Why America and the World Still Needs Barack Obama
By: David A. Franklin, Jr.
http://youtu.be/CRlR7_Dv8PQ
President Obama is a man of courage. A president who does not allow anyone or anything to daunt his commitment or his resolve. He successfully defied, confronted, dared, disregarded and treated with contempt the impeding, and the encumbering efforts of the GOP (Grand Obstructionist Party), and I include in this group of obstructionists, the pseudo conservatives who call themselves Blue Dog Democrats.
Some Achievements in YEARS 1 AND 2 of Obama’s Presidency:
The U.S. Auto Industry take-over and turn-around: Injection of $62 billion in federal money in 2009 which has added over 100,000 jobs since, and for the first time in over 20 years Ford, General Motors and Chrysler the big three automakers all gained market share. One does not have to call attention to the efforts of the GOP to stop that from happening. Romney our “Businessman of the Century” was the one to say “Let Detroit go Bankrupt” and he cannot to date, and will never in his lifetime, get rid of the egg in his face.
Wall Street Regulated: We all accept as fact (except Romney and his crew who are passionate proponents and beneficiaries of the spoils of de-regulation) that regulation was and continues to be an absolute must after the Great Recession brought on by the suspect practices of Wall Street. Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)
Avant-garde Reform of Student Aid: Rapacious banks were relieved of their middleman status with regards to the Federal Student Loan Program and Pell Grant spending was increased. Students now go directly to the Federal Government and this results in a $67 billion savings over 10 years, $36 billion of which to be used in expansion of Pell Grants to low-income students.
Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act Signed in 2010: With the coordinated efforts with Michelle Obama the act mandating $4.5 billion additional spending to elevate nutritional and health standards for school lunches.
Signed 2009 Children’s Health Insurance Authorization Act: The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers 4 million more children. This is financed by tax increase on tobacco products.
Stem Cell Research Expansion: Bush’s restrictions on embryonic stem cell research were eliminated in 2009.
U.S. Supreme Court Liberal Seats (2009): Nominated Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and third woman to serve and the fourth woman, Elena Kagan in 2010.
Bush Torture Policy Reversed: In second day in office the President invalidated the “enhanced interrogation techniques” of the Bush era which was in contravention of the Geneva Conventions and in so doing, released President Bush’s secret legal rulings that supported these techniques.
America’s Image Abroad Improved: By his policies and diplomacy President Obama corrected the severe decline in world opinion of the United States. The “favorable-factor” towards the US between 2008 to 2011 experienced a rise in 10 to 15 countries surveyed by the Pew Global Attitudes Project by an impressive 26%.
Healthcare Reform passed: 32 million uninsured Americans will be covered because of the Affordable Care Act (2010) and further, there are mandates to cut healthcare cost growth. This is the primary contributor to the country’s current and future fiscal problems.
Stimulus Passed: The country was suffering the greatest recession since the Great Depression brought on by the failed Bush Presidency. Boldly and against bad-mouthing coming from the GOP the President signed the $787 billion American Recovery Act in 2009. Unemployment claims saw a decrease just weeks after the implementation of the stimulus, private sector produced more jobs than it was losing only 12 months after and to date has continued its unyielding growth in private sector jobs totaling over 5 million and counting
Mini-Stimuli beginning – July 22, 2010: These have helped families who are among the 47% of America who Mitt Romney cares nothing about.
Wall Street Regulated: We all accept as fact (except Romney and his crew who are passionate proponents and beneficiaries of the spoils of de-regulation) that regulation was and continues to be an absolute must after the Great Recession brought on by the suspect practices of Wall Street. The President signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)
Recapitalized Banks: Amidst the barrage of criticism and controversy President Obama applied good business sense - a quality believed by the GOP and Romney reserved for them and them alone. He approved Treasury Department’s plan, has successfully lured private capital into the largest banks and this has reinstated these financial institutions to a profitable position and at no cost to the government!!!
Credit Card Reforms: This reform under the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (2009) prohibits credit card companies from raising rates without notification and implemented a mandated grace period on these increases while strictly limiting overdraft and other fees.
War: Ended the Iraq War with the last of America’s bravest souls returning home in December of 2011
Veteran Support Increased: Increased 2010 Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget by 16% while at the same time signing a new GI bill with $78 billion in tuition assistance to last over 10 years and provided multiple tax-credits as encouragement to businesses to hire veterans.
February 1, 2011 Obama publicly told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to go and the rest is history Mubarak’s 30-year rule ended 10 days after.
Missile Defense Trimmed and Reoriented: Saved $1.4 billion in 2010 by cutting the Reagan “Star-Wars’ missile defense budget.
Stopped purchasing F-22 (2009): The 187 Lockheed Martin single-seat, twin-engine, fighter aircraft the military had built cost the country $358 million each, but have never flown a single combat mission. A saving of $4 billion.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Repealed and brought to an end the 1990s-era restriction on gays in the military.
Regulate Carbon Dioxide Production: Having recognized the dangers of Carbon Dioxide, it was declared a pollutant and regulations put in place as related to its production.
Renewable Technology Investment: Invested more than his predecessors in research, electric cars, energy efficiency, clean coal and biofuels.
Drawdown of Troops in Afghanistan has seen constant reduction of troops and combat mission is scheduled to be over by 2013.
Sanctions have been tightening on Iran, over 5 million private-sector jobs created, unemployment rate at 7.8% and despite of unrelenting opposition from the unpatriotic Tea Party-controlled House he could accomplish a $1.2 trillion deficit reduction deal.
This why the America, and the World, still needs Barak Obama!!!
~DF