2016 GOP Candidates?

24 potential GOP candidates for 2016?? Wow even Fox News thinks it's a bit too much, and so do I.
Out of the 24 pictured above, we already know that, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio have thrown their hats into the ring. Expected to announce in the coming weeks are Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Rick Santorum, and Lindsay Graham.

Political pundits across the United States have said it will cost between 1.8 to 2.5 billion dollars to run for President. That's just insane if you ask me, and the old saying that money buys power is very true in American Politics.

On the Democratic side we have Hillary Clinton, who will most likely be the Democratic candidate for President, unless something really goes wrong in her campaign. Anyway now back to the GOP candidates. From a comic perspective, I hope that Ted Cruz, or Donald Trump win the nomination on the Republican side. But I think we are going to see a Clinton vs Bush match up next year, with Clinton of course winning in a landslide.

Until next time!

Canadian Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz.

At the stroke of midnight on Monday March 23rd, 2015, Senator Ted Cruz announced via Twitter that he's running for the GOP nomination to become the next POTUS.

For those of you that must be wondering why I have a picture of Cruz, with the Canadian flag. Well Texas Senator, Ted Cruz was born in Canada. His father was working in the oil fields in Alberta, and his father was born in Cuba. Cruz's mother was born in the United States. Now some will say that as long as one of his parents were born in the United States, Cruz could in fact become President. Others say that he has to be born in the United States. Until this matter is brought up and decided by the Supreme Court, it will be a very grey area.

Some media outlet have said that Cruz is unfit to become President. It's not because he was born in Canada, it has to do with the fact that Ted Cruz is just plain crazy. He's the guy who claims to be a god loving, fiscal conservative, yet he was able to shut down the US Government, and the cost to take payers was in the billions.

Cruz's policies are questionable to say the least, and his only experience on the world stage is that he was born in Canada. As he's the first one on the GOP side to announce his bid for the nomination, I predict he will be the first one to withdraw from the race.

Until next time!

The Relationship between Israel and the United States

Over the past several months the main stream media has been reporting of the strained relationship between between Obama and Netanyahu. While it's well known that these two leaders don't like one another, it's not the first time that a President of the United States, and the Prime Minister of Israel have not got along.

American Presidents over the past 20 years have a history of not getting along. This has been causing conflict between Americans presidents and more conservative Israeli leaders for over 20 years. George H.W. Bush and allies in Congress refused $10 billion in loan guarantees because Likud Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir wouldn't accept Bush's conditions limiting spending on West Bank settlements. George W. Bush rescinded $289.5 million worth of loan guarantees to punish Ariel Sharon, also of the Likud, for settlement expansion.

In 1996, Bill Clinton all but openly campaigned against Netanyahu, inviting incumbent Prime Minister Shimon Peres to visit the White House just before the vote. Clinton (correctly) believed Peres would be more receptive to his push for a peace agreement. Netanyahu won the election, chilling relations between Washington and Jerusalem until Ehud Barak ousted him in 1999.

While American Presidents have had their issues with Israel, the relationship is still a very strong one. Not only does the United States give financial aid to Israel every year, they also support Israel with weapons to help them defend themselves against aggression by their Arab neighbors. They also share intelligence, and technology, like the development of the Iron Dome Defense System.

On the issue with Iran, I believe that it's very important to first try and get an agreement in place before taking military action. With an agreement in place, it would give the world a chance to have inspectors, and surveillance equipment installed at their nuclear facilities across the country. Without an agreement, Iran will go unchecked in their quest to get nuclear weapons. Latest intelligence estimates claim that Iran has at least 6 facilities that could not be taken out by bombing alone, and would require the use of ground forces to locate and destroy. It should also be noted that this agreement would not be just between the United States and Iran, but between the major powers in the world.

President Obama has made it very clear that if no agreement is reached, he's not ruled out the use of military force to ensure that Iran does not get nuclear weapons. Iran has been backed into a corner with the sanctions that the Obama administration has placed on Iran with the help of most nations around the world.

So people, if two world leaders don't like one another, as is the case between Obama and Netanyahu, it's not the end of the world, nor is it the end to the strong relationship between Israel and the United States.

Until Next Time!!

President Donald Trump? Anything is possible

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump must be joking if he's really serious about running for President of the United States. Trump over the past 8 plus years has always said that, America needs a person with a business background like himself to save America.

Let's just take a long hard look at Mr. Trump's success in business. On the positive side he can talk the talk, and has built a good empire in real estate. On the negative he's filed for corporate bankruptcy not once, but 4 times during his career. His casino has gone bankrupt several times, and he's been restricted from owning a casino in Las Vegas because of his failed casino's in New Jersey.

Trump spent millions trying to prove that Obama was not born in the United States, and he failed every time. He donated millions to several key Republicans in their election bids. He sued Bill Maher, and then withdrew his lawsuit, when he realized that he did not have a leg to stand on.

I just can't see Trump sitting down with world leaders, and for that matter working with world leaders. Trump likes being in charge, and telling people what to do. However being President of the United States is about compromise, and having the ability to work with other people. The world is a very scary place, and America will need a leader who understands that, and Mr. Trump will never be that leader.

Until next time!

600 Days Until The Next Election

Is crazy season about to start between the Dems and Republicans? Well it seems that way, with the announcement that Donald Trump is setting up a committee to look into a possible 2016 bid for the White House.



As a first step he's quit his television shows, which by the way have tanked over the past couple of years. With Trump looking at entering the race on the GOP side, along with another Bush, maybe that crazy Canadian Senator from Texas Ted Cruz, and we can't forget Marc Rubio, and Paul Rand, it's going to be one crazy race on the GOP side.

Now on the Democrat side, we have Hillary Clinton who has not officially entered the race, but is polling at 56% among Dems, with VP Biden in single digits, and former Senator Webb at 1%. These 3 have yet to announce that they are running, but Clinton is expected to announce within the next month that she intends to run again.

When you match up Clinton with any of the GOP candidates she's ahead by a minimum of 10% in the recent tracking polls. Regardless of who the Republicans and Democrats pick as their candidate, it's going to be one hell of a race.

Until next time!

Newt Gringrich is up and coming!

The title of the picture says it all. Let's recap what's happening in the world of GOP politics. Newt who was the former Speaker of the House during the Clinton years, and gave the Contract with America is now the up and coming candidate. It was at one point he had his whole senior campaign staff quit on him, and everyone counted him out. So what happend? Well I think it has alot to do with the fact that he's performed quite well during the debates and he's not engaged in the mudslinging that's taken place between Romney and Perry. I suspect that Newt has staying power until the end but won't win the nomination.



First it was crazy eyes Michelle Bachmann who was the self proclaimed front runner.
But now she's in the single digits with little hope of lasting past February.



Then we have Herman Cain who most people including myself felt he had what it takes to win the nomination and go up against Obama. The past couple of weeks he's been hit with sexual harassment from so called events that took place some 15-20 years ago. Cain has staying power but he won't win the nomination now as the far right won't end up backing him in the end.



So much hope was placed on Rick Perry when he entered the race, but what a train wreck he's become. His performance in the debates have been a joke. At some of his speeches he appeared to be drunk, and you know your fighting for your political life when you appear on Letterman saying the top ten that's directed at you. I also suspect that Perry will be out by February or March.



Well I don't know what to say about Ron Paul, but for some reason he's been in the top 3 for sometime. However I think this is going to change with the recent rise of Newt Gringrich. I don't know why he's running as a Republican as he seems to hate everything that government stands for. But then again we are talking about GOP politics.



Like the sign behind him says "Ask Mitt Anything" and he will give you 2 answers to the same question. Mitt has flip flopp so many times during this race that it's hard to see where he stands on any given issue. Having said that he's still the front runner and will most likely win the nomination, but he won't win the race for the White House. The Obama team will use his flip flopping against him and label him as an out of touch candidate for President.

The one other candidate who seems to make sense is Jon Huntsman, but he's at 1% in the polls and has not been able to connect with the voters. Why is it that when someone actually makes sense, the voters just don't care. Do they want a candidate and maybe a President like George W. Bush was who had a hard time putting a sentence together.

Until next time!

Israel vs Iran - Is war about to break out?

       vs           

Reports are all over the internet that Israel is preparing to launch an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency is going to release a report on Tuesday about the status of Iran's nuclear program. I'm quite sure that both Israel and the United States have advance knowledge of what's in the report, and that could explain all the rumbling about Israel preparing to attack Iran.

Now some will say that Israel has no right to launch an attack on Iran, as Iran has a right to develop nuclear weapons because Israel has them, and they being Iran need to defend themselves. To those people I say "Hogwash"! Iran's President has said in public that he would use a nuclear weapon to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Iran would delivery on that as they have the missiles to do so.

Over the past few weeks the Israeli air force has been conducting exercises using long term bombers, and they have been testing their Jericho Missiles which are also unknown as bunker busters and can go deep into Iran's nuclear facilities which are in the mountains and underground.

So what would happen if Israel does attack Iran? Iran will most likely send missiles into Israel and attempt to use their fighter jets to attack targets inside Israel. The Israeli airforce is the best in the region and Iran's airforce would be shot out of the sky. Could Iran launch a ground way against Israel? No as they would need the help of Syria and Syria is in no position to help Iran given their own internal struggles. Would Iran attempt to attack US forces in Iraq and in the Persian Gulf? Yes they would but the United States still has the forces in the Iraq to mount a massive counter attack, and this week the United States now has in place 2 aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, along with 28 other warships, and for Iran to attack US forces would be just nuts, but Iran's President is nuts so I would not rule that out.

So why would Israel want to attack now? Well the timing is perfect for them to do it. The United States still has a major force in Iraq, but that all comes to an end very soon as the US is pulling their forces out of Iraq. Israel knows that if the US forces are gone from Iraq, then Iran could use Iraq as a launching point for a ground war with Israel. But while American forces are still in Iraq, Iran would not be able to use Iraq.

In the 1980's when Iraq was building a nuclear facility, Israel launched a surprise attack and destroyed their facility. Israel also issued a warning to Iraq that if they attempted to launch missiles with chemical weapons attached, Israel would destroy Iraq. We all know that Iran has chemical weapons and the missiles to deliver them into the heart of Israel, and we all know that Israel has Nuclear Weapons and would use them if an attack by Iran with chemical weapons took place.

So the next few weeks the world will be on their toes to see who blinks first.

Until next time!

What's up with Cain?

Why is it that when a person decides to run for public office, and the highest office in the United States, they end up losing their minds? In the 1990's you had Bill Clinton go in front of the American people to say that he never had sexual relations with Monica. As we all know he lied to the American people and the Republicans wanted his head on a platter.

Now we have one of the front runners for the Republican nomination, Herman Cain defending himself from sexual harrassment changes from the 1990's. Cain first denied everything, then he said he kind of remembered an "agreement" being reached, and not a "Settlement". First off if you decided to run for the highest office in the United States you need to come clean at the start with anything that could harm your chances. It's been said that this drama was released to the media by a member of one of the other candidates campaign team. I would suspect it was from the Perry camp, as I don't see Mitt Romney going so low to do this to another Republican.

Now a word of advice to Herman Cain and his campaign team. Wake up and if you are trying to hide anything come clean how. A good campaign manager would do his/her own background checks into a candidate before working for them. Nobody wants to get caught off guard and have a candidate like Cain saying one thing in the morning and then later in the day saying something different.

This is not like running for Mayor of a small town, you are playing with the big boys who won't play fair at all. So Herman it's time to step up or step out.

Until next time!

Herman Cain tops Iowa poll.

A recent poll released in Iowa has Cain leading Romney by 2 points, with Ron Paul in 3rd place and Michelle Bachmann coming in 4th. Texas Governor Rick Perry is also in single digits.

Most pollsters feel that the rise of Cain is a direct result that he's not a Washington insider and the fact that he's not held public office. Cain is a very successful businessman with a proven track record of creating jobs.
This race I feel won't be decided until at least March or April of 2012, and I still feel that it will be a close race between Cain and Romney, with Romney most likely winning the race as hard core Republicans won't an outsider like Cain as the person to go up against Obama in a general election.

Until next time!

Obama's record so far.

Here's a partial list of what Obama's done since taking office in Janaury 2009....

Arts and Culture

Increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to the highest level since 1992.
Created an artist corps for public schools.
Championed the importance of arts education.
Promoted cultural diplomacy.

Banking and Financial Reform

BROAD POLICY
Established the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and reform.
Established President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans.,
Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010.,
Dodd-Frank (DF) Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the biggest financial reform law since the Great Depression.
Managed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)
Assigned a Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009.
Pension relief Act of 2010.
Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act.,
Played a lead role in G-20 Summit re: financial crisis.
Reformed deferral rules to curb tax advantages for investing overseas.
Established new offshore investment policy that promotes in-sourcing.,
FUNDING
Cut salaries for 65 bailout executives (Pay Czar).
Banks have repaid 75% of TARP funds, bringing the cost down to $89B as of June 2010.
Closed offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes. ,
TARGETED ACTIONS
Created the Financial Stability Oversight Council to monitor stability of the financial system and individual firms (DF).
New requirements for reporting financial data (DF).
Created self-funded Office of Financial Research (OFR) to collect information from financial firms (DF).
OFR employees must wait a year before working for certain financial firms.
Provided for orderly liquidation of financial companies (DF).
Limited trading activities of banks (Volcker Rule) beginning 2 yrs after passage (DF).
Swaps Pushout Rule prevented federal assistance to swaps (including derivatives) traders (DF).
Derivatives must be traded transparently through a clearing house (DF).
Defined the amount and nature of assets required to meet capital requirements (DF).
Originators of asset-backed securities must retain 5% ownership/risk (DF).
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (DF).
Stronger client fiduciary duty for broker-dealers (DF).
Higher standards for securities advertising and disclosures (DF).
Expanded “insider loans” (DF).
Higher standards for sytemically important ($50 billion assets+) institutions, including annual stress tests and restrictions on bank acquisitions (DF).
Executive compensation must be determined by an independent committee (DF).
Issued compensation guidelines for bank executive salary and bonuses.
Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring (DF).
Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act.,
Credit CARD Technical Corrections Act of 2009.
Established a credit card bill of rights.
Reformed credit card swipe fees.
Created new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud.
Congress pursued Goldman Sachs for securities violations.
Permanently extended Research and Experimentation Tax Credit for domestic investments.
RESULTS
(Treasury) Sold 1.5 billion shares of Citigroup at a profit.
G-20 summit produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis.
Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.
Financial reform has ‘strongest consumer financial protections in history.’

Civil Rights

FUNDING
Provided $12.2 billion in new funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act though the American Recovery and investment Act.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; Instituted equal pay for women.
Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. ,
Presidential Memorandum protecting gay and lesbian partners’ visitation/healthcare decision-making rights (4/15/2010).
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Supported the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT).
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.
Established White House Council on Women and Girls (Executive Order 13506 ).
Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring.
Increased minority access to capital.
Pushing through settlement in the black farmers lawsuit against USDA.,
Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Increased Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA).,

Commerce, Trade and Technology

BROAD POLICY
Promoted internet freedom as part of U.S. foreign policy.,
Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009.
Satellite Television Extension Act of 2010.
FUNDING
Expanded loan programs for small businesses.
TARGETED ACTION:
Small Business Act.
Small Business Investment Act.
Proposed tougher meat industry antitrust rules.
Denied federal contracts to tax delinquents.
Appointed the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer.
Established Federal IT Dashboard.
Modernized the USA.gov portal to connect people to the services they require.
Launched the National Export Initiative, with the goal of doubling US exports by 2015.
Provided National Export Initiative/Progress report and named President’s Export Council.,
Launched piracy crackdown.

Conservation

BROAD POLICY
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act of 2009.
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Stewardship of the Ocean (established National Ocean Council ), our Coasts and the Great Lakes (Executive Order).
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order).,
Established partnerships to share environmental technology with other countries.
FUNDING
Increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Increased funding for national parks and forests.
$175 million of ARRA allocated for water conservation, $135 million of that in the West.
TARGETED AREAS:
Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic.,
Expanded access to places to hunt and fish.
Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration (Executive Order).,
Led effort to phase out whaling.
Pursued a wildfire management plan.
Encouraged more controlled burns to reduce wildfires.
Ordered removal of more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires.

Economy

BROAD POLICY
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): a $789 billion economic stimulus plan.
US auto industry rescue plan.,
Start-Up activity now higher than it was during the dotcom boom.
Created task force to fight deficit.
Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.
Temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
FUNDING
Increased minority access to capital.
$26 billion aid to states package (Aug 2010).
TARGETED ACTIONS
Raised the small business investment limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009.
Created an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to invest in peer-reviewed manufacturing processes.
Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act – establishes a Federal “Do Not Pay” list.
Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch.
Adopted Economic Substance tax doctrine.
Extended unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits.
Economy grew 5.9% in 4th quarter.
U.S. Economy: Manufacturing grew by most since 2004.
U.S. GDP up 3.2% in first quarter.
Consumer spending showed biggest rise in 3 years.
Orders for most durable goods rose.
Wholesale inventories and sales rose in March.
$26 billion state aid bill triggered a surge of private municipal investment.
EXHIBITS – THE STIMULUS ONE YEAR LATER:
Success of the stimulus–how do you illustrate ‘could have been worse’?
Distribution of ARRA funds by year.
Need for financial education: Investors who act on their own do worse than T-bills; market timers earn negative returns.
Consumer debt patterns (revolving and non-revolving) through end of 2009.
Growth of the national debt from 2000-2009.
Bar chart showing increases in national debt by President (since Carter).
Pie chart: 2009 annual deficit contrasting large Bush tax cuts and relatively small ARRA.
THE LEGACY: AUGUST 2010
The Economy Has Been Growing – seasonally adjusted change in GDP by quarter 2007-2010.
The Private Sector Has Begun to Add Jobs – Monthly change in nonfarm employment 2008-2010.
GDP would have been lower without the Recovery Act (2007-2013 projection) (scroll down to Part III to see chart).
Unemployment would have been higher without ARRA (2008-2010).
The gap between actual and full-employment GDP would have been much larger without TARP and ARRA (2008-2010).
MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS:
Public Sector Lost 316,000 jobs October 09-July 10 (state aid negotiated out of ARRA by GOP).

Education: College

BROAD POLICY
Enacted largest reform of student aid in 40 years.,
Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Established President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans.
FUNDING
Increased funding for land-grant college.
Provided means for students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Expanded Pell grants for low-income students.
Expanded Pell grant pool by eliminating private lender subsidies for student loans.

Education: Health of Children

BROAD POLICY
Created the Race to the Top Fund ($4.35 billion) to reward States that create comprehensive education reform plans.
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 .
FUNDING
Provided funding for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools.
Established State Equalization Fund; new funds for school construction (ARRA).
Provided $77 Billion for reforms to to strengthen Elementary and Secondary education.
Fully funded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Provided $12.2 billion in new funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
$26 billion state aid package saved 160,000 teacher jobs (Aug 2010)
Provided over $2.3 billion in additional funding to Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 2009.
Provided $5 billion dollars for Early Learning Programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Roughly doubled the amount available in Federal Child Care Block Grants.
Established “Promise Neighborhood” Grants (modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone).
Eliminated abstinence-only funding in budget.,
TARGETED ACTIONS
Helped rebuild schools in New Orleans.
Established school programs to highlight space and science achievements.
Recruited math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession.
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers .
Provided affordable, high-quality child care.
Unveiled initiatives to help men be better fathers.

Employment: Jobs

BROAD POLICY
Jobs for Main Street Act (2010).
American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010.
National Export Initiative
FUNDING
(DOL) Dedicated $100 million in Energy Training Partnership green jobs training grants.
(DOL) Dedicated $150 million for Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training grants.
$33 billion-dollar jobs package (March 2010).
$26 billion aid to states package (Aug 2010).
$5,000 tax credit for every new worker.
New Health IT Workforce Grants (ARRA).
TARGETED ACTIONS
Job training programs in clean technologies for displaced workers.
Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans.
Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring (DF).
Recruited math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession.
Initiated a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses.,
Required new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliations or contributions.,
RESULTS
CBO found 3.7 Million jobs created by stimulus (May 2010).
Job loss exploded under Bush, improves under Obama.
682,370 jobs created under the Recovery Act Between January 1 — March 31,2010.
New jobless claims tumble.
March payrolls surge by 162,000 US says .
March jobs data showed biggest growth in three years .ref
U.S. economy added 90000 jobs in April .
Jobless rates dropped in 34 states and DC (AP).

Energy: Green

BROAD POLICY
Established an Energy Partnership for the Americas.
Established the Biofuels Working Group to develop a comprehensive approach to alternative fuels.
Additional measures to advance clean energy/solar investments and job creation (ARRA).
Launched new Climate Service.
Worked toward deploying a global climate change research and monitoring system.
Implemented renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022.
FUNDING
More than doubled federal spending for research on clean fuels.
$60 billion in spending and tax incentives for renewable and clean energy.
Invested in all types of alternative energy.
Increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Invested $2 billion in solar power, hailed new jobs.
Established consumer tax credit for plug-in hybrid cars.,
Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes.
Doubled funding for bicycling, walking projects,
(DOL) Dedicated $100 million in Energy Training Partnership green jobs training grants.
(DOL) Dedicated $150 million for Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training grants.
$8 billion combined public/pvt funding committed to develop Smart Power Grid (part of ARRA).
Incentivized farmers to use more renewable energy and be more energy efficient.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Purchased fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government.
Ordered 5,000 hybrids for federal fleet.
(NIST) Completed first release of Smart Grid framework.
Created job training programs in clean technologies for displaced workers.
Created Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans.
Established program to convert manufacturing centers into clean technology leaders.
RESULTS
First President to create detailed vision for clean energy economy.
Wind power growth up 39% due to government stimulus.
Study: Almost 5 million charging stations by 2015.

Energy: Old

BROAD POLICY
Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions.
Created Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage.
Set national standards for fuel economy and first ever greenhouse gas emission levels for passenger cars and light trucks.
Set smog limit: new strict proposal to replace Bush-era rule (EPA).
Regulated greenhouse gases for large industrial sources (EPA).
Raised fuel economy standards.
Required states to provide incentives for utilities to reduce energy consumption.
Allowed states to enact tougher fuel efficiency standards than federal standards.
Established Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.
FUNDING
Pledged more than $8 billion for new nuclear reactors.
Tax breaks to promote public transit.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government.
Reengaged in global warming and greenhouse gas emissions talks.,
Offered 17% U.S. emissions cuts at climate summit.
Pledged 28% cut in federal greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Expanded greenhouse gas reduction targets for Federal operations -13% reduction from indirect sources by 2020.
(FTC) Toughened anti-greenwashing rules.
Instituted “Cash for Clunkers” to spur auto sales and promote fuel efficiency .,
Ordered inspections of mines with poor safety records.
Closed loophole that allowed drilling in Rockies without environmental review.
(EPA) Sharply limited mountaintop mining.
(EPA) Announced historic plans to regulate coal ash.
Required electric utilities to produce 20% of their electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2020.
(EPA) Limited mercury emissions.

Energy: Oil

BROAD POLICY
Introduced Oil Spill Recovery Bill to remove oil company liability cap.
Created offshore drilling safety review board.
Created new drilling agency with investigative arm.
Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations and reports.
FUNDING
Ordered $20 billion escrow fund by BP to reimburse lost incomes in Gulf.
Ordered $100 million to compensate those hurt by drilling moratorium.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government.
Mandated new safety rules for offshore drilling.
Opened civil and criminal investigations into Gulf oil spill.,
(Congress) Launched investigation into gas drilling practices.
Established the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.
Amended Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Expanded oil rig workers’ families abilities to sue and recover.
Fined BP subsidiary $5.2 million for false reporting.
(EPA) Barred Texas’ authority to issue refinery operating permits.

Foreign Affairs and International Relations

BROAD POLICY
Re-established the United States standing in the world.
Poll: World’s opinion of U.S. has “improved sharply” under Obama.
47 nations rise to Obama’s challenge at US nuke summit and agree to four years of non-proliferation efforts.
Visited more countries and world leaders than any first year president.
G-20 Summit produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis.
Launched an international Add Value to Agriculture initiative (AVTA).
Created a rapid response fund for emerging democracies.
Bolstered the military’s ability to speak different languages.
BY REGION:
West Hem: Returned the rights of Americans to visit and assist their families in Cuba. ,
Middle East: Appointed envoys to the Middle East and AFPAK affirming the power of American diplomacy.
Middle East: Renewed loan guarantees for Israel.
Middle East: Pledged $400 million in aid to Gaza civillians.
Middle East: Pressured Israel to end Gaza blockade.
Middle East:used to give Israel a “green light” to strike Iran, augmenting Mid-East stability.
Middle East: Iran Sanctions Act.
Asia: Authorized President Bill Clinton’s mission to secure the release of two Americans held in North Korea.
Asia: Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Webb to secure the release of an American held captive.
Asia: Renewed import restrictions under Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
Asia: Nuclear arms agreements with India (5/4/2010).
Africa: Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009.
Africa: Helped stabilize Somalia (Exec Order).
Aus: Nuclear arms agreements with Australia (5/5/2010).
Europe: Nuclear arms agreement with Russia.
Europe: Agreed with Switzerland to bolster tax information exchange,

Government Efficiency

BROAD POLICY
Established the President’s Management Advisory Board.
Streamlined and modernized government to save taxpayer dollars.
Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations and reports.
SPECIFIC CUTS:
Cut salaries of senior White House aides.
Made $20 Billion in budget cuts.
Provided that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011.
Eliminated F-22 fighter jet program after lobbying Senate vote to strip financing for more jets from a defense funding authorization bill.
Canceled contract for new Presidential helicopter fleet (28 helicopters, $11.2 billion).
OTHER TARGETED ACTIONS
Enhanced payment accuracy through a “Do Not Pay” list.
Cracked down on tax cheats (Exec Order).
Returned taxpayer monies for refurbishment of White House offices and living quarters.
Established the USA.gov portal connecting people to the services they require.

Health and Wellness

BROAD POLICY
Established HealthCare.gov, a web portal for determining and comparing all consumer health insurance and health care options,
Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information.
Established the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council .,
Established President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules.
Implemented a National HIV/AIDS Strategy 7/13/10
FUNDING
Provided $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Provided $500 million in expanded funding for Health Professions Training Programs.,
Provided funding to strengthen hospital preparedness and emergency response
Expanded funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners.
Increased funding to expand community based prevention programs.
TARGETED ACTIONS
First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off anti-obesity effort.
Established a New Patient’s Bill of Rights.
Established Patient Safety and Medical Liability Demonstration Projects.
Questioned Prestigious Hospitals in Electronic Health Records Probe (DHHS).
Established Standards For Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Expanded vaccination programs.
Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.
Engaged global efforts on HIV/AIDS issues.
(FDA) Now regulating tobacco.,
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
(FDA) Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients. ,
Banned sale of “light” cigarettes.
Increased Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA).,
(FDA) to discuss stricter guidelines for tanning beds due to skin cancer.
(FDA) Issued new guidance limiting antibiotic use in cattle to preserve efficacy in humans (6/28/2010).
FDA) Reconsidered safety of Bisphenol A, initiates study.

Health Care Reform

(See also Taxes)
BROAD POLICY
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act // Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (March 2010).
Required large employers to contribute to a national health plan.
Required insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions.
Required health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care.
Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information.
Provided minimum essential health care coverage by Veteran’s Affairs.
Expanded eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP).,
Prevented children from being refused health insurance coverage.
Established Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.
Increased regulation of drug manufacturers.,
Cut prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan’s gap (“donut hole”) in coverage.
TRICARE Affirmation Act.
Extended COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) to provide for a continuation of health care.
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009.

Housing

BROAD POLICY
Unveiled $275 billion dollar housing plan
Established “Opening Doors” – a federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.
FUNDING
Provided $510 Million for the rehabilitation of Native American housing.
Provided $2 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization Program .
Provided $5 billion for Weatherization Assistance Program for low income families.
Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act.
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, helping millions avoid foreclosure .,
Established the Making Home Affordable Plan, which will provide for the refinance or loan modification for 9 Million homeowners.
RESULTS
New-home sales saw biggest jump in 47 years.,
Foreclosures fall 2%.

Humanitarianism

BROAD POLICY
Supported the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT).
Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009.,
FUNDING
Accelerated tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for Haiti earthquake relief.
Made Haiti donations tax deductible for 2009.
$60 million for flood victims in Pakistan (8/19/10).
TARGETED ACTIONS
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; instituted equal pay for women.
Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.,
Increased federal employment of individuals with disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA).
Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to Same-Sex Partners of Federal Employees.,
Presidential Memorandum protecting gay and lesbian partners’ visitation/healthcare decision-making rights (4/15/2010).
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King.
The Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, advancing press freedom and safety for journalists.
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Established White House Council on Women and Girls (Executive Order 13506 ).
Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009.
Appointed an American Indian policy adviser.
(EPA) Reversed Controversial “Human Guinea Pig” Rule.
Immigration
Requested emergency funding of $600 million for Border Security.
Deployed more drones on Mexico border (Homeland Security).
Deported higher numbers of Illegal Immigrants.

Infrastructure

BROAD POLICY
Introduced plan to expand broadband Internet across U.S.,
FUNDING
$8 billion combined public/private funding committed to develop Smart Power Grid (ARRA.)
$800 million to fund rapid rollout of rural broadband expansion (7/2010).
Provided funding for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools.
Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect.
$290 million in funding for 53 grants to “fund new streetcars, buses, and transit facilities.”
Invested $13 Billion (ARRA: $8B + $1B 5-year federal budget) in high speed rail projects in 13 major corridors,,
Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes.
Created a social investment fund network.
Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps.
TARGETED ACTIONS
(NIST) Completed first release of Smart Grid framework.
Opened 500 MHz of wireless spectrum over next 10 years to expand wireless/mobile broadband use.
Commenced 10,000th road project, Columbus, OH (part of ARRA); June 2010.
Airport and Airway Extension Act.
Initiated modification to Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) regulations.,
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which expands the volunteer program.,
RESULTS
Study: Almost 5 million charging stations by 2015.
10,000th highway project (ARRA).

Labor

Established POWER Initiative – protects government workers, ensures reemployment, reduces worker’s comp claims and payments.
Restored funding to the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Law and Justice
BROAD POLICY
Outlined new federal drug control policy.
Ordered review of mandatory minimum sentences.
FUNDING
Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court.,
Appointed first black Attorney General, Eric Holder.
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Established crimes programs for the new Orleans area.
Brought greater alignment to sentencing guidelines for powdered versus crack cocaine.
Denounced SCOTUS ruling in Citizens United.
Pushing through settlement in the Black Farmers Lawsuit against USDA .,
DTV Delay Act.
Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2009.
Tribal Law and Order Act.,
RESULTS
U.S. jail population declined for first time in decades.

Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security

BROAD POLICY
Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare.
Social Security Disability Applicant Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010.
FUNDING
Eliminated higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009.,
Cut prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan’s gap (“donut hole”) in coverage.
Preserved access to care for Medicare beneficiaries
Expanded eligibility for Medicaid.

Military and National Security

BROAD POLICY
Began restructuring the military to reflect present day threats and technology.
Recommitted the U.S. to a policy of “no torture” and full compliance with the Geneva Conventions.
All servicepeople receive education in a region’s culture and language before deployment there (a soldier said this on Maddow).
Supported the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT).
Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.
Established new cyber security office.,
Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009.
Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act.
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act.
FUNDING
Cut the missile defense program by $1.4 billion in 2010.
Eliminated F-22 fighter jet program after lobbying Senate vote to strip financing for more jets from a defense funding authorization bill.
Canceled contract for new Presidential helicopter fleet (28 helicopters, $11.2 billion).
$1.1 Billion for improving airport security.
Increased pay and benefits for military personnel.
BY REGION/THEATER:
AF Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan.,
AF Set troop pullout in Afghanistan to begin in summer 2011.
AF Established Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing, prioritizes aid
AF infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices.
AF Ordered military to withdraw fast food establishments from Afghan bases.
IQ Ended combat mission (remaining personnel are nonagressive) 8/18/10
SOM Increased US Navy patrols off Somali coast.
SOM Ordered SEAL operation that resulted in killing of three terrorists and the release of US captain held by Somali pirates.
Closed secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
Opened door to space arms treaty.,
Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks, building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols.
Executive Order Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the US.
Caught more Taliban Leaders in one month than Bush/Cheney did in six years.
Negotiated nuclear arms agreements with Australia (5/5/2010), India (5/4/2010), and Russia (5/10/2010).,
New START treaty and protocol with Medvedev.

Military Veterans and Families

BROAD POLICY
Initiated a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses.,
Improved benefits for veterans.,
Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development .
Worked to clear the backlog of veterans claims and streamline benefits to those who served.
FUNDING
Provided for the expenses of families of to be at Dover AFB when fallen soldiers arrive.ref
Donated 250K of Nobel prize money to Fisher House.
Veterans Health Care Budgetorm and Transparency Act of 2009.
Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009.
Promoted a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots (“WASP”).
Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information.,
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.
Improved basic housing allowance for military personnel.
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.
Provided minimum essential health care coverage by Veteran’s Affairs.
Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans.
Korean War Veterans Recognition Act.
Blinded Veterans Association.
Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center.
Improved access for Veterans to receive PTSD treatment.
Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans.

National Disasters and Emergencies

BROAD POLICY
Ordered an extensive review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness.,
Memorandum on the Long-Term Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan
FUNDING
Provided $210 Million for building and upgrading fire stations.
Ordered $20 billion escrow fund by BP to reimburse lost incomes in Gulf.
Ordered $100 million to compensate those hurt by drilling moratorium.
TARGETED ACTIONS
Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010.
Haiti Debt Relief and Earthquake Recovery Act of 2010.
Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act.
National Service
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act — Expands the national volunteer program.,
Created a Social Investment Fund Network.