BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 10:03 PM

""Firth is your typical American "liberal." He only cares for others once he has his.""

The only people I have seen and heard saying "Not a penny of my money to support losers" have been Republicans.

Don Firth is a supporter of a care system which has already halved the number of poor Americans who the Republicans consider unworthy of health care.

People like Shitwrangler, who have theirs and don't give a flying fuck about anybody else.

The Republican American Dream! Trample to death anybody who impedes your climb to the top, then shut the door and let nobody else in.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 10:03 PM

You make a lot of allegations about Obama's lies and deceptions, nobody, which is essentially what Songwronger does--without specifics. It's bit difficult to try to respond to that sort of thing.

It's very much like asking, "Do you still beat your wife? Answer yes or no!" when, in fact, you have never beaten your wife.

Fog, no substance.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 09:27 PM

my goo'ness. those commas look most awfully familiar.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in Particular
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 09:12 PM

As I understand it, in your form of government, you have a balance of powers, Congress being one part, and the executive branch being another. I find it rather disingenuous of you to say Congress is holding him up, when, in fact, he had Congress on his side when he began his first term, and many of them were voted out, as a result of his policies. Is that not true? Plus, he and his administration seems to be plagued with very serious scandals, most of which have to deal with various forms of dishonesty, and possible criminal activities, which appear to be abuses of their positions. I'm not going to list them, but even we, across the pond, have not been kept in the dark about them. As it it now, this may just be another, in the growing list.

I don't think that a Democracy is going to continue to run effectively, if the 'will of the people' amounts to deceiving the people, as to what they're being told, to believe, when it is false.

I backed up this thread, and consistent with news accounts, Mr. Obama repeatedly has made false and inaccurate statements, as to the nature of his socialised medicine bill. Is that not true?

Isn't it true, that his misleading your people has hurt Democrats as well as Republicans?

I don't want to divert, but his statements regarding Syria, hurt America's credibility, in the world, tremendously!

Is this the America that you want? Better yet, is this the America that you want to stand for, in the eyes of the rest of the world?

You alluded to that you didn't know what country I was from; What does the origin of nationality have to do with honesty and integrity?
I can tell you right now, that American policies abroad, are met with massive scepticism , as to what the truth is, regarding virtually everything that comes out of Washington.

That being the situation, most people that I've spoken to, outside your borders, do not seem to have a problem with the American people, other than the concept that they are perceived as being a bit arrogant, but good hearted, mixed with being scared.
I, myself, have noted an uneasiness on this current trip over. As it is now, we are enjoying a break from our project, and have mingled with some of your citizenry, and found them quite nervous about, not only your economy, but your nation's survival as a free land.

Now, as to my second question to you, as I mentioned before.
I asked you, "In your honest assessment, why are you surprised, that so many people in your country, are now shifting their support, for both it, and your President, as the repercussions of the deceptive practises it about, are finally being felt?" and you gave me a long, thoughtfully worded answer, based on your feelings, but failed to adequately answer my original question.

So, let's try it again, so that I may continue with my second question to you.

I do recognise that this discussion has been civil, yet on the borders of 'twisting' and factual.

I don't think that Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, in concert with Rush Limbaugh, constitute the depth of the problem, nor should you perceive me to be that naive, to accept such a simplistic reply, as to culpability to your national problems.

Try a more responsible answer. It doesn't have to be long, nor solicitous, but rather straight forward, and to the point.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 07:33 PM

First of all, as presented, it leaves a great deal to be desired. But it's about the best thing that President Obama could hope to get through with the present Congress, and even that isn't working. But if he had gone straight for a single-payer system, he would have slammed into the old curse phrase, "Socialized Medicine." He's trying for a compromise, and even the compromise isn't working.

Many of the so-called "deceptions" attributed to President Obama are severe twistings of what he's really attempting (groping for a niche in the brick wall the Republicans have set up), these twistings authored by such people as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, a multitude of Right Wing web sites, and people like Songwronger who merely parrot what these people say.

Such twistings would not be necessary were it not that Congress is hell-bent on seeing to it that any attempt to change a badly flawed but highly lucrative (for health care providers and pharmaceutical companies) business remains as it is now.

I've had occasion to make use of the current health care system in this country and I can tell you some real teeth-grinders about the practices of the system. The basic operating principle seems to be that since often the patient's life and well-being is at stake, screw it to him while you have the chance. Many individual doctors, genuinely concerned about the welfare of their patients, hate the system, but there is little they can do if they need access to clinics and hospitals for their patients.

I am not enthralled with Barack Obama, but let's face it, he's no FDR. But then, not many presidents have the force of personality that FDR had to bring his programs about. President Obama is trying the best he can, but he's working against opposition who WANT to see him fail.

Even if it messes up the rest of the country as well!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in Particular
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 04:13 PM

The ACA, also known as Obama Care, was never represented to be a single payer plan, as you have alluded to, so to represent it as such, is also deception, is it not?

So allow me to ask you two questions.

In your honest assessment, why are you surprised, that so many people in your country, are now shifting their support, for both it, and your President, as the repercussions of the deceptive practises to being it about, are finally being felt?

The second question, I'll ask you, after you respond to my first.

Also, I am not Songwronger, but I have posted on this site before, under this same name.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 02:56 PM

Nobody, I don't know what country you live in, but you display a considerable lack of understanding of the history of attempts to get a decent, single payer health care system in the United States. This has been going on since the time of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and every Democratic President since FDR has made attempts in that direction. The Republican fear mongers invariable start screaming "Socialized Medicine," as if it were the end of the world, despite the fact that it works quite well in a number of countries, the Scandinavian countries in particular (AND in some small far Eastern countries). During the cold war, they tried to imply that Socialized, or any move toward single payer health care, was "a Communist plot."

I'm not making this up, nor am I getting it from some biased web site. I've been on this planet long enough to have orbited the sun quite a number of times, and I remember! AND I've had a fair amount of experience with health care providers and health insurance companies to know how badly the current system needs to be thoroughly reorganized—and regulated.

By the way, the fact that you won't register and post under a consistent name undercuts your credibility. How do I know you're not just Songwronger using another name? That sort of scam has been done before.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in Particular
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 12:09 PM

Mr. Firth, You seem either a bit confused, or hard of understanding. Mr. Obama, and his people have clearly been lying, or at least, intentionally been misleading people. To be insulting Songwonger, in this matter, may be your way of diverting people's attention, away from that fact.
'You can keep your healthcare plan', because you already have a public plan. That does not mean those who chose their private plans, are able to 'keep their plan', even if they liked it.

Where I live, we have socialised medicine, and it had its problems getting started, and still does, but in your country, to implement socialised medicine, your government has resorted to outright lies, to deceive, those in your own party.

When we want care better than what our form of healthcare, provides, guess what, we come here! or should I say came here. Yes, some of us would have to save up to get it, but that's how much it was worth to us, and to those whom we love.

The way your country has handled this, is indicative of the mobster mentality that seems to have overtaken your political system, leaving 'true believers' such as yourself, looking as if you have no conscience, nor connection to the truth, in any way.

Those who have voiced concern have every right to. After all, having used deception to achieve this transition, do you think that suddenly,the new system will be administered equitably??
That which comes in dishonestly, will, in fact, remain dishonest in its implementation, and administration. If you think differently, you are just foolishly deceiving yourself, into an intoxicated illusion.

Why not support something formed and implemented honestly??

When does one stop this practise, of deceiving themselves into a delusion, just to further a cause?

Before long, you will cause yourself mental damage, that your 'new form' of healthcare will not treat.

Ever think about that?

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 10:44 PM

"Firth is your typical American 'liberal.' He only cares for others once he has his."

I am not wealthy by any means, Songwronger. I have mine? In comparison to WHOM??

Fat lot you know. About much of anything.

And your source of information for President Obama's "lies" is "NewsBusters?" Yet ANOTHER arch-Conservative web site.

Just more ladling from one of your favorite septic tanks.

(And that goes for your little dog [Nobody in particular], too!)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in particular
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 06:48 PM

This may just be the end of anything liberal or progressive, and possibly a new surge of conservatives sweeping the next elections. Obama may be the best thing that ever happened to the conservatives, and yet at the same time, the most crippling thing to happen to your country, and all those other nations, who looked up to the U.S.A.
He has lied to the world, he has lied to you, and those who don't hold him accountable, more than likely, are also liars and confidence men. I would think that true liberals would strive to get to the truth, and correct it, not make more lies and excuses.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Songwronger
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 06:35 PM

Firth is your typical American "liberal." He only cares for others once he has his.

Here's an interesting new bit of information. Seems that not only did Obama and his people know that the 16+ million self-ensured Americans would get fucked out of their insurance (grandfather clauses not up to snuff), but also, a large segment of the 156 million who get employer-provided coverage will not be able to continue with their current plans:

Forbes: White House Predicted in 2010 That 93 Million Would Lose Their Health Plans under ObamaCare

....Section 1251 of the Affordable Care Act contains what's called a "grandfather" provision that, in theory, allows people to keep their existing plans if they like them. But subsequent regulations from the Obama administration interpreted that provision so narrowly as to prevent most plans from gaining this protection.

"The Departments' mid-range estimate is that 66 percent of small employer plans and 45 percent of large employer plans will relinquish their grandfather status by the end of 2013," wrote the administration on page 34552. All in all, more than half of employer-sponsored plans will lose their "grandfather status" and get canceled. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 156 million Americans—more than half the population—was covered by employer-sponsored insurance in 2013.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/10/31/forbes-obama-officials-predicted-2010-93-million-would-lose-health-pl#ixzz

So let's go back to the video of Obama telling you over the past 3 years that "If you like your health plan, you can keep it." Just 24 examples of him saying that in the 1 1/2 minute clip. And each time he said that, he knew he was lying.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 04:45 PM

Nobody, if you are talking to me, then understand that what I am saying is that, with very few exceptions, the Affordable Care Act will work just as it is supposed to, and the caterwauling of Songwronger and a few others is just noise, expressing hatred for the President because of their particular political bias and the fact that they consider him to be the wrong color to occupy the White House.

That, plus their chronic opposition to any attempt to change the nation's policies—such as providing decent, affordable health care to its citizens, and thus joining the rest of the civilized world—merely because they are afraid that it will require the obscenely wealthy in this country pay a bit more of their fair share in taxes.

Every time the matter of providing a better health care system has come up, the usual suspects start screaming, lying their heads off, and in general, acting like spoiled brats!

And the fact that you seem to consider it a fraud indicates that you might just be one of those spoiled brats.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in particular
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 03:56 PM

So in other words, you don't care about your fellow man, or fellow citizens, nor the impact of the fraud that has affected so many.
You, sir, are a despot.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 01:56 PM

I just checked.

My wife and I are covered on Medicare, and we have a good Medicare supplement insurance through AARP. The whole thing costs less per month than we pay for television / internet cable service.

No sweat.

I don't recall having to pay a medical bill in several of years. And just this year I had a couple of heart scans and a brain scan (yes, they found one) during a brief hospital visit (overnight) when I thought I might be having a stroke. Turned out to be a TIA. My doctor now has me on a couple of blood pressure drugs and I take an aspirin a day as a blood thinner.

The supplement insurance even takes care of the co-pays.

We don't have to do a thing. We're set.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Nobody in particular
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 01:37 PM

First, I have to say that I am not a citizen of the U.S.A, but if I were, I think I'd have to look at this debacle, without trying to colour it one way or another, and just look at the facts

I think it is plainly apparent, that there is plenty of false information, being circulated, in regards to gathering support for your present administration's programmes.

To what end, I will not speculate, nor should I, however there are some of you that should sincerely look into sobering up, and not replace rational thinking with believing the promotion campaigns, that are based on lies, false information, and foreknown repercussions to your people, that were purposely withheld.

It is my opinion, that those who participated in such behaviour, should be lawfully removed from office, being as this is huge!

I'm not going to name names, because it covers a wide spectrum, and there are just too many of them and they have cause massive damage to your government's credibility, and split the nature of your country.
That, in turn, hurts the well-being of the rest of the world.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: sciencegeek
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 08:20 AM

from today's AP... a report on two people who have signed up for Affordable Insurance. And the second one now has a better plan for the same money. Which is the main reason behind the law... protect Americans from getting screwed by corporate greed... minimum standards at reasonable rates that actually meet our needs.

"New faces of health overhaul: Still all smiles
In a photo taken Monday Oct. 28, 2013, in Portsmouth, N.H., Deborah Lielasus poses behind her computer with the national health insurance enrollment website. Not long after she enrolled, the Department of Health and Human Services asked her to appear both in a video describing her experience and in photographs that could replace the stock photo on the insurance enrollment site. (AP Photo - Jim Cole)
By HOLLY RAMER
From Associated Press
November 01, 2013 5:30 AM EST

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — It didn't take long for the friendly-looking young woman whose face was splashed across HealthCare.gov to spiral from smiling stock photo to laughingstock. As it scrambles to correct problems with the website, the Obama administration is now asking people who have successfully purchased health insurance to let their pictures be used instead.

Two of them told The Associated Press they found the site easy to navigate, were happy with the plans they purchased and were eager to share their stories in any format, including becoming the new face of the health care overhaul.

Not long after she enrolled on Oct. 3, Deborah Lielasus of Portsmouth was contacted by the Department of Health and Human Services and asked to appear both in a video describing her experience and in photographs that could replace the stock photo. She agreed, in part, to set an example for her children.

"I think it's important to show them that you shouldn't hide from being honest and being sincere and talking about something that you believe in," she said. "Although family members have said to me, 'You don't need this, don't do this, because you're just going to get hurt,' I have felt like it is important."

Opponents aren't impressed. "The White House should focus more on fixing their flawed law and less time trying to prove their law isn't broken," said Kirsten Kukowski, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee.

Since the problem-plagued site launched Oct. 1, the stock photo has become the butt of jokes. The satirical newspaper The Onion posted an altered photo of the cover girl "visibly panicking," and others have dubbed her "Glitch Girl."

The department declined to comment specifically on whether Lielasus' picture will have a place on the HealthCare.gov home page, on which the stock photo has been replaced by icons representing various enrollment methods. It also declined to comment on the broader marketing campaign, which so far includes posting video of Lielasus and another person on social networks, along with a dozen or so images and quotes praising the health care law.

Since her video was posted, Lielasus has been criticized in news reports, online comments and personal emails for describing HealthCare.gov as easy to use even though she didn't enroll until three days after the site launched. But she wasn't sitting at her desk for 36 hours straight — she spent about an hour total over those three days — and once on the site, it was easy to navigate, she said.

"I'm not a fool," she said. "I saw that there were issues logging on and staying logged on, but I also saw that the site itself, once they're able to overcome those problems, is going to be a really user-friendly, attractive site that people of all ages and technical abilities are going to be able to manage."

In Orlando, Fla., 22-year-old Daniel McNaughton said his experience was similar. Like Lielasus, McNaughton said it was a Facebook post about his experience with HealthCare.gov that caught the administration's attention and led to his participation in the online video.

McNaughton, a student at Valencia College, said he will be paying $70 per month for a plan that covers "anything I could possibly need." That's about what he's paying now for a catastrophic plan that covers only three doctor visits per year. McNaughton said he looks forward to not having to guess whether he needs antibiotics for the sinus infections he gets every winter.

"I won't have to ration my doctor's visits," he said. "It gives me good peace of mind."

He told administration officials it was "more than OK" with him if they wanted to use his picture on HealthCare.gov.

"I think it would be a good thing to put my picture or others who've enrolled," he said. "It might make it easier for people to relate to what's going on with the exchange."

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,.
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 12:08 AM

TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT

From a truly impartial source .

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Only-248-signed-up-for-Obamacare-in-first-two-days/articleshow/25036168.cms

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Dude... REST EZ ...I am going to back down and back out of this thread... I get no pleasure pulling legs off a stoned cockroach.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 10:25 PM

Getting back to the original premise of this thread:

      What the hell business is it of yours?

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 01:39 PM

So, gargoyle, I might add, each item is accompanied by an attribution.

I wouldn't have thought more would be deemed necessary.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 12:58 PM

Gargoyle, that was not my source. I got the list from the Daily Kos.

Actually, that same list is all over the internet. Just Google "Obama's accomplishments" and you're get dozens of web sites with that same list.

You will note, incidentally, that each item on the list is accompanied by a URL, so if you have any doubts about the item, you can look it up for yourself.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 13 - 04:51 AM

Mr. Forth .... it is ALWAYS important to attribute your sources .... anything less is ....

www.theprogressivesinfluence.com/2013/05/barack-h-obama-44th-president-commander.html

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Songwronger
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 11:17 PM

Obama said categorically that if you like it, you can keep it. Said it in a dozen different ways in that video compilation. He lied. He knew that existing plans would not meet the specs of Obamacare. He lied. Look at that fucker lie smooth as goose shit over and over and over.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 10:02 PM

Songwronger is putting his own frosting on the cake here. First of all, NBC is NOT "Obama'a lapdog news agency." Where he pulls that idea out of--well, you don't want to know.

Let's get serious here:

White House spokesman Jay Carney said today (October 30th) that it is true that many people will be able to keep the health care plan they currently have.

However, "There are existing health care plans on the individual market that do not meet those minimum standards required and therefore do not qualify for the Affordable Care Act."

In short, many people have health insurance that provides inadequate coverage in case of any serious health problem. These people will have to upgrade.

Analogy: in most states (all, perhaps) you are required by law to have accident insurance on your automobile. If, say, you have collision insurance, but not liability, the state will require that you upgrade your insurance to include liability.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Songwronger
Date: 30 Oct 13 - 08:30 PM

A pretty amazing piece of video below:

http://www.1800politics.com/one-lie-another-obama-promising-can-keep-existing-healthcare-plan/

According to what Jay Carney revealed yesterday, the Obama white house has known for years that people would lose their existing healthcare plans under Obamacare. Yet here's Obama saying "If you like it, you can keep it" over the past 3-4 years. No telling how many hundreds of times he told the lie, but someone patched these 2 dozen instances into this clip.

I can't tell if Obama's a pathological liar or if he's just agenda-driven. Whatever the case, millions of people will lose their insurance (and no telling how many will die as a result), so keep that in mind as you watch this. And these are just the couple of dozen lies the filmmaker found on this one topic. Obama lies about everything, 24/7. Amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Songwronger
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 09:35 PM

Today, White House spokesman Jay Carney was asked about the president's promise that consumers would be able to keep their health care. "What the president said and what everybody said all along is that there are going to be changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act to create minimum standards of coverage, minimum services that every insurance plan has to provide," Carney said. "So it's true that there are existing healthcare plans on the individual market that don't meet those minimum standards and therefore do not qualify for the Affordable Care Act."

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/28/21213547-obama-admin-knew-millions-could-not-keep-their-health-insurance?lite

That's from NBC, Obama's lapdog news network. The Obama administration knew all along that people wouldn't be able to keep their health plans.

NBC goes on to downplay the situation. They say 50-75% of 15 million will be affected, but 19 million Americans carry personal insurance, and 85% won't be able to continue with their plans. They will be forced to either skip insurance altogether or pay the increased rates on the policies offered by the Obamacare exchanges. If they skip the insurance, then the Gestapo (I mean the I.R.S.) will come collecting.

The middle class in America has shrunk to about 10%. Obamacare is designed to devastate that group of people. The middle class will now have to pay higher premiums for less coverage, or become criminals. And if you're not onboard with that, then you're a Tea Party terrorist.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Oct 13 - 07:41 AM

""THEN, we get the idiot activists who are so enamored by the thought of their own importance, that they purposely, carry on trying to deceive people for their own self aggrandizement!

Right, Don?..and Don??""

Wrong, as usual.

Not being anything like you (a misanthropic pessimist with delusions of knowledge), I pay more attention to reality, than to the rantings of the they're all as bad as one another brigade.

I tend to agree with your hatred of corporatism, as opposed to honest capitalism, but that is the point after which we diverge.

If Obama had been in a position to gain a majority in both houses, I believe that his promised change would have happened. How else would you explain the frantic and counter productive efforts of the Tea Party Republicans to prevent him from doing anything.

We have never, in my lifetime, seen such a vicious and malicious series of attacks on an incumbent president.

Don T.

P.S. You owe Bobert an apology, IMO!

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 10:21 PM

"Benghazi??...Oh, just send Hillary out there to lie her fat ass off, and then blurt out, "What does it matter how they were killed??"

Frankly, GfS, I expected better than this from you. If you DON'T know that is not what Secretary Clinton said, you are not paying attention- and should not even think of passing on something so false. If you DO know that is not what Secretary Clinton said, and passed it on anyway, you lie.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 09:27 PM

How to Keep an Idiot Busy:

See Previous Post
Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 09:23 PM

Hey, Goofball--

How to Keep an Idiot Busy:

See Next Post
Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 05:17 PM

Okay, Smartass, you asked for it, so here it is. And each item is accompanied by a URL so you can check it for yourself.

Returned the Executive Branch To Fiscal Responsibility.

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

3. On his first full day, he froze White House salaries. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx

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

Prevented a Bush Depression and 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

10. He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl

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

16. Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw

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

22. Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7

23. Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd

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

Brought Much-Improved 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

32. Became the first to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5

33. Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities.   http://www.serve.gov

34. Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7ttV

35. Issued 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

39. Through Dodd-Frank legislation, created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG

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

43. Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes.   http://bit.ly/esOdfB    http://bit.ly/eG4DPM

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. Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which closed many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq

46. Established a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau designed to protect consumers from financial sector excesses. http://bit.ly/fnTayj

47. Oversaw and then signed a Democratic bill constituting the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP

48. Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals usingmoney from the TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa

Enhanced Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination.

49. 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

50. 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

51. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj

52. Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D

53. Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7

54. Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing   bit.ly/9RxEnP

55. Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp

56. Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT

57. 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

58. 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

59. Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x

60. 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

61. Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS

62. Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples.   reut.rs/llNJek

63. Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0

64. Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8

Major Improvements in Foreign Relations, American Status around the World.

65. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office.   http://bit.ly/hZycda

66. As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g

67. 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

68. Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj

69. Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l

70. Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe

71. Pushed for military to emphasize devlopment of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV

72. Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, called on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh

73. 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

74. Worked with Democratic Congress to make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY

75. Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.   http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP

76. Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U

77. 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

78. Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It was Republicans (and, unfortunately, progressive Democrats) who prevented follow through. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF

79. 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

80. Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax

81. Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0

82. 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

83. 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

84. Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the single-seat, twin-engine, fighter aircraft cost $358 million each, and the military had 187 built, the F-22 never flew a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT (The "fiscally conservative" GOP fought to keep it.)

85. Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb

86. Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS

87. Authorized and oversaw a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz

88. Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, this allowing for the creation of an independent South Sudan.   http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj   

A More Realistic Approach to "Defense" and National Security.

89. Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE

90. Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2

91. Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush.   http://lat.ms/gkcl3i

92. Signed and pushed through ratification a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw

93. Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will lst until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4

94. Through the Defense Authorization Act, reversed the Bush Administration and committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq.   http://bit.ly/hk73OJ

95. 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

96. Returned our focus to Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing our troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna

97. 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

98. Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6

99. Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn

100. Took decisive action to use NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that the Libyan people could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj

101. Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate.    http://f24.my/efvgNZ

102. In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneouly engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior.    http://bit.ly/RGlMDi

103. 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

104. 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

105. Has repeatedly beefed up border security http://bit.ly/mMYB4i

106. Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw

107. Throughan executive order, established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, which will attempt to enhance the nation's ability to "address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources." http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO

Treated Soldiers and Veterans with Respect.

108. 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

109. Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans' services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo

110. Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h

111. 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

112. 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

113. 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

114. 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

115. 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

116. Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi

117. Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX

118. Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty will be able to avoid state taxes in their temporary residence.   http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX

119. Issued an Executive Order to improve access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ

Refocused the Federal Government on Education.

120. Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process.   http://bit.ly/gYWd30   http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr   http://bit.ly/eEzTNq

121. Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate.   http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt

122. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.   http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr

123. Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them.   http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L

124. Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide   http://bit.ly/fNDcj3 ,

125. Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV

126. Also through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr

127. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0 http://bit.ly/hPhG7J

128. Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz

129. 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

130. Took major new steps to protec students from ineffective for-profit colleges through "gainful employment" measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2

131. With First Lady Michelle Obama, passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which will improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier.   http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk

Took an Adult View on Science, Technology and Health Care.

132. Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw   

133. Opened up process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U

134. Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research.   http://bit.ly/h36SSO    http://ti.me/edezge

135. 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

136. 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

137. 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

138. 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

139. Conducted a cyberspace policy review.   http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC

140. Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr

141. Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use.   http://bit.ly/dNTRyP

142. 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."

143. Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA

144. Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3

145. Oversaw a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq    http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9

146. Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b

147. 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

148. 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

149. 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/

150. Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents' policy until they turned 26.   http://nyti.ms/fNB26V

151. 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

152. Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo

153. 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

154. Provisions in theACA have 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

155. Through the ACA, expanded space exploration and discovery options to more players   http://bit.ly/PNTS7e

156. Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband.   http://lat.ms/vhRUEs

Strengthened the Middle Class and Families, and Fought Poverty.

157. Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS

158. 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

159. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , cut taxes for 95% of America's working families.   http://bit.ly/eSEI4F

160. Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8

161. Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP

162. Extended discounted COBRA health coverage for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he's extended unemployment benefits several times. http://aol.it/evtVxD   http://nyti.ms/emrqKJ    http://bit.ly/hOtIpg    http://bit.ly/fTT7kz

163. Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM

164. Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8

Concrete Steps to Improve The Environment and Address Our Energy Needs.

165. Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards.    http://nyti.ms/e8e94x

166. 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

167. 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

168. Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL

169. Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances.    http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu

170. 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.)

171. Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R

172. Bypassed Republican opposition in Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions.   http://bit.ly/froaP5

173. Obama EPA ruled that CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN

174. Oversaw doubling federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE

175. Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars.   http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y

176. 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

177. Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a "hoax." http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv

178. Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO

179. Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P

180. 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

181. 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

182. Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles.   http://bit.ly/h5KZqy   http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c    http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk

183. Got BP to cough up $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up.   http://wapo.st/ds2BxT (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )

184. 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

185. 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

186. Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a

187. Through his EPA, he asserted federal legal supremacy, and barred Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own. http://bit.ly/ww8eMd

188. Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH

189. Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt

190. 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

191. Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA

192. Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY

193. Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K

194. 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

195. Issued an Executive Order to facilitate investments in industrial energy efficiency that will help create jobs, while strengthening US manufacturing. Increased efficiency could save businesses $100 billion over the next decade. http://1.usa.gov/WsIgbx

196. Through an executive order, set up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which will to oversee Gulf Coast restoration efforts in the wake of the 2010 BP oil splll. The money to fund the restoration efforts comes from fines against BP. http://1.usa.gov/Rxjb29

But—That's Not All. . . .

197. Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements such as NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY

198. 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

199. Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. http://bit.ly/dFb8qF

200. 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

201. Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president.   http://bit.ly/dX6vNB

202. Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF

203. Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference.   http://huff.to/eQfa7j

204. Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program.   http://bit.ly/idgQH5

205. Signed an Executive Order that will speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe

206. Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt

207. Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first reponders.   http://bit.ly/o7cWYS

208. Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU

209. Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa

210. To help those communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, issued an executive order setting up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and asked Congress to approve $60 billion in supplemental assistance to aid in storm recovery. http://1.usa.gov/134L7hl

211. Produced 23 Executive actions designed to make it easier for law enforcement to identify those who shouldn't have guns, thus helping them enforce the law.   http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ

And Did You Know?

212. 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

Okay, wise guy, any other silly questions?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 03:41 PM

Give me a list of accomplishments from this administration, that went well!

Try to limit your answer to things that are truthful...for a CHANGE!

I'll be back in about a week.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 03:23 PM

So speaks the voice of ignorance and stupidity.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 27 Oct 13 - 12:59 PM

Thank you for your semi-literate description of your deception!
Next you'll be saying Hillary is your next 'progressive' choice, because she is a woman, and 'nothing like Bush', or Rockefeller!...as if Obama being half white/black has ANYTHING to do with ANY of it!!

"It", meaning, lying and an administration of incompetence!
Protect our borders....and stop selling guns across them to the drug cartels.
Gitmo??...Oh, I know, that got swept under the wispy willows of 'because'...and hope to be forgotten.
NDAA??????? WTF???
Benghazi??...Oh, just send Hillary out there to lie her fat ass off, and then blurt out, "What does it matter how they were killed??"..That way he can stop lying to the U.N.!!..oh and lying to the American public about it..(besides, they don't matter anyway)...
And if Solyndra wasn't an exercise in crony corruption, what till they get a load of the Obamacare's website....and the cost 640 million of that 'no bid' contract....and now they want another 5o million to fix their own fuck up..with no guarantees that, that should do it! Solyndra was just a 'warm up pitch'....to help implement a pseudo healthcare program that was so fucking good, that it took promises of exemption from it, in exchange for the votes to pass it without reading it!!!!!!!!!!!

..and the list goes on and on.....

But one thing you got right, Obama ain't no FDR....or Eisenhower, or Kennedy......They're all dead.

You're only brain dead.....


..but it's a start!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 04:56 PM

The advantage of Capitalism is that it leads to competition for the consumers' dollar. And this leads to better products and services. But by its very nature, Capitalism is fired by greed or something very much like it. This can get out of hand with such things as monopolies and cartels, so it has to be firmly regulated.

In the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt and his progressive/ Democratic administration ended the Great Depression (precipitated by Capitalist greed manipulating Wall Street and the banking system) and ushered in a solid period of general prosperity following World War II.

And no, it was NOT World War II that got the U. S. out of the Depression, it was a combination of FDR's measures, such as the WPA and CCC, which put the 25% unemployed back to work on much needed infrastructure such as roads, highways, bridges, and National Parks, which we are still using and enjoying today. This jump-started the end of the Depression partly by putting money back in the hands of people who had to spend it right away on things like food and rent, returning the money immediately into circulation, and this, in essence, jump-started the economy. The regulatory agencies that FDR put into place, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission put the brakes on wild speculation on Wall Street and irresponsibility in the banking system.

This is an oversimplification of the extent and effect of FDR's policies, but it give the essence of it.

The Fifties was a period of general prosperity, despite a Republican administration, but Dwight D. Eisenhower was a moderate Republican and an intelligent man. He, after all, is the one who warned the country about the dangers of the Military-Industrial complex.

Kennedy and Johnson from the early to the late 1960s. Then Nixon and Ford in the 1970s, then one term of Jimmie Carter, followed by—

Ronald Reagan. Reagan set about disassembling the regulatory agencies the FDR put in place by, for example, replacing members of the Securities and Exchange Commission with banking executives and Wall Street brokers.

A prime example of putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop!

This, plus replacing a couple of Supreme Court justices with Conservatives, along with big tax breaks for corporations ("supply-side economics"). George H. W. Bush just continued Reagan's policies. He was followed by Bill Clinton who manage to get himself impeached (fooling around with a White House aide) without really accomplishing much for the country.

Then—George W. Bush, the walking disaster! 'Nuff said!!

Barack Obama is no FDR, but his heart is in the right place and he's doing his damnedest to put things right again, but he is being stonewalled by an ultra-conservative Republican Congress who don't give a damn about the good of the country as a whole, they just want to see Obama fail.

Two major reasons for this: he is a Progressive Democrat, which to the Right Wing is the equivalent of the Anti-Christ, and as far as the southern states (and parts of the rest of the country) he is the wrong color to be in the White House.

Can't have that, now can we!??

Interesting to note that many of the details of Obama's health care plan were first proposed by Republican Mitt Romney in Massachusetts and it was just peachy-keen then—but when Obama proposes essentially the same plan, the Republicans act like the Apocalypse is coming!!

Contrary to the lazy thinkers who avoid the effort of thinking by asserting that "they're both the same," there is a world of difference between the philosophical and ethical positions of Liberals and Conservatives.

And this goes back to long before King John was forced, kicking and screaming, to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215. This was one of the first steps toward limiting the powers of the aristocracy and guaranteeing the common people some rights—a first step toward Constitutional government.

It becomes obvious that a distressing and depressing number of people apparently don't know the long-term histories of the issues the speak so authoritatively about. A goodly percentage of the voters in this (and apparently some other countries) are badly in need of a good Dope Slap!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 01:55 PM

Akenaton: "....the differences between centre right and centre left are miniscule in real terms, most of the steam is stoked up by the Parties in an attempt to divert attention from the real villians ....the corporate Capitalists ....global Capitalism."

I don't mind capitalism, in the way, that if one provides a service or goods, that they should be compensated for it...what gives me the ass, is when GREED and CORRUPTION, become infused and so inbred with corporate globalism, that they buy out the political parties, and systems for more corruption, as a way for more power and control, and the idiot-logues actually believe that they aren't promoting, 'The New World Order' spoken about by Hitler, reintroduced by Bush, and carried further by Obama(along with the rest of the corrupt jerks), who dare to call themselves 'representatives'! ..and THEN, we get the idiot activists who are so enamored by the thought of their own importance, that they purposely, carry on trying to deceive people for their own self aggrandizement!

Right, Don?..and Don??

(I left out Bobert, because he's just a casualty of collateral damage)!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 01:38 PM

Akenaton, have you ever actually studied political science, or are you just putting it all together in line with your particular biases?

There are whole different philosophical and ethical bases that keep Liberal and Conservative mutually exclusive political positions. Not miniscule at all!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 10:26 AM

Don the "Mail" would never print "Oprah has alien baby" whether it was true or untrue!
Of course it has a centre right bias, but not an extreme right bias.

As someone on the centre left, I am sure you prefer to read left biased articles on the net or in the papers?.....but most here would think you have a perfect right to do so and subscribe to such publications.

You should understand tolerance in political matters, it is the only way real change can be achieved.....the differences between centre right and centre left are miniscule in real terms, most of the steam is stoked up by the Parties in an attempt to divert attention from the real villians ....the corporate Capitalists ....global Capitalism.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 06:04 AM

""Just give him another source, besides the 'Daily Mail'. There has to be more.....whenever he can't refute something, he attacks the source.""

As usual Goofus, you've got the thing arse about face.

Don Firth did not attack the source! Entirely reasonable, he asked for comment about that source from somebody who actually knows something about it.

You should try it sometime, instead of quoting every tinfoil hatted conspiracy nut in the world.

I answered his request, and the comment was mine, based on experience of the debased and unregulated foulness of most of the UK Press.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 26 Oct 13 - 12:45 AM

Ake: "Yes Don, but to describe The Mail as any more of a "scurrilous rag" than any of the other UK papers, or to equate it with the "National Enquirer", is disingenuous."

Just give him another source, besides the 'Daily Mail'. There has to be more.....whenever he can't refute something, he attacks the source...give him enough sources, and then he'll just call you some names out of the liberal handbook. He's meaningless, and can't back up anything he says with ACCURATE facts.
(Actually, he'd have to look that up, to see what it means).

He's not half as bright as he pretends to be.

BTW, Akenaton, HELLO!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Elmore
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 08:50 PM

Not Th President, The President.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Elmore
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 08:47 PM

I'd like to sign up, but I believe Th President's Affordable Care Act is illegal in Georgia.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 08:34 PM

". . . designed to gather your most intimate details such as social security number, annual salary, place of employment, immigration status, military background, criminal history, physical place of residence, bank account numbers and much more."

Songwronger's sources for these Revelations? B.S., M.S., PhD, as indicated above.

Here's a news flash, Songwronger:   if you've ever filed an income tax return, the Dreaded Government already has most of this information. Military background and criminal history are also a matter of public record.

If you feel like running around in circles, screaming in terror, and pulling your hair out—well, I suppose that's good exercise. But try not to wake the neighbors. They could get a bit cranky with your gyrations.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Songwronger
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 07:22 PM

Healthcare.gov exposed as data-gathering honey pot to shamelessly harvest private consumer data and turn it over to the NSA

The pieces of the puzzle on Obamacare are finally coming together. Yesterday it was revealed during congressional testimony that the Healthcare.gov website contains a hidden disclaimer which reads, "You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communication or data transmitting or stored on this information system."

This is an open admission that the site intends to share your data with other government entities. It also means the entire website violates federal law because it does not comply with HIPAA regulations for medical privacy. Click here to watch the astonishing video testimony.

But this isn't the only evidence now emerging.

It also turns out that an NSA-funded entity actually helped build Healthcare.gov! Kit Daniels has just published a groundbreaking story that links the CIA venture capital firm "In-Q-Tel" to the Healthcare.gov data collection technology provider known as Socrata.

"Socrata will work with the CIA and other intelligence agencies to transform raw data into a format easily utilized and accessible to the intelligence community," writes Daniels. "Healthcare.gov captures the personal data provided during the Obamacare enrollment process for this spy grid database."

...Healthcare.gov is specifically designed to gather your most intimate details such as social security number, annual salary, place of employment, immigration status, military background, criminal history, physical place of residence, bank account numbers and much more. This information is simply shuttled directly to the NSA where it is then used to cross-tabulate all your phone calls, texts, social media posts, website surfing habits, credit card purchase habits and much more.

http://www.naturalnews.com/042664_Healthcaregov_NSA_data_mining_fake_front-end.html


How Badly Will Obamacare Screw You?

First, if you're "27", the average premium is $266.20/month or $3,194.40 per year. How many 27 year olds have an extra $3,200 to spend on this? Remember, this is the price that virtually every uninsured 27 year old must be willing -- and able -- to cough up in order to prevent the model this system is predicated on from collapsing.

If those 27 year olds don't show up, and they won't, then the system collapses instantly. If they do show up because the government threatens them with fines the economy collapses as $3,200 a year exceeds the average 27 year old's disposable personal income after mandatory expenses (e.g. food, shelter, etc.)...

...Now let's look at the government's own claims. First, the CPI index claims that health insurance is 0.656% of the family budget. What percentage of couples make $1.185 million a year? Why do I ask? Because that's the alleged median income for a couple if you believe the government's CPI numbers....

...Oh, yeah, about that -- most of these plans absolutely exclude payment of anything to out-of-network physicians and facilities. "You can keep your doctor" eh? Uh, no.

This "program" is nothing more than the imposition of force to support a medical "system" that has systematically and intentionally destroyed the health of millions with government assistance and prodding.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=225369

This second article makes a good point about the economy. In order for Obamacare to work, all 27 year olds must enroll (but the penalty, sorry, the "tax" will be only $95 the first year if they don't. So they won't enroll). The system will fail. But even if they DID all sign up, that $3000 or so going to insurance rather than other sectors of the economy will starve those other sectors of the economy.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 06:56 PM

Ake, I went further and read several other articles in The Mail, and the material is definitely comparable in quality to what is published in the "National Enquirer."

Sensationalism and political bias of the worst sort.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: akenaton
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 06:32 PM

Yes Don, but to describe The Mail as any more of a "scurrilous rag" than any of the other UK papers, or to equate it with the "National Enquirer", is disingenuous.

It is an honestly right of centre paper.
We do not have an honestly left of centre newspaper in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 06:09 PM

Ake, there's more to it than merely identifying the source of a politically slanted article. To dismiss the article solely on the basis of the biases of the source is to fall into the fallacy of argumentum ad homonym. Even the most biased of sources can speak the truth now and then.

One goes on to check the facts upon which the slant of the article is based.

Which, having worked as a broadcast news director and news editor, I am accustomed to doing.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: akenaton
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 05:45 PM

I'm afraid you are quite wrong about the "Daily Mail", the "liberal" media like to brand it as a "comic cuts" publication, but it is remarkably accurate in most of its articles.
It comes from a right of centre perspective, but not extreme.

It is popular and more truthful than "The Times", carries more political information than most of the "redtops" and does not pretend to be anything other than the voice of the centre right.

All the big newspapers in the UK are centre or centre right, and all support the present system.

There are others like the Guardian, Independent etc, who pretend to speak for the left.....until the chips are down......then they revert to type.

We get the press we deserve

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 04:56 PM

You're probably right, Greg. I'm not sure fungus has genes.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 04:19 PM

Those are jeans, Don, in GeistInsanity's case.

Subject: RE: BS: So who's signed up for Obamacare?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 Oct 13 - 02:27 PM

No, I figure that those genes you're so afraid of will cause you to lapse from time to time. You're obviously madly in love with Songwronger.

Don't you feel sort of constrained in that closet?

Don Firth