"Professor Watson writes

Hi friends,

I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on 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 that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

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 approach 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 and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.

Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).

Robert

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

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

Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

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

Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

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

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

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

Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

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

Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

New federal funding for science and research labs

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

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

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

New funds for school construction

The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

US Auto industry rescue plan

Housing rescue plan

$789 billion economic stimulus plan

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

US financial and banking rescue plan

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

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

Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

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

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

Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

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

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

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

US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

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

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

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

Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

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

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

Expanding vaccination programs

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

Closed offshore tax safe havens

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

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

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

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

Lower drug costs for seniors

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

Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

Improved housing for military personnel

Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

Increasing student loans

Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

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

Established a new cyber security office

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.

Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

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

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

Improving benefits for veterans

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

Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

The FDA is now regulating tobacco

Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

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

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

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

Making more loans available to small businesses

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

Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

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

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

Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

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

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

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

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

Held first Seder in White House

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

Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

Has announced his intention to push for education reform

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

b

Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies

Lynn University"

