Yes, Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat and Hillary represents the very worst of the party/SALON
Sanders has exposed just how reactionary and corrupt the Democratic Party is—while Clinton wants things to carry on
A new strategy has emerged in the Hillary Clinton camp: No longer even try to match Bernie Sanders’ left-wing politics — which the Wall Street-backed multimillionaire war hawk Clinton is fundamentally incapable of doing. Instead, appeal to authority and accuse the democratic socialist of disloyalty to the corrupt Democratic Party.
Clinton’s campaign did just that this week, condemning Sanders for “trying to convince the next generation of progressives that the Democratic Party is corrupt.”
The notion that Sanders had to try to convince progressives of this in the first place is ludicrous. The warmongering, corporate-funded, pro-privatization Democratic Party leadership has long made it loud and clear that it is thoroughly corrupt and reactionary.
Yet Clinton and her supporters happen to be correct about one thing; they are just right for the wrong reasons.
Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat. And this is a good thing.
What the Clinton camp appears to be incapable of understanding is that the Democratic Party is less and less popular among progressive Americans.
Since the rise of the Clintonian “New Democrat” almost three decades ago, the party has moved so far to the right it has little in common with the base it purports to represent.
President Obama campaigned on the promise of change, but, in many ways, his presidency — particularly in the first term — was George W. Bush lite.
The Obama administration barely even slapped the banks and financial elites responsible for the Great Recession on the wrist. Not a single Wall Street executive went to jail while, today, the very banks responsible pose just as much of a systemic risk as they did in 2008.
The Obama administration killed thousands of people, including an unknown number of civilians, with its secretive drone war. It expanded the war in Afghanistan — twice — dragged its feet on Guantánamo, backed a right-wing military coup that overthrew Honduras’ democratically elected left-wing government and dropped 23,400 bombs on six Muslim-majority countries in 2015.
The Obama administration waged a McCarthyite crackdown on whistleblowers, using the World War I-era Espionage Act to clampdown on more than all previous presidential administrations combined, while drastically expanding the surveillance state.
This is the Democratic Party Americans have grown up with in the past nearly 30 years, since the rise of the Clintonism. And, in these same decades, wages have stagnated, poverty has increased and people have become more and more dissatisfied with the way things are.
It is true that Sanders’ social democratic politics are similar to those of New Deal Democrats. He often jokes that many of his policies were supported by President Dwight Eisenhower — a Republican in the 1950s.
Yet the Democratic Party of the mid-20th century is long gone.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the U.S. has drifted more and more to the right — and taken much of the international community with it. During the Cold War, Western capitalist countries had to at least pretend to be concerned with fighting inequality and systemic discrimination. Today they no longer have to compete with an alternative.
As the Republican Party has shifted to the extreme, far-right, the Democratic Party moved along to the right with it. Instead of holding ground (shifting to the left was not even on the table), the Democratic Party embraced neoliberalism.
The so-called “Third Way” paved by the Clintons is just another word for this process.
Hillary Clinton, a figure greatly admired by neoconservatives (who are overwhelmingly backing her over Trump), represents a continuation of this status quo — a status quo millions upon millions of Americans have said they refuse to tolerate anymore.
Americans are desperate for actual change, and Sanders has offered a new path. Clinton has flatly insisted that Americans cannot have basic things that much of the world takes for granted — single-payer health care, free public higher education, environmental policies that don’t rely on fossil fuel corporations that destroy the planet. Sanders says otherwise.
The Democratic Party is a party of corporate influence and military power. It is chock-full of 1 percenters, with leaders like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel — who shuts down public schools en masse and covers up police killings of unarmed black residents — or Debbie Wasserman Schultz — who is working to help loan sharks.
Many of the things that have been called for by Donald Trump, a fascistic demagogue, have already been implemented by the Democratic Party.
And he is right.
When it comes to third parties, the U.S. is an incredibly undemocratic country. Most of the world’s democracies have some kind of space for non-hegemonic parties. And in much of Europe in particular, where governments are based on parliamentary systems, third parties can play at least a small role in the political system.
This is not so in the U.S., where there are countless obstacles to democracy in U.S. elections — with limited debates, closed primaries, unelected superdelegates and of course the electoral college.
The fact that a 74-year-old, bald and frankly unattractive man, a Vermont senator with a Brooklyn accent whom most Americans had never heard of until this year, has been doing so incredibly well is a testament to just how popular — and one might even say correct — his socialist ideas are.
What we are witnessing right now is the resurgence of a new left throughout the U.S. — and throughout the world. Sanders is part of this much larger international trend, with figures like Jeremy Corbyn in the U.K., or Podemos in Spain.
And Sanders is aware of this. When he says “Not me, us,” he is acknowledging that the social movements around him are much more important than he is as a mere individual. The fact that he has responded to pressure from Black Lives Matter and the Palestinian solidarity movement demonstrates this.
Those like Hillary Clinton, who are desperate to cling on to the old vestiges of establishment power, are not part of this new left-wing resurgence; they are in fact impediments to it.
Even if Sanders does not win the primary, one of his many important accomplishments will be helping to expose to millions upon millions of Americans just how reactionary and corrupt the Democratic Party is.
He should be thanked for this, not condemned.
link: Ben Norton / Salon
http://www.salon.com/2016/04/20/yes_bernie_sanders_is_not_a_democrat_and_hillary_represents_the_very_worst_of_the_party/
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onecaliberal
(32,861 posts)
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)She just helped change what being a Democrat means and what the party represents.
The party today is to the right of the Republican party of 50 years ago. There is no left wing anymore. Life support failed and the party died in 1992.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)Those of us that support the people over corporate interests no longer have a party IMO.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)to let them take the party of FDR, JFK, RFK and McGovern away from us. They have not right to any claim on those men.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 21, 2016, 04:24 PM - Edit history (1)
Thank you Mira for the terrific article.
But I don't find Bernie unattractive, rather quite nice looking, with a wonderful smile, heart, great health & energy! 
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)She represents the party very well, and they represent her.
They do not represent us.
Response to onecaliberal (Reply #1)
felix_numinous This message was self-deleted by its author.
mwooldri
(10,303 posts)Here's your obligatory US-UK comparison :
If Bill Clinton's opposite in the UK was Tony Blair, then Hillary may be compared to Gordon Brown... and Bernie Sanders has comparisons to Jeremy Corbyn. Blair and Brown forged New Labour. Corbyn is most definitely not New Labour. All three are members of the Labour Party.
I just hope that whoever wins the Democratic Primary (I hate to admit it but it's probably Hillary, but Bernie is not out yet) doesnt end up like Ed Miliband.
onecaliberal
(32,861 posts)Indies hate her. Those who disregard indies, do so at their own peril. There are more indies than republicans or democrats.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)stupidicus
(2,570 posts)gee, what other examples of past conduct that justifies the current under scrutiny/indictment can we come up with?
Lincoln was an anti-slavery repub, ergo their transformation into the party of racists, etc, can be disregarded.
Gore1FL
(21,132 posts)Democrats are more interested in cowering in a corner hoping to not get hurt by mean-sounding Republicans than pushing legislative progress.
MynameisBlarney
(2,979 posts)And now look at them.
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)If you're over the age of 75 or so.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)For those with short memories, or feed in to the rightwing propaganda:
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/
Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1
On his first full day, he froze White House salaries for the duration of the Great Recession. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending and efficiency. http://www.cio.gov
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems and signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, in an attempt to limit waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting systems. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1http://bit.ly/fz8GAd
He created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa
Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu
Banned gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN
Banned anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years and placed strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV
Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX
Became the first president to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5
Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov
Restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews, giving the public greater access to historic White House documents, and curtails the use of executive privilege to shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb
Improved the Freedom of Information Act and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2
Streamline the Department of Education’s procurement policies and made them more transparent. http://bit.ly/1r9oQvh
Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7
Signed a law to completely reform NSA Data Collection program and keep phone records in the hands of the phone company. http://bit.ly/1dG34vD
Staved Off a Bush Depression, Improved the Economy
Pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as “the stimulus package.” He also launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSshttp://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk
By the end of his first year, the economy created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE
He created the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and forced banks and other entities to pay back virtually all of the bailout money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVShttp://bit.ly/eCNrD6
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl
In 2010, more jobs were created than had been created during Bush’s eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
He pushed through and implemented an auto industry rescue plan that saved as many as 1 million jobs and possibly the entire auto industry. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr http://bit.ly/gj7mt5
Through his investment in GM, returned to the company to its place as the premiere car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx
In February 2016, GM was in such good financial shape, they gave a share of the profit to each worker, with checks up to $11,000. http://detne.ws/1mk7Jry
Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf
Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw
Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which helped millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures and provided $2.2 billion to combat homelessness and stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn
Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/gORYfL
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30D
With Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR
China’s largest manufacturer, Foxconn, is building a large plant in Pennsylvania http://cnnmon.ie/1k7LT4S
Worked with Apple Computer to get them to build more product here, and thecompany is building two large plants to manufacture products here; one in Texas http://zd.net/1nkpt2O and one in Arizona http://bit.ly/1mXY5Vg
Created an institute to invest in more manufacturing jobs in the technology fields of the future. http://nyti.ms/1egyXrV
Ordered all federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, leading the way to a national increase. http://wapo.st/1iaU5kd
Ordered the completion of the International Trade Data System, a digital trade record book, by 2016. This move will streamline and simplify the process through which small- and medium-sized businesses set up the export of US goods. http://bit.ly/1nwSRF4
Specific Examples of Economic Improvement
As of January 2016, a record 64 consecutive months of overall job growth. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of January 2016, Unemployment drops below 5% for the first time in eight years and without a significant bubble. 4.9% http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of January 2016, there have been 71 consecutive months of private sector job growth. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
Since February 2010, when job numbers hit their lowest point, 13.7 non-farm jobs have been created. http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0000000001 (Republican budget cuts reduced public employment by about 700,000)
Oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds since taking office. http://bit.ly/1xKMmjY
Reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.9% of GDP in FY 2014. http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45653
Scolds Congress and gets passed a $305 billion highways bill, which will have the added benefit of created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and creating incentives for green cars. http://bit.ly/1NsL2Zq
Addressed Wrongdoing in the Financial Sector
Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq
Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0http://bit.ly/geHpcD
Created and implemented rules to reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t
Created and implemented rules so banks can no longer use depositors’ money to invest in high-risk financial instruments that work against depositors’ interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks permitting the US government to gain access to bank records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw
Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, closing many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq
Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, inflation in the healthcare sector dropped to its lowest point in 50 years. http://on.wsj.com/1E6cYjF
Improved Conditions for Consumers and Small Businesses
Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS
Guided the housing market all the way back from total collapse, which led to a rally for housing starts. http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU
Brought airline industry back to their highest profitability since before the recession. http://lat.ms/1O8H1iE
Blocked a monopolistic merger of Staples and Office Depot, to preserve at least some competition. http://bit.ly/1kcY2Kv
Stock market has reached record highs, restoring most of the economic losses felt during the Bush Recession. http://bit.ly/1z4FAtL
Created and Implemented the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Consumer confidence continues to inch up to its highest level more than a decade. http://bit.ly/1PZLRcK
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
Created business.gov, to allow online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov
Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7
Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV
Crafted and signed an executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE
Oversaw the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP
Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals using money from TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa
Set up rules for banks in handling legal marijuana money. http://nyti.ms/1b80o2K
Added greater protections to consumer financial transactions to reduce identity theft. http://1.usa.gov/1pjfUFq
Took steps to prevent pirate fishing and protect fish populations, and ordered stricter labeling requirements on labeling of seafood products in stores. http://1.usa.gov/1BYhTUn
Signed the RAISE Act, which should encourage more people to open small businesses and help improve the economy. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Signed a bill that allows low-volume vehicle manufacturers that will increase entrepreneurship among small car manufacturers, who often build replicas of classics but who often build green vehicles. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F
Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP
Extended discounted health coverage under the COBRA health insurance law for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he’s also extended unemployment benefits more than a few times. http://aol.it/evtVxDhttp://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8
Included the Buffet Rule in his 2014 budget proposal, in order to fulfill a campaign promise to make sure tax rates are fair between the rich and the middle class. http://1.usa.gov/19PkdQo
Used the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend for five additional years the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to families for college-related expenses, thus saving those families up to $10,000. http://onforb.es/17zYg3u
Increased protections for the unemployed who are seeking a government job. http://1.usa.gov/1jgXATu
Updated and modernized overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) http://1.usa.gov/1iGDO8e
Signed and implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, to improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk
To make college more affordable and accountable, will begin rating colleges with regard to affordability and value. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Initiated a reform of federal job training programs, to make them more relevant to the current economy and the job market. http://1.usa.gov/1kZLQHG
Under Obama, the bottom 95% of taxpayers pay lower federal income taxes than at any time in the last 50 years, including under Reagan, or either Bush. http://bit.ly/1w1W8Ns
Signed a presidential memorandum authorizing six weeks paid leave for all federal employees with a new baby and encouraged Congress to do the same for all workers. http://bit.ly/18613XA
2014 marked the first time since 1984 that unemployment dropped in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 1.usa.gov/1E25u0C
Took steps to improve workplace safety by creating an Advisory Board to study workers’ exposure to toxic substances. http://1.usa.gov/1M4s8IG
Changed overtime rules to make it far more difficult for employers to avoid paying overtime to workers. http://politi.co/1KHfiBe
Changed rules for federal contractors, guaranteeing that all workers earn paid leave; this should affect about 300,000 workers. http://1.usa.gov/1LcHZWl
Negotiated a law to finally replace “No Child Left Behind” and remove much of the onerous government “oversight” that caused children to stagnate, not improve, academically. http://bit.ly/1Up9pMl
Addressed Civil Rights and Equality
Formed a commission to examine and make recommendations for fixing the broken voting system. http://wapo.st/16K0D
At a press conference August 9, 2013, gave up a small measure of executive power, promising to create adversarial process in FISA regarding NSA surveillance. http://1.usa.gov/1dQmnyQ
Proposed rules to enhance Fair Housing Laws, to give HUD and other enforcement agencies more enforcement power. http://bit.ly/1qkz4uQ
Ordered a review of capital punishment policies after several botched executions. http://nyti.ms/RDJp58
Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0
Concentrated immigration enforcement on those who commit crimes, and vowed to stop breaking up families. http://1.usa.gov/1uTZ8gV
Streamlined the visa process, to make it more responsive and humane for those who want to be here legally. http://1.usa.gov/1tgDRti
Took steps to tighten the reins when it comes to providing local law enforcement agencies with military-style equipment and exercising more control over the equipment they receive. http://1.usa.gov/1ATWV3K
Changed fair housing rules to make more affordable housing available to more people. http://cnn.it/1JcR3qB
Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8
Established the White House Council of Native American Affairs, to improve government-to-government relations with Native American nations. http://1.usa.gov/1cIEeEv
Limited local police acquisitions of military-style equipment, to reduce the likelihood of overkill. http://n.pr/1NGkBjT
Signed Blue Alert Law, which provides police officers with more information when they are threatened. http://bit.ly/1NGksga
Blocked the sale of Apache tribal land to foreign mining company, over Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1RYpmfihttp://bit.ly/1RYpmfi
Improved Workers’ Rights
He issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including all websites and intranets. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ
Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission clarified and strengthened rules prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. http://alj.am/1mo0kjV
Required companies who bid on federal contracts larger than $500,000 to publicly disclose all previous violations of labor law, including unpaid claims for back wages. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Made it illegal for federal contractors with more than $1 million in contracts to force employees into arbitration in workplace discrimination accusations. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Vetoed Republican bill that would have blocked new NLRB rules that were designed to speed up the time it takes workers to unionize. http://reut.rs/1agujMO He also added a Memorandum of Disagreement to make his reasons for the veto clear and made a major statement in support of unions. http://1.usa.gov/1NG7RuA
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj
Signed law that bans imports of goods produced through forced labor. http://nbcnews.to/1RuJu2y
Protected the Rights of Gay People
Signed and implemented the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7
Oversaw and implemented the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. http://bit.ly/fdahuHhttp://bit.ly/mZV4Pz
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7
Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS
As soon as the Supreme Court invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, he moved to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. http://wapo.st/1avDjue
Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples. http://reut.rs/llNJek
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp
Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT
Appointed several prominent gay athletes and others, and plans to show US government’s commitment to gay rights to anti-gay Russia. http://on.cpsj.com/1fckN9h
Department of Agriculture propagated new rules to better enforce non-discrimination when it comes to USDA investigations and to extend non-discrimination to gender identity. http://bit.ly/1yChJhi
Banned all federal contractors from discriminating against gay workers. http://1.usa.gov/1ok1gfH
Persevered with his campaign to turn “gay marriage” into “marriage” and won in the Supreme Court. http://cbsloc.al/1M4qLKb
Improved Conditions for Women
Establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM
Implemented the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg
Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF
Improved the Paycheck Fairness Act, making it possible for employees to talk about their salaries without retaliation, and ordering salary data collection, so as to make it harder for employers to pay women less. http://huff.to/1nwVOWf
Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU
Shattered another glass ceiling by naming Janet Yellen chair of the Federal Reserve beginning Feb. 1, 2014. http://usat.ly/1gqMBfk
Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x
Ordered companies with 100 employees or more to disclose pay data based on race and gender, to address the pay gap. http://theatln.tc/1Q04XPL
Addressed Criminal Justice Failings and the Gun Culture
Made significant reductions in drug sentencing guidelines for current prisoners. http://n.pr/1mWBLkM
Oversaw the first drop in the federal prison population in 32 years. http://bit.ly/1B5h8rW
Increased his use of clemency to release thousands of non-violent drug offenders from prison. http://nyti.ms/1KE8DJG
Ordered a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in federal prisons. http://bit.ly/20ObRzA
Took executive action to promote smart gun technology, to make them safer. http://1.usa.gov/1RhK1tU
After a failure by Congress to act, proposed executive orders to create more background checks and to fully staff the background check system. http://cnn.it/1JXmUg6
Relaxed HIPAA rules enough to allow for more information to be available to the background check system. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Ordered the tracing of guns as part of criminal investigations to provide data to researchers. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Order the Justice Department to look at the categories of mental health problems prohibited from owning guns to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks, getting guns. http://onforb.es/1nUAGw3
Expanded the definitions of gun dealers and expanded the information available and required in background checks for firearm purchases. http://bit.ly/1K5aXee
Set up a task force to figure out what other measures can be taken to limit gun violence in the wake of Congressional inaction. http://1.usa.gov/1QjYMGJ
Signed bill to improve protections for correctional officers and their families. http://bit.ly/1SMCi4W
Changed the playing field on criminal justice reform by commuting sentences of low-level criminals and signaling a more practical footing. http://1.usa.gov/1YclW7f
Signaled major shift away from the failed “Drug War” by promising to commit more than $1 billion to combat addiction. http://2wsb.tv/1SMBQUv
Improved Treatment of Soldiers and Veterans
Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h
Created a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEshttp://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q
Signed and implemented Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, making more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1
With Congressional Democrats, oversaw largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, for improved medical and extended care facilities for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x
Implemented the Green Vet Initiative, which provides special funding to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY
Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX
Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty can avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX
Ordered improvements to access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ
Got Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons without military firing a single shot or dropping a single bomb. http://nyti.ms/1lVEkU7
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 http://bbc.in/gWSSkA
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo
Signed into law a bill that provides support, counseling, and breastfeeding supplies to military moms who are covered under TRICARE, the health insurance provided to veterans. http://bit.ly/1yNxL8O
Signed into law a bill that makes it easier for military dogs to retire at home with their handlers. http://bit.ly/1J78Y2U
Improved America’s Reputation Around the World
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g
Made a speech at a US mosque to demonstrate his commitment to religious rights and send a message to Muslims around the world. http://cnn.it/1PGU1uI
Restored America’s reputation around the world as a global leader. http://bit.ly/h743y7http://bit.ly/ho4TCr
Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj
Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l
Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe
Pushed forward the first realistic Middle East peace strategy in more than a decade, without abandoning the two-state solution. http://wapo.st/1avyste
Pushed for military to emphasize greater development of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, while calling on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh
Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, although blocked by Congress. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy and prohibited the use of “enhanced interrogation.” http://bit.ly/g6MTuC
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax
Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0
On his second day in office, banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies and put the US in full compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zvehttp://nyti.ms/hzWWys
In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9
Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the 187 aircraft cost $358 million each to build, it had never flown a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war and encourage the Iranian government to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb
Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS
Worked to keep our withdrawal from Afghanistan on track, despite GOP opposition. http://reut.rs/1cIOsF1 Reiterated that commitment in 2014. http://nyti.ms/1exnmRF
Conducted a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz
Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, creating an independent South Sudan. http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj
Helped make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY
Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde
The new policies in Cuba led to thawed relations and the first US Embassy in Cuba in more than 55 years. http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs
Became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 80 years. http://bit.ly/1qlKwbi
Negotiated a deal with Iran that will prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon anytime soon, without firing a shot or invading the country. http://cnn.it/1M3Hpvv
As a result of the Iran agreement, Iran shipped pretty much all of it nuclear material to Russia. http://nyti.ms/1PrzLty
Became the first US President to visit Jamaica in more than 30 years, worked to restore relations with the country and signed a natural gas distribution agreement with the country. http://bit.ly/1JtpFqi
Signs law extending some privacy protections to US allies, a reversal of the Bush practice of spying on people like Angela Merkel and the like. http://bit.ly/1VZza6w
Instituted Power Africa, an initiative to bring electrical generation to greater parts of the African continent. http://bbc.in/1QtYVud
Changed US Approach to “Defense” and National Security
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE
Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2
Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i
Signed and got ratification of a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will stay in force until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4
Committed the US to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ
Developed a comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda, the withdrawal of most troops and the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs
Re-focused on Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna
Negotiated a deal with Afghan government, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an
Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6
Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn
Worked with NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that Libyans could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj
Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ
In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneously engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi
Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z
Increased border security http://bit.ly/1JQDGz9
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw
Established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, to enhance the nation’s ability to “address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources.” http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO
Signed agreement with Afghanistan to end war, turn security over to Afghans. http://nyti.ms/1xSjgBd
Breaking with recent presidential tradition, instead of just attacking Syria in the wake of chemical weapons attacks on Syrians, Obama ordered a full report on the decision-making process. http://cbsn.ws/184RFgu
Instead of holding hearings and creating a political football, he quietly captured a suspect who actually committed the Benghazi terrorist attack. http://wapo.st/1jFlmzv He is also getting a lot of useful information from the suspect. http://nyti.ms/UfE2Ka
Instituted rules to order sanctions against individuals and groups that threaten national cybersecurity. http://1.usa.gov/1HWcGMG
Instituted tougher new sanctions against North Korea after threats of nuclear attack and several tests. http://cbsn.ws/1L8L5hW
Took concrete steps to improve our counter-terrorism efforts. http://bit.ly/1RATjAh
Making great strides in defeating the Islamic State without committing hundreds of thousands of troops or carpet bombing civilians, against Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1TxBK5e
Improved Education and Educational Opportunities
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr
Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide. http://bit.ly/fNDcj3
Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0, to improve veterans’ access to education. http://bit.ly/hPhG7J
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low and middle income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz
Signed and implemented the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe
Took major new steps to protect students from ineffective for-profit colleges through “gainful employment” measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2
Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process, thus us creating greater accountability. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt
Created a rating system for colleges, so that those applying for student financial aid know better what they’re paying for. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Restored the Adult View on Science and Technology
Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw
Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7
Obama EPA reversed research ethics standards which allowed humans to be used as “guinea pigs” in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS
Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC
Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr
Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA
Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3
Expanded space exploration and discovery options to include more players. http://1.usa.gov/13qmZpm
Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs http://bit.ly/129V3SY
In the wake of the West Fertilizer tragedy, formed the Chemical Safety and Security Working Group, to work on measures to prevent another such events. http://1.usa.gov/18kHSlA
Established a Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission, to coordinate efforts to fight cyber-crime and terrorism. http://1.usa.gov/1A0aEoS
The Obama FCC, with his leadership, adopted strong net neutrality rules, to keep the Internet open and equal for everyone. http://fcc.us/1MhTlIA
Ordered rules to speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe
Set up a National Strategic Computing Initiative, to “maximize benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment.” http://1.usa.gov/1IN3FZa
Ordered a federal level change in national earthquake standards. http://1.usa.gov/1T5wGoR
Signed executive orders designed to strengthen government cybersecurity and prevent hackers from getting in. http://usat.ly/1R0saIt
Took steps to combat the effects of climate change by committing the U.S. to developing long-term drought resilience measures. http://1.usa.gov/1SMCuRY
Started the road to greater exploration of space by signing bill to encourage mining on asteroids and clarifying property rights in space. http://bit.ly/1RV2la9
Improved Our Health
Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSOhttp://ti.me/edezge
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco and order tobacco companies to disclose their ingredients and to ban cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.” http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB
Has overseen a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv
Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C
Pushed through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage greatly and ended many detrimental insurance company practices. He also established healthcare.gov. http://www.healthcare.gov/
Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, millions of people receive help in paying their health insurance company premiums. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (Note: except for those states whose Republicans refused to take the extra money.)
By 2014, the Affordable Care Act dropped the number of uninsured Americans by 22.3%, which amounts to more than 10.3 million people with insurance who didn’t have it before. Only 13.9% of Americans are uninsured, a drop from 18.9% in 2013. http://on.msnbc.com/1r4kjGn
The Affordable Care Act has increased the life expectancy of Medicare greatly. http://on.wsj.com/1yuNco6
Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Medicare costs actually declined slightly, for the first time in decades in 2011, according to the Congressional Budget Office. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh
Since passage of the ACA, health care inflation is at its lowest level since 1960. http://1.usa.gov/1vXR0Ld
Created the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to the continuing domestic HIV epidemic, after years of Republicans weakening the government’s ability to deal with the crisis. http://1.usa.gov/1iLED0t
Signed bill that will provide health insurance premium support to workers who lose their health insurance due to foreign competition. http://bit.ly/1evvVDF
In response to the confusion triggered by the asinine Hobby Lobby decision, which essentially declared that corporations could have “religious rights” and lord them over employees, created new rules to give all women with insurance the right to free birth control. http://on.wsj.com/1O44a1t
Implemented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2015-2020, which is a follow-up to the first such strategy in US history, which he implemented in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/1IXknHm
Signed and will implement new child safety standards for e-cigarettes. http://bit.ly/1XaFCIS
Set up a White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, in order to implement ways to develop a cure for cancer. http://1.usa.gov/20AeKY4
Took steps to improve detection and treatment of mental health problems. http://1.usa.gov/25HEDp5
Addressed the Environment While Dealing with Energy Needs
Doubled federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE
Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars. http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y
Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq
Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a “hoax.” http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv
Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO
Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P
Under Obama, our dependence on foreign oil has dropped to its lowest rate since 1985, and continues to drop. http://1.usa.gov/1p6kTUy
Meanwhile, oil consumption is way down because of reduced driving and higher mileage standards. http://ti.me/1z4HFG8
Improved siting, review and permitting stations for power plants, in an attempt to seriously improve the nation’s electric grid. http://1.usa.gov/1l8zNqn
Reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO
Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric vehicles. http://bit.ly/glCukV
Established a quadrennial review of our energy infrastructure, to encourage a modernization of the grid, and to encourage the transition away from fossil fuel use. http://1.usa.gov/1nx2oMo
Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles. http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c http://bit.ly/h5KZqy
Encouraged BP to pay $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. http://wapo.st/ds2BxT (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )
Oversaw and pushed through an amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo
Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3
Became the first President to simply say “Climate Change is a fact,” and set up the first federal government protocols for dealing with the impacts of climate change. http://1.usa.gov/1b7V67B
Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a
Asserted federal legal supremacy to bar Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own.http://bit.ly/ww8eMd
Set up new, stricter standards limiting power plant emissions. http://1.usa.gov/1mML2M3
Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH
Strengthened protection for wildlife, and expanded enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking. http://1.usa.gov/1fce1Ai
Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt
Through the EPA, attemped to take steps to severely limit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2
Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA
Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY
Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K
Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in 2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW
Facilitated investment in industrial energy efficiency to create jobs and strengthen US manufacturing while saving businesses $100 billion over a decade. http://1.usa.gov/WsIgbx
Set up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to oversee Gulf Coast restoration efforts after the 2010 BP oil spill. The money to fund the restoration efforts comes from fines against BP. http://1.usa.gov/Rxjb29
Engaged in the most comprehensive plan to combat climate change in a generation. http://bit.ly/13lXhET
Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p
Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R
Guided a 418% increase in solar power capacity between 2010 and 2014. http://bit.ly/1rHkWJC
As of May 2015, 74% of new electrical capacity was provided by solar and wind power. http://bit.ly/1T5r0LC
Bypassed Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5
Oversaw a tripling in the use of wind power to generate electricity. The US now leads the world in increased wind power capacity. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448
Ordered the federal government to incorporate climate resilience and climate science into all international development in which the United States engages. http://1.usa.gov/YV1EpW
Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x
Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in more than a decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM
Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y
Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL
Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu
Obama EPA ruled that excess CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN
Closed a deal with China to limit carbon emissions to slow down climate change. http://nyti.ms/1xzyS8K
Blocked all oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, one of the most pristine environments in North America http://lat.ms/13xUVFD
Signed an Executive Order to improve environmental efforts in the Arctic region and to combat climate change by better coordinating the efforts of the 23 federal agencies operating in the area. http://usat.ly/ZEzLzE
Vetoed a bill to fast track construction of the parallel Keystone XL pipeline. http://nbcnews.to/1DVDFo7
Expanded clean water regulations to more stringently protect all of the nation’s waterways, even when states fail in their duty. http://bit.ly/1RdQpTc
Signed an Executive Order committing the federal government to lead the way in building a sustainable economy. It’s his fifth doing just that. http://1.usa.gov/1EzO2ne
Banned the use of antibiotics in food served in US Government-run cafeterias and ordered agencies to only use antibiotic-free meat. http://bit.ly/1G1vUxi http://bit.ly/1KHkl4N
Developed new rules to address climate change and to create a significant boost to clean energy. http://bit.ly/1UnQcuR
Negotiated and signed a virtually Republican-Proof global agreement on climate change, with 190 countries signing on. http://bit.ly/1RkjVG8
Became one of 196 countries that signed onto a UN Framework on Climate Change. http://unfccc.int/2860.php
Ordered a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal land, and they will examine the whole leasing process. http://wapo.st/23Q6en8
There’s a Lot More!
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6http://bit.ly/i02wgP
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB
Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j
Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5
Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first responders. http://bit.ly/o7cWYS
Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa
To help those communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, issued an executive order setting up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and asked Congress to approve $60 billion in supplemental assistance to aid in storm recovery. http://1.usa.gov/134L7hl
Produced 23 Executive actions designed to make it easier for law enforcement to identify those who shouldn’t have guns, thus helping them enforce the law. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements in trade pacts like NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY
Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO http://bit.ly/ff5Luv
Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.http://bit.ly/dFb8qF
Expanded the authority of Customs to improve enforcement of trade and customs laws and to better coordinate said enforcement among various agencies. http://bit.ly/1S5pun7
And Did You Know?
Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY
And of course…
Despite the odds, became the first black president and then, was reelected by a wide margin.
But, do feel free to keep feeding into the anti Democrat meme.
MattSh
(3,714 posts)tell me, oh wise one, why so many people are not feeling it?
I'll wait...
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)but I'll ask anyway.
The article suggests (correctly) that the Democratic Party underwent a fundamental change in 1992, when Bill Clinton and the DLC moved the party radically to the right (a move they considered necessary after the successive stinging defeats of Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, and Michael Dukakis). Without debating whether that move was necessary (or even the right thing to do), I think we should be able to agree that 1992 was the beginning of the DLC/Third Way dominance of the Democratic Party.
Are we okay so far?
Without resorting to simply reciting what happened under Democratic administrations after 1992, e.g., the economy grew by this much" or "the stock market grew by this much" or "this many jobs were created," AND without resorting to progressive developments in the COURTS, let me ask you to do one simple thing . . .
Tell me every piece of LEGISLATION passed since 1992, during the SIXTEEN YEARS of DLC/Third Way rule, that YOU consider "progressive."
As a matter of fact, let me open that question up to every single DLC-er/Third Way-er on this site . . . you're ALL welcome to participate . . . tell us . . .
tic, toc . . . tic, toc
freebrew
(1,917 posts)Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)answered.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)And, this is just focusing on the accomplishments of president Obama, one of the GREATEST presidents in US history imo.
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/
Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1
On his first full day, he froze White House salaries for the duration of the Great Recession. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending and efficiency. http://www.cio.gov
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems and signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, in an attempt to limit waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting systems. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1http://bit.ly/fz8GAd
He created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa
Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu
Banned gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN
Banned anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years and placed strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV
Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX
Became the first president to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5
Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov
Restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews, giving the public greater access to historic White House documents, and curtails the use of executive privilege to shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb
Improved the Freedom of Information Act and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2
Streamline the Department of Education’s procurement policies and made them more transparent. http://bit.ly/1r9oQvh
Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7
Signed a law to completely reform NSA Data Collection program and keep phone records in the hands of the phone company. http://bit.ly/1dG34vD
Staved Off a Bush Depression, Improved the Economy
Pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as “the stimulus package.” He also launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSshttp://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk
By the end of his first year, the economy created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE
He created the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and forced banks and other entities to pay back virtually all of the bailout money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVShttp://bit.ly/eCNrD6
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl
In 2010, more jobs were created than had been created during Bush’s eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
He pushed through and implemented an auto industry rescue plan that saved as many as 1 million jobs and possibly the entire auto industry. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr http://bit.ly/gj7mt5
Through his investment in GM, returned to the company to its place as the premiere car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx
In February 2016, GM was in such good financial shape, they gave a share of the profit to each worker, with checks up to $11,000. http://detne.ws/1mk7Jry
Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf
Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw
Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which helped millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures and provided $2.2 billion to combat homelessness and stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn
Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/gORYfL
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30D
With Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR
China’s largest manufacturer, Foxconn, is building a large plant in Pennsylvania http://cnnmon.ie/1k7LT4S
Worked with Apple Computer to get them to build more product here, and thecompany is building two large plants to manufacture products here; one in Texas http://zd.net/1nkpt2O and one in Arizona http://bit.ly/1mXY5Vg
Created an institute to invest in more manufacturing jobs in the technology fields of the future. http://nyti.ms/1egyXrV
Ordered all federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, leading the way to a national increase. http://wapo.st/1iaU5kd
Ordered the completion of the International Trade Data System, a digital trade record book, by 2016. This move will streamline and simplify the process through which small- and medium-sized businesses set up the export of US goods. http://bit.ly/1nwSRF4
Specific Examples of Economic Improvement
As of January 2016, a record 64 consecutive months of overall job growth. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of January 2016, Unemployment drops below 5% for the first time in eight years and without a significant bubble. 4.9% http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
As of January 2016, there have been 71 consecutive months of private sector job growth. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ
Since February 2010, when job numbers hit their lowest point, 13.7 non-farm jobs have been created. http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES0000000001 (Republican budget cuts reduced public employment by about 700,000)
Oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds since taking office. http://bit.ly/1xKMmjY
Reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.9% of GDP in FY 2014. http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45653
Scolds Congress and gets passed a $305 billion highways bill, which will have the added benefit of created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and creating incentives for green cars. http://bit.ly/1NsL2Zq
Addressed Wrongdoing in the Financial Sector
Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq
Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0http://bit.ly/geHpcD
Created and implemented rules to reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t
Created and implemented rules so banks can no longer use depositors’ money to invest in high-risk financial instruments that work against depositors’ interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks permitting the US government to gain access to bank records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw
Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, closing many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq
Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, inflation in the healthcare sector dropped to its lowest point in 50 years. http://on.wsj.com/1E6cYjF
Improved Conditions for Consumers and Small Businesses
Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS
Guided the housing market all the way back from total collapse, which led to a rally for housing starts. http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU
Brought airline industry back to their highest profitability since before the recession. http://lat.ms/1O8H1iE
Blocked a monopolistic merger of Staples and Office Depot, to preserve at least some competition. http://bit.ly/1kcY2Kv
Stock market has reached record highs, restoring most of the economic losses felt during the Bush Recession. http://bit.ly/1z4FAtL
Created and Implemented the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG http://bit.ly/fnTayj
Consumer confidence continues to inch up to its highest level more than a decade. http://bit.ly/1PZLRcK
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
Created business.gov, to allow online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov
Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7
Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV
Crafted and signed an executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE
Oversaw the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP
Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals using money from TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa
Set up rules for banks in handling legal marijuana money. http://nyti.ms/1b80o2K
Added greater protections to consumer financial transactions to reduce identity theft. http://1.usa.gov/1pjfUFq
Took steps to prevent pirate fishing and protect fish populations, and ordered stricter labeling requirements on labeling of seafood products in stores. http://1.usa.gov/1BYhTUn
Signed the RAISE Act, which should encourage more people to open small businesses and help improve the economy. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Signed a bill that allows low-volume vehicle manufacturers that will increase entrepreneurship among small car manufacturers, who often build replicas of classics but who often build green vehicles. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF
Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F
Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP
Extended discounted health coverage under the COBRA health insurance law for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he’s also extended unemployment benefits more than a few times. http://aol.it/evtVxDhttp://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8
Included the Buffet Rule in his 2014 budget proposal, in order to fulfill a campaign promise to make sure tax rates are fair between the rich and the middle class. http://1.usa.gov/19PkdQo
Used the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend for five additional years the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to families for college-related expenses, thus saving those families up to $10,000. http://onforb.es/17zYg3u
Increased protections for the unemployed who are seeking a government job. http://1.usa.gov/1jgXATu
Updated and modernized overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) http://1.usa.gov/1iGDO8e
Signed and implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, to improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk
To make college more affordable and accountable, will begin rating colleges with regard to affordability and value. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Initiated a reform of federal job training programs, to make them more relevant to the current economy and the job market. http://1.usa.gov/1kZLQHG
Under Obama, the bottom 95% of taxpayers pay lower federal income taxes than at any time in the last 50 years, including under Reagan, or either Bush. http://bit.ly/1w1W8Ns
Signed a presidential memorandum authorizing six weeks paid leave for all federal employees with a new baby and encouraged Congress to do the same for all workers. http://bit.ly/18613XA
2014 marked the first time since 1984 that unemployment dropped in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 1.usa.gov/1E25u0C
Took steps to improve workplace safety by creating an Advisory Board to study workers’ exposure to toxic substances. http://1.usa.gov/1M4s8IG
Changed overtime rules to make it far more difficult for employers to avoid paying overtime to workers. http://politi.co/1KHfiBe
Changed rules for federal contractors, guaranteeing that all workers earn paid leave; this should affect about 300,000 workers. http://1.usa.gov/1LcHZWl
Negotiated a law to finally replace “No Child Left Behind” and remove much of the onerous government “oversight” that caused children to stagnate, not improve, academically. http://bit.ly/1Up9pMl
Addressed Civil Rights and Equality
Formed a commission to examine and make recommendations for fixing the broken voting system. http://wapo.st/16K0D
At a press conference August 9, 2013, gave up a small measure of executive power, promising to create adversarial process in FISA regarding NSA surveillance. http://1.usa.gov/1dQmnyQ
Proposed rules to enhance Fair Housing Laws, to give HUD and other enforcement agencies more enforcement power. http://bit.ly/1qkz4uQ
Ordered a review of capital punishment policies after several botched executions. http://nyti.ms/RDJp58
Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0
Concentrated immigration enforcement on those who commit crimes, and vowed to stop breaking up families. http://1.usa.gov/1uTZ8gV
Streamlined the visa process, to make it more responsive and humane for those who want to be here legally. http://1.usa.gov/1tgDRti
Took steps to tighten the reins when it comes to providing local law enforcement agencies with military-style equipment and exercising more control over the equipment they receive. http://1.usa.gov/1ATWV3K
Changed fair housing rules to make more affordable housing available to more people. http://cnn.it/1JcR3qB
Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8
Established the White House Council of Native American Affairs, to improve government-to-government relations with Native American nations. http://1.usa.gov/1cIEeEv
Limited local police acquisitions of military-style equipment, to reduce the likelihood of overkill. http://n.pr/1NGkBjT
Signed Blue Alert Law, which provides police officers with more information when they are threatened. http://bit.ly/1NGksga
Blocked the sale of Apache tribal land to foreign mining company, over Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1RYpmfihttp://bit.ly/1RYpmfi
Improved Workers’ Rights
He issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including all websites and intranets. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ
Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission clarified and strengthened rules prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. http://alj.am/1mo0kjV
Required companies who bid on federal contracts larger than $500,000 to publicly disclose all previous violations of labor law, including unpaid claims for back wages. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Made it illegal for federal contractors with more than $1 million in contracts to force employees into arbitration in workplace discrimination accusations. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3
Vetoed Republican bill that would have blocked new NLRB rules that were designed to speed up the time it takes workers to unionize. http://reut.rs/1agujMO He also added a Memorandum of Disagreement to make his reasons for the veto clear and made a major statement in support of unions. http://1.usa.gov/1NG7RuA
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj
Signed law that bans imports of goods produced through forced labor. http://nbcnews.to/1RuJu2y
Protected the Rights of Gay People
Signed and implemented the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7
Oversaw and implemented the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. http://bit.ly/fdahuHhttp://bit.ly/mZV4Pz
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7
Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS
As soon as the Supreme Court invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, he moved to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. http://wapo.st/1avDjue
Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples. http://reut.rs/llNJek
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp
Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT
Appointed several prominent gay athletes and others, and plans to show US government’s commitment to gay rights to anti-gay Russia. http://on.cpsj.com/1fckN9h
Department of Agriculture propagated new rules to better enforce non-discrimination when it comes to USDA investigations and to extend non-discrimination to gender identity. http://bit.ly/1yChJhi
Banned all federal contractors from discriminating against gay workers. http://1.usa.gov/1ok1gfH
Persevered with his campaign to turn “gay marriage” into “marriage” and won in the Supreme Court. http://cbsloc.al/1M4qLKb
Improved Conditions for Women
Establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM
Implemented the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg
Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF
Improved the Paycheck Fairness Act, making it possible for employees to talk about their salaries without retaliation, and ordering salary data collection, so as to make it harder for employers to pay women less. http://huff.to/1nwVOWf
Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU
Shattered another glass ceiling by naming Janet Yellen chair of the Federal Reserve beginning Feb. 1, 2014. http://usat.ly/1gqMBfk
Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x
Ordered companies with 100 employees or more to disclose pay data based on race and gender, to address the pay gap. http://theatln.tc/1Q04XPL
Addressed Criminal Justice Failings and the Gun Culture
Made significant reductions in drug sentencing guidelines for current prisoners. http://n.pr/1mWBLkM
Oversaw the first drop in the federal prison population in 32 years. http://bit.ly/1B5h8rW
Increased his use of clemency to release thousands of non-violent drug offenders from prison. http://nyti.ms/1KE8DJG
Ordered a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in federal prisons. http://bit.ly/20ObRzA
Took executive action to promote smart gun technology, to make them safer. http://1.usa.gov/1RhK1tU
After a failure by Congress to act, proposed executive orders to create more background checks and to fully staff the background check system. http://cnn.it/1JXmUg6
Relaxed HIPAA rules enough to allow for more information to be available to the background check system. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Ordered the tracing of guns as part of criminal investigations to provide data to researchers. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Order the Justice Department to look at the categories of mental health problems prohibited from owning guns to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks, getting guns. http://onforb.es/1nUAGw3
Expanded the definitions of gun dealers and expanded the information available and required in background checks for firearm purchases. http://bit.ly/1K5aXee
Set up a task force to figure out what other measures can be taken to limit gun violence in the wake of Congressional inaction. http://1.usa.gov/1QjYMGJ
Signed bill to improve protections for correctional officers and their families. http://bit.ly/1SMCi4W
Changed the playing field on criminal justice reform by commuting sentences of low-level criminals and signaling a more practical footing. http://1.usa.gov/1YclW7f
Signaled major shift away from the failed “Drug War” by promising to commit more than $1 billion to combat addiction. http://2wsb.tv/1SMBQUv
Improved Treatment of Soldiers and Veterans
Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h
Created a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEshttp://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q
Signed and implemented Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, making more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1
With Congressional Democrats, oversaw largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, for improved medical and extended care facilities for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x
Implemented the Green Vet Initiative, which provides special funding to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY
Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX
Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty can avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX
Ordered improvements to access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ
Got Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons without military firing a single shot or dropping a single bomb. http://nyti.ms/1lVEkU7
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 http://bbc.in/gWSSkA
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo
Signed into law a bill that provides support, counseling, and breastfeeding supplies to military moms who are covered under TRICARE, the health insurance provided to veterans. http://bit.ly/1yNxL8O
Signed into law a bill that makes it easier for military dogs to retire at home with their handlers. http://bit.ly/1J78Y2U
Improved America’s Reputation Around the World
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g
Made a speech at a US mosque to demonstrate his commitment to religious rights and send a message to Muslims around the world. http://cnn.it/1PGU1uI
Restored America’s reputation around the world as a global leader. http://bit.ly/h743y7http://bit.ly/ho4TCr
Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj
Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l
Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe
Pushed forward the first realistic Middle East peace strategy in more than a decade, without abandoning the two-state solution. http://wapo.st/1avyste
Pushed for military to emphasize greater development of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, while calling on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh
Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, although blocked by Congress. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy and prohibited the use of “enhanced interrogation.” http://bit.ly/g6MTuC
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax
Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0
On his second day in office, banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies and put the US in full compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zvehttp://nyti.ms/hzWWys
In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9
Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the 187 aircraft cost $358 million each to build, it had never flown a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war and encourage the Iranian government to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb
Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS
Worked to keep our withdrawal from Afghanistan on track, despite GOP opposition. http://reut.rs/1cIOsF1 Reiterated that commitment in 2014. http://nyti.ms/1exnmRF
Conducted a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz
Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, creating an independent South Sudan. http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj
Helped make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY
Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde
The new policies in Cuba led to thawed relations and the first US Embassy in Cuba in more than 55 years. http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs
Became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 80 years. http://bit.ly/1qlKwbi
Negotiated a deal with Iran that will prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon anytime soon, without firing a shot or invading the country. http://cnn.it/1M3Hpvv
As a result of the Iran agreement, Iran shipped pretty much all of it nuclear material to Russia. http://nyti.ms/1PrzLty
Became the first US President to visit Jamaica in more than 30 years, worked to restore relations with the country and signed a natural gas distribution agreement with the country. http://bit.ly/1JtpFqi
Signs law extending some privacy protections to US allies, a reversal of the Bush practice of spying on people like Angela Merkel and the like. http://bit.ly/1VZza6w
Instituted Power Africa, an initiative to bring electrical generation to greater parts of the African continent. http://bbc.in/1QtYVud
Changed US Approach to “Defense” and National Security
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE
Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2
Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i
Signed and got ratification of a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will stay in force until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4
Committed the US to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ
Developed a comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda, the withdrawal of most troops and the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs
Re-focused on Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna
Negotiated a deal with Afghan government, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an
Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6
Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn
Worked with NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that Libyans could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj
Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ
In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneously engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi
Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z
Increased border security http://bit.ly/1JQDGz9
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw
Established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, to enhance the nation’s ability to “address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources.” http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO
Signed agreement with Afghanistan to end war, turn security over to Afghans. http://nyti.ms/1xSjgBd
Breaking with recent presidential tradition, instead of just attacking Syria in the wake of chemical weapons attacks on Syrians, Obama ordered a full report on the decision-making process. http://cbsn.ws/184RFgu
Instead of holding hearings and creating a political football, he quietly captured a suspect who actually committed the Benghazi terrorist attack. http://wapo.st/1jFlmzv He is also getting a lot of useful information from the suspect. http://nyti.ms/UfE2Ka
Instituted rules to order sanctions against individuals and groups that threaten national cybersecurity. http://1.usa.gov/1HWcGMG
Instituted tougher new sanctions against North Korea after threats of nuclear attack and several tests. http://cbsn.ws/1L8L5hW
Took concrete steps to improve our counter-terrorism efforts. http://bit.ly/1RATjAh
Making great strides in defeating the Islamic State without committing hundreds of thousands of troops or carpet bombing civilians, against Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1TxBK5e
Improved Education and Educational Opportunities
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr
Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide. http://bit.ly/fNDcj3
Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0, to improve veterans’ access to education. http://bit.ly/hPhG7J
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low and middle income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz
Signed and implemented the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe
Took major new steps to protect students from ineffective for-profit colleges through “gainful employment” measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2
Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process, thus us creating greater accountability. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt
Created a rating system for colleges, so that those applying for student financial aid know better what they’re paying for. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL
Restored the Adult View on Science and Technology
Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw
Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7
Obama EPA reversed research ethics standards which allowed humans to be used as “guinea pigs” in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS
Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC
Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr
Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA
Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3
Expanded space exploration and discovery options to include more players. http://1.usa.gov/13qmZpm
Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs http://bit.ly/129V3SY
In the wake of the West Fertilizer tragedy, formed the Chemical Safety and Security Working Group, to work on measures to prevent another such events. http://1.usa.gov/18kHSlA
Established a Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission, to coordinate efforts to fight cyber-crime and terrorism. http://1.usa.gov/1A0aEoS
The Obama FCC, with his leadership, adopted strong net neutrality rules, to keep the Internet open and equal for everyone. http://fcc.us/1MhTlIA
Ordered rules to speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe
Set up a National Strategic Computing Initiative, to “maximize benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment.” http://1.usa.gov/1IN3FZa
Ordered a federal level change in national earthquake standards. http://1.usa.gov/1T5wGoR
Signed executive orders designed to strengthen government cybersecurity and prevent hackers from getting in. http://usat.ly/1R0saIt
Took steps to combat the effects of climate change by committing the U.S. to developing long-term drought resilience measures. http://1.usa.gov/1SMCuRY
Started the road to greater exploration of space by signing bill to encourage mining on asteroids and clarifying property rights in space. http://bit.ly/1RV2la9
Improved Our Health
Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSOhttp://ti.me/edezge
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco and order tobacco companies to disclose their ingredients and to ban cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.” http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB
Has overseen a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv
Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C
Pushed through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage greatly and ended many detrimental insurance company practices. He also established healthcare.gov. http://www.healthcare.gov/
Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, millions of people receive help in paying their health insurance company premiums. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (Note: except for those states whose Republicans refused to take the extra money.)
By 2014, the Affordable Care Act dropped the number of uninsured Americans by 22.3%, which amounts to more than 10.3 million people with insurance who didn’t have it before. Only 13.9% of Americans are uninsured, a drop from 18.9% in 2013. http://on.msnbc.com/1r4kjGn
The Affordable Care Act has increased the life expectancy of Medicare greatly. http://on.wsj.com/1yuNco6
Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
Medicare costs actually declined slightly, for the first time in decades in 2011, according to the Congressional Budget Office. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh
Since passage of the ACA, health care inflation is at its lowest level since 1960. http://1.usa.gov/1vXR0Ld
Created the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to the continuing domestic HIV epidemic, after years of Republicans weakening the government’s ability to deal with the crisis. http://1.usa.gov/1iLED0t
Signed bill that will provide health insurance premium support to workers who lose their health insurance due to foreign competition. http://bit.ly/1evvVDF
In response to the confusion triggered by the asinine Hobby Lobby decision, which essentially declared that corporations could have “religious rights” and lord them over employees, created new rules to give all women with insurance the right to free birth control. http://on.wsj.com/1O44a1t
Implemented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2015-2020, which is a follow-up to the first such strategy in US history, which he implemented in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/1IXknHm
Signed and will implement new child safety standards for e-cigarettes. http://bit.ly/1XaFCIS
Set up a White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, in order to implement ways to develop a cure for cancer. http://1.usa.gov/20AeKY4
Took steps to improve detection and treatment of mental health problems. http://1.usa.gov/25HEDp5
Addressed the Environment While Dealing with Energy Needs
Doubled federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE
Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars. http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y
Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq
Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a “hoax.” http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv
Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO
Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P
Under Obama, our dependence on foreign oil has dropped to its lowest rate since 1985, and continues to drop. http://1.usa.gov/1p6kTUy
Meanwhile, oil consumption is way down because of reduced driving and higher mileage standards. http://ti.me/1z4HFG8
Improved siting, review and permitting stations for power plants, in an attempt to seriously improve the nation’s electric grid. http://1.usa.gov/1l8zNqn
Reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO
Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric vehicles. http://bit.ly/glCukV
Established a quadrennial review of our energy infrastructure, to encourage a modernization of the grid, and to encourage the transition away from fossil fuel use. http://1.usa.gov/1nx2oMo
Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles. http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c http://bit.ly/h5KZqy
Encouraged BP to pay $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. http://wapo.st/ds2BxT (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )
Oversaw and pushed through an amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo
Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3
Became the first President to simply say “Climate Change is a fact,” and set up the first federal government protocols for dealing with the impacts of climate change. http://1.usa.gov/1b7V67B
Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a
Asserted federal legal supremacy to bar Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own.http://bit.ly/ww8eMd
Set up new, stricter standards limiting power plant emissions. http://1.usa.gov/1mML2M3
Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH
Strengthened protection for wildlife, and expanded enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking. http://1.usa.gov/1fce1Ai
Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt
Through the EPA, attemped to take steps to severely limit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2
Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA
Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY
Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K
Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in 2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW
Facilitated investment in industrial energy efficiency to create jobs and strengthen US manufacturing while saving businesses $100 billion over a decade. http://1.usa.gov/WsIgbx
Set up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to oversee Gulf Coast restoration efforts after the 2010 BP oil spill. The money to fund the restoration efforts comes from fines against BP. http://1.usa.gov/Rxjb29
Engaged in the most comprehensive plan to combat climate change in a generation. http://bit.ly/13lXhET
Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p
Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R
Guided a 418% increase in solar power capacity between 2010 and 2014. http://bit.ly/1rHkWJC
As of May 2015, 74% of new electrical capacity was provided by solar and wind power. http://bit.ly/1T5r0LC
Bypassed Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5
Oversaw a tripling in the use of wind power to generate electricity. The US now leads the world in increased wind power capacity. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448
Ordered the federal government to incorporate climate resilience and climate science into all international development in which the United States engages. http://1.usa.gov/YV1EpW
Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x
Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in more than a decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM
Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y
Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL
Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu
Obama EPA ruled that excess CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN
Closed a deal with China to limit carbon emissions to slow down climate change. http://nyti.ms/1xzyS8K
Blocked all oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, one of the most pristine environments in North America http://lat.ms/13xUVFD
Signed an Executive Order to improve environmental efforts in the Arctic region and to combat climate change by better coordinating the efforts of the 23 federal agencies operating in the area. http://usat.ly/ZEzLzE
Vetoed a bill to fast track construction of the parallel Keystone XL pipeline. http://nbcnews.to/1DVDFo7
Expanded clean water regulations to more stringently protect all of the nation’s waterways, even when states fail in their duty. http://bit.ly/1RdQpTc
Signed an Executive Order committing the federal government to lead the way in building a sustainable economy. It’s his fifth doing just that. http://1.usa.gov/1EzO2ne
Banned the use of antibiotics in food served in US Government-run cafeterias and ordered agencies to only use antibiotic-free meat. http://bit.ly/1G1vUxi http://bit.ly/1KHkl4N
Developed new rules to address climate change and to create a significant boost to clean energy. http://bit.ly/1UnQcuR
Negotiated and signed a virtually Republican-Proof global agreement on climate change, with 190 countries signing on. http://bit.ly/1RkjVG8
Became one of 196 countries that signed onto a UN Framework on Climate Change. http://unfccc.int/2860.php
Ordered a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal land, and they will examine the whole leasing process. http://wapo.st/23Q6en8
There’s a Lot More!
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6http://bit.ly/i02wgP
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB
Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j
Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5
Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first responders. http://bit.ly/o7cWYS
Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa
To help those communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, issued an executive order setting up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and asked Congress to approve $60 billion in supplemental assistance to aid in storm recovery. http://1.usa.gov/134L7hl
Produced 23 Executive actions designed to make it easier for law enforcement to identify those who shouldn’t have guns, thus helping them enforce the law. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ
Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements in trade pacts like NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY
Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO http://bit.ly/ff5Luv
Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.http://bit.ly/dFb8qF
Expanded the authority of Customs to improve enforcement of trade and customs laws and to better coordinate said enforcement among various agencies. http://bit.ly/1S5pun7
And Did You Know?
Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY
And of course…
Despite the odds, became the first black president and then, was reelected by a wide margin.
Now, do feel free to either use the typical dismissal, insult, deflect, or find a single example in this extensive list to complain about and dismiss the rest as a result of it.
I have to ask.. what is it that makes you interested in posting on a site dedicated to promoting the Democratic party?
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)and appropriating the EXECUTIVE actions of the greatest president in history as "proof" of the wisdom of Hillary wing of the Democratic Party.
The Third Way doesn't get to ride the coat tails of a great man. Not only did Obama not run as a moderate in 2008 (in fact, he had to kicked the DLC/Third Way in the rear to get nominated), his courageous record of executive action was done DESPITE the Third Way's abject FAILURE in convincing America that Republican-lite is better than straight Republican and saddling him with hostile federal AND STATE governments as far as the eye can see.
In your massive and out of date CUT AND PASTE, you listed just 6 bills that weren't ALSO supported by the most conservative members of congress . . . 6 progressive bills (and that's even giving you the ACA, which was an amazing accomplishment, but was NOT progressive in the least AND the Claims Resolution Act which did little more than fund what the Government was ORDERED TO PAY DAMAGES by a federal court).
So, that's what "incrementalism" got us . . . six bills in 8 years?
Edited to add:
And we got those 8 bills ONLY because we had not just the greatest, but the most transformational, president in US history in office.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)YOUR words "Tell me every piece of LEGISLATION passed since 1992, during the SIXTEEN YEARS of DLC/Third Way rule, that YOU consider "progressive." "
These are from the last 8 years.
Great flip flop as well... First it's 16 years of DLC/Third way rule, but now it's President Obama is good by me....
But, by all means.. support the Republican. That will get you so much more.
Until people like you wake the hell up and realize this is more than a Presidential election, "incrementalism" is all we will continue to get, and demi-god sanders doesn't make a congress.
And yes, people on your side seem to think this is just about the election for POTUS:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1776613
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)On the down ticket Third Way How many House seats did you lose. How many states houses How many governierships? Yea, Third Way has led us to disaster
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)How many house and senate seats have you actually done anything, other than complain about the results, to help us win?
Here's a breakdown of my efforts:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7757471
And that's just this cycle.
Go ahead give me your own list of support, or are you like Sanders and just like to sit in the balcony section and heckle those who do the work?
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)your donations or your occasional phone banking that change Congress, it's your candidate's ideas.
As long as your candidates are just an "increment" different from the GOP, even millions won't change anything.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)Many are the types of progressives that would support Bernie, and a few have been endorsed by Bernie.
You want Bernie for President? Give him a congress that will make his vision possible. Without it, he's just hot air.
Hell, for that matter, and I'd say we very likely disagree here, I do fully believe that if there WAS a progressive congress in the works, Hillary would likely be running a much more progressive platform as well. That's just a hypothetical, so we'll just have to disagree.
You want more than incremental legislation? Great, so do I. It has to START with with a change of Congress, not the POTUS. Even the teabaggers got that one single thing right... They changed the landscape of the congress (completely wrong direction). Of course that was no small part of the reason that most of the Obama accomplishment list happened before 2010.
Right now, and the way the 115th congress is shaping up to look (in the House almost certainly, and very possibly the senate as well) we don't even have an "incremental" congress that will somewhat work with either of our POTUS candidates. We're looking at a continued obstructionist congress.. One that will continue to try to pass ridiculous bills to repeal the ACA, and certainly not for the purpose of implementing a single payer system.
Unless you have polls, or can show me a realistic potential roll call vote for the next congress that the next POTUS WILL have to work with that will support progressive causes, incrementalism is the best we can hope for.. of the 2 candidates, the only one that I feel is at all capable of working with the reality of what congress is and will look like.. That's Hillary.
I've been saying, in more than a few posts, since the middle of last summer.. you show me the Bernie revolution expanding beyond just getting him elected, and you have another supporter for him here.
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)Apparent conflicts are often far less than originally perceived.
I am totally with this:
"Hell, for that matter, and I'd say we very likely disagree here, I do fully believe that if there WAS a progressive congress in the works, Hillary would likely be running a much more progressive platform as well. That's just a hypothetical, so we'll just have to disagree."
I say this not necessarily as a compliment to Secretary Clinton (because I believe she says what she thinks will get her elected) BUT you could not be more correct that "revolutions" have to be "all the way from top to bottom -- or bottom to top . . . whatever" events. No, Sanders can't change diddly by himself, BUT change has to start somewhere and the top has to be part of it.
I've been in bottom to top revolutions, twice in two different countries, and all we ended up doing was watch our friends die and us get branded (yes, by the people at the top) as criminals of one sort or another.
I appreciate people who work within the system, like yourself. I appreciate the fact that people suffer during failed revolutions (more, dare I say than almost anyone else on this site). I understand that it's a risk that people who are already oppressed have every reason not to want to take. On the other hand, I'm watching Obama's near-heroic efforts to institute some just very basic changes on one hand and things moving backwards (VRA, criminal justice neo-slavery, etc,) on the other and I just can't justify waiting.
I really appreciate your post btw. Disagreement with dialogue builds, not destroys.
Take care.
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)Pharma and insurance industry handouts, unprecedented secrecy, massive increase in the drone bombing, and the TPP.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)thank you. You didn't disappoint.
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)The big things that impact our way of life and ability to at least attempt to achieve middle class status are important to some of us.
Others already have it and won't be effected by these huge issues. It must be nice.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)a 10 year wait for FOIA records, boots on the ground and hospitals filled with head injury military, and unregulated trade with the Asian-pacific countries so they can work for pennies a day forever.
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)I was juror #7
On Fri Apr 22, 2016, 08:46 AM an alert was sent on the following post:
How about just in the last 8?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=153155
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
Spamming the thread, now twice, with this long copy-and-paste list.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Apr 22, 2016, 08:53 AM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Silly reason for alert. No one has to read it after opening it. Takes more than posting it twice on a long thread for me to call this spamming.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The alerter for this post should be reviewed by MIRT. There is nothing wrong with this post. There is no poor language, but there is a question about someone's posting of invalid criticisms of Democratic Party members, the Democratic POTUS and other Democratic Party candidates. If I remember the terms of service, this site is to promote the Democratic Party and Democratic Party candidates.
If you dislike the Democratic Party, you should go to another site. There are lots of other sites that attack Democrats.
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Explanation: Love Obama
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Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)I get the reasons people attack Hillary.. just like people attack Bernie.. that's part of the primary process, and seems to be the ongoing pattern. Us Democrats are passionate people.
I don't get why posting the actual accomplishments of the actual (and not even running in any election) sitting Democratic Party elected President is something worth attacking on a site like this? That part I find exceptionally distasteful.
At least the alerter is going to be on a little time out from making more ridiculous alerts.
Thanks for the heads up.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)
HillareeeHillaraah
(685 posts)
johnp3907
(3,731 posts)
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)
mrdmk
(2,943 posts)We have a whole community that drank lead tainted water for a year and they did nothing. The EPA was told about the problem and sat around with their thumb up their ass. Guess what this lead tainted water is a big political football and the EPA is still doing nothing. We now have what could be called a superduper-toxic-fund under an entire community and the best the EPA could do is have the regional director resign. Sad state of affairs if you ask me...
.
FighttheFuture
(1,313 posts)Skink
(10,122 posts)
FlatBaroque
(3,160 posts)I have to agree that an independent run is warranted.
Rass
(112 posts)Bernie should run as an independent, if Clinton wins. Too much election irregularities is indicative of fraud. Most amusing is how Hillary supporters expect Bernie supporters to wave the white flag after all of the corruption.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 21, 2016, 05:11 PM - Edit history (1)
Run Independent if he can. Bernie and this 2016 election are critical to the country's stability and American democracy!
THE TPP LOOMING, CLIMATE CHANGE, RACIAL VIOLENCE, DECLINE OF DEMOCRACY--> WE CAN'T AFFORD TRUMP OR STATUS QUO.
Orrex
(63,213 posts)LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)that Bernie out-polls every other candidate. And has less disapproval ratings.
Orrex
(63,213 posts)Please post a link to the data showing that Sanders would out-poll every other candidate if he ran as an Independent.
Thanks!
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)Sanders polls better than Clinton over Trump (and Cruz)
http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/2016ReuterTracking4132016.pdf
And...
If the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries were being held today, for whom of the following would you vote?
Of just Independents: 29% would vote for Clinton, 45% would vote for Sanders
Of Independents and Democrats: 42% would vote for Clinton, 47% would vote for Sanders
Of just Democrats: 48% Clinton, 49% Sanders
You're welcome
Orrex
(63,213 posts)The polls that you provide are explicitly based on the assumption that he'd be running as a Democrat (hence the D next to his name).
This is not a middling complaint, either. If he runs as an Independent, he'll have the entire Democratic campaign apparatus working against him, and a great many Democrats will vote Democrat.
It's hardly the slam-dunk that you seem to want it to be. So I'll ask again:
Please post a link to the data showing that Sanders would out-poll every other candidate if he ran as an Independent.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)Anyways,
You are asking for a hypothetical poll. Obviously there is no poll yet because he has not declared himself as an independent candidate...yet
But one can project. IF Sanders already has such high independent voter numbers now, those would only increase if he shed his Democrat label. And while some Democrats that are for Bernie now would submit to the powers that be and DWS and endorse the party sanctioned candidate...I project that the deeply important progressive issues, many traditional Democratic policies, that he is proposing has garnered him the type of support that is not so easily turned away from once it is finally offered. There is a yuuuuge segment of Democrats that have been simmering and stewing more and more as Obama allowed the status quo to continue after promising change. They now will not so easily be co-opted. Add to that independents and even Republicans that would never vote for a Democrat and hate the choices that their own party has given them.....
Orrex
(63,213 posts)The bold text was a formatting error, now corrected. My bad.
Fortunately, I have greater confidence in Sanders' integrity than his supporters, and I'm confident that he knows that he'd guarantee a Republican victory if he were to run as an Independent. Therefore I don't believe that he'll do so.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)Obviously it is my opinion, based on the polling info I have available. Just as it is your opinion that he would not get enough votes.
Unless you have a link showing that Bernie would lose as an independent?
I do take umbrage with your interpretation, your projection, of Bernie's reason for running. Using terms like "cynical opportunism", and a "self serving political stunt". I guess if after listening to Sanders speak, not taking Wall Street money and instead small donations, and his long history of standing up for civil rights, you believe that he is only in this for himself, then I'll never convince you. So you think Hillary Clinton, or for that matter Trump or Cruz, is less of a self serving cynical opportunist for running for President?
You have a funny interpretation of "integrity". So if he'd just drop his core principles, traditional Democratic principles, and bowed to the corporate neo-liberal establishment candidate, you'd respect him more? Not me.
Orrex
(63,213 posts)There's no indication that his pursuit of the nomination or his hypothetical Democratic presidential candidacy would help down-ticket Democrats, nor is there any indication that he cares.
When it suited his purposes, the long term Independent decided that he was a Democrat after all. Yes, he's caucused with them, but so what? So did Joe Lieberman.
I find the timing of his switch to be remarkably convenient, especially considering that he'll run again as an Independent in Vermont for the next Senate election.
If it's just a hypothetical based on your opinion, then it's intellectually dishonest of you to cite actual poll data about Sanders (D) in support of your imagined presidential campaign by Sanders (I).
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)lol, how is it "intellectually dishonest" of me? It is a projection, and a possibility I think is valid based on actual polling data. Would you rather I used bogus or no data? Of course it is an opinion. That is what discussion boards are for.
yes shocker, Sanders used the legal avenues available to him to get maximum exposure. He's a politician. That's what they do. I think he deserves to run as a Democrat more than Lieberman, don't you?. Lieberman might as well have been a Republican for all his work. Almost singlehandedly killed the Public Option.
I know you are used to politicians only in it for themselves and their legacy coughfirstwomanpresidentcough, but maybe Bernie is running, uphill, with everything against him, because he actually believes his ideas would be the best thing for the country. Whether he runs as a Democrat, an Independent, or for The Rent Is Too Damn High Party. Why should party affiliation determine if one agrees with his policies? Especially with all the right shifting of parties in the last 30 years where the big two are not even close to the same as they were.
Orrex
(63,213 posts)Last edited Wed Apr 27, 2016, 07:32 AM - Edit history (1)
Maybe it wasn't intellectual dishonesty. Maybe it was simple carelessness or innocent ignorance about how polling data work. Take your pick.
As I noted, he hasn't campaigned for other Democrats, and there's no indication that his presence on the ticket will boost other Democrats in November. Show me evidence to the contrary, if you can.
Does Sanders have sufficient resources to take on Clinton and the GOP candidate? Because the Democratic establishment that his supporters so clearly despise certainly isn't going to help him. Forgive me, but there's no way that Sanders (I) can capture enough of the electorate to win. He'll take most of the Independents, some of the Democrats, and a few Republican voters. That would leave the GOP contender with a clear and strong advantage over Clinton and Sanders, and then we're all but guaranteed to have a Republican Whitehouse.
If you're writing electoral fan fiction, then that's fine. But when you claim that your imagined outcome is "supported by facts," you need to support it with facts.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)It seems to me you are arguing more to convince yourself than me anyways. The polling data that is available is clear. Those are facts. I base my opinion on facts like that. But yes it is still an opinion. As is yours.
- Why should party affiliation determine if one agrees with his policies?
- Well that's not the real question, is it?
For me, this is the question, or rather THE reason for supporting someone to represent your personal values.
Orrex
(63,213 posts)Including Secretary Hillary "speaking fees" Clinton and Senator Bernie "I Love the F-35" Sanders. If I waited for the candidate who represents "my personal values," then I would never cast a ballot. So perhaps we can agree that that's an impossible, unattainable standard.
Imagine my surprise during this primary season to learn that "pragmatism" is the worst of all evils! How foolish I was to weigh such traits as "electability" and "down-ticket impact" and "party support" in making my decision, and how fortunate I am to have a throng of Sanders' supporters to show me the error of my ways! Again, I can post links if you doubt this.
However, since my evil pragmatism compels me to consider variables beyond "my personal values" when making my decision, I'm inclined to cast my vote strategically, balancing different factors in order to achieve the most beneficial overall outcome. Chief among these goals is "Democratic Whitehouse," which Sanders may or may not get. But a secondary concern is "Democratic Senate" and "Democratic House" and maybe "Democratic governors," and I've seen nothing to suggest presidential candidate Sanders will help attain any of those. Certainly he and his spouse have never campaigned significantly on behalf of down-ticket Democratic candidates.
Therefore, although I like Sanders and nearly everything he says, and although I will be happy to vote for him if he's on the November ballot, I do not feel that he is the best choice across the board. I will vote for the Democrat on the ballot because I recognize that this election is about more than "my personal values." Just like every other election.
But I guess we can agree to disagree.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)plenty of third party loser candidates to waste their vote on
greymouse
(872 posts)yes, an Independent run.
That lesser of two evils hand the White House to the Republicans worked when the lesser of two evils was somewhat acceptable. Hillary has zero acceptability, and voting for her additionally moves the party further to the right.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)any further right are we ever going to be able to move it back.
Has anyone done the math re a Bernie independent run?
Faux pas
(14,681 posts)liberal from boston
(856 posts)Thank You Mira for posting this. I read this Salon article yesterday -- spot on commentary on sadly what the Democratic Party has become. I do disagree that Senator Sanders is unattractive-- I find him along with others quite appealing.
The Third Way's mission is accomplished. The Democratic Party is now a second Republican Party, one that favors gay marriage and abortion rights. On bread a butter issues it is "corrupt and reactionary."
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)We cannot allow our Progressive, non-corporate Democrats to go the way the moderate Republicans went. There is one key difference that makes me think our left wing will ultimately prevail where the moderate Republicans lost. The moderates that were pushed out were the old guard Republicans who didn't like how their Party was changing, but the momentum was with the far right.
In our case, the left wing of our Party is ascending, maybe not in time for this election, but still growing at the cost of the Democratic establishment. We have had enough of holding our nose and voting to prevent the bad Republican bogeyman from getting into office. If we do that it will always be our only choice. To make the changes we will have to run the risk, which I will argue that we are running a great risk already with a weak candidate who doesn't do as well as Bernie verses the Republican candidates. That is not counting the FBI investigation ongoing against her.
TryLogic
(1,723 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)The republicans are going to nominate the stupidest person they could find.
The democrats are going to nominate our ultimate manifestation of insider cronyism, influence peddling and corrupting wealth.
The establishment consensus is the economic agenda as written by Republicans through their steadily rightward-drifting Overton window coupled with more save the whales/dolphin-safe tuna.
Citizens United? You're soaking boiling in it
FlatBaroque
(3,160 posts)ain't nothin gonna change.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)under the guise of budget cuts, understaffing, shorter hours, long lines, new ID requirements, reducing DMV offices- all to suppress the vote. And flipping and losing voter registrations, stashing ballots in closets and cars, and more dirty tricks!
scottie55
(1,400 posts)Is.
And with HRC as our "leader" it will become even more corrupt. Way more. Her "donors" will need their investments in her returned. That's how it works, and everyone with a working brain knows it.
Something's gotta give.
The peasants are revolting.......
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)But they're too busy watching Friends five days a week.
tom_kelly
(960 posts)What a great tool they have to keep the folks dumb.
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)They're too busy or too tired to worry about politics, even though that's WHY they're too busy and too tired.
The River
(2,615 posts)They are not watching "Friends", they're watching "The Biggest Looser" and they aren't watching TV, they're staring into a mirror as they watch their freedom, liberty and economic security disappear down the corporate rabbit-hole.
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)Bread and circuses, and now elections are part of the whole circus thing as well.
Thespian2
(2,741 posts)Her Royal Highness represents the worst elements of what was once the Democratic Party...Senator Sanders represents the policies of what the Democratic Party should be...perhaps the Revolutionists should create their own party...the Progressive Party...
FlatBaroque
(3,160 posts)
LiberalArkie
(15,715 posts)scottie55
(1,400 posts)Just don't look at the foundation, who donates to it, what the donors want(ed), and what they got.
That would be proof, and no journalist has the courage to actually be a journalist and do the investigation.
What I have read just scratching the surface makes me sick.
We are so screwed.......
tom_kelly
(960 posts)whereisjustice
(2,941 posts)is the festering, self serving soul of Dem Party ... so empty of passion and innovation... an illusionary imaginary war with Republicans... let's be clear the difference between the two parties isn't direction.. Its the magnitude. Democrats are Pepsi.. a bit sweeter a brand war for consumers more interested in superficial association than real progress to improve quality of life. We are becoming like an authoritarian Asian state... Massive indentured underclass...guilded owner class. Failing infrastructure...costs sky rocketing..Shitty products...but immunity from justice for Hillary and Trump class citizens.
Those here observing and writing about this are speaking truth to power... the public at large is just starting to catch up. Lets not pretend Hillary is a big victory..she's the opposite of that...just another sponge trading cash for favors for the 1 percent
scottie55
(1,400 posts)She has been handsomely rewarded, notice?
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)Friends in the US of Indian background here since 1980, often visit India and relatives in Europe. I've noticed for several years they mention how it's the powerful 'Top 10%' in India, just like we're hearing in the US more and more, 10-90. The plan for real and very disturbing. Farewell Middle Class...
scottie55
(1,400 posts)HIllary is a Democrat too, just a regular Democrat who sold out long ago.
And I am not a Republican.
They are far worse.
From what I understand Bill had to get the corporate cash to take on Pappy Bush. He made the deal with the devil. DLC.
Got his money, won his election, and gave the store to the "funders" who helped him.
Only path to victory.
I don't really blame him.
I blame us for letting him, and others turn the Democratic Party into Republican Lite Corporate Party, who only panders, and lies to the poor, and working Americans. We are not a democracy.
mrdmk
(2,943 posts)George W. Bush Jr. and his ilk. My goodness, with all of the great things the Clinton Administration did in the name of this great country they had to turn-over the keys to that idiot. Straight out of the blue into the red with nothing nobody could do after eight years of being in power. Imagine that!!!
.
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)NOTHING!
Hillary Clinton has helped raise money for candidates down ticket and supported other Democratic Party activities. And she has done this for many, many years.
Meanwhile Bernie Sanders has done nothing but berate the Democrats, plotted against the Democrats, call one Democrat unqualified and otherwise enlisted right wing tactics to try and claim the Democratic Nomination.
When Bernie Sanders starts acting like a Democrat then maybe he could be considered a Democrat.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)What has the Democratic Party done for Democrats?
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)at least as the Democratic Party exists today in all of its corruption. The Party of Debbie "Loan Shark" Wasserman Schultz and Rahm "cover up police abuse" Emmanuel, and a party standard bearer who pockets enormous sums from corrupt bankers for speeches made behind closed doors.
If that's how low the Democratic Party has sunk, it's a great thing that Bernie doesn't act like a Democrat.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)the Progressive Caucus. The Democrats in that caucus elected him as the first Chair of that caucus. This is shortly before Bill and Hillary got into DOMA and welfare reform.
bjo59
(1,166 posts)a Democrat. I keep waiting for somebody to argue that the Democratic party is NOT what this article says it is, that Hillary Clinton is not backed by the NeoCons, that this article is false in its claims of what has happened to the Democratic party since 1992. To say that when Bernie Sanders starts acting like a Democrat then maybe she could be considered a Democrat is not in disagreement with what this article is saying.
snort
(2,334 posts)and jack shit to do with Democracy. Might as well label it the Soft Republican Party.
roody
(10,849 posts)
Tommy2Tone
(1,307 posts)Fuck Salon!
AuntPatsy
(9,904 posts)else to be had...
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Jester Messiah
(4,711 posts)But I guess it does.
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)Sanders should have ran as a Socialist. He might have got my vote instead of my contempt.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)much distress for Sanders supporters who are so certain of their moral and intellectual superiority that they cannot imagine someone disagreeing with them in the absence of corruption, abject ignorance, or space-based mind control beams.
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)The terms "Left" and "Right" don't mean much unless we get down to specifics, and separate the goals from the means.
Half of this is about President Obama, counter-terrorism, and the disasters left behind by the Bush administration -- along with a lot of hyperbole (such as the terrible WWI treatment of "whistleblowers"
.
When the essay finally gets down to specific issues, we're told:
"Clinton has flatly insisted that Americans cannot have basic things that much of the world takes for granted — single-payer health care, free public higher education, environmental policies that don’t rely on fossil fuel corporations that destroy the planet. Sanders says otherwise."
This is not true. She has never "flatly insisted" any such things. She wanted single-payer a long time ago, but there's a difference between wanting something and getting it. Republicans are still talking about "repealing Obamacare." Does anybody think words and wishes about single-payer will make it so?
Free public higher education -- Clinton has a plan for this, as well. The difference is that she doesn't want to make it free to millionaires, and her plan includes work/study programs. If we get any of that done, it's ambitious.
Her environmental policies are not about destroying the planet. Good grief, Al Gore pioneered the issue with Earth in the Balance, and he's been considered "DINO" since Nader ran against him! Her goals:
"Generate enough renewable energy to power every home in America, with half a billion solar panels installed by the end of Hillary’s first term. Cut energy waste in American homes, schools, hospitals and offices by a third and make American manufacturing the cleanest and most efficient in the world. Reduce American oil consumption by a third through cleaner fuels and more efficient cars, boilers, ships and trucks."
It's ironic that the essay laments: "Yet the Democratic Party of the mid-20th century is long gone."
YES IT IS. We had Dixiecrats in those days. We didn't have total support for equal rights for women, let alone LGBT rights. We still fought in wars, and in fact had a draft. So the idea that there used to be a perfect leftist Democratic party in America and just lately it's gone off the rails to the right is as revisionist as the Republican idea that happy Ozzie and Harriet households were the norm once upon a time, and we just need to get back to that.
And the idea that we have purists who CARE, and evil "establishment" Democrats who DON'T, is simplistic and dumbs down the debate. If Sanders' campaign has convinced people that the Democratic Party is "corrupt," I don't see how that moves us forward from where we are -- not where we imagine we once were, not where we wish to be in future, but where we ARE.
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)and take a sec to answer #38
I don't want to hear about Hillary's promises
I want to hear about "her" version of the Democratic Party's ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)But for example, Motor Voter registration, EITC expansion, AmeriCorps, Brady Bill, Head Start expansion, Assault Weapons Ban, Violence Against Women Act, Dayton Peace Accords, Food Quality Protections against pesticides, Chemical Weapons convention, Child Tax credit, Children's Health Insurance program (S-CHIP), FDA Reform to make medicines more readily available, Early Learning Initiatives, Patient's Bill of Rights, Workforce Investment Act, GEAR UP early intervention to prepare more kids for college, Kyoto protocol, Child Labor convention, medical privacy protections, community learning centers for after-school and summer programs effecting 1.3 million children, campaign finance disclosure to stop tax-exempt groups from using secret donors to fund ad campaigns, requirement for insurance companies to treat breast cancer, new rules for worker health and safety...
That's just the Clinton Administration.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)but it was miles better on economic issues and still had a conscience. The party today operates on the "principle" that if it is nice enough to big business and the wealthy they might find it in their "hearts" to dig around in their sofa cushions and come up with spare change for social programs. So that everyone can keep up appearances.
The Democratic Party is a festering sore, the democratic process in this country is broken and has been for decades and the best Hillary can offer is to prop up the status quo.
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)It was okay to pay women a pittance of what men earned without any recourse. Discrimination was the norm against women and minorities, both in hiring and in housing. Before housing projects, there were slums and no incentives for business to invest in urban areas. There was no Head Start, millions of kids were not immunized, no healthcare, etc.
"Prop up the status quo" -- you need to read her proposals and positions. This "status quo establishment" meme is errant nonsense.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)Hillary is to the right of Obama, who was also a brave defender of the status quo (standing between the banksters and the pitchforks, looking forward and not back, etc etc etc ad nauseam). No sale.
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)Specifically.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)I'm surprised you don't know already. But you can start with her unabated devotion to neoliberalism that Obama doesn't share. And she is even more closely tied to big money while being completely mystified by progressives' objections to that.
No sale. Enjoy your day.
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)In contrast with Obama?
Both she and Obama are "tied to big money." In what way is she to the right of Obama, which is what you asserted?
Not trying to sell you anything. Enjoy your day, as well.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)'Workfare' Act of 1996, and NAFTA and China Free Trade outsourcing of millions of US jobs?
Clinton's 1994 Crime Bill that has incarcerated minority families' black and brown men- sons, brothers, husbands, some as young as 13 years of age, the 'Super Predators', for minor drug possession warranting new, longer sentences and work for pennies in lucrative, private for profit corporate prisons. The 2.2 million inmates in the system, the largest prison population in the world is 'better'?
AKA 'The New Jim Crow'
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)S-CHIP, Violence against Women, economic support, Head Start expansion, etc.
But nobody is arguing about the need for reform. Sec. Clinton talked about reform of the criminal justice system the first speech of her campaign.
Hillary will:
End the era of mass incarceration, reform mandatory minimum sentences, and end private prisons.
Encourage the use of smart strategies—like police body cameras—and end racial profiling to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities.
Help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully re-enter society.
She spells out HOW in great detail:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/criminal-justice-reform/
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)public colleges? That's a ridiculous excuse for trying to deny a tuition free education to the millions of kids who come from non-millionaire households. Tuition free public education is attainable. In fact, it was once a reality. I attended Cal State in the 1970's and paid not a single penny in tuition. And so what if by some chance a rich kid ended up at a public university? That kid's parents presumably support public education with their tax dollars, too.
Sparkly
(24,149 posts)She doesn't "deny a tuition free education."
"Students should never have to borrow to pay for tuition, books, and fees to attend a four-year public college in their state under the New College Compact. Pell Grants are not included in the calculation of no-debt-tuition, so Pell recipients will be able to use their grants fully for living expenses. Students at community college will receive free tuition."
earthmanneil
(25 posts)A) A third party run by Bernie? Aside from Bernie being utterly crucified, this Would likely sink the Democrats and ultimately open the way for a new truly social democrat (or democratic socialist if one prefers) party and re-alignment. But there would also be an indeterminate period of much greater national pain, restriction of democratic rights, and polarization under a president Trump or Cruz. Like many of us I am decades sick enough of our corporatized Democratic Party and its acquiescence to creeping oligarchy that I would consider this. But it's a gamble since Purgatory Road doesn't always lead to Greener Pastures.
B) Capitulation to the corrupt Dem establishment with Bernie falling in line as "somebody who raised some important issues" but is now "being a responsible adult" as per such putrefied pundits as Chris Matthews, etc., etc. I would find this unacceptable and a betrayal by Bernie of his base. I believe (but not sure) that Bernie has the integrity and understanding of his rare historic responsibility and underlying sense of larger progressive movement politics not to capitulate in this fashion.
C) Fight into the convention, not on some unwinnable (at this point) super delegate switching strategy, but as loudly and transparently as possible demanding major Rule and Position changes as inextricably linked to any real support. These should include abolishing the super delegate system, closed and restricted primaries, and even the Southern Suoer Tuesday conservative filter. There should also be as many new official, unequivocal planks in the party and presidential platform that reflect the concerns of 40-50% of left Dem voters (single payer, increased social security, comprehensive addressing if climate change, etc,) as possible. Of course, this will be fiercely resisted by a party establishment and Hillary candidate that just don't believe in these things (& would likely try to run away from them down the road). But then it becomes a truly contested convention such as we've not seen and if it rips apart the democratic Party, some of the onus will at least fall (as all of it really should) on its dying establishment. Then, of course, we might find ourselves back at Option A (or handing these Dems a loss by unenthusiastic non-participation).
Above all, we must find a way not to let all the hope, energy, and progressive mobilization that Bernie has spearheaded slowly--or quickly--dissolve after the convention as activists retreat into our specific issue groups and the wider circle of supporters sink back into our couches and TV sets. At this crucial moment for our society and planet, the left has come as far in contesting for political power and real changes as anytime I can point to, and somehow, in concrete ways, this must keep going. Not sure exactly how, but that ought to be a key part of our discussion moving forward.
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)earthmanneil
(25 posts)...if possible. 👍
Admiral Loinpresser
(3,859 posts)Hillary has money problems and her email problems will only get much worse from here. God bless FBI leaks! Plus we have the truth on our side. And the worsening experience of being an American for hundreds of millions. That has helped a great deal so far.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)work on the rules committee. I am hoping that many of the young voters that voted for Bernie will do the same. I have been to two conventions now since the caucus in my area and there is a scarcity of young Bernie supporters at both. Where is the 2 to 1 majority that attended the caucus. We need you at the conventions and on the committees.
Even if Bernie is not our nominee we can start making a difference now as we change how the party is run. It may not work in the long run but at least we will have continued what we started. I am from the 60s era and am extremely upset about how many of us dropped out after we defeated the draft. Please young Bernie supporters learn from our mistake - this fight is far from over.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Isn't there supposed to be a paragraph limit?
w0nderer
(1,937 posts)bbgrunt
(5,281 posts)
LisaM
(27,812 posts)Suffice it to say that I used to be a fan of Bernie Sanders. Now he is exposed to me as the kind of 1930s radical that refused to acknowledge that the Soviet Union was a repressive state. He is also far more concerned with ripping the Democratic Party apart than building it back up. On top of that, he seems to be an egoist. I have rarely been so disillusioned by a politician.
islandmkl
(5,275 posts)I would submit:
Underneath it all, Hillary IS quite an egoist.
BernieButters never, ever, disappoint...
LisaM
(27,812 posts)My point was that Sanders tried to paint himself as being kind of an "aw shucks" lefty for a long time. In reality he seems to have a head the size of a watermelon.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)set up reactionary ultraconservative, big business shill, racist, Radical Reagan and his Counter Revolution to destroy government, unions and good jobs with benefits, affordable college education and America's No. One largest Middle Class.
FighttheFuture
(1,313 posts)johnp3907
(3,731 posts)
GoneOffShore
(17,339 posts)
George II
(67,782 posts)LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)No better off than we are now -- which isn't saying much. In case you haven't noticed, people are hurting and will continue to be in deep shit with exorbitant health care costs, student debt, depressed wages from shitty part time jobs that offer no benefits, jobs farmed overseas, and competition from H1-B visa holders. The 1% will continue its campaign of screwing us over up, down, and sideways with the full support of the Democratic Party establishment aided by voters such as yourself who look out for the corporatists' best interests.
appalachiablue
(41,134 posts)
that's going to leave a mark.
nilram
(2,888 posts)
elleng
(130,913 posts)
pa28
(6,145 posts)Thanks to Bernie Sanders presence in this race the awful truth has been revealed. Third way Democrats in control of the party don't want it, they've never wanted and they won't work for it. They can no longer say it's just obstruction from those nasty Republicans.
"Americans are desperate for actual change, and Sanders has offered a new path. Clinton has flatly insisted that Americans cannot have basic things that much of the world takes for granted — single-payer health care, free public higher education, environmental policies that don’t rely on fossil fuel corporations that destroy the planet. Sanders says otherwise. "
Baobab
(4,667 posts)>Democrats would still be trying to push the fiction they really want single payer.
the answer lies way back in the 1990s, and its extremely important to understanding the big picture of why TPTB are so desperate to get HRC in there and not Bernie.
basically they already signed away the right to do it, THEY JUST DIDNT TELL THE COUNTRY ANYTHING ABOUT IT. And now they maintain the fiction that that never happened and that they aren't desperately trying to nail it down still more without our knowledge.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)..... is that the Democratic Party is less and less popular among progressive Americans."
That or they just don't care.
We'll see how, if she wins, she responds to the fact that Bernie's message resounded so loudly with almost 50% of Democrats, by the latest polls.
Will she just ignore half the party's wishes? Mother knows best?
Personally I hope Bernie makes some demands of her at the convention as he represents that 50%. But then again if I see her glazed over pasted smile nodding I wouldn't take her word on anything.
IF Trump ever broke away and ran as an independent, Bernie should run for sure as one too.
polichick
(37,152 posts)This is just about amassing as much power for the Clinton Foundation as possible, so they can continue to amass wealth long after they retire. Bill and Hillary Clinton corrupted the party long ago with their third way whoring - yes, I do mean whoring by BOTH of them - they are probably thrilled with their achievement.
Nitram
(22,802 posts)silvershadow
(10,336 posts)represents the traditional FDR Democratic values infinitely better than Third Way Hillary. But you knew that.
Response to Mira (Original post)
mrr303am This message was self-deleted by its author.
mrdmk
(2,943 posts)
Carolina
(6,960 posts) 
The_Casual_Observer
(27,742 posts)of all concerned? An isolationist who could bring world peace, a creator of a strong economy and post WW2 cold war prosperity by convincing or forcing via law the rich and powerful to become benevolent, a reformer of all the criminals, an eliminator of greed and hate?
Ben Norton, maybe you are the guy, you seem to know what all the problems are.
colsohlibgal
(5,275 posts)But....
Job growth is cool but what kind of jobs? Lots of contract or retail low wage jobs helping that stat.
And not one of the Wall Street tycoons who committed widespread and rampant fraud, enriching themselves and nearly bankrupting the nation. Spent one day in jail.
Oh and he keeps going after whistleblowers rather than those doing wrong/evil who they exposed.
I could go on too but will not.
This is a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Party knows this, the Republican Party knows this, the Ruling Class knows this- and they've been astonishingly successful at making sure the Working Class never learns this.
The status quo was rolling along just fine, until Bernie Sanders came along and mucked it up with his crazy ideas about democracy, equality and justice." ~ Anonymous
drokhole
(1,230 posts)Clinton’s campaign did just that this week, condemning Sanders for “trying to convince the next generation of progressives that the Democratic Party is corrupt.”
Good grief...
