I got real tired of hearing the haters say "Obama is a failure", or "What has he ever done?" Well, here are 182 things he's done. He's likely the busiest and most focused president we've had in my lifetime.
1.
Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of
government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5
2.
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make
operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1
4.
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT
spending. http://www.cio.gov
5.
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems. To that
end, he also signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform
Act, which attempted to
put a stop to waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting
system. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1 http://bit.ly/fz8GAd
6.
Through an executive order, he created the National Commission on Fiscal
Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa
He
Improved the Economy
7.
Pushed through and signed the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as “the stimulus package.” The bill passed,
even though only three Republicans voted for it. In a major departure from the
previous administration, he launched recovery.gov, a website that allows
taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSs
http://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk
8.
The Bush-led Great Recession was costing the economy nearly 800,000 jobs per
month by the time President Obama took office. But by the end of his first
year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created and sustained 2.1
million jobs and stimulated the economyby 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE
9.
Not only did he completed the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan,
he also leaned on the banks and others, and recovered virtually all of the
bail-out money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVS http://bit.ly/eCNrD6
11.
Oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
12.
Along with Democrats, and almost no Republicans, implemented an auto industry
rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr
Many are of the opinion that he saved the entire auto industry, and even the
economy of the entire Midwest. http://bit.ly/gj7mt5
This resulted in GM returning to its place as the top car company in the world.
http://lat.ms/zIJuQx Willard
Romney, on the other hand, advocated for the entire industry to go belly-up. http://nyti.ms/k0zp
13.
Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is designed
to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf
14.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the
federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every
corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis
Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic
meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7
15.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and
Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was designed to to protect consumers from unfair
and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS
17.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored and passed Helping Families Save Their Homes
Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of
Americans avoid preventable foreclosures. The bill also provided $2.2 billion
to help combat homelessness, and to stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn
18.
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and
Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which
helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw
http://bit.ly/gORYfL
19.
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small
businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
20.
Created business.gov, which allows for online collaboration between small
businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged
with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov
21.
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal
to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5
23.
Created a $60 billion bank to fund infrastructure improvements such as roads
and bridges. http://bit.ly/e1SSaQ
24.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals,
librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30Dc
25.
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy
companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu
26.
Along with Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the
Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter
jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR
27.
Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in
California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV
28.
Crafted an Executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on
Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE
Created
Greater Transparency and Better Government
29.
Signed an order banning gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch.
http://bit.ly/fsBACN
30.
Signed an order banning anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in
previous years, and put strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV
31.
Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took
questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX
35.
Crafted an Executive Order on Presidential Records, which restored the 30-day
time frame for former presidents to review records, and eliminated the right
for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the
reviews. Provides the public with greater access to historic White House
documents, and severely curtails the ability to use executive privilege to
shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb
36.
Improved aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, and issued new guidelines
to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2
Wall
Street Reforms and Consumer Protection
37.
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they
paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq
38.
Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank,
one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great
Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0 http://bit.ly/geHpcD
40.
Through Dodd-Frank, the Executive Branch fashioned rules that reduce the influence
of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t
41.
Fashioned rules so that banks can no longer use YOUR money to invest in
high-risk financial instruments that work against their own customers' interests.
http://bit.ly/fnTayj
42.
Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive
compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
44.
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks that now permits the US government to gain
access to the records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw
45.
Established a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau designed to protect consumers
from financial sector excesses. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
46.
Oversaw and then signed a Democratic bill constituting the most sweeping food
safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP
Civil
Rights and Anti-Discrimination
47.
Along with Congressional Democrats, advocated for and signed the Matthew Shepard and
James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to
assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7
48.
Pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the
discriminatory “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that forced soldiers to lie in
order to be eligible to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by
disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping. http://bit.ly/fdahuH http://bit.ly/mZV4Pz
49.
Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for
Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0
53.
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a
same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp
54.
Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make
medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT
55.
Wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women
and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the
effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM
56.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored
basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. This
was after the GOP blocked the bill in 2007. Only 5 Republican Senators voted
for the bill. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg
58.
Under his guidance, National Labor Relations Board issued final rules that
require all employers to prominently post employees' rights where all employees
or prospective employees can see it, including websites and intranets,
beginning November 2011. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ
Improved
Foreign Relations and American Status Abroad
59.
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous
president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda
60.
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his
administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g
61.
Helped to restore America's reputation around the world as a global leader that
does the "right thing" in world affairs, at least according to the rest
of the world. http://bit.ly/h743y7 http://bit.ly/ho4TCr
62.
Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on
strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj
66.
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, called on both Israel and
the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh
67.
Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible
nuclear program, and thus avoid another war that Republicans wanted. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK
68.
Worked with Democratic Congress to make donations to Haiti tax deductible in
2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY
71.
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as
allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support
them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde
72.
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It was Republicans (and,
unfortunately, progressive Democrats) who prevented follow through. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF
73.
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the
use of torture, or what Bush called "enhanced interrogation." He
ordered interrogators to limit their actions to the Army Field manual. http://bit.ly/g6MTuC
74.
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be
closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax
76.
On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned
torture, reversed all Bush torture policies, and put the United States in compliance
with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zve
http://nyti.ms/hzWWys
77.
In response to the emerging "Arab Spring," he created a Rapid
Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief,
technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United
States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9
78.
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up
their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb
80.
Authorized and oversaw a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages
held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz
Began a
Push Toward a More Realistic Approach to “Defense”
81.
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear
threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE
83.
Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection
infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i
86.
Through the Defense Authorization Act, reversed the Bush Administration and
committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ
87.
Developed first comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan
designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda and the withdrawal of most
troops, as well as the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs
88.
Returned our focus to Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the
process of withdrawing our troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna
89.
Negotiated a deal with Afghan govenment, to withdraw troops and military
support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an
90.
Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize
the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6
92.
Took decisive action to use NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya,
so that the Libyan people could topple a despotic government and determine
their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj
Treating
Soldiers and Veterans with Respect
93.
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen
soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also
provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of
fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 http://bbc.in/gWSSkA
94.
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to
improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo
96.
Created Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military
personnel, in order to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW
97.
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in
Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. (personal note: my son will be
in harm’s way for six fewer months with Obama as president, so you know I love
this one.) http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q
98.
Along with Congressional Democrats, supported and signed Veterans Health Care
Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which made more money available to enable
better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1
99.
Along with Congressional Democrats, ushered through largest spending increase
in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, with money to go to improved
medical facilities, and to assist states in acquiring or constructing state
nursing homes and extended care facilities. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x
100.
Created the Green Vet Initiative, which provided special funding to the Labor
Department to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY
101.
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay
for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX
Refocused
the Government on Education
103.
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at
a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt
104.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , invested heavily in
elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr
105.
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide http://bit.ly/fNDcj3 ,
107.
Also through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he put $5 billion into
early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr
108.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0 http://bit.ly/hPhG7J
109.
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low
income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz
110.
Along with Democratic Congress, passed and signed Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe
National
Safety and Security
111.
Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to
manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z
112.
Authorized Navy SEALS to successfully secure the release of a US captain held
by Somali pirates and increased patrols off the Somali coast. http://nyti.ms/efBO7B
Science,
Technology and Health Care
115.
Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government
decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw
116.
Opened up process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U
118.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal
funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7
119.
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first
comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb
120.
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by
trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families,
to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc
121.
Obama EPA reveresed research ethics standards which allowed humands to be used
as "guinea pigs" in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with
numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS
124.
Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural,
educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP
125.
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing
FDA to regulate tobacco. http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB
As a result, the FDA has Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients
and banned sale of cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.”
126.
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for
Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA
129.
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with
drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b
130.
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health
Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered
by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv
131.
Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39%
without explanation. Democratic Rep. Waxman responded by launching a probe, and
Anthem Blue Cross put increase on hold for two months. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C
132.
Ushered through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance
coverage to at least 30 million more people, ended many common insurance
company practices that are often detrimental to those with coverage. He also
established healthcare.gov, so that taxpayers could keep up with developments. http://www.healthcare.gov/
133.
Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until
they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
134.
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small business to
provide health insurance to their employees, and 29 million people will receive
tax breaks to help them afford health insurance. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
135.
Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal
poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo
136.
Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of
your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
137.
Provisions in theACAhave already resulted in Medicare costs actually declining
slightly this fiscal year, for the first time in many years, according to the
Congressional Budget Office. The increase in 2011 was 4%, which is very low
compared to the average 12% annual inflation rate during previous 40 years. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh
Strengthening
the Middle Class and Families
138.
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS
139.
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and
health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse
of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj
140.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , cut taxes for 95% of
America's working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F
142.
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10
years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP
Fighting
Poverty
144.
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM
145.
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban
Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8
Environment
and Energy
146.
Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards
that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x
147.
Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the
2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in a
decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM
148.
Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more
markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y
149.
Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal
project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL
150.
Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency
standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu
151.
Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through
renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p (As you can see,
Republicans are trying hard to kill it.)
152.
Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and
manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R
153.
Bypassed Republican opposition in Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating
and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5
157.
Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our
Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and
ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq
159.
Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty
to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO
160.
Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy
consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P
161.
Following the neglect of Bush’s eight year reign, he reengaged in a number of
treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO
162.
Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid automobiles, and later he and Democrats
morphed that program into one that includes electric cars. http://bit.ly/glCukV
164.
Oversaw and pushed through amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo
165.
Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the
liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3
167.
Through his EPA, he asserted federal legal supremacy, and barred Texas from
authorizing new refinery permits on its own. http://bit.ly/ww8eMd
169.
Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save
6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt
170.
Through the EPA, attemped to take steps to severely limit the use of
antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2
173.
Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in
2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW
That's Not
All...
174.
Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental
agreements such as NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY
175.
Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African
American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He
protected the funding during the recent budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO http://bit.ly/ff5Luv
176.
Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. http://bit.ly/dFb8qF
177.
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is
the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only
the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112
justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6 http://bit.ly/i02wgP
178.
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any
other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB
180.
Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana
to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j
181.
Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service
groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5
182.
Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning
congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in
office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon
Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY
