Accomplishments of President Obama

[classicman]

Sorry posted this in the wrong thread - Could a Mod please delete post in Earthquake thread

Originally Posted by Radar

1.Ordered a study to cut spending 2.Ordered a review to cut wasteful spending
(2fer - also see #64)

4.Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

10.Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11.Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
(we'll see about these two - I certainly don't think its "accomplished" at this point in time.)

13.Phasing out expensive and outdated weapons systems

14.Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research/15.Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
(another 2fer)

21.The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
(what was his campaign promise?)

33.Reengaged in talks about global warming and greenhouse gas
(yet refused to sign binding agreement)

34.Visited more countries than any president in his first six months in office
(Whoopie!)

39.Announced plans to purchase American-made cars for the federal government

55.Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

57.Increasing student loans
(???)
58.Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

61.Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military

63.Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64.Established a Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money
(Same as #1-2)

66.Improving benefits for veterans

67.More press conferences and town halls
75.Established commission to make recommendations on Medicare costs
(same as healthcare reform)

84/85.Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and Paid out of his own pocket
(another 2-fer)

87.Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system

88.Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89.Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90.Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!

I think there are a number of good things that Obama has begun to do. I agree with some of the directions he is taking. I also disagree with some things.
I ran through this list and just thought I'd highlight some of the things which aren't accomplished YET or don't fit the "what he has done" label.
__________________

Originally Posted by classicman

Sorry posted this in the wrong thread - Could a Mod please delete post in Earthquake thread

I think there are a number of good things that Obama has begun to do. I agree with some of the directions he is taking. I also disagree with some things.
I ran through this list and just thought I'd highlight some of the things which aren't accomplished YET or don't fit the "what he has done" label.

Re: Number 10:limits on lobbyist's access to the White House.

One of the most sweeping changes is not just limiting lobbyists' access to the White House...but limiting the influence of lobbyists throughout the Executive Branch by barring them from serving on advisory committees that provide guidance on drafting and/or reviewing regulations.

It received little notice at the time of its publication last summer, but K street has been in a frenzy in the last few months as it is put into place.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of lobbyists are likely to be ejected from federal advisory panels as part of a little-noticed initiative by the Obama administration to curb K Street's influence in Washington, according to White House officials and lobbying experts.

The new policy -- issued with little fanfare this fall by the White House ethics counsel -- may turn out to be the most far-reaching lobbying rule change so far from President Obama, who also has sought to restrict the ability of lobbyists to get jobs in his administration and to negotiate over stimulus contracts.

The initiative is aimed at a system of advisory committees so vast that federal officials don't have exact numbers for its size; the most recent estimates tally nearly 1,000 panels with total membership exceeding 60,000 people.

Under the policy, which is being phased in over the coming months, none of the more than 13,000 lobbyists in Washington would be able to hold seats on the committees, which advise agencies on trade rules, troop levels, environmental regulations, consumer protections and thousands of other government policies.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...112602362.html

It is influencing regulations, as much as or more than influencing legislation, through which industry lobbyists can be most self-serving.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

Re: Number 10:limits on lobbyist's access to the White House.

But yet the lobbyists are merely not registering and still doing the same thing without the constraints that Obama and his henchmen put on them. So what has changed?

One of the most sweeping changes is not just limiting lobbyists' access to the White House...but limiting the influence of lobbyists throughout the Executive Branch by barring them from serving on advisory committees that provide guidance on drafting and/or reviewing regulations.

So how does that make a difference when they merely deregister as a lobbyist?

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

But yet the lobbyists are merely not registering and still doing the same thing without the constraints that Obama and his henchmen put on them. So what has changed?

So how does that make a difference when they merely deregister as a lobbyist?

Sure..they can de-register as a lobbyist..and give up their livelihood and income...for a non-paying position on an advisory committee.

This is a "good government" program by any measure.

Will it prevent influence peddling? Certainly not.

Does it provide more transparency and less influence peddling. Absolutely...by a wide margin over previous administrations, D or R.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by Redux

Re: Number 10:limits on lobbyist's access to the White House.

One of the most sweeping changes is not just limiting lobbyists' access to the White House...but limiting the influence of lobbyists throughout the Executive Branch by barring them from serving on advisory committees that provide guidance on drafting and/or reviewing regulations.

It received little notice at the time of its publication last summer, but K street has been in a frenzy in the last few months as it is put into place.



It is influencing regulations, as much as or more than influencing legislation, through which industry lobbyists can be most self-serving.

Well, lobbyists have been out full force since he was elected. They may not have a lot of acces to the WH, but they have major access to Congress, not to mention how much access Wall Street has to Geitner. Lobbyists pretty much WROTE the Senate health care 'reform' bill. And now, with the SC decision about corporations, we can expect things to get much, much worse. (because corporate America pretty much runs everything anyway)

[tw]

Originally Posted by sugarpop

(because corporate America pretty much runs everything anyway)

Only when we let them. Not all corporate America is a problem. That would be like saying "Japanese cars verses American cars". An argument that completely ignores the problem. A subjective summary that will only decieve.

Many parts of corporate America are operating in America's interest. Did you see the long list of American companies that resigned or openly subverted their support for the Chamber of Commerce when that organization sided with the corrupt rather than for the long term objectives of America? The list included Nike, Coke, some computer manufacturers, etc.

A biggest problem in America is companies who believe their purpose is profits. Same reasoning justifies the mafia. Therefore GM cars have been so anti-American for 25 years. AIG so perverted the American economy that we had no choice but to bail them out. Goldman Sachs pays so many bonuses to finance people that could easily buy three Eisenhower, Carl Vincent, et al sized aircraft carriers. But then Goldman Sachs is not about what made America great - its products and innovations.

Goldman Sachs, et al is about leeching blood from the American public because finance people are more important than those who made America great. And so, for the first time in almost 100 years, America has seen no growth in ten years. Only some parts (too many) of the American economy work to subvert America for their own benefit.

If those employees are so good, then why are they wasting time and money on Wall Street? Why are they not out doing things that make America great? They forget to mention that when they claim they deserve seven, eight, nine, and ten digit incomes. This problem is not from all of corporate America.

And yes, by protecting so many corrupt companies, some bought and paid for politicians even hope that Obama fails. They just stopped saying it publically.