Obama Accomplishments as of November 10, 2010

Before you write Obama off as a failed president, look at some of the things he has achieved in his first two years in office:
  • Brought the war in Iraq to an end
  • Like it or not, Obama has increased troops to stabilize Afghanistan - which is on shaky ground and at high risk of being taken over by extremists
  • Has helped repair badly damaged relationships with foreign powers across the world from Russia to Europe and reached out to the Arab world
  • Appointed two Supreme Court Justices, including first Latina
  • Passed Universal Healthcare
  • Financial industry reform
  • Prevented a 2nd Great Depression
  • Passed legislation to curb greenhouse gases and improve the environment
  • Nuclear non-proliferation agreement: met with 47 presidents in a 3 day nuclear summit to lower the nuclear weapons count with a treaty signed between US and Russia
  • Lifted Bush restrictions on embryonic stem cell research
  • Reversed George W. Bush’s ban on federal funding to foreign organizations that allow abortions
  • Implemented education reforms to make higher college more accessible and affordable through significant increases in scholarships and funding
  • Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to give the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco
  • Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
  • Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
  • The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
  • Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
  • Limits on lobbyists' access to the White House
  • Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
  • Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
  • New federal funding for science and research labs
  • States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
  • Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
  • Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
  • New funds for school construction
  • The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
  • US Auto industry rescue plan
  • Housing rescue plan
  • $789 billion economic stimulus plan
  • 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
  • US financial and banking rescue plan
  • The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
  • Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
  • Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
  • The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
  • Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
  • Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
  • Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
  • Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
  • US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
  • Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
  • Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
  • Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
  • Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
  • Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
  • Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
  • Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
  • Expanding vaccination programs
  • Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
  • Closed offshore tax safe havens
  • Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
  • 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
  • Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
  • Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
  • Lower drug costs for seniors
  • 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
  • Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
  • Improved housing for military personnel
  • Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
  • Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
  • Increasing student loans
  • Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
  • 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
  • Established a new cyber security office
  • 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.
  • Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
  • Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
  • Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
  • Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
  • Improving benefits for veterans
  • Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
  • Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
  • Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
  • Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
  • Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
  • Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
  • Making more loans available to small businesses
  • Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
  • Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
  • Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
  • Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
  • Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
  • New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
  • Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
  • Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
  • Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
  • Held first Seder in White House
  • 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
  • Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform