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President Obama's 1st Year

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Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on President Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom Help for Haitithat now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description. Most of the time, it isn't even news, rather, it's an unleashing of visciousness that has absolutely nothing to do with news and everything to do with the success or failure of this president.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down Media Pundits Matthews, Stephanopoulos, Steele and Limbaughapproach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy, after witnessing our democratic processes battered and bruised in recent years.

That said, here's what our president has done in less than 365 days. As we approach the "State of the Union" address, be cognizant of the media and its dirty tricks. Don't be fooled by propaganda, rather, look for the facts. And, when in doubt, check the country's premier web site, www.whitehouse.gov, so that you know the facts for yourself.

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

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

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

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

13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

16. New federal funding for science and research labs

17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

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

19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

20. New funds for school construction

21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

22. US Auto industry rescue plan

23. Housing rescue plan

24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

26. US financial and banking rescue plan

27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/ protocols

32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

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

44. Expanding vaccination programs

45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

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

48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

51. Lower drug costs for seniors

52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

54. Improved housing for military personnel

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

56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

57. Increasing student loans

58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

60. Established a new cyber security office

61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

66. Improving benefits for veterans

67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

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

72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

74. Making more loans available to small businesses

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

76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

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

78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

86. Held first Seder in White House

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

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!

This list was compiled by Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies, Lynn University

And, we would like to add the President's swift response to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.

Click here for more information about essential relief efforts and ways you can help today.

 

 

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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MLK, Jr. Day Celebration

 

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Truth Telling: About Harry Reid

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I have no problem with what Senator Harry Reid said. It’s true and here’s why.

First and foremost, President Obama is part white and part African. He appeals to both African-Americans and to Anglo Saxons. Then Senator Barack Obama and Harry Reid's Words Superimposed on ImageHis caramel colored skin makes him palatable to both nationalities and the majority who voted for him understands his language skills. That is what I took away from Harry Reid’s remarks.

For all intents and purposes, our very talented president is light skinned and does not speak with a Negro dialect, unless he chooses to do so, that’s a fact and that, together with his oratorical and political skills, helped to get him elected, or at the very least, did not hinder his electability. By the way, a whole lot of African-Americans and other nationalities have also made this comment – although their words did not make it to print.

The real question isn’t whether or not you or I would feel comfortable with a dark skinned man or woman who speaks with a Negro dialect, representing the United States; rather, the question is when are we as a nation going to discontinue this hypocritical level of acceptance based on superficialities like skin tone and dialect. When will our nation promote people based on equality and experience versus skin-tone and dialect?

That’s not just a black question, that’s an American question.

Do you really believe that the smartest and the brightest in America are white? Do you really believe that the faces you see on TV news programs are the best and the brightest our country has to offer? The majority of those people are there because of Reid, Obama, Authors, Game Changertheir skin tone and dialect.

What’s the flavor of the day: white skin and an Anglo dialect, light skin and extensions, and NPR, or as I’ve heard it said before, Negroes pushing rhetoric. Some would prefer to keep it lily white. Others are willing to accept some if they can alter their appearances sufficiently. And, some are there because they serve useful purposes and can be called upon whenever these types of issues surface. Can we have that discussion because it seems that no one wants to talk about that fact.

This is not only true in politics or television news; it’s true in every sector of our society, the exception of course, being sports, and to a lesser extent, entertainment. In other words, we’ll pass on a more talented individual because of his or her skin tone and dialect. And, that’s a shame.

That, my friend, will result in America falling lower and lower in world rankings, a price that we are evidently willing to pay.


Now, can we get back to passing Health Care Reform and creating Jobs!

 

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Social Security and Your Payout

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How many of you plan to retire? How many expect to receive a monthly social security benefit? All of us – right. If you’re married, and have been living with your spouse, you would also expect to receive that social security benefit as well, correct? Yes, you should.

However, there’s a catch. When your spouse dies, the Social Security CardSocial Security Benefit that you will receive is the difference between yours and your spouse. Here are two examples.

If your spouse receives a SS benefit of $1500 per month and you receive $1100. Your new SS Benefit after the death of your spouse will be $1100 and $400. If, however, your SS Benefit was $1500 and your spouse’s was $1100, you will not receive an additional payment after the death of your spouse, even though you clearly were living off of the combined SS Benefits.

In other words, you will likely end up poorer after the death of your spouse. The solution:

Put away a retirement fund and place it in a family member’s name that you can trust. Otherwise, the federal government will try to collect from the fund if your spouse needed Medicaid during their lifetime.

Sell your home. You get penalized for being too wealthy in your retirement years. Again, put this asset in a family member’s name that you can trust.

Otherwise, your nest egg and the one that you planned to leave for your survivor’s will be gobbled up by the Tax Collector and the Federal Government, and that’s just a fact.

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Happy New Year

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Happy New Year 2010
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