This is not your father’s Republican Party. We’ve heard the phrase from a variety of people in recent years, yet it has never rung more true. In fact, my father and stepmother, both lifelong Republicans have expressed feelings of discontent and disconnect from the modern Republican Party, largely due to the string of radical Sarah Palin-backed Tea Party candidates.

While, historically speaking, the kind of mood suggested by recent polls derive from a bad economy, this election has no shortage of frights. Between O’Donnell in Delaware, Sharron Angle in Nevada, and Carl Paladino in New York, among others, Republicans and Democrats alike have something to worry about, and vote against. All of the labor completed by the 111th Congress is under siege, and their legislative accomplishments, many of which benefit the average family, could be overturned or underfunded.

Our current economic situation, which was created over the course of about a decade of Republican rule, cannot be fixed in 21 months. Although we have not seen economic instant gratification, we have seen consistent improvement.

From tax cuts to health care reform, Republicans have spread massive amounts of misinformation using Fox, and corporate-funded campaign ads. Additionally, not enough people know that Democrats have reduced the deficit and federal spending, or that 25 tax cuts were passed just last year.

Below are a few of the accomplishments Obama and the 111th Congress have made:

25 Tax Cuts Passed By Obama & Democrats[3]

Individuals

“Making Work Pay” tax credit Earned Income Tax Credit increased Increased Eligibility for Refundable Portion of Child Credit “American Opportunity” Education Tax Credit First-time Home Buyer Credit Temp. Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements to Existing Homes Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases Premium Credits for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Unemployed Workers Economic Recovery Credits to Recipients of Social Security, SSI, RR Retirement, and Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits Computers as Qualified Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit Tax Parity for Transit Benefits Health Coverage Tax Credit Expansion

Small Business

Extension of Enhanced Small Business Expensing 5-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses for Small Businesses Extension of Bonus Depreciation Exclusion of 75% of Small Business Capital Gains from Taxes Temporary Small Business Estimated Tax Payment Relief Temporary Reduction of S Corporation Built-In Gains Holding Period from 10 Years to 7 Years

Other Business

Advanced Energy Investment Credit Tax Credits for Alternative Refueling Property Work Opportunity Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Disconnected Youth Delayed Recognition of Certain Cancellation of Debt Income Election to Accelerate Recognition of Historic AMT/R&D Credits

Fun Fact: 1/3 of the $862 billion stimulus was for tax cuts, something Republicans claim to support … although they still stand against stimulus. I suppose it depends on who gets the tax cuts.

Women’s Rights

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Protection against pay discrimination Restores interpretation of Title VII of Civil Rights Act that protected women and other workers



Financial Rights

Credit CARD Act Prevents retroactive rate increases Requires companies to provide 45 days notice before changing rates and other contract provisions Additional restrictions placed on fees Prevents companies from taking advantage of students Ends unfair double-cycle billing practices

Financial reform bill Establishes Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which seeks solely to ensure financial institutions are being fair to consumers, and improvement in the simplicity in contracts Prevents taxpayer bail out of financial institutions Allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Various mortgage and derivatives reform, etc.



Education

Student loans [1] Ends “socialistic” federal subsidies to banks and other financial institutions (Interestingly, Republicans are okay with the kind of socialism that redirects taxpayer money to banks and other financial institutions.) Eliminates unnecessary “middle-man” in student loan process, which placed financial burden on taxpayers while banks took in profits Annual student loan payment capped at 10% of income Saves an estimated $61 billion over 10 years



Health Care

Children’s health insurance bill [2] CBO said bill will allow states to cover more than four million uninsured children by 2013, in addition to seven million already covered Requires states to provide dental and mental illness coverage to children

Tobacco regulation Provides graphic warnings on tobacco use risks Restricts advertising to prevent marketing to minors

Health care reform Insurers cannot cancel coverage when a person gets sick Requires health insurance corporations to cover preexisting conditions Eliminates lifetime limits Allows insurance purchase across state lines Allows young adults to stay on parents’ health insurance policy until 26



Crime & Civil Rights

Hate crime legislation [4] Provides protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people

Tribal Law and Order Act Provide additional means to reduce high rates of violent crime, including rape & sexual assualt within Native American reservations View the rescuetruth.com post on the Tribal Law and Order Act



Other

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act Expands service and voluteer opportunites Benefits education, health care, energy, etc.

Stimulus Cash for Clunkers successfully contributed to 680,000+ vehicle sales in summer 2009 Largest clean energy investment ever made

Reduced deficit by $122 billion [5]

Reduced federal spending by 2%[5]

What didn’t get passed because of Republican obstructionism?

Health Care for 9/11 Emergency Responders

DISCLOSE Act (transparency in elections, specifically campaign financing)

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal

Removal of $75 million cap on oil spill payouts

Elimination of tax incentives for companies shipping American jobs overseas, and creation of tax incentives to businesses bringing jobs home

Sources

[1] ABC News. Obama Highlights Student Loan Reforms Within the Health Care Bill

[2] Obama Signs Children’s Health Insurance Bill

[3] PolitiFact. Axelrod claims Democrats passed 25 tax cuts last year without the help of Republicans

[4] CNN. Obama signs hate crimes bill into law

[5] Raw Story. Democrats shrank US spending, deficit in last fiscal year, figures show