NATIONAL SECURITY
Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasnt even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (2009) * Note: The closure has been delayed due to massive opposition but it remains on the agenda.
Stated his interest in housing terrorists at a new federal super max facility in the US (2009) * Note: this has been delayed in the face of massive opposition but it remains on the agenda
Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)
Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)
Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)
Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)
Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (2010) * Note: Components of the policy include: a pledge to stop nuclear testing; a pledge to not build a new generation of nucs; identifying nuclear terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major threat; a pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state in a conventional conflict; etc. Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc
of individuals and organizations support the regimes of North Korea, Iran, Somali pirates, and other foreign threats (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to extend certain provisions of The Trading with Enemies Act which was to expire in September 2010 (2010) * Note: This includes freezing assets and banning trade that benefits the Cuban regime; however further efforts at normalizing travel to Cuba are supported
Signed bill for southwest border security and increased funds and agents on the Mexican border (2010)
Signed the Comprehensive Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act to deal with foreign regimes like Iran and North Korea (2010)
IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN
Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)
Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US Marine units and Special Forces in Afghanistan (2009)
Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)
Ended the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)
MILITARY & VETERANS
Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
Ended the Bush-era blackout imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldiers family
Ended the Bush-era black out policy on media coverage of war casualties (2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War on Terror
Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs
Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new technologies; creating new cyber security units; etc.
Ended the Bush-era practice of awarding no-bid defense contracts (2009)
Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)
Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
Ordered a review of the existing Dont ask, dont tell policy on gays in the military (2010)
New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)
Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training, funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse; readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.
Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)
Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by August 31, 2010 (2010)
Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs, etc.
Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and security personnel) (2010)
FOREIGN POLICY
Closed the Bush-era secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy allowing enhanced interrogation (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009) * Note: Obama has permitted some controversial interrogation techniques to continue
Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009) * Note: Bush withdrew from non-proliferation talks and dismantled the inspection infrastructure
Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)
Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
Overturned Bush-era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning; overturned the ban on providing funds internationally for family planning (2009) * Note: The family planning efforts were suspended under Bush
Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit families (2009)
Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)
Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israelis economic and financial needs (2009)
Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)
Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
Attended the Summit of Americas meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)
Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia (2010) * Note: The agreement calls for both countries to reduce their nucs by one-third (1,500) and launch systems by half (800)
Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)
Executive Order to establish support offices in the State Department to assist the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to continue drug interdiction support with Columbia (2010)
ECONOMY
Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants
) (2009) * Note: Bush was the first president since Herbert Hoover to not make infrastructure a priority
Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls
Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy toxic assets from failing financial institutions (2009)
Authorized the Cash for Clunkers program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
Convened a jobs summit to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note: In place of the old policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the industrys predatory practices were banned
Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally dumping exports below cost (2009) * Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all refused to get tough on Chinas predatory trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his presidency
In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
Called on Congress to deliver a Jobs bill (2010)
Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)
Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)
Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate and end abusive practices and promote consumer protections
Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The bill includes: tax cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at least two months; small businesses can write off their investments in equipment this year; etc.
National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical assistance, training, trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US businesses export products and services (2010)
Initiatives to promote a Wireless Broadband Revolution (2010) * Note: Among other things, broadband is finally being considered as necessary infrastructure, with efforts to expand use, access, and spectrum
Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)
Signed bill - US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)
Signed bill - Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)
TAXES
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs (2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to brings jobs back to the US
Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of working families (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big as was suggested during the 2008 campaign
Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (2010) * Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would return their tax rates to the 1990s level
BUDGETING
Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller; such off budget items are now included in the annual budget
Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did not list many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terror
Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals to balance the budget (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked with submitting proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much every year (2010)
Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and stick with marine One (2010)
Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national security (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for federal political appointees (2010)
Beginning to use Pay-As-You-Go (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with budget cuts or revenue enhancements (2010)
HEALTHCARE
Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)
Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid (2009) * Note: Obama had promised to lift all restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies for them to lower their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions
Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)
Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held dozens of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health to be chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting healthy lifestyles and integrative healthcare (2010)
When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to reaffirm that federal funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)
Historic healthcare reform bill signed - $940 billion over 10 years (2010) * Note: 32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans, but many of the goals are phased in over four years
Components of the bill
- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
- Bans rescission so insurance companies cant cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill
- An individuals out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
- Closes the donut hole (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the donut hole
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
- There are hardship exemptions if individuals cant afford health insurance
- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
- Promotes health insurance exchanges so consumers can buy wholesale
- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges
Funding sources:
- Large employers (over 50 workers) that dont offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)
- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called Cadillac plans) they offer
Miscellaneous:
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
- By Executive Order, such federal funding cant be used for abortion
- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)
There is a VERY LONG list of African Americans that I have a HUGE amount of respect for, but Obama is NOWHERE to be seen on that list. You must be the kind of person that thinks every black Republican is an Uncle Tom. Sorry, I see nothing positive about a corrupt Chicago politician sitting in the Oval Office. 
