90+ Accomplishments of the Obama Administration so far
From Daily Kos, here is a nice list compiled by Robert Watson of Lynn University of a few of the Obama administration's accomplishments so far:
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
And this list does not even mention that the Obama administration has put the US financial system, which was still near collapse when Obama took office, on much firmer footing. That the administration put GM and Chrysler through bankruptcy in record time. That the housing market has started to rebound. That the stock market is up about 50% from its low point about a month after Obama took office. That the US is now once again the most admired country in the world. That the President has reached out in a major way to the Muslim world through his speech in Cairo and other efforts. That he achieved a unanimous vote in the UN Security Council for nuclear non-proliferation. And that the President was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!
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11 comments:
There are a few genuine "accomplishments" but even Nero learned to play the fiddle, too.
I don't think Obama has had time to learn how to play the fiddle. You have to admit that he has been a pretty busy guy so far, even if you don't think that he has accomplished a lot.
After I got the laughter under control from reading the first two, I realized that there are actually a few things he has done.
uhh... "those are options" Man, that was pretty easy.
Happy Thanksgiving, Joe!
I respectfully challenge anyone to post a comprehensive list of Bush's accomplishments during his first 11 months in office that surpasses this in quantity and quality.
Have at it!
Great list, but do wish it had dates and references.
The play Much Ado About Nothing comes to mind here.
Many things on this list are questionable, and worded pretty ambiguously. "phasing out gitmo" really can't be counted as an accomplishment, for example, because, well, it hasn't been phased out. In fact its still used, not unlike it was a year ago when Obama first said he was going to close it.
Does starting to withdraw troops from Iraq really count? I guess that depends on who you ask.
I agree w/the other comment that asks for dates and references...links to executive orders etc. There are lots of things not on this list too...of course they are negative.
But hell, who wants a fair list. It's so much more fun to jerk eachother off.
If it were a completely negative list, i'd ask for balance w/the positive and would also want references - for both.
A balanced list would provide a lot more context.
Since when has announcing intentions been an accomplishment? Follow through is much more important than lip service.
Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize is about as sickening as Kissinger getting it. Warmongers winning peace prizes totally make a mockery of those deserving people committed to peace.
What planet are you from thinking he has "put the US financial system on a much firmer footing"? He’s pandering to the same bunch of crooks the Bush admin was, plus some, on our paychecks – if you are lucky enough to still get one of those.
Healthcare? What’s that?
And yes, Obama has reached out in a major way to the Muslim world by putting thousands more Muslims on No fly lists, ordering more airstrikes and drones that kill scores of civilians. Lofty words mean absolutely nothing when your kids or parents are blown to bits - or when your mother is stripped and cavity searched just because she happens to be Muslim. She might be 87 years old and bound to a wheelchair, but "strip her anyway." Yep, that'll win hearts and minds.
Fantastic achievements -- incredibly progressive.
Keep Hope Alive!
I'll bet that if Obama had walked on water, raised the dead, turned water into wine, healed the sick, and fed all the hungry with a few loaves and fishes, some of the above commentators would still be denigrating his accomplishments.
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