Thanks to Greg Jones for this wonderful list. To be used (or distributed) to your Republican friends during heated debate. Now I just need a power point presentation!
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)
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)
• Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels and boards (2009) * Note: After saying he would not hire lobbyists, a few have been hired in the Administration
• 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 “Don 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 nucs; identifying nuclear terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major threat; a pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state in a conventional conflict; etc.
• Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc… of individuals and organizations support 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 nucs 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)
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; 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 (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
Stephen, this is a great summary, but you should have done it in several blogs instead on one. There’s too much to digest in one reading and people probably won’t read it all. This man included. But I would read it when dosed out a little at at time.
Especially since these were started by bush as he was leaving office and finished by mr. B. o
I literally stumbled across this blog by accident, from tracking a Republican post to find others like minded as myself, to see if there are people who challenge every half-truth or outright lie told about the Obama administration. I read the entire posting and agree you’ve done a good job. Frankly its only part of the work he’s accomplished with a congress that’s been unwilling to work cooperatively and that is a true shame. I’ve corrected emails with facts and true numbers with Romney supporters, they’ve deleted the posts that are debunked ONLY to send equally untrue and even outdated. I’m offended that my vote is being challenged by some as a ‘waste’ because I don’t think their way.
As for those who are benefiting from stimulus funds they are my friends/neighbors here in Texas with highway improvement projects, but they won’t step forward since the projects are far from completion and Gov. Perry’s claims he didn’t take any……well just because he denies it, the record says otherwise.
WHERE ARE THE AMERICANS THAT BENEFITED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA STIMULUS PACKAGE
I call them gutless and arrogant! Where are the people that benefited from President Obama’s 789 billion dollar stimulus package? Daily we hear Republicans and the American news demonize President Obama’s stimulus package. They say it was totally worthless. Yet millions of jobs were save 90% of Americans got a tax cut! Many teachers firefighters and police officers jobs were save! The automobile industry was save and much of that money has been return to the government.
What is upsetting is that Democrats that voted for the stimulus package in 2010 midterm ran not naming the benefits of the stimulus. Matter of fact they ran away from the stimulus package! It is clear had it not been a 789 billion stimulus package. America would had face a worse recession or worse a depression! In the new is the “debt ceiling” and “unemployment! The Republican President G.W. Bush is responsible for 10.5 trillion dollars of America’s debt. Twenty two million jobs lost under Bush . Many oversea never to return.
After President Obama took officer he was obligated to pay for two wars and a prescription plan for senior citizen. All not paid for under the Bush administration. So another 2.5 trillion dollars had to be laid out to cover the bills left by the Bush administration.
So in reality President Obama has spent 2.5 trillion to stabilize the country and restore America to greatest! Unemployment is also under attack blame is wrongly place on President Obama. The facts are under Obama jobs growth in the private sector has grown. Government jobs are on the decline mostly because of Republican Governors massive layoff of teacher police officer and firefighter and state worker.
Politician forever have mismanage taxpayer money. That is directly link to today problem. So when President Obama’s stimulus package was directed to the American people. I was surprise that the benefactors were not speaking in behalf of President Obama and the stimulus package they benefited from! So were are the Americans that benefited from President Obama stimulus package.
The people that benefited the most from President Obama’s Presidency. Are people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Mike Huckbee. All have double and triple their income spreading lies and hate and dividing the country. Writing books TV show have made them celebrity! Attacking and demonizing President Obama have made them more famous
Thank you Tyrone,
Honestly Perfect!!!
Remember Obama going to the Nato meeting on energy Conservation and using a Diesel powered limo that got 10 Mpg. If Obama had Just half a brain cell, What he SHOULD have done was offer free scholar ships for people want to become surgens, Dr’s and nurses While building the infrastructure, thusly putting Construction workers back to work. What about the $105 Billion hidden inside of the health care bill that was not pointed towards anything. What about Mr. B.Os campaign being funded by B.P and then the Deep Sea horizon oil rig distaster that Mr. B.O tried to hide and Bush cited 6 times. Many of these things listed were already in place by Bush before he left office. Mr. B.O just kind of claimed them. What about when Michelle Obama said she hated America till her husband started to win. What about Obama electing a senator that is all out for outsourcing our jobs. The list goes on….
You need to quit listening to Rush et al and find out the real facts. Much of what you say has been put out by the conservative media which distorts the truth by speaking in half truths. Bush was responsible for the financial crisis because he didn’t provide oversight over the people in his administration. We were in a deep recession starting in 2007 and Obama didn’t become President until January of 2009. Get your head out of the sand.
A doctor from France says:
“In France , the medicine is so advanced that we cut off a man’s testicles; we put them into another man, and in 6 weeks he is looking for work.”
The German doctor comments:
“That’s nothing, in Germany we
take part of the brain out of a person;
we put it into another person’s head, and
in 4 weeks he is looking for work.”
A Russian doctor says:
“That’s nothing either. In Russia we
take out half of the heart from a person;
we put it into another person’s chest, and
in 2 weeks he is looking for work.”
The U.S. doctor answers immediately:
“That’s nothing my colleagues,
you are way behind us….in the USA , about 2 years ago, we grabbed a person from Kenya with no brains, no heart, and no balls….we made him President of the United States , and now……. the whole damn country is looking for work.
Kind of sums it up. Bush couldn’t even put a complete sentence together and the R’s acted like he was a saint until recently. Now 80% won’t even defend him.
How many times does the man have to prove he is from Hawaii, this country? When does it make a difference? And as far as no heart.. plenty to contradict that! Health care and so many other programs for seniors and “balls”.. well Osama Bin Laden is dead after all and unemployment thankfully it is at 8% it would have been at 12% if it hadn’t been for that useless stimulus, right. Oh, and by the way beings you guys seem to care so much about the JOBS why don’t the Republicans quit blocking the Jobs Bill?????????????????
you are an ignorant bastard!
TIM YOU ARE A NARROW MINDED BASTARD!
YOU SHOULD JUST STOP WRITING COMMENTS AS YOU OBVIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!
AND RICH!!!!!!!!!
you forgot eliminating bin laden
Well our military killed Bin Laden. It had nothing to do with Mr. B.O. Can you imagine “I have Bin laden in site, lets ask Obama if its okay to kill him? Even so, why would they have to ask?
It was GWB intentions to get Bin laden the whole entire time. Kind of funny how they got him towards the end of Mr. B.Os presidency. I never call Obama President. I dis-own him as a president for not giving he voters the right to vote on the health care bill. When I read President obama, I read it as Fake President obama.
Look at all the vacations that Mr. B. O. has taken. Spending million of tax payers money, he has been so active with campaigns and vacations and less active in actions. Open your eyes and see fact….
The world is full of good intentions. They didn’t want to get Bin Laden because if they did, then they wouldn’t be able to use all their fear tactics.
Anyway, you’re saying that Bush didn’t get him in 7 years and by coincidence, Obama becomes President and the only way he got Bin Laden was because of Bush.
I love how you conservatives love giving credit for anything good to Bush and the Republicans but never claim any of the bad. What hypocrites. Kind of like the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time.
Well, Lets see how many more Fisherman Obama can put out of work buy ignoring the Deep sea Horizon oil rig. Even though his campaign was funded by BP.
Who do you think gave the order to attack the compound….George W.? And about giving the voters the right to vote on the Health Care bill…uh, ever hear of a referendum? If you have, then you should look up the rules that govern when we can use a referendum, and you’ll know that voting on that bill was not in the cards. Personally, I would vote against the bill, but a referendum can’t happen. It’s against the rules, and against the law to include it on a ballet. Sir, you need to know a little more, and write a little less.
President Obama Gave the Order – the Generals, Soliders ie: the Military Work under his command – SO bin laden was taken down under our Presidents Orders Under “His Watch” therefore Obama did it – Proud Daughter, Granddaughter and Niece of Military Service Men –
Thank you Mr. President, for everything you do for us. Let’s hope your bill will be passed and we can get on with creating jobs for those who desperately need them.
As to whether you can call many of these “Accomplishments” is a matter of perspective. The most important “accomplishments” to the American people are jobs and this is one big fat zero for this so called “President”.
Actually, you are incorrect. GW Bush lost hundred’s of thousands of job prior to Obama. The President stopped the job loss and we’ve been gaining jobs until the ones that were lost were hired back and we are now in positive territory. If the Rs would have allowed a larger stimulus, we would have done a lot better. The Rs have not done one thing to create one job. If they have, please tell me what it is. Tax cuts don’t count, because if they did, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.
Obama caused a loss of hundreds of jobs by electing a Senator that wants to outsource jobs.. By selling GM off to China…..and by dumping their stock. Also the was in on the Deep sea horizon oil rig… Because it was bp.. he turned a blind eye to it and fishermen were not able to fish there.. His solar issue that he was involved with that was a big scam….
We didn’t sell GM off to China. The R’s were ready to let them go bankrupts and Obama bailed them out and now they’re doing well and hiring people. The unemployment rate is dropping. Don’t forget, that in the 30’s unemployment was 25. We could have had the same.
But then don’t forget that Reagan, in order to make himself look good, changed the way we count the unemployed which is a farce because we only count people who are looking for work and not everyone who is unemployed. How convenient for Reagan and the R’s.
Of course if the R’s would have passed a larger stimulus package, the economy would be doing better, but they hate America so much, they only want to do what will get them reelected so they can go back to screwing the American people again.
Actually they are doing really bad. For example. Fremont Ca, If it were not for Toyota, GM wouldnt have lasted so long. Toyota bailed GM folded. GO take look at GM’s cars. They are cheap. And yes, 17% of GM was sold of to China and obama is going to dump GM’s stock at a loss of $11 billion. If obama wins another 4 years.. I bet you anything he will start vacationing more and still blame bush.
you fools they weren’t BAILED OUT they were given a loan and they paid it back with intrest kept the plant and the company open and jobs saved mater of fact if you look back through it you will discover that the big wigs showed up in Company jets they were sent away and told to come back in there personal cars –
the best way to create jobs (or bring them back) is to eliminate the internet. Do you want this done? Internet has eliminated clerks,mail (printing of stamps, envelopes,deliveries etc) cashiers -you have self help machines now- people don’t go to the stores anymore, they shop online,the shoe stores do not employ people anymore because we order online shoes, clothes,furniture,food,
, therefore, the sales people have lost their jobs. There is nobody answering phones,you can not get anything accomplished because the machine does not have the option you want,you can spend a lifetime talking to the machine… I can go on forever… The Reps allowed the factories to go overseas so they would avoid paying taxes and instead of investing in America they re-invested their gains overseas. Do you want Obama to bring jobs to America? Ask him to kill the Internet! Ask him to ban all online banking, shopping, communicating, etc, etc.
We must not overlook the benefits of the internet for the consumer as well.
There are certain technologies (such as the telephone, or the printing press, or the automobile, or the production line) which arguably have all had detrimental effects on the economy, the environment or the hard wired human brain. But the internet is an integral part of evolution.
We need to evolve with it, that includes how we structure business and jobs for the future. The internet has the power to connect people, and allow people who would never have had a voice, or an education, or a friend, to come together.
To limit this in any way is backwards thinking. Jobs will be created from this point on in new ways, but the “readjustment” period will be long, and difficult for many.
It is our job as a civilized people to augment it’s growth and help people who may be more affected by the transition to a digital economy.
()%%%%%Lets not forgot how he sold 17% of GM off to China. Lets not forget how he plans to Dump their stock at a loss of $111 billion that the tax payers have to pay. Lets not forget the Deep sea oil rig disaster, BP PAID for obamas election. Lets not also forget How bush cited deep sea horizon for 6 violations and MR b.O turned a blind eye that in turn put many fisherman out of work. Lets also not forget his solar scandal. You are all fools. Those accomplishments were put into action by bush and finished by Mr B.O.@@@@@
Tim, as usual, you don’t have the facts because you get them from the biased conservative media.
ok where are the fact checkers…this guys off the reservation. GM was NOT in any part sold to China unless they purchased stock on their own and it is for sale on the New York Stock Eschange. Furthermore, It Was A Loan!!! And go ask all the people that had their jobs saved how things are going. Obama saved the auto industry in this country.. you are a fool, sir, and a liar. Solar company how many other companys went bankrupt or failed that also got government subsidizing of some kind… I suppose they are all Obamas fault. Focus on being honest, embrace the facts for a change and you guys might start looking a little less stupid.
Love it!!!!!!
Obviously you have not heard of SOPA have you? If someone does not like what you have here.. They can ban this site… you should think different.
Tim – you seem like a caring person. Do you realize that The Stop Online Piracy Act ( SOPA) is a United States bill introduced by U.S. Representative Lamar S. Smith (R-TX) and was not discussed on FOX News. Do you find this fact inconvenient? You might consider dropping the fear programs like the Daily Caller and The Drudge Report. That way you could actually engage in a real, honest and rational debate. I am sure you have some real concerns aboout this administration and I would like to hear them but it must be based in reality. You are seriously moving in the direction of the Tin Foil Hat!!
LOVE IT… Obama only cares about GM AND BP
Thank you President Obama! There are a lot of people who back you 100%. Stay strong! We all see what the republicans (the ‘no’ group) are doing to try to destroy this country just to make you look bad!!!! They dont care how many familys go hungry, they dont care how many people are distroyed or die with no help from the republicans they voted into office. All the republicans and the teababbers want is to distroy this country.They cant even see that if this country is distroyed they will go down with it!!! Why not do everything you can do to uphold,uplift and, fix our country, make us strong again – then go back to talking politics???Why cant they see this??? President Obama made an historical speech last night; one of the best speeches ever madeby any president. Our President wants to help the country…all he has ever done under these horrible conditions is try to help the country with no help from the republicans( the ‘no’ group).Now the no group thinks they have achieved their goal but they got another think comming!!
Because on election day, all the smart people who have watched them say ‘no’ to helping the country get back on its feet will say ‘NO’ back to the republicans and the teababbers.Lets all get ready to sock it to the republicans and teababbers!!! I just cant wait!!!
Ask about how he plans to sell off GM, how he is dumping the stock at a $11 billion loss. Ask if BP funded his campaign. Ask what happend to Deep sea horizon that was run by BP. Aks about his Soloar scandal…..
Never happened is is never going to happen. GM is privately owned by stockholders and the government has done nothing to interfere except make sure they don’t pay their execs huge bonuses.
Notice how well Ford is doing well, without a bail out Money, they refused it. I use to be a GM faithful. Obama borrowed money from China to Save GM. How do you think that was accomplished? By trading GM stock…thats how? Read it and weep… http://blogs.motortrend.com/inside-deal-sell-gm-chinas-saic-13985.html…
Everything you type here is just B.S. I hope and pray for the future of our Children that Obama does not win the election. He has made things by far worse… It’s funny how active he is now, so close to election time.
These failures are the same sort of endemic problems that the administration has instilled in GM.
As Seton Motley noted in his Washington Examiner piece, none of the people running GM placed there by governments have experience in the sort of long term thinking that a car company needs.
Running a car company requires LONG-term thinking. Determining the right cars to design, make and bring to market is chess, not checkers. You don’t plan quarter-to-quarter or even year-to-year – you plan YEARS out in advance.
Just so. Yet none of the people Obama placed at GM have any of this expertise. Just as the bailout mentality has merely sowed the seeds for the next collapse, Obama’s GM appointees are just setting up the company for a fall later and all at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer.
Tim, you have a brain without a mind.
The republicans dont have to try to destroy the country. With Obama Spilling oil all over the place, electing senators that want to outsource jobs, the health care bill and trying to push SOPA through..he is doing a great job all by himself
Considering the mess you inherited, Mr. President, this is an impressive list. I continue to be frustrated at the seeming slowdown of action since early 2010, and wonder if it may be time to buck the Repubs instead of talking with them. That obviously didn’t work. All good wishes.
Look up the deep sea horizon and how Obama was funded by bp. Look how he sold GM to CHina….. There is so much you dont know..
Hey, where are your “share” buttons? Easy WP plugin. If you can set up thesis I know you can do that – write if you need help though. Great post!!! Thank you.
***Lets not forgot how he sold 17% of GM off to China. Lets not forget how he plans to Dump their stock at a loss of $111 billion that the tax payers have to pay. Lets not forget the Deep sea oil rig disaster, BP PAID for obamas election. Lets not also forget How bush cited deep sea horizon for 6 violations and MR b.O turned a blind eye that in turn put many fisherman out of work. Lets also not forget his solar scandal. You are all fools. Those accomplishments were put into action by bush and finished by Mr. B.O
Lets not forgot how he sold 17% of GM off to China. Lets not forget how he plans to Dump their stock at a loss of $111 billion that the tax payers have to pay. Lets not forget the Deep sea oil rig disaster, BP PAID for obamas election. Lets not also forget How bush cited deep sea horizon for 6 violations and MR b.O turned a blind eye that in turn put many fisherman out of work. Lets also not forget his solar scandal. You are all fools. Those accomplishments were put into action by bush and finished by oabama
One last question, which vacation did Obama accomplish all of this on? Was it when he bowed so low to the Kind of Saudi Arabia, it almost looked sexual….
*******Actually they are doing really bad. For example. Fremont Ca, If it were not for Toyota, GM wouldnt have lasted so long. Toyota bailed GM folded. GO take look at GM’s cars. They are cheap. And yes, 17% of GM was sold of to China and obama is going to dump GM’s stock at a loss of $11 billion. If obama wins another 4 years.. I bet you anything he will start vacationing more and still blame bush. **********
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/why-did-the-obama-admin-exempt-the-deepwater-horizon-from-environmental-impact-study.html
Tim get a life, instead of bashing on the president.
and listening to the biased, conservative media.
Ummm, Look up Solyndra and look up how BP funded his campaign. I have a life, I also have the blinders off. Obama said himself In 2009, the president said on the “Today” show, “If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.” A few days later in Florida, there was this, “I’m not going to make any excuses,” said Obama. “If stuff hasn’t worked and people don’t feel like I’ve led the country in the right direction, then you’ll have a new president.”
There you go.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2011/09/obama-lied-solyndra-died.php
BARACK OBAMA AND HIS ALLIES ARE TRYING
TO CHANGE THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
HELP US STOP A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION!
Dear Friend,
Barack Obama and his allies are trying to change the U.S. Constitution WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE AMENDMENT PROCESS — in fact, they’re trying to rewrite the ENTIRE CONSTITUTION — and they’re close to succeesing!
What would you think if an amendment to the U.S. Constitution was introduced by liberal Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, which repealed the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights — taking away our right to Free Speech?
What would you think if an amendment to the U.S. Constitution was introduced by liberal Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, which repealed the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights — taking away our right to Keep and Bear Arms? (A right that the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld!)
“That could never happen,” you say. “No one would allow it!” Right? Well…
Did you know that there are TWO ways that our Constitution can be changed? And did you know that Pelosi, Reid and Barack Obama are using the less well-known way, without having to actually introduce amendments?
IT’S TRUE — and WE have to stop it NOW!
One way to change the Constitution is to go through the amendment process — a long and tedious process requiring two-thirds of both houses of Congress to pass an amendment, and then three-fourths of the states to ratify it.
That means a “super-majority” of our representatives at the National and State levels would have to be in favor of the amendment — which safeguards us from the possibility of really “bad” amendments.
BUT… there is one other way that our Constitution can be changed… and it DOES NOT require all of those elected representatives to be in favor of it. It’s called a Constitutional Convention, and all that it requires is 34 states to ask Congress to call one.
In fact, right now, all that is needed is for two more states to ask for a Constitutional Convention… and the basic law of the land could be changed forever by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid!
WE NEED YOUR HELP, RIGHT NOW, TO STOP BARACK OBAMA
AND HIS ALLIES FROM CHANGING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
CLICK HERE NOW!
Most people don’t realize that Article V of the Constitution requires Congress to call a new Constitutional Convention (a “Con Con”) if two-thirds (or 34) of the states request it. We’ve only had one other “Con Con” in our history: the one where the original Constitution was written in 1787!
The language of Article V is mandatory: it says that Congress “shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments” whenever requests are received from two-thirds of the states. Note that the word “amendments” is used in the plural. These are the only instructions we have about a Constitutional Convention. There are no other rules or guidelines.
We don’t know how a Constitutional Convention would be apportioned, or how the delegates would be elected. We don’t know what rules the Convention would operate under. We don’t know whether changes to the Constitution could be proposed by a simple majority, or would require a super majority, of those attending. We don’t know if the agenda could be limited or would be wide open to any proposal.
We don’t know ANYTHING about how a Con Con would work — which means that it will come down to Congress setting the rules!
And Congress is controlled by the most radically liberal Democrats in American history! Is that who we want to be in charge of a new Constitutional Convention?
Do we want BARACK OBAMA, NANCY PELOSI, and HARRY REID to completely rewrite our most basic document of law?
WE NEED YOUR HELP, RIGHT NOW, TO STOP BARACK OBAMA
AND HIS ALLIES FROM CHANGING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
CLICK HERE NOW!
The fact is, under the vague language of Article V, a Constitutional Convention cannot be limited. It would be wide open, and able to consider ANY change in the Constitution that was proposed!
Former U. S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger once said, “There is no effective way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention. The convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda.”
The Stanford Law School Professor whose case-book is used in the majority of U.S. law schools, Gerald Gunther, said that, even if Congress tried to limit the Convention to one subject, the delegates could decide for themselves that the Convention “is entitled to set its own agenda.”
This means that, even if supporters of a “Con Con” claim that the convention would only cover one issue — whether it’s a balanced budget amendment or removing the requirement that to be eligible to serve as President, one must be a “natural born citizen,” or anything else — there is NO WAY to stop the Convention from changing EVERYTHING that we hold dear in America!
Barack Obama and his far-left supporters would be able to get THEIR people appointed as delegates to the Convention, so that THEIR agendas would be the Convention’s agenda, and THEIR plans for socialism in America would come to pass.
Say BYE-BYE to the First Amendment’s freedom of speech — Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity could be taken off the air.
Say BYE-BYE to the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms — a total gun ban could be the law of the land!
Say BYE-BYE to the Constitution’s requirement that to serve as President a man or a woman must be a “natural born citizen”!
You KNOW that’s what they’ll do if given the chance — and we’re only TWO STATES AWAY from seeing a Constitutional Convention convened!
You see, Article V says that it takes a request from two-thirds of the states to force a “Con Con” — but it doesn’t say there’s any time limit on getting to that total!
Thirty-two states have already issued a call for a “Con Con” over the last few decades, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
It only takes 34 states to REQUIRE a Constitutional Convention be convened!
Some states, like Georgia, Virginia, and others, have since voted to “rescind” their call for a “Con Con” — BUT no one is sure whether those “rescission” votes are actually Constitutional…so the danger is REAL!
WE NEED YOUR HELP, RIGHT NOW, TO STOP BARACK OBAMA
AND HIS ALLIES FROM CHANGING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
CLICK HERE NOW!
The United States Justice Foundation is launching a major campaign to STOP a “Con Con” from taking place — WE MUST CREATE a tremendous outpouring of publicity and public scrutiny to be given to this danger, so that Barack Obama and his radical liberal allies can’t “sneak this past us” without anyone noticing, until it’s too late. Right now, our staff is conducting legal and historical research, and preparing legal opinions, to submit to every state legislature, if necessary, and we’ll be offering to represent any state, or state legislator, in fighting the Con-Con based on those documents.
We’re also going to be leading a grassroots effort to attack this issue at both the state and federal levels: At the state level, leading the charge in every state to either NOT VOTE for a “Con Con” (if they haven’t voted yet) or to RESCIND their past vote in favor (if they have). And, at the federal level, we’ll be mobilizing citizens across the country to contact their Representatives and Senators to DEMAND that they come out, NOW, and announce their support for a state’s right to rescind, and that they won’t support a call for a “Con-Con.” In addition, we’ll be calling on the Attorney General of the United States, and the Attorney General of each and every State that has passed a “Con-Con” resolution, to issue an official Opinion on the legality of rescission.
THIS DANGER IS REAL. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called for the exclusive purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. Once the Founding Fathers assembled in Philadelphia, however, they threw out the Articles of Confederation and wrote an entirely new Constitution, and even changed the ratification procedure so they could get it adopted more easily. The 1787 Convention is the only precedent we have for a national Constitutional Convention.
There’s no guarantee that all of the changes to our Constitution passed at a Constitutional Convention would need to be ratified by 34 states this time — if a “Con Con” can change our structure of government as defined in Articles I, II, and III, of the Constitution, then it can also change the Article V requirement that three-fourths of the states are needed to ratify any changes. The Convention of 1787 reduced the number of states required to ratify a change from 100% of the states to 75%, and a Convention today could “follow their example” and reduce it further, to 66%, or 60%, or even 51%!
WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!
There’s very little time to ramp this project up to FULL SPEED — we need to raise at least $100,000 to prepare and distribute legal opinions, lobby state legislators and begin our grassroots activism campaign this coming month. Please, CLICK HERE NOW to make your best possible donation, and let’s STOP Obama, Pelosi and Reid from ripping our Constitution to shreds, and re-writing it to their own socialist goals!
Sincerely,
Gary Kreep, Executive Director
United States Justice Foundation
P.S. President Barack Obama has already expressed his belief that the U.S. Constitution needs to be interpreted in the context of current affairs and events. Can you imagine what he and his supporters would DO to that document if given the chance to re-write it completely? Our Bill of Rights could disappear overnight!
In fact, all the way back in 2006, Obama already had his lawyers researching how someone could get around the eligibility requirements to serve as U.S. President — these people simply don’t CARE about whether we preserve the supreme law of the land!
Remember — when the last Constitutional Convention met in 1787, the original goal was to amend the Articles of Confederation. Instead, delegates simply threw them out and wrote a whole new Constitution.
That’s EXACTLY what Obama, Pelosi and Reid would do this time — but this time, the result would destroy our freedoms. Please, CLICK HERE NOW to help us STOP them. Thank you!
WE NEED YOUR HELP, RIGHT NOW, TO STOP BARACK OBAMA
AND HIS ALLIES FROM CHANGING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
CLICK HERE NOW!
To donate by check, make payable to:
United States Justice Foundation
932 D Street Suite 1
Ramona, CA 92065
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By faith Noah,being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,prepared an ark to the saving of his house;by the which he condemned the world,and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith Heb.11:7
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This long rant about Obama trying to change the Constitution without following the correct procedure is just an outright lie. It’s impossible for him to do it without getting a 2/3 vote of both houses and agreement by 2/3 of the states.
The R’s are always talking about posting the 10 commandments in school while consistently violating the one that says “Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor.” They love bearing false witness against the President and Dems. I think it’s about time they start telling the truth instead of using scare tactics. President Obama has not done one thing to tamper with the 2nd Amendment and in the meantime the R’s are going off saying they need to be afraid. What bull.
http://www.mrconservative.com/2012/02/2438-obama-not-interested-in-gas/
He said himself, If I do not accomplish what I promised in my first 3 years, then I will be a one term president.
Obama is a good man. People are just haters. He provided Health Care for so much people. He eliminated Osama Bin LAden. He does so much for this country and yet people still critcize him. Is it because he is black because the other Democratic presidents dint receive such hatred as he did. You guys should thank him. Other countries love him: Jamaia, canada, etc. Yet, this country treats him like garnage. What is wrong with you people. This man is a darn good man!!!!
its funny Tim that the only things you keep mentioning is BP and GM. Do you have any other arguments? Because if thats it you have wasted alot a space on this page by being very redundent. Please confess, please tell the truth. The only reason why you and alot of others dont like President Obama is not because he is a democrat but because he is BLACK!!! A portion of this country cant get over the fact that a black man was elected President. So they over look his mass achievements and focus solely on his faults. Clinton screwed his intern and got busted while he was still in office. But after about a month or two of publicity it diminished and people dont hold it over his head too much. They remember all of his accomplishments. And by the way when Clinton left office our deficit was in the positive and when Bush left 8yrs later we were so far in the negative we thought it would be impossible to get out. Obama has spent alot of money, but what President hasnt. It takes ALOT of money to run a country if you havent realized that. He doesnt make these decisions all on his own. He has a vast amount of experts that help him make these decisions. They have data and information that the public do not have. So you have no idea how he comes to the decisions he makes.
TIM IS THE BIGGEST IDIOT ALIVE!!!! YOU WEREN’T SATISFIED WITH IGNORANCE, NOW YOU HAVE INTELLIGENCE AND YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS, YOU CAN’T GET ANY FOOLISH THAN THAT, HOW SAD YOU ARE TIM. DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK AND STOP CHEATING USING OTHER’S THOUGHTS TO KEEP FROM EDUCATING YOURSELF.
The email showed that “there was knowledge, not just rumour… about the unsavoury side of Savile’s character” in the BBC before and after his death. Mr Entwistle, who quit last month following the McAlpine scandal, said he had not read a second email sent to him after the entertainer’s death. Mr Entwistle claimed he had been exonerated since the report attributed any “managerial shortcomings” to “unsatisfactory internal communications”.News site HP De Tijd have revealed that Van der Meyde, whose time at the club was an abject failure due to spiralling off-field problems, begged Drenthe not to move to Everton because of the potentially damaging temptations on offer in Liverpool.
Thank you for posting our President’s accomplishments. Just think what he could have accomplished in addition to those you presented had there not been Republican Obstruction. Thanks again and Kudos to the President.