (2009)
• Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
• Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of
acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
• Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save
energy costs (2009) * Note: These green retrofits are moving very slowly
• Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support
large-scale solar installations (2009)
• Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated
an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising
funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
• Banned importation of pythons in response to a growing population of pythons
damaging the Florida Everglades (2009)
• Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of
renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
• Executive orders establishing a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in all federal operations (2009) (2010)
• Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in
the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
• Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a
study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010) * Note:
Nearly all energy initiatives were defeated by Republican opposition in
Congress
• Increased investment in clean energy projects (2010)
• Executive Order to develop a new strategy for and commitment to ocean and
lake resources, and for scientific research on water quality (2010)
RIGHTS
• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
• Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)
• Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
• Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights
organization (2009)
• Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes
acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
• Reversed the Bush-era practice of politicizing Justice Department
investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
• Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009)
* Note: The process has moved at a snail’s pace and, in the face of opposition,
Obama has remained quiet
• Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide
federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)
• Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
• Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed
a “freeze” on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military
(2009)
• After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again
enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)
• Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives
from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
• Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for
the Indian Health Service (2009)
• Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work
with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
• Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
(2010)
• Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in
terms of benefits (2010)
• Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
• Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
• Signed Executive Order to promote the federal government as a “model
employer” when it comes to hiring the disabled (2010) * Note: This includes new
efforts to increase the recruitment, hiring, and training for the disabled
• Programs to assist Spanish speakers with the US Census (2010)
• Elena Kagen appointed to Supreme Court (2010)
• Tasked all federal agencies to develop new strategies to address HIV/AIDS
(2010)
• After organizing studies on the topic in 2009, tasked the Pentagon to
eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
• Signed Fair Sentencing Act (2010) * Note: The Administration continues to
deescalate marijuana interdiction and raids; increased dramatically the amount
of cocaine one must possess to be sentenced to jail; eliminated mandatory
sentencing for first-time drug abusers and simple possession
EDUCATION
• Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in
K-12 public schools (2009)
• Increased funding for school construction (2009)
• Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
• Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
• Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the
next 10 years (2009)
• Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments
to refinance their loans (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009) * Note: Much
of Obama’s education reform has been sidelined by opposition in Congress
• Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states
who develop innovative policies (2009)
• Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to
petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than
the previous year’s finances (2009)
• Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236
million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs
(2009)
• Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as
percentage of their income) (2010)
• Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in
community and public service jobs (2010)
• The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost
of private banks (“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a
profit (2010)
• Increased investment in technologies for schools/education (2010)
DISASTER RESPONSE
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
• FEMA once again reports directly to the president (2009) * Note: Bush removed
FEMA (prior to the Hurricane Katrina disaster) from this status
• Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North
Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)
• Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing
Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
• Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake
and ensuing humanitarian crisis (2010)
Components of the response:
- The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible
fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief
- Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
- Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
- Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person
finder” online to help families and friends to locate loved ones
- Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
- Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and
police forces in Haiti
- Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9
naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and
12,000 US military personnel
- Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid
and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of
Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support
- Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport
in Port-au-Prince
• After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a freeze was
placed on new deep water projects (2010)
• Executive Order to establish new security measures to minimize accidental
release of bio and chemical agents; new strategies for public health and
bioterrorism response (2010)
• Established a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill to
examine facts and report a plan of action; new efforts to prevent offshore
spills (2010)
• After a slow start in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the
White House is promoting a long-term plan to reconstruct the damaged Gulf and
negotiated with BP the establishment of a multi-billion dollar trust fund for
victims of the spill (2010)
• Extended national flood insurance program for those in need during current
economic crisis (2010)
OTHER INITIATIVES
• New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
(2009)
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
• Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
• Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
• Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to
sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)
• Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (2009) * Note: Bush removed the
EPA from this status
• Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform
(2010)
* Note: Much of Obama’s immigration reform had been stalled by opposition
in Congress
• Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction
for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and
jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011
(2010)
• Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers
(2010)
• Signed bill – FAA Air Transportaiton Modernizatin and Safety Improvement Act
(2010)
P.S. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…
• The Obamas paid for the renovations of the private living quarters in the
White House with their own money rather than using the funds provided to all
new first families (2009)
• The Obamas reused many Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees
rather than buy new ones (2009)
• The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; he donated the award money for the prize to
several charities (2009)
• Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
• Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of
White House employees at own expense (2009)
• Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first
year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not available on such
things, but this seems to be a new record high
• Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official
numbers are not readily available on such things, but this seems to be a new
record low
...And A FAMILY MAN !
B4B NOTE: Special Thanks to Robert P. Watson, Ph. D., Professor of American
Studies, Lynn University who compiled this list and writes "
Tags:
Barack,
Obama,
light,
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