Neo-Con Masters

[MORE COWBELL]

WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT THE ONLY REASON THIS ROUND OF NEO-CONS IS IN POWER FOR IS TO MESS WITH/OVERTURN THE 2008 MICHIGAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT ??????????????

[CedarSpringsCG]

Oh see that's where your wrong. They are here to do that, but also they are here to lower taxes to the richest people making over 1 million a year, bust unions, and turn us into a third world country so that the rich overlords can get cheap labor here. Also, notice how they want to strip money from education, because all of their kids get private education, so they want to make sure future generations aren't smart enough to stop them.

 

Once we are desparate enough, they will hire our children to do work for $.30 per hour and us at $.50 per hour. Once we are all endentured servants, that's when they will be free and no one else will be.

 

Cedar

[Guest 1TokeOverLine]

wtf

[Timmahh]

Oh see that's where your wrong. They are here to do that, but also they are here to lower taxes to the richest people making over 1 million a year, bust unions, and turn us into a third world country so that the rich overlords can get cheap labor here. Also, notice how they want to strip money from education, because all of their kids get private education, so they want to make sure future generations aren't smart enough to stop them.

 

Once we are desparate enough, they will hire our children to do work for $.30 per hour and us at $.50 per hour. Once we are all endentured servants, that's when they will be free and no one else will be.

 

Cedar

 

 

i ll fight with a pointed stick to my death so my child, nor yours has to endure that bs.

 

have faith, their is a Race War coming, but where everyone has it wrong, is its not a race war of the different races, but a race war of the financial kind.

 

problem with the Richies Race War here, is they have to HIRE someone to do their work for them. once all that work is done, who do you think SOME ONE is going to be looking at to shake down?

 

so even if it does come to pass, they will only be signing their own death warrent, after ours ofcourse.

Edited July 16, 2011 by Timmahh

[purklize]

Class war is indeed in our future.

[GanjaWarrior]

Come on...if we are gonna talk politics, lets put our big boy pants on and take a look.

 

A dem is in office running this country into the ground, the best part is his fascist donkey got elected on the backs of good people like you who are too blind or ignorant to see the truth when its right in from of you. The dems lied to you, they said they would leave medical alone and now they target us....Show me the dems in michigan who support us....none of them. where are they ? show me one dem who gives a fly f about us.

Edited July 16, 2011 by GanjaWarrior

[CedarSpringsCG]

Come on...if we are gonna talk politics, lets put our big boy pants on and take a look.

 

A dem is in office running this country into the ground, the best part is his fascist donkey got elected on the backs of good people like you who are too blind or ignorant to see the truth when its right in from of you. The dems lied to you, they said they would leave medical alone and now they target us....Show me the dems in michigan who support us....none of them. where are they ? show me one dem who gives a fly f about us.

It's all perspective. The dem in office is slowing a country from being run into the ground. Bush was losing 750,000 jobs a month when he was in office, he started 2 wars, and upped spending more than any other president. The tax cuts are known as the bush tax cuts for a reason. Obama had to keep them because the R's were threatening to do exactly what they have done, and that's stall everything to screw over working class america.

 

The cuurent dem, is also fighting a congress and house that every republican is 100% against anything he does. Even when he takes a republican idea, and supports it, that becomes toxic and all the R's vote against it.

 

Now I think we can all agree that obama hasn't lived up to everything he said. However, saying I am to ignorant to see the truth when it is right in front of me, it sounds like you watch too much Faux news or you have been brainwashed.

 

Do you think the patriot act was good for us? No knock raids, GPS tracking from your cell phone, baseless arrests and can hold you forever without charging you with a crime, etc. These are what bush brought us, on top of destroying the economy. Don't forget the first bank bailout, was under bush.

 

Also, Obama's mistakes, some are that he kept the same people in office that Bush had. So when he says, lay off the people who follow state laws, the R minded person who is actually running the DEA says, eh, Im going to target them anyway.

 

But honestly, how many patients have been arrested by the feds? How many small growers? Most of the time it is either state/county LEO, or it is huge massive grows over 100 plants. If you're following the state law, you do not have 100 plants.

 

Obama's mistake is he isn't standing up like a man and protecting the people that put him there. But it is still better than having an R in office who will cut education to less than what it is now (near bottom of all industrialized nations) just so a billionaire can get a tax cut on his 3rd jet.

 

People in the US who make over 1 million dollars a year pay less in taxes than almost anywhere in the world, and less percentage than people making 50k a year. Obama wants to raise taxes on them and leave ours alone. Why are the r's in DC trying to keep the tax cuts. They are lower than they have been in 50 years, thanks to Bush, and it isn't creating jobs. It never has, so the trickle down theory is BS.

[Guest OxXGarfieldXxO]

Problem with Cedars (as well as Pelosi new graph) is the fact that Job loss is a bit misleading. Sure there were more people to loose jobs under Bush, but Obamas numbers are showing better returns simply because it's basically hit the bottom and can't loose at the same rate.

 

The unemployment (which is a much better barometer for the working class) in the USA is almost double (9.64% 2010 and 9.26% in 2009) anything within the Bush presidency (5.78% 2002 highest number)

 

I so hate all these democrat vs republican threads. I have no clue why the overly liberal of this forum don't get that in the 63% that voted this in....wasn't all Democrats. All these threads do is divide.

 

If you have a problem with Shutte/Snyder...attack his policies. Get him/them out of office. But these childish name games just make our more conservative guest loose interest No party has been honest with us, nor is any party going to fix things without you and I pushing them to do it.

 

If you guys want to start pushing Dem stuff, tell us what a specific candidate we can vote on in our county (local level) or nation, what they believe in and why a conservative citizen should feel comfortable with pulling the lever for that candidate. I'd think it safe to say the majority of people in Michigan don't vote based on only one platform. Though MMJ is a big part of my life other things concern me too, so just because a candidate is pro MMJ, doesn't mean he'll get my vote. I'm not that shallow, nor do I believe the majority of my brethren that one sided....

 

But then it's a lot easier to post thread like this then actually read up on multiple candidates views huh?¿

 

It just gets old. JMO

[GanjaWarrior]

It's all perspective. The dem in office is slowing a country from being run into the ground. Bush was losing 750,000 jobs a month when he was in office, he started 2 wars, and upped spending more than any other president. The tax cuts are known as the bush tax cuts for a reason. Obama had to keep them because the R's were threatening to do exactly what they have done, and that's stall everything to screw over working class america.

 

The cuurent dem, is also fighting a congress and house that every republican is 100% against anything he does. Even when he takes a republican idea, and supports it, that becomes toxic and all the R's vote against it.

 

Now I think we can all agree that obama hasn't lived up to everything he said. However, saying I am to ignorant to see the truth when it is right in front of me, it sounds like you watch too much Faux news or you have been brainwashed.

 

Do you think the patriot act was good for us? No knock raids, GPS tracking from your cell phone, baseless arrests and can hold you forever without charging you with a crime, etc. These are what bush brought us, on top of destroying the economy. Don't forget the first bank bailout, was under bush.

 

Also, Obama's mistakes, some are that he kept the same people in office that Bush had. So when he says, lay off the people who follow state laws, the R minded person who is actually running the DEA says, eh, Im going to target them anyway.

 

But honestly, how many patients have been arrested by the feds? How many small growers? Most of the time it is either state/county LEO, or it is huge massive grows over 100 plants. If you're following the state law, you do not have 100 plants.

 

Obama's mistake is he isn't standing up like a man and protecting the people that put him there. But it is still better than having an R in office who will cut education to less than what it is now (near bottom of all industrialized nations) just so a billionaire can get a tax cut on his 3rd jet.

 

People in the US who make over 1 million dollars a year pay less in taxes than almost anywhere in the world, and less percentage than people making 50k a year. Obama wants to raise taxes on them and leave ours alone. Why are the r's in DC trying to keep the tax cuts. They are lower than they have been in 50 years, thanks to Bush, and it isn't creating jobs. It never has, so the trickle down theory is BS.

 

So its not that your lacking in insight, its just you have a skewed perception? No one i support will be mentioned on faux news, I admit i do watch it on occasion. entertainment only, its like a preview of the coming daily show....

One problem i have with the "party types", you cant tell me anything obama did, just cry about what bush did. While I agree the start of all this mess was and is bush..... but whats obama done since then. jobs are still leaving, unemployment is higher still. In all your talk you cant tell me one good thing the dems are doing.

No I dont like the patriot act, what i don't like even more is how you selectively forget all your dem buddies voted in favor of the act, all your dem buddies voted for the war....speaking of war i though obama was gonna bring em home, not start a new war?

The false neo cons are not a good thing, but the dems are no better. Liberty is our only hope and we wont find freedom on faux news or the democratic party.

[Kevin]

It's really simple.

 

Voting is like driving. D to move forward, and R to move backwards. The Republicans are the bane of America. Most of them today are just angry & hateful fat old white men with type A personality and type 2 diabetes.

 

In the last 20 years, left moved to the right, and the right moved into a mental hospital. Why is it that the people with the most ridiculous ideas are the ones most sure of them.

 

Bush and Cheney and their henchmen ran this country into the ground with their misguided wars and tax cuts for the rich. If this were not so, why did Bush pardon himself from crimes before he left office?

 

They call themselves Republicans. What a laugh. The old Goldwater Republicans are spinning in their graves.

 

Eisenhower, a Republican, tried to warn us about the military industrial complex and government. If Ike were alive today, the Republicans would call him a Liberal or worse. They worry Obama is a socialist. Socialist? He's not even a liberal. They're all afraid he'll replace apple pie with chicken & waffles and maybe move a shark tank into the Oval Office. Obama is rey a centrist who's frantically trying to dig this nation out of the deep hole dug by Bush & Cheney.

 

It's easy to see, for anyone who doesn't rely on Fox news or Rush Limbaugh for their information, that the Republican Party, by their deeds, are evil. They listen only to what they want to hear, and anything that confirms what they believe. They have no plan, no policy, no solution. They say government is bad. It sure has been with them at the helm.

 

 

[end of my rant]

[ccpulsipher]

sorry don't know how to use the quote but got this from garfields post

The unemployment (which is a much better barometer for the working class) in the USA is almost double (9.64% 2010 and 9.26% in 2009) anything within the Bush presidency (5.78% 2002 highest number)

 

i agree with you garfield the only thing i see wrong with what you said is the fact that if you run out of unemployment they don't even count you at all so i think the numbers are really a lot higher than that because they must feel that just because you haven't found a job before you unemplyment runs out you really don't count any more

[Guest OxXGarfieldXxO]

lol....see the nutbags that jump on ship? These people do nothing but divide.

[Guest OxXGarfieldXxO]

sorry don't know how to use the quote but got this from garfields post

The unemployment (which is a much better barometer for the working class) in the USA is almost double (9.64% 2010 and 9.26% in 2009) anything within the Bush presidency (5.78% 2002 highest number)

 

i agree with you garfield the only thing i see wrong with what you said is the fact that if you run out of unemployment they don't even count you at all so i think the numbers are really a lot higher than that because they must feel that just because you haven't found a job before you unemplyment runs out you really don't count any more

 

They wouldn't count you as a newly lost job either so your point is moot.....

[murdock]

Fox news ? Who let the dumb donkey out of the bag ??

[CherryCrush]

What Obama Has Done(despite hundreds of Republican Vetoes on programs that would have pulled us out of recession):

 

...besides being the first President to Protect Cannabis patients by his own decision.

 

 

 

 

Arts and Culture

1.Increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to the highest level since 1992. ref, ref, ref

2.Created an artist corps for public schools. ref

3.Championed the importance of arts education. ref

4.Promoted cultural diplomacy. ref

 

 

 

 

 

Banking and Financial Reform

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Established the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. ref

3.Established President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. ref, ref , ref

4.Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. ref, ref

5.Dodd-Frank (DF) Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the biggest financial reform law since the Great Depression. ref

6.Managed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) ref

7.Assigned a Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009. ref

8.Pension relief Act of 2010. ref

9.Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act. ref, ref

10.Played a lead role in G-20 Summit re: financial crisis. ref

11.Reformed deferral rules to curb tax advantages for investing overseas. ref

12.Established new offshore investment policy that promotes in-sourcing. ref, ref

13.FUNDING:

14. Cut salaries for 65 bailout executives (Pay Czar). ref

15.Banks have repaid 75% of TARP funds, bringing the cost down to $89B as of June 2010. ref

16.Closed offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes. ref , ref , ref

17.TARGETED ACTIONS:

18. Created the Financial Stability Oversight Council to monitor stability of the financial system and individual firms (DF). ref

19.New requirements for reporting financial data (DF). ref

20.Created self-funded Office of Financial Research (OFR) to collect information from financial firms (DF). ref

21.OFR employees must wait a year before working for certain financial firms. ref

22.Provided for orderly liquidation of financial companies (DF). ref

23.Limited trading activities of banks (Volcker Rule) beginning 2 yrs after passage (DF). ref

24.Swaps Pushout Rule prevented federal assistance to swaps (including derivatives) traders (DF). ref

25.Derivatives must be traded transparently through a clearing house (DF). ref

26.Defined the amount and nature of assets required to meet capital requirements (DF). ref

27.Originators of asset-backed securities must retain 5% ownership/risk (DF). ref

28.Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (DF). ref

29.Stronger client fiduciary duty for broker-dealers (DF). ref

30.Higher standards for securities advertising and disclosures (DF). ref

31.Expanded “insider loans” (DF). ref

32.Higher standards for sytemically important ($50 billion assets+) institutions, including annual stress tests and restrictions on bank acquisitions (DF). ref

33.Executive compensation must be determined by an independent committee (DF). ref

34.Issued compensation guidelines for bank executive salary and bonuses. ref , ref

35.Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring (DF). ref

36.Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act. ref, ref

37.Credit CARD Technical Corrections Act of 2009. ref

38.Established a credit card bill of rights. ref

39.Reformed credit card swipe fees. ref

40.Created new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud. ref

41.Congress pursued Goldman Sachs for securities violations. ref

42.Permanently extended Research and Experimentation Tax Credit for domestic investments. ref

43.RESULTS:

44.(Treasury) Sold 1.5 billion shares of Citigroup at a profit. ref

45.G-20 summit produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. ref

46.Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals. ref

47.Financial reform has ‘strongest consumer financial protections in history.’ ref

48.Section curator:

 

 

Civil Rights

1.FUNDING:

2.Provided $12.2 billion in new funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act though the American Recovery and investment Act. ref

3.TARGETED ACTIONS:

4.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; Instituted equal pay for women. ref, ref, ref

5.Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. ref , ref , ref , ref

6.Presidential Memorandum protecting gay and lesbian partners’ visitation/healthcare decision-making rights (4/15/2010). ref

7.Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability. ref

8.Supported the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). ref

9.Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. ref

10.Established White House Council on Women and Girls (Executive Order 13506 ). ref

11.Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring.

12.Increased minority access to capital. ref

13.Pushing through settlement in the black farmers lawsuit against USDA. ref, ref

14.Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. ref

15.Increased Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA). ref, ref

16.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Commerce, Trade and technology

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Promoted internet freedom as part of U.S. foreign policy. ref, ref , ref

3.Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009. ref

4.Satellite Television Extension Act of 2010. ref

5.FUNDING:

6.Expanded loan programs for small businesses. ref

7.TARGETED ACTION:

8.Small Business Act. ref

9.Small Business Investment Act. ref

10.Proposed tougher meat industry antitrust rules. ref , ref

11.Denied federal contracts to tax delinquents. ref

12.Appointed the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer. ref

13.Established Federal IT Dashboard. ref

14.Modernized the USA.gov portal to connect people to the services they require. ref

15.Launched the National Export Initiative, with the goal of doubling US exports by 2015. ref , ref

16.Provided National Export Initiative/Progress report and named President’s Export Council. ref, ref

17.Launched piracy crackdown. ref

18.Section curators:

 

 

Conservation

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act of 2009. ref

3.Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. ref

4.North American Wetlands Conservation Act. ref

5.Stewardship of the Ocean (established National Ocean Council ), our Coasts and the Great Lakes (Executive Order). ref

6.Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance (Executive Order). ref, ref

7.Established partnerships to share environmental technology with other countries. ref

8.FUNDING:

9.Increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ref

10.Increased funding for national parks and forests. ref

11.$175 million of ARRA allocated for water conservation, $135 million of that in the West. ref

12.TARGETED AREAS:

13.Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic. ref, ref

14.Expanded access to places to hunt and fish. ref

15.Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration (Executive Order). ref, ref

16.Led effort to phase out whaling. ref

17.Pursued a wildfire management plan. ref

18.Encouraged more controlled burns to reduce wildfires. ref

19.Ordered removal of more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires. ref

20.Section curator: ^pash

 

 

Economy

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): a $789 billion economic stimulus plan. ref

3.US auto industry rescue plan. ref, ref

4.Start-Up activity now higher than it was during the dotcom boom. ref

5.Created task force to fight deficit. ref

6.Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. ref

7.Temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. ref

8.FUNDING:

9.Increased minority access to capital. ref

10.$26 billion aid to states package (Aug 2010). ref

11.TARGETED ACTIONS:

12.Raised the small business investment limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009. ref

13.Created an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to invest in peer-reviewed manufacturing processes. ref

14.Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act – establishes a Federal “Do Not Pay” list. ref

15.Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch. ref

16.Adopted Economic Substance tax doctrine. ref

17.Extended unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits. ref ref

18.Economy grew 5.9% in 4th quarter. ref

19.U.S. Economy: Manufacturing grew by most since 2004. ref

20.U.S. GDP up 3.2% in first quarter. ref

21.Consumer spending showed biggest rise in 3 years. ref

22.Orders for most durable goods rose. ref

23.Wholesale inventories and sales rose in March. ref

24.$26 billion state aid bill triggered a surge of private municipal investment. ref

25.EXHIBITS – THE STIMULUS ONE YEAR LATER:

26.Success of the stimulus–how do you illustrate ‘could have been worse’? ref

27.Distribution of ARRA funds by year. ref

28.Need for financial education: Investors who act on their own do worse than T-bills; market timers earn negative returns. ref

29.Consumer debt patterns (revolving and non-revolving) through end of 2009. ref

30.Growth of the national debt from 2000-2009. ref

31.Bar chart showing increases in national debt by President (since Carter). ref

32.Pie chart: 2009 annual deficit contrasting large Bush tax cuts and relatively small ARRA. ref

33.THE LEGACY: AUGUST 2010

34.The Economy Has Been Growing – seasonally adjusted change in GDP by quarter 2007-2010. ref

35.The Private Sector Has Begun to Add Jobs – Monthly change in nonfarm employment 2008-2010. ref

36.GDP would have been lower without the Recovery Act (2007-2013 projection) (scroll down to Part III to see chart). ref

37.Unemployment would have been higher without ARRA (2008-2010). ref

38.The gap between actual and full-employment GDP would have been much larger without TARP and ARRA (2008-2010). ref

39.MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITS:

40.Public Sector Lost 316,000 jobs October 09-July 10 (state aid negotiated out of ARRA by GOP). ref

41.Section curator ^roytoric

 

 

Education: College

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Enacted largest reform of student aid in 40 years. ref, ref

3.Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010. ref

4.Established President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. ref, ref, ref

5.FUNDING:

6.Increased funding for land-grant college. ref

7.Provided means for students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance. ref

8.TARGETED ACTIONS:

9.Expanded Pell grants for low-income students. ref

10.Expanded Pell grant pool by eliminating private lender subsidies for student loans. ref

11.Section curators: ^ejoyce ^Kroth

 

 

Education: Health of Children

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Created the Race to the Top Fund ($4.35 billion) to reward States that create comprehensive education reform plans. ref

3.Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 . ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Provided funding for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools. ref

6.Established State Equalization Fund; new funds for school construction (ARRA). ref

7.Provided $77 Billion for reforms to to strengthen Elementary and Secondary education. ref

8.Fully funded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). ref

9.Provided $12.2 billion in new funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ref

10.$26 billion state aid package saved 160,000 teacher jobs (Aug 2010) ref

11.Provided over $2.3 billion in additional funding to Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 2009. ref

12.Provided $5 billion dollars for Early Learning Programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ref

13.Roughly doubled the amount available in Federal Child Care Block Grants. ref

14.Established “Promise Neighborhood” Grants (modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone). ref , ref

15.Eliminated abstinence-only funding in budget. ref, ref

16.TARGETED ACTIONS:

17.Helped rebuild schools in New Orleans. ref

18.Established school programs to highlight space and science achievements. ref

19.Recruited math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession. ref

20.Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers . ref

21.Provided affordable, high-quality child care. ref

22.Unveiled initiatives to help men be better fathers. ref

23.Section curators: ^ejoyce ^Kroth

 

 

Employment: Jobs

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Jobs for Main Street Act (2010). ref

3.American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. ref

4.National Export Initiative ref

5.FUNDING:

6.(DOL) Dedicated $100 million in Energy Training Partnership green jobs training grants. ref

7.(DOL) Dedicated $150 million for Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training grants. ref

8.$33 billion-dollar jobs package (March 2010). ref , ref

9.$26 billion aid to states package (Aug 2010). ref

10.$5,000 tax credit for every new worker. ref

11.New Health IT Workforce Grants (ARRA). ref

12.TARGETED ACTIONS:

13.Job training programs in clean technologies for displaced workers. ref

14.Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans. ref

15.Financial agencies must establish Offices of Women and Minorities to promote more diverse hiring (DF).

16.Recruited math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession. ref

17.Initiated a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses. ref, ref

18.Required new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliations or contributions. ref, ref

19.RESULTS:

20.CBO found 3.7 Million jobs created by stimulus (May 2010). ref

21.Job loss exploded under Bush, improves under Obama. ref

22.682,370 jobs created under the Recovery Act Between January 1 — March 31,2010. ref, ref, ref

23.New jobless claims tumble. ref

24.March payrolls surge by 162,000 US says . ref

25.March jobs data showed biggest growth in three years .ref

26.U.S. economy added 90000 jobs in April . ref

27.Jobless rates dropped in 34 states and DC (AP). ref

28.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Energy: Green

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Established an Energy Partnership for the Americas. ref

3.Established the Biofuels Working Group to develop a comprehensive approach to alternative fuels. ref

4.Additional measures to advance clean energy/solar investments and job creation (ARRA). ref

5.Launched new Climate Service. ref

6.Worked toward deploying a global climate change research and monitoring system. ref

7.Implemented renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022. ref

8.FUNDING:

9.More than doubled federal spending for research on clean fuels. ref

10.$60 billion in spending and tax incentives for renewable and clean energy. ref

11.Invested in all types of alternative energy. ref

12.Increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency. ref

13.Invested $2 billion in solar power, hailed new jobs. ref, ref, ref

14.Established consumer tax credit for plug-in hybrid cars. ref, ref

15.Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes. ref

16.Doubled funding for bicycling, walking projects ref, ref

17.(DOL) Dedicated $100 million in Energy Training Partnership green jobs training grants. ref

18.(DOL) Dedicated $150 million for Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training grants. ref

19.$8 billion combined public/pvt funding committed to develop Smart Power Grid (part of ARRA). ref

20.Incentivized farmers to use more renewable energy and be more energy efficient. ref

21.TARGETED ACTIONS:

22.Purchased fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government. ref

23.Ordered 5,000 hybrids for federal fleet. ref

24.(NIST) Completed first release of Smart Grid framework. ref

25.Created job training programs in clean technologies for displaced workers. ref

26.Created Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans. ref

27.Established program to convert manufacturing centers into clean technology leaders. ref

28.RESULTS:

29.First President to create detailed vision for clean energy economy. ref

30.Wind power growth up 39% due to government stimulus. ref

31.Study: Almost 5 million charging stations by 2015. ref

32.Section curator: ^pash

 

 

Energy: Old

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions. ref

3.Created Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage. ref

4.Set national standards for fuel economy and first ever greenhouse gas emission levels for passenger cars and light trucks. ref

5.Set smog limit: new strict proposal to replace Bush-era rule (EPA). ref ref

6.Regulated greenhouse gases for large industrial sources (EPA). ref

7.Raised fuel economy standards. ref

8.Required states to provide incentives for utilities to reduce energy consumption. ref

9.Allowed states to enact tougher fuel efficiency standards than federal standards. ref

10.Established Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. ref

11.FUNDING:

12.Pledged more than $8 billion for new nuclear reactors. ref

13.Tax breaks to promote public transit. ref

14.TARGETED ACTIONS:

15.Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government. ref , ref

16.Reengaged in global warming and greenhouse gas emissions talks. ref, ref

17.Offered 17% U.S. emissions cuts at climate summit. ref

18.Pledged 28% cut in federal greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. ref

19.Expanded greenhouse gas reduction targets for Federal operations -13% reduction from indirect sources by 2020. ref

20.(FTC) Toughened anti-greenwashing rules. ref

21.Instituted “Cash for Clunkers” to spur auto sales and promote fuel efficiency . ref, ref

22.Ordered inspections of mines with poor safety records. ref

23.Closed loophole that allowed drilling in Rockies without environmental review. ref

24.(EPA) Sharply limited mountaintop mining. ref

25.(EPA) Announced historic plans to regulate coal ash. ref

26.Required electric utilities to produce 20% of their electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2020. ref

27.(EPA) Limited mercury emissions. ref ref

28.Section curator: ^pash

 

 

Energy: Oil

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Introduced Oil Spill Recovery Bill to remove oil company liability cap. ref ref

3.Created offshore drilling safety review board. ref

4.Created new drilling agency with investigative arm. ref

5.Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations and reports. ref

6.FUNDING:

7.Ordered $20 billion escrow fund by BP to reimburse lost incomes in Gulf. ref

8.Ordered $100 million to compensate those hurt by drilling moratorium. ref

9.TARGETED ACTIONS:

10.Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government. ref , ref

11.Mandated new safety rules for offshore drilling. ref

12.Opened civil and criminal investigations into Gulf oil spill. ref, ref

13.(Congress) Launched investigation into gas drilling practices. ref

14.Established the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. ref

15.Amended Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ref

16.Expanded oil rig workers’ families abilities to sue and recover. ref

17.Fined BP subsidiary $5.2 million for false reporting. ref

18.(EPA) Barred Texas’ authority to issue refinery operating permits. ref

19.Section curator: ^pash

 

 

Foreign Affairs and International Relations

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Re-established the United States standing in the world. ref, ref, ref

3.Poll: World’s opinion of U.S. has “improved sharply” under Obama. ref

4.47 nations rise to Obama’s challenge at US nuke summit and agree to four years of non-proliferation efforts. ref

5.Visited more countries and world leaders than any first year president. ref

6.G-20 Summit produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. ref

7.Launched an international Add Value to Agriculture initiative (AVTA). ref

8.Created a rapid response fund for emerging democracies. ref

9.Bolstered the military’s ability to speak different languages. ref

10.BY REGION:

11.West Hem: Returned the rights of Americans to visit and assist their families in Cuba. ref , ref , ref

12.Middle East: Appointed envoys to the Middle East and AFPAK affirming the power of American diplomacy. ref

13.Middle East: Renewed loan guarantees for Israel. ref

14.Middle East: Pledged $400 million in aid to Gaza civillians. ref

15.Middle East: Pressured Israel to end Gaza blockade. ref

16.Middle East: Refused to give Israel a “green light” to strike Iran, augmenting Mid-East stability. ref

17.Middle East: Iran Sanctions Act. ref

18.Asia: Authorized President Bill Clinton’s mission to secure the release of two Americans held in North Korea. ref

19.Asia: Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Webb to secure the release of an American held captive. ref

20.Asia: Renewed import restrictions under Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. ref

21.Asia: Nuclear arms agreements with India (5/4/2010). ref

22.Africa: Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009. ref

23.Africa: Helped stabilize Somalia (Exec Order). ref

24.Aus: Nuclear arms agreements with Australia (5/5/2010). ref

25.Europe: Nuclear arms agreement with Russia. ref , ref, ref, ref

26.Europe: Agreed with Switzerland to bolster tax information exchange ref, ref

 

 

 

 

 

Government Efficiency

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Established the President’s Management Advisory Board. ref

3.Streamlined and modernized government to save taxpayer dollars. ref

4.Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations and reports. ref

5.SPECIFIC CUTS:

6.Cut salaries of senior White House aides. ref

7.Made $20 Billion in budget cuts. ref

8.Provided that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011. ref, ref, ref

9.Eliminated F-22 fighter jet program after lobbying Senate vote to strip financing for more jets from a defense funding authorization bill. ref, ref, ref

10.Canceled contract for new Presidential helicopter fleet (28 helicopters, $11.2 billion). ref

11.OTHER TARGETED ACTIONS:

12.Enhanced payment accuracy through a “Do Not Pay” list. ref

13.Cracked down on tax cheats (Exec Order). ref

14.Returned taxpayer monies for refurbishment of White House offices and living quarters. ref , ref

15.Established the USA.gov portal connecting people to the services they require. ref

16.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Health and Wellness

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Established HealthCare.gov, a web portal for determining and comparing all consumer health insurance and health care options ref, ref

3.Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information. ref

4.Established the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council . ref, ref

5.Established President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. ref

6.Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules. ref

7.Implemented a National HIV/AIDS Strategy 7/13/10 ref

8.FUNDING:

9.Provided $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. ref

10.Provided $500 million in expanded funding for Health Professions Training Programs. ref, ref

11.Provided funding to strengthen hospital preparedness and emergency response ref

12.Expanded funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners. ref

13.Increased funding to expand community based prevention prog: rams. ref

14.TARGETED ACTIONS:

15.First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off anti-obesity effort. ref

16.Established a New Patient’s Bill of Rights. ref

17.Established Patient Safety and Medical Liability Demonstration Projects. ref , ref

18.Questioned Prestigious Hospitals in Electronic Health Records Probe (DHHS). ref

19.Established Standards For Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment ref

20.Expanded vaccination programs. ref , ref

21.Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. ref

22.Engaged global efforts on HIV/AIDS issues. ref

23.(FDA) Now regulating tobacco. ref, ref

24.Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. ref

25.(FDA) Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients. ref , ref , ref

26.Banned sale of “light” cigarettes. ref

27.Increased Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA). ref, ref

28.(FDA) to discuss stricter guidelines for tanning beds due to skin cancer. ref

29.(FDA) Issued new guidance limiting antibiotic use in cattle to preserve efficacy in humans (6/28/2010). ref

30.FDA) Reconsidered safety of Bisphenol A, initiates study. ref

31.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Health Care Reform (See also Taxes)

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act // Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (March 2010). ref , ref

3.Required large employers to contribute to a national health plan. ref

4.Required insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions. ref , ref

5.Required health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care. ref

6.Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information. ref

7.Provided minimum essential health care coverage by Veteran’s Affairs. ref

8.Expanded eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP). ref, ref

9.Prevented children from being refused health insurance coverage. ref

10.Established Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. ref

11.Increased regulation of drug manufacturers. ref, ref

12.Cut prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan’s gap (“donut hole”) in coverage. ref

13.TRICARE Affirmation Act. ref

14.Extended COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) to provide for a continuation of health care. ref, ref, ref

15.Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. ref , ref , ref, ref

16.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Housing

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Unveiled $275 billion dollar housing plan ref

3.Established “Opening Doors” – a federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. ref , ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Provided $510 Million for the rehabilitation of Native American housing. ref

6.Provided $2 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization Program . ref

7.Provided $5 billion for Weatherization Assistance Program for low income families. ref

8.Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes. Ref

9.TARGETED ACTIONS:

10.Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act. ref

11.Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, helping millions avoid foreclosure . ref, ref

12.Established the Making Home Affordable Plan, which will provide for the refinance or loan modification for 9 Million homeowners. ref

13.RESULTS:

14.New-home sales saw biggest jump in 47 years. ref, ref

15.Foreclosures fall 2%. ref

 

 

 

 

 

Humanitarianism

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Supported the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). ref

3.Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009. ref, ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Accelerated tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for Haiti earthquake relief. ref

6.Made Haiti donations tax deductible for 2009. ref

7.$60 million for flood victims in Pakistan (8/19/10).

8.TARGETED ACTIONS:

9.The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; instituted equal pay for women. ref, ref, ref

10.Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. ref, ref, ref, ref

11.Increased federal employment of individuals with disabilities (Exec Order)(celebrating 20th anniversary of the ADA). ref ref

12. Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to Same-Sex Partners of Federal Employees. ref, ref, ref, ref

13. Presidential Memorandum protecting gay and lesbian partners’ visitation/healthcare decision-making rights (4/15/2010). ref

14. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. ref

15. Awarded the Presidential Medal of freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King. ref

16. The Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, advancing press freedom and safety for journalists. ref, ref,

17. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability. ref

18. Established White House Council on Women and Girls (Executive Order 13506 ). ref

19. Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. ref

20. Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. ref

21. The Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009. ref

22. Appointed an American Indian policy adviser. ref

23. (EPA) Reversed Controversial “Human Guinea Pig” Rule. ref

 

 

 

 

 

Immigration

1. Requested emergency funding of $600 million for Border Security. ref

2. Deployed more drones on Mexico border (Homeland Security). ref

3. Deported higher numbers of Illegal Immigrants. ref

 

 

 

 

 

Infrastructure

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Introduced plan to expand broadband Internet across U.S. ref, ref

3.FUNDING:

4.$8 billion combined public/private funding committed to develop Smart Power Grid (ARRA.) ref

5.$800 million to fund rapid rollout of rural broadband expansion (7/2010). ref

6.Provided funding for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools. ref

7.Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect. ref

8.$290 million in funding for 53 grants to “fund new streetcars, buses, and transit facilities.” ref ref

9.Invested $13 Billion (ARRA: $8B + $1B 5-year federal budget) in high speed rail projects in 13 major corridors ref, ref, ref

10.Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes. ref

11.Created a social investment fund network. ref

12.Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps. ref

13.TARGETED ACTIONS:

14.(NIST) Completed first release of Smart Grid framework. ref

15.Opened 500 MHz of wireless spectrum over next 10 years to expand wireless/mobile broadband use. ref

16.Commenced 10,000th road project, Columbus, OH (part of ARRA); June 2010. ref , ref

17.Airport and Airway Extension Act. ref

18.Initiated modification to Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) regulations. ref, ref

19.Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which expands the volunteer program. ref, ref ref

20.RESULTS:

21.Study: Almost 5 million charging stations by 2015. ref

22.10,000th highway project (ARRA). ref

23.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Labor

1.Established POWER Initiative – protects government workers, ensures reemployment, reduces worker’s comp claims and payments. ref

2.Restored funding to the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. ref

 

 

Law and Justice

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Outlined new federal drug control policy. ref ref

3.Ordered review of mandatory minimum sentences. ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program. ref

6.TARGETED ACTIONS:

7.Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court. ref, ref

8.Appointed first black Attorney General, Eric Holder. ref

9.Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include gender, sexual orientation and disability. ref

10.Established crimes programs for the new Orleans area. ref

11.Brought greter alignment to sentencing guidelines for powdered versus crack cocaine. ref

12.Denounced SCOTUS ruling in Citizens United. ref

13.Pushing through settlement in the Black Farmers Lawsuit against USDA . ref, ref

14.DTV Delay Act. ref

15.Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2009. ref

16.Tribal Law and Order Act. ref, ref, ref, ref

17.RESULTS:

18.U.S. jail population declined for first time in decades. ref

19.Section curators:

 

 

 

Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare. ref

3.Social Security Disability Applicant Access to Professional Representation Act of 2010. ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Eliminated higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans. ref

6.TARGETED ACTIONS:

7.Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. ref, ref, ref, ref

8.Cut prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan’s gap (“donut hole”) in coverage. ref

9.Preserved access to care for Medicare beneficiaries ref

10.Expanded eligibility for Medicaid. ref

 

 

Military and National Security

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Began restructuring the military to reflect present day threats and technology. ref

3.Recommitted the U.S. to a policy of “no torture” and full compliance with the Geneva Conventions. ref

4.All servicepeople receive education in a region’s culture and language before deployment there (a soldier said this on Maddow).

5.Supported the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). ref , ref

6.Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date. ref

7.Established new cyber security office. ref, ref

8.Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009. ref

9.Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act. ref

10.Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act. ref

11.FUNDING:

12.Cut the missile defense program by $1.4 billion in 2010. ref

13.Eliminated F-22 fighter jet program after lobbying Senate vote to strip financing for more jets from a defense funding authorization bill. ref, ref, ref

14.Canceled contract for new Presidential helicopter fleet (28 helicopters, $11.2 billion). ref

15.$1.1 Billion for improving airport security. ref

16.Increased pay and benefits for military personnel. ref

17.BY REGION/THEATER:

18. AF Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan. ref, ref

19.AF Set troop pullout in Afghanistan to begin in summer 2011. ref , ref

20. AF Established Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing, prioritizes aid

21.AF infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices. ref

22.AF Ordered military to withdraw fast food establishments from Afghan bases. ref

23. IQ Ended combat mission (remaining personnel are nonagressive) 8/18/10

24.SOM Increased US Navy patrols off Somali coast. ref

25. SOM Ordered SEAL operation that resulted in killing of three terrorists and the release of US captain held by Somali pirates. ref

26. Closed secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. ref , ref

27.Opened door to space arms treaty. ref, ref

28.Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks, building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols. ref

29. Executive Order Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the US. ref

30.Caught more Taliban Leaders in one month than Bush/Cheney did in six years. ref

31. Negotiated nuclear arms agreements with Australia (5/5/2010), India (5/4/2010), and Russia (5/10/2010). ref, ref, ref, ref

32.New START treaty and protocol with Medvedev. ref

33.Section curators:

 

 

Military Veterans and Families

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Initiated a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses. ref, ref

3.Improved benefits for veterans. ref, ref, ref, ref

 

4.Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development . ref

 

5.Worked to clear the backlog of veterans claims and streamline benefits to those who served. ref

 

6.FUNDING:

7.Provided for the expenses of families of to be at Dover AFB when fallen soldiers arrive.ref

8.Donated 250K of Nobel prize money to Fisher House. ref

9.Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. ref

 

10.Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009. ref

11.TARGETED ACTIONS:

12.Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009. ref

13.Promoted a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (“WASP”). ref

14.Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information. ref , ref, ref , ref

15.Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. ref

16.Improved basic housing allowance for military personnel. ref

17.Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. ref

18.Provided minimum essential health care coverage by Veteran’s Affairs. ref

19.Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans. ref

20.Korean War Veterans Recognition Act. ref

21.Blinded Veterans Association. ref

22.Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center. ref

23.Improved access for Veterans to receive PTSD treatment. ref

24.Green Vet Initiative to promote environmental jobs for veterans. ref

25.Section curators: ^roytoric

 

 

National Disasters and Emergencies

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Ordered an extensive review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness. ref, ref

3.Memorandum on the Long-Term Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan ref

4.FUNDING:

5.Provided $210 Million for building and upgrading fire stations. ref

6.Ordered $20 billion escrow fund by BP to reimburse lost incomes in Gulf. ref

7.Ordered $100 million to compensate those hurt by drilling moratorium. ref

8.TARGETED ACTIONS:

9.Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010. ref

10.Haiti Debt Relief and Earthquake Recovery Act of 2010. ref

11.Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act. ref

 

 

National Service

1.The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act — Expands the national volunteer program. ref ref, ref ref

 

2.Created a Social Investment Fund Network. ref

3.Section curators: ^roytoric

 

 

Scientific and Medical Research

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Removed restrictions and provided support for embryonic stem-cell research and new biomedical research. ref, ref, ref ref

3.Extended the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. ref, ref

4.Supported Landsat Data Continuity Mission to enhance earth mapping. ref

5.FUNDING:

6.Provided new federal funding for science and research labs. ref

7.Provided grants to early-career researchers. ref

8.TARGETED ACTIONS:

9.Appointed an assistant to the president for science and technology policy. ref

10.Optimized the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States ref

11.Optimized the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States ref

 

 

 

Space Exploration and Space Station

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Worked with international allies on International Space Station ref

3.Opened door to space arms treaty. ref, ref

4.Used the private sector to improve spaceflight ref

5.Supported commercial access to outer space ref

 

6.FUNDING:

7.Increased spending to prepare for longer space missions ref

8.TARGETED ACTIONS:

9.Added another Space Shuttle flight ref

10.Partnered to enhance the potential of the International Space Station ref

11.Used the International Space Station for fundamental biological and physical research ref

12.Determined whether International Space Station can operate after 2016 ref

13.Conducted robust research and development on future space missions ref

14.DOD opened access to social media sites (Air Force News). ref

15.DOD will film all interrogations. ref

16.Cracked down on tax cheats (exec order). ref

17.Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government. ref , ref

18.Established the USA.gov portal connecting people to the services they require ref

19.Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act. ref, ref

20.White House voluntary disclosure policy – visitor access records/450,000 records to date ref ref

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Adopted Economic Substance tax doctrine. ref

3.Cracked down on tax cheats (Exec Order). ref

4.TARGETED ACTIONS: TAX CREDITS/REDUCTIONS:

5.Temporarily suspended taxes on unemployment benefits. ref ref

6.Established consumer tax credit for plug-in hybrid cars. ref, ref

 

7.$60 billion in spending and tax incentives for renewable and clean energy. ref

 

8.Tax breaks to promote public transit. ref

 

9.Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch. ref

10.Small business teax credits for the cost of health insurance for employees beginning 1/1/10 (HCR).

11.2-year temporary tax credit up to $1 billion to encourage investment in new disease prevention and treatment therapies (HCR).

12.Income floor for medical expense deductions for individuals age 65 and older (and their spouses) remains at 7.5% through 2016; Raise 7.5% floor to 10% for all others (1/1/13) (HCR) ref

13.Health insurance premium tax credits and subsidies available for those with income up to 4x the federal poverty level (1/1/14) (HCR) ref ref

14.Accelerated tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for Haiti earthquake relief. ref

15.TARGETED ACTIONS: TAX ASSESSMENTS/INCREASES:

16.Made Haiti donations tax deductible for 2009. ref

17.ncreased penalty tax of 20% on nonqual distributions from HSA and MSA (1/1/11) (HCR) ref

18.Income tax rates for the highest earners will change from 35 to 39.6 percent. (1/1/11) (HCR) ref

19.Capital gains tax for the highest earners will change from 15 to 20 percent. (1/1/11) (HCR) ref

20.2.3% excise tax on manufacturers and importers of certain medical devices (1/1/13) (HCR) ref

21.For high earners the capital gains tax will rise from 20 to 23.8 percent. (1/1/13) (HCR) ref

22.A 2.35 percent Medicare payroll tax only on wages over the threshold (an increase of 0.9 percent) (1/1/13) (HCR) ref

23.Tax increase for corporations with assets of at least $1 billion (1/1/14) (HCR) ref

24.40% Excise tax on Cadillac health plans (2018) (HCR) ref

25.TARGETED ACTIONS: TAX ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION:

26.Closed offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes . ref , ref , ref

27.Employers will report the value of health benefits on W-2s (1/1/11) (HCR) ref

28.RESULTS:

29.Tax bills hit lowest level since 1950. ref

30.Tax refunds up 10 percent due to stimulus. ref

31.Section curator: ^roytoric

 

 

Transparency and Accountability

1.BROAD POLICY:

2.Mandate to follow the standards of the Freedom of Information Act (exec order). ref

3.Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible. ref

4.Unveiled “open government” plans. ref

5.Federal IT Dashboard, “a website enabling federal agencies & the public to view details of information technology”. ref

6.TARGETED ACTIONS:

7.Released presidential records. ref

8.Imposed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. ref ref

9.Imposed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration. ref

10.Closed lobbyist loopholes with respect to the Recovery Act ref

11.Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees. ref

12.Provided more town halls and media access than previous administration. ref, ref

13.Required health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care. ref

14.Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information. ref

15.Required new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliations or contributions. ref, ref

16.Established a uniform standard for declassifying, safeguarding and classifying national security information (12/29/2009). ref

17.Created a national declassification center. ref

18.DOD opened access to social media sites (Air Force News). ref

19.DOD will film all interrogations. ref

20.Cracked down on tax cheats (exec order). ref

21.Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, cutting ties between industry and government. ref , ref

22.Established the USA.gov portal connecting people to the services they require ref

23.Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act. ref, ref

24.RESULTS:

25.White House voluntary disclosure policy – visitor access records/450,000 records to date ref ref

 

 

Recovery, Progress and Change

1.Federal deficit shrank 8% year-on-year.

2.Financial reform has ‘strongest consumer financial protections in history.’ ref

3.Wall St reform designed to end taxpayer bailouts. ref

4.Six-month report card: exports in the first four months of 2010 were 17 percent higher than in the first four months of 2009 . ref

5.Job loss exploded under Bush, improves under Obama. ref

6.682,370 jobs created under the Recovery Act Between January 1 — March 31,2010. ref, ref, ref

7.New jobless claims tumble. ref

8.March payrolls surge by 162,000. ref

9.March jobs data showed biggest growth in three years .ref

10.U.S. economy added 90,000 jobs in April . ref

11.Jobless rates dropped in 34 states and DC (AP). ref

12.New-home sales saw biggest jump in 47 years. ref, ref

13.Foreclosures fall 2%. ref

14.U.S. Economy: Manufacturing grew by most since 2004. ref

15.U.S. GDP up 3.2% in first quarter, consumer spending showed biggest rise in 3 years . ref

16.Orders for most durable goods rose. ref

17.Wholesale inventories and sales rose in March. ref

18.Consumer confidence highest in 2 years. ref

19.Start-Up activity now higher than it was during the dotcom boom. ref

20.Study: almost 5 million charging stations by 2015. ref

21.Wind power growth up 39% due to government stimulus. ref

22.Poll: world’s opinion of U.S. has “improved sharply” under Obama.ref

23.47 nations rise to Obama’s challenge at US nuke summit and agree to four years of non-proliferation efforts. ref

24.U.S. jail population declined for first time in decades. ref

 

 

Miscellaneous

1.Got his daughters a puppy! ref

2.Held first Seder in White House. ref, ref

3.Appointed at least one Republican to the cabinet. ref

4.Section curator:

[CherryCrush]

These are the 10 US senators who voted against the Patriot Act in 2006:(all dems)

 

NAYs ---10

Akaka (D-HI)

Bingaman (D-NM)

Byrd (D-WV)

Feingold (D-WI)

Harkin (D-IA)

Jeffords (I-VT)

Leahy (D-VT)

Levin (D-MI)

Murray (D-WA)

Wyden (D-OR)

 

House Vote on Patriot Act 2006:

 

Republican- 214 yeas/ 13 nays

Democratic- 66 yeas/ 124 nays

 

 

-------------

 

Iraq War Resolution:

 

The dramatic, much-debated vote on Joint Resolution 114 was taken on October 11, 2002. It passed the Senate by a vote of 77 to 23, and the House of Representatives by a vote of 296 to 133.

 

In the end, 156 members of Congress from 36 states had enough information and personal insight and wisdom to make the correct decision for our national and the world community.

 

In the Senate, the 21 Democrats, one Republican and one Independent(socialist)who courageously voted their consciences in 2002 against the War in Iraq were:

 

* Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii)

* Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico)

* Barbara Boxer (D-California)

* Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia)

* Lincoln Chaffee (R-Rhode Island)

* Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota)

* Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey)

* Mark Dayton (D-Minnesota)

* Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)

* Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)

* Bob Graham (D-Florida)

* Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)

* Jim Jeffords (I-Vermont)

* Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts)

* Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont)

* Carl Levin (D-Michigan)

* Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland)

* Patty Murray (D-Washington)

* Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island)

* Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland)

* Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan)

* The late Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota)

* Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

 

 

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

Iraq War Resolution:

 

Six House Republicans and one independent joined 126 Democratic members of the House of Re[resentatives in voting NAY, on October 11, 2002, to the unprovoked use of force against Iraq.

 

-----------

 

 

I can only name One Republican in Lansing that supports our cause; and they co sponsored this repressive set of bills in the House. I can List alot of democrats, but even with 75% of the democratic vote, it is not enough for a 26% firewall.

 

So, with Republicans, you KNOW you are skreewed, and with Democrats ya have about a 50% chance. I will take the chance.

Edited July 17, 2011 by CherryCrush

[greenbuddha]

Anyone that expects ANY politician to save their rear end is sadly deluded.

 

The best you can do is throw your vote and whatever money you can at the 'crook' that you think will serve your own best interests.

 

Politics in this country is 'political welfare' and 'job security' for those people that can b*ll shite their way into a government office.

 

And dare I say it? Our country being on the brink of a monetary breakdown may be one of the best things that has happened to us in over two hundred years.

 

Once the money dries up the politicians will have to find other, much more honest employment.

 

MTCW.

[+Silverblue]

Occasionally I do remind people that there were voters from other parties besides the dems that voted for our law. Although I don't know who they are, it seems logical that it wouldn't just be all dems or all r's that would vote for any one law.

 

As far as what obama did or didn't do, he did inherit a big mess the r's made, I'm certain of that. I don't know if he could've removed the bush people who were in office when he came in, I do believe he could've been firmer in getting some things done that he said he would do, and I also strongly do believe he could get the feds off our backs. He did say the medical users were a low priority to go after, right? But what about those memos, do they say that despite the states' MM laws, they'd still go after us because it's still federally illegal? There's a lot to remember about all these issues.

 

It seems to me that every potential president should first be a VP, just like working up from being in a lesser position, with each step up comes new challenges and responsibilities. It's a big step up from being senator to becoming president. To me it's like climbing a ladder and missing a few steps- better hope ya don't fall. A senator has to work with others to get their ideas out, a mayor or governor, I think, is kinda like president, but on a smaller scale. If they can do those jobs well, then they could graduate to a higher position, including being a VP before becoming president. It could help build character and expose them to the inner workings of each position, preparing them for the Big Boss Position. Every candidate says what they think we want to hear, some do their best to fulfill their promises, though it seems to me like most never intend to do anything they say they'll do that The People really want. I still believe it's best not to make a promise that may be hard to keep. Some people are too confident and often they get a big surprise that knocks them down really hard. I sure hope this is the case with our opponents. It's happened before. All I can do about that is pray enough will have the common sense to realize these bills will do much more harm than good, and will not prevent people from getting their medicine if they want it badly enough. This is MEDICINE, it's OUR medicine, OUR law, and OUR RIGHT. Our opponents are desperate, but so are we. I've written some letters in our defense, too, and do my best to talk to people about the situation. The main problem is, it's all so one sided, they're not seeing the whole story, they're being misled, too. It's too bad they can't see that.

 

If I were a candidate for political office, my first promise would be, "I promise to do my best to keep my word. I will not promise I can fix the situation, but I can give you my word I will do the very best I can to improve it." An honest politician would say that. At least in my mind, they do.

 

Sb

[Wild Bill]

[1337Gr33n]

if for one moment any of us think that this or that politician is a forever loyal patron to MMJ causes, be prepared. You are about to be taken for a complete ride over a vote, and perhaps some labor as well. Politicians often ENTER the arena of politics with high ideals, and perhaps the cojones to live up to them. but the system in politics necessitates that politicians raise funds. EVERY politician has to compromise on some issue(s) in order to keep donors happy. occasionally, there are splits over compromises not being acceptable to one party or another. But, overall, they are beholden to their benefactors.

Where does this leave us? How can those that believe in Cannabis as medicine and/or spiritual practice place their trust in a politician that will flip flop on a cause to the highest bidder? we must realize that our lack of money as a movement ensures that politicians can at best be a fair weather friend. (which in itself is ironic, as we are the poor and weak, not the drug kingpins they want caregivers/growers to be!) if another of their larger donors decide that cannabis as medicine is unhealthy for their bottom line, as they often do, poof goes the support.

[Dr._Do-Little]

Also, notice how they want to strip money from education, because all of their kids get private education, so they want to make sure future generations aren't smart enough to stop them.

 

 

true intelligence isn't found in a classroom anyways my friend

[MORE COWBELL]

Thanks everyone all great points!

 

wild bill good hard evidence!

[mayorshaggy37]

It is easier to rule over people who are scared, hungry and uneducated. The only reason Obama will be reelected is because there is nobody else running and the country seems to be scared of Ron Paul, because nobody wants to have real freedom. That makes too much sense.

[CedarSpringsCG]

true intelligence isn't found in a classroom anyways my friend

I agree, however how many legislators are college dropouts? How many lawyers? How many judges? The internet allowed for a lot of drop outs to become millionaires, but it is getting increasingly difficult to do that. The ones that have the college degrees are the ones that gain trust and get elected.

 

Ron Paul has some great ideas, however the problem with him is that he will allow too much freedom. We will step backwards decades of civil rights, there will be towns down south where you don't even get a fine for lynching a someone. I know lots of you believe a business should be able to refuse service to someone based on any qualifications, such as race, but denying someone service just because they are black is insane. And your arguments that those places will go out of business is ridiculous. There are PLENTY of racists to keep them open. Even here in MI. Remember, all men are created equal.

 

And when you really look at his family, you have to begin to question his morals. Rand Paul, who set up his own "Board" so he could say he was a board certified opthamologist. And his reason for doing this, and appointing his wife VP, and his father in law secretary, not only to pay themselves, but to outsmart the law, using loopholes. Some might applaud him for this, others like myself, ask why can't you just take the test once every 10 years to remain certified normally? It's freaking multiple choice.

[Dr._Do-Little]

I agree, however how many legislators are college dropouts? How many lawyers? How many judges? The internet allowed for a lot of drop outs to become millionaires, but it is getting increasingly difficult to do that. The ones that have the college degrees are the ones that gain trust and get elected.

 

i wasn't really referring to politics though. i was referring more to humanity in general(even though my statement was bland, yes i know, sorry). some of the smartest people i've come across aren't successful at all according to society