Changes

Obama Administration (view source)

Revision as of 13:06, June 24, 2016

212 bytes removed , 13:06, June 24, 2016

Spelling, grammar, and general fixes

Line 1: Line 1: −

The '''Obama Administration''' is the executive branch of the federal government under [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Presidents of the United States|President]] [[Barack Hussein Obama|Barack Obama]] and Vice President [[Joe Biden]]. It began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years, and then for a second four year term. [[File:Obama deficits 2009-2010.JPG|thumb|330px|]] Under Obama's stewardship the United States has suffered the largest [[Federal budget deficit|deficit]]s<ref>[http://www.cbo.gov/publication/41400?index=10708 Monthly Budget Review, November 6, 2009] [[Congressional Budget Office]]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/118xx/doc11873/NovemberMBR.pdf Monthly Budget Review, November 4, 2010] [[Congressional Budget Office]]</ref> in history and a credit downgrade from the rating agency Standard & Poor.<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/04/18/the-sp-outlook-and-obama/ The S&P Outlook and Obama] [[Commentary]]</ref> [[Poverty]]<ref>[http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/incpovhlth/2009/pov09fig04.pdf PDF] [[U.S. Census Bureau]]</ref> increased to levels not seen in 50 years.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-09-16-poverty-rate-income-numbers_N.htm Number of people in poverty reaches highest level in 51 years] [[USA Today]]</ref> When his [[economic stimulus]] program was adopted unemployment rose and stagnated in the 10% range, <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439172480870774.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Jobless Claims Jump in New Sign Recovery Is Sputtering] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref> leaving tens of millions without [[hope]] of finding a job.<ref>[http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LNS11300000&years_option=specific_years&include_graphs=true&to_month=1&from_month=2 United States Department of Labor], [[United States Department of Labor|Bureau of Labor Statistics]]. Data extracted on: July 19, 2010 (4:31:11 PM).</ref> During what the [[White House]] billed as [[Recovery Summer]], one half million workers per week continued losing their jobs. His signature legislative achievement, [[ObamaCare]], the federal courts have found to be [[unconstitutional]]<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-13/u-s-health-care-law-requirement-thrown-out-by-judge.html Health-Care Law Struck Down Over Insurance Mandate] [[Bloomberg News]]</ref> and is credited as a major cause of uncertainty, high [[unemployment]],<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33220 Obamacare: Unemployment You Can Believe In] [[Human Events]]</ref> lagging job creation,<ref>[http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/05/it%E2%80%99s-official-medicare%E2%80%99s-finances-shadowed-by-uncertainty/ It’s Official: Medicare’s Finances Shadowed by Uncertainty] [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref> and risk of a credit default crisis.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/28/AR2010032802353.html With health bill, Obama has sown the seeds of a budget crisis] [[Washington Post]]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestreet.com/story/10703361/1/cramer-obamacare-will-topple-the-market.html Cramer: Obamacare Will Topple the Market] [[The Street]]</ref> Since the rejection of his party's agenda in the [[2010 Midterm elections]], Obama has continued [[class warfare]] as a major theme of his second two years and cornerstone of his successful re-election campaign. He then turned to deficit reduction, immigration reform and gun control as major policy initiatives in his second term.

+

The '''Obama Administration''' is the executive branch of the federal government under [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Presidents of the United States|President]] [[Barack Hussein Obama|Barack Obama]] and Vice President [[Joe Biden]]. It began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years, and then for a second four year term. [[File:Obama deficits 2009-2010.JPG|thumb|330px]] Under Obama's stewardship the United States has suffered the largest [[Federal budget deficit|deficit]]s<ref>[http://www.cbo.gov/publication/41400?index=10708 Monthly Budget Review, November 6, 2009] [[Congressional Budget Office]]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/118xx/doc11873/NovemberMBR.pdf Monthly Budget Review, November 4, 2010] [[Congressional Budget Office]]</ref> in history and a credit downgrade from the rating agency Standard & Poor.<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/04/18/the-sp-outlook-and-obama/ The S&P Outlook and Obama] [[Commentary]]</ref> [[Poverty]]<ref>[http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/incpovhlth/2009/pov09fig04.pdf PDF] [[U.S. Census Bureau]]</ref> increased to levels not seen in 50 years.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-09-16-poverty-rate-income-numbers_N.htm Number of people in poverty reaches highest level in 51 years] [[USA Today]]</ref> When his [[economic stimulus]] program was adopted unemployment rose and stagnated in the 10% range,<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439172480870774.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Jobless Claims Jump in New Sign Recovery Is Sputtering] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref> leaving tens of millions without [[hope]] of finding a job.<ref>[http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LNS11300000&years_option=specific_years&include_graphs=true&to_month=1&from_month=2 United States Department of Labor], [[United States Department of Labor|Bureau of Labor Statistics]]. Data extracted on: July 19, 2010 (4:31:11 PM).</ref> During what the [[White House]] billed as [[Recovery Summer]], one half million workers per week continued losing their jobs. His signature legislative achievement, [[ObamaCare]], the federal courts have found to be [[unconstitutional]]<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-13/u-s-health-care-law-requirement-thrown-out-by-judge.html Health-Care Law Struck Down Over Insurance Mandate] [[Bloomberg News]]</ref> and is credited as a major cause of uncertainty, high [[unemployment]],<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33220 Obamacare: Unemployment You Can Believe In] [[Human Events]]</ref> lagging job creation,<ref>[http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/05/it%E2%80%99s-official-medicare%E2%80%99s-finances-shadowed-by-uncertainty/ It’s Official: Medicare’s Finances Shadowed by Uncertainty] [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref> and risk of a credit default crisis.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/28/AR2010032802353.html With health bill, Obama has sown the seeds of a budget crisis] [[Washington Post]]</ref><ref>[http://www.thestreet.com/story/10703361/1/cramer-obamacare-will-topple-the-market.html Cramer: Obamacare Will Topple the Market] [[The Street]]</ref> Since the rejection of his party's agenda in the [[2010 Midterm elections]], Obama has continued [[class warfare]] as a major theme of his second two years and cornerstone of his successful re-election campaign. He then turned to deficit reduction, immigration reform and gun control as major policy initiatives in his second term.

While 'turning the page' on the War on Terror, the rate of terrorist attacks in the United States has gone from three under President George W. Bush's eight years in office ([[9/11]] attacks on the [[World Trade Center|World Trade Towers]], the 9/11 attack on [[Pentagon]] and the 9/11 hijacking of United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania) <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335500,00.html Foiled Terror Plots Against America Since 9/11] [[Fox News]]</ref> to at least four per year<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-detroit-airline26-2009dec26,0,7673563,full.story Jet passengers overpower would-be bomber] [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/us/05explode.html?_r=1&ref=us Bomb Injures Arkansas Doctor] [[The New York Times]]</ref><ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/05/25/2009-05-25_small_bomb_goes_off_outside_upper_east_side_starbucks.html Small Bomb Goes Off Outside Upper East Side Starbucks] [[New York Daily News]]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/04recruit.html?_r=1&ref=us Suspect in Soldier Attack Was Once Detained in Yemen ] [[The New York Times]]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/us/politics/20hood.html Lawmakers Call Ft. Hood Shootings ‘Terrorism’ ] [[The New York Times]]</ref> and the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Security Preparedness Group reports [[Al-Qaeda]] leadership has become increasingly ‘Americanized’.<ref>[http://bipartisanpolicy.org/press-release/bipartisan-policy-center-report-finds-homegrown-terrorism-presents-key/ Bipartisan Policy Center Report Finds Homegrown Terrorism Presents Key Challenge for the United States] [[Bipartisan Policy Center]]</ref>

−

President Obama authorized offshore oil drilling in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0430/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-imperils-Obama-s-offshore-drilling-plan Gulf of Mexico oil spill imperils Obama's offshore drilling plan,] By Mark Clayton, ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref> stating,

+

President Obama authorized offshore oil drilling in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]<ref name="csmonitor.com">[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0430/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-imperils-Obama-s-offshore-drilling-plan Gulf of Mexico oil spill imperils Obama's offshore drilling plan,] By Mark Clayton, ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref> stating,

−

{{Cquote|oil rigs today generally don’t cause spills<ref>White House Press Release, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-discussion-jobs-and-economy-charlotte-north-carolina Remarks by the President in a Discussion on Jobs and the Economy in Charlotte, North Carolina,] Office of the Press Secretary, April 02, 2010. Retrieved from [[The White House|whitehouse.gov]] 3 May 2010.</ref><ref>''[http://members.greenpeace.org/blog/greenpeaceusa_blog/2010/04/30/president_obama_committed_to_endangering President Obama must reinstate moratorium on offshore drilling,]'' [[Greenpeace]] USA blogs, 30 Apr 2010.</ref><ref>http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/28/obama-katrina-spill/</ref>}}and was widely criticized for his mishandling of the "[[Gulf oil spill disaster|worst environmental disaster]] in US history."<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-33986-Political-Spin-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Worst-environmental-disaster-in-US-history-Oil-slick-in-Gulf-of-Mexico-is-set-on-fire Worst environmental disaster in US history,] Maryann Tobin, ''[[Examiner.com]]'', April 29, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/the-oil-spill-is-obamas-fault/?src=twt&twt=NytimesKrugman Conscience of a Liberal: The Oil Spill Is Obama’s Fault,] Paul Krugman, ''[[New York Times]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref>

+

{{Cquote|oil rigs today generally don’t cause spills<ref name="whitehouse.gov">White House Press Release, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-discussion-jobs-and-economy-charlotte-north-carolina Remarks by the President in a Discussion on Jobs and the Economy in Charlotte, North Carolina,] Office of the Press Secretary, April 02, 2010. Retrieved from [[The White House|whitehouse.gov]] 3 May 2010.</ref><ref name="members.greenpeace.org">''[http://members.greenpeace.org/blog/greenpeaceusa_blog/2010/04/30/president_obama_committed_to_endangering President Obama must reinstate moratorium on offshore drilling,]'' [[Greenpeace]] USA blogs, 30 Apr 2010.</ref><ref name="wonkroom.thinkprogress.org">http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/28/obama-katrina-spill/</ref>}}and was widely criticized for his mishandling of the "[[Gulf oil spill disaster|worst environmental disaster]] in US history."<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-33986-Political-Spin-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Worst-environmental-disaster-in-US-history-Oil-slick-in-Gulf-of-Mexico-is-set-on-fire Worst environmental disaster in US history,] Maryann Tobin, ''[[Examiner.com]]'', April 29, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/the-oil-spill-is-obamas-fault/?src=twt&twt=NytimesKrugman Conscience of a Liberal: The Oil Spill Is Obama’s Fault,] Paul Krugman, ''[[New York Times]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref>

A Republican revival took form as the party won gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey, and the Democrats continued in disarray in New York, Texas and California. Even more dramatic was the win by Republican [[Scott Brown]] of the Senate seat held by the late [[Edward M. Kennedy]] in Massachusetts, which was widely interpreted as a referendum on Obama's policies. By the Spring of his second year only 38% of voters surveyed said Obama deserves re-election, with 55% wanting someone new. A [[Gallup Poll]] had the president's support slipping among Hispanics and African-Americans. A large majority of Americans, 69%, believe the nation is on the wrong track.<ref>[http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704569404576299241421694066 Obama's Unspoken Re-Election Edge] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

Line 16: Line 16:

===Background===

−

Following the [[Recession of 2008]] Obama declared that failure to pass his [[Economic stimulus]] would turn a "crisis into a catastrophe," and promised [[Unemployment]] would not rise above 7.8%.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1910208,00.html Obama's Stimulus Plan: Failing by Its Own Measure,] Stephen Gandel, ''[[Time magazine]]'', July 14, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31165217/ Obama promises economic relief this summer], [[MSNBC|MSNBC/AP]], 6/8/2009.</ref> The House on Jan. 28 passed a stimulus package‎ of $819 billion in [[~~Direct_spending~~#~~New_spending~~|new spending]] and tax increases, despite unanimous Republican opposition. A revised bill passed the Senate with three Republican votes. A compromise bill known as the "[[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]]" was passed, providing for $789 billion in new spending and stimulus.

+

Following the [[Recession of 2008]] Obama declared that failure to pass his [[Economic stimulus]] would turn a "crisis into a catastrophe," and promised [[Unemployment]] would not rise above 7.8%.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1910208,00.html Obama's Stimulus Plan: Failing by Its Own Measure,] Stephen Gandel, ''[[Time magazine]]'', July 14, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31165217/ Obama promises economic relief this summer], [[MSNBC|MSNBC/AP]], 6/8/2009.</ref> The House on Jan. 28 passed a stimulus package‎ of $819 billion in [[Direct spending#New spending|new spending]] and tax increases, despite unanimous Republican opposition. A revised bill passed the Senate with three Republican votes. A compromise bill known as the "[[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]]" was passed, providing for $789 billion in new spending and stimulus.

Detroit spread gloom on Feb. 17 as GM starkly warned of impending bankruptcy unless it gets more aid. By August, both Chrysler and GM had entered bankruptcy, and come out again in much smaller size, as they closed a fourth of their dealerships, slashed wage rates, and repaid creditors with 29 cents on the dollar. The government gave Chrysler away free to Fiat of Italy, which acquired ownership without investing any money. Meanwhile the part makers, which employ more workers than the Big Three automakers, verged on disaster and begged for billions. The "[[cash for clunkers]]" proved to be a boondoggle for the rich at a cost of $3 billion to the Treasury.

===Obama policies problematic, say economists and public===

−

In the view of 51 mostly conservative economists polled by the ''Wall Street Journal'' in July 2009, the Obama administration's economic program is problematic. President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner both got an average grade of 70 out of 100 for their handling of the financial crisis, but those grades varied widely.<ref>Obama scored 59 in March 2009, Geithner 51, and Bernanke 71. See Phil Izzo, "Obama, Geithner Get Low Grades From Economists," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123671107124286261.html ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' March 11, 2009]</ref> Former President Bush and ex-Treasury chief Paulson received average grades of 50 and 60, respectively, when economists were asked how they handled the crisis while in office. By contrast, Fed chairman Bernanke scored much better, with an average grade of 85.<ref>Phil Izzo, "Few Economists Favor More Stimulus," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124708099206913393.html ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' July 10, 2009] </ref>

+

In the view of 51 mostly conservative economists polled by the ''Wall Street Journal'' in July 2009, the Obama administration's economic program is problematic. President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner both got an average grade of 70 out of 100 for their handling of the financial crisis, but those grades varied widely.<ref>Obama scored 59 in March 2009, Geithner 51, and Bernanke 71. See Phil Izzo, "Obama, Geithner Get Low Grades From Economists," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123671107124286261.html ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' March 11, 2009]</ref> Former President Bush and ex-Treasury chief Paulson received average grades of 50 and 60, respectively, when economists were asked how they handled the crisis while in office. By contrast, Fed chairman Bernanke scored much better, with an average grade of 85.<ref>Phil Izzo, "Few Economists Favor More Stimulus," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124708099206913393.html ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' July 10, 2009]</ref>

[[Image:Stim1.jpg|thumb|380px|Cartoonist Chuck Asay summarizes the debate]]

Line 34: Line 34:

==== FY 2010 Budget ====

[[Image:Budget-cbo.jpg|thumb|250px|left]]

−

The Democratic controlled Congress by a party line vote in late April passed the budget Obama proposed in late February. It called for $3.4 trillion in [[~~Direct_spending~~#~~New_spending~~|new spending]], not counting the $787 billion in stimulus spending approved in February, nor the trillions in loan guarantees to banks. The 2010 budget allocated $1.2 trillion for defense, and an additional $130 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nondefense spending increased by 8% or $40 billion. The budget allowed the Obama health plan, which had not yet been written, to move through Congress on a fast track with no risk of filibuster.

+

The Democratic controlled Congress by a party line vote in late April passed the budget Obama proposed in late February. It called for $3.4 trillion in [[Direct spending#New spending|new spending]], not counting the $787 billion in stimulus spending approved in February, nor the trillions in loan guarantees to banks. The 2010 budget allocated $1.2 trillion for defense, and an additional $130 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nondefense spending increased by 8% or $40 billion. The budget allowed the Obama health plan, which had not yet been written, to move through Congress on a fast track with no risk of filibuster.

−

The Tax Foundation says that 44% of all tax filers have no tax liability and most of those will get a check from the government, especially from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)<ref> EITC is a conservative idea first proposed by Milton Friedman, enacted under Republican presidents Ford and Reagan.</ref> and credits for college tuition and child care. The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' noted about Obama's plan that, "Once upon a time we called this 'welfare'". <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122385651698727257.html Obama's 95% Illusion] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

+

The Tax Foundation says that 44% of all tax filers have no tax liability and most of those will get a check from the government, especially from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)<ref>EITC is a conservative idea first proposed by Milton Friedman, enacted under Republican presidents Ford and Reagan.</ref> and credits for college tuition and child care. The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' noted about Obama's plan that, "Once upon a time we called this 'welfare'".<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122385651698727257.html Obama's 95% Illusion] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

−

The Budget assumes a federal deficit of $1.75 trillion for 2009, or 12.3% of ~~GDP--the~~ highest deficit in percentage terms since World War II. The budget reordered priorities to provide national health care and raise the federal spending on schools.

+

The Budget assumes a federal deficit of $1.75 trillion for 2009, or 12.3% of GDP—the highest deficit in percentage terms since World War II. The budget reordered priorities to provide national health care and raise the federal spending on schools.

−

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the Obama plans will raise the national debt far more than Obama admitted. The CBO says the Obama plan will cause total deficits over the next ten years of $9.3 trillion, compared to Obama's estimate of "only" 7 trillion. The annual GDP by contrast is about $15 trillion.<ref> Jackie Calmes, "New Deficit Forecast Casts Shadow on Obama Agenda," [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/washington/21deficit.html?th&emc=th ''[[The New York Times]]'' Mar. 20, 2009]</ref> Senator Judd Gregg says that Obama's budget will double the national debt in five years and triple it in ten. <ref>[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/mar/25/judd-gregg/judd-gregg-says-obamas-budget-doubles-national-deb/ Judd Gregg says Obama's budget doubles the national debt in five years] [[PolitiFact]]</ref>

+

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the Obama plans will raise the national debt far more than Obama admitted. The CBO says the Obama plan will cause total deficits over the next ten years of $9.3 trillion, compared to Obama's estimate of "only" 7 trillion. The annual GDP by contrast is about $15 trillion.<ref>Jackie Calmes, "New Deficit Forecast Casts Shadow on Obama Agenda," [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/washington/21deficit.html?th&emc=th ''[[The New York Times]]'' Mar. 20, 2009]</ref> Senator Judd Gregg says that Obama's budget will double the national debt in five years and triple it in ten.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/mar/25/judd-gregg/judd-gregg-says-obamas-budget-doubles-national-deb/ Judd Gregg says Obama's budget doubles the national debt in five years] [[PolitiFact]]</ref>

Obama proposed a carbon [[cap and trade]] system, increasing taxes for families and businesses. The cost to energy consumers would be an additional $645 billion between 2012 and 2019, which will result in higher prices. Rep. John Boehner said, "Let's just be honest and call it a carbon tax that will increase taxes on all Americans who drive a car, who have a job, who turn on a light switch, pure and simple."<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123566843777484625.html Carbon Trading to Raise Consumer Energy Prices] [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

Line 51: Line 51:

Obama's first two budget deficits (FY 2009 and FY 2010) were more than $1 trillion, or 9% of [[GDP]]. The [[Democrat]]ic Congress failed to pass, and President Obama did not sign, a budget for fiscal year 2011, as required by law. But the administration continued spending anyway with a deficit projected to be at least another $1 trillion again for 2011. Combined with a shrinking economy, the publicly held federal debt increased by over 20% of GDP in Obama's first two years, and was projected to increase by another 7% in 2011. Experts warned the President that deficits of this size were not sustainable in the long run because the federal debt cannot indefinitely grow faster than economic output. Eventually a greater and greater share of national income would be devoted to interest payments, until eventually the government would be forced to finance the debt through money creation ([[inflation]]) or [[default]].

−

The president emphasized his proposal to freeze for three years non-defense [[discretionary spending]]. Economist Martin Feldstein observed the president's plan would not apply to [[backdoor spending]]: increases in [[mandatory spending]] programs and [[tax ependiture]]~~s -- new~~ tax rules that substitute for increased government spending,<ref>[http://www.nber.org/feldstein/wsj02182010.html How Obama Should Shrink His Deficit], Martin Feldstein, ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', February 18, 2010. Retrieved from nber.org </ref> like refundable tax credits.<ref>[http://www.concordcoalition.org/publications/facing-facts/1996/0913/back-door-entitlement The Back-Door Entitlement], The Concord Coalition.</ref><ref>[http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/10-27-11_Obamacares_Subsidies_and_Tax_Distribution_Final.pdf Impact of the Obamacare Tax Credits], House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Staff Report, October 27, 2011. <br~~><small~~>"The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that Obamacare’s refundable health insurance tax credits and Medicaid expansion will increase the nation’s debt burden by $1.36 trillion in the first seven years that these provisions are fully implemented...85 percent of filers who claim the credit will end the year with zero or negative income tax liability. Since the tax credit is refundable, nearly all 11.3 million of these filers will have negative income tax liability and will no longer pay the cost of government by contributing federal income taxes....For example, a family of four at 200 percent of the [Federal Poverty Level] (about $48,677 in 2016) cannot pay more than 6.3 percent of their income for health insurance...The CBO estimates that the average cost of the reference insurance plan (the plan used to calculate the tax credit) will be $14,100 for family coverage in 2016. Therefore, a family of four that qualifies for a credit in 2016 and that makes $48,677 would be required to pay about $3,067 for health insurance (6.3 percent of household income). The difference, $11,033, is the value of this family’s refundable tax credit...According to the CBO, 20 million Americans will receive health insurance tax credits in 2020 at a cost of $130 billion."~~</small>~~</ref>

+

The president emphasized his proposal to freeze for three years non-defense [[discretionary spending]]. Economist Martin Feldstein observed the president's plan would not apply to [[backdoor spending]]: increases in [[mandatory spending]] programs and [[tax ependiture]]s—new tax rules that substitute for increased government spending,<ref>[http://www.nber.org/feldstein/wsj02182010.html How Obama Should Shrink His Deficit], Martin Feldstein, ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', February 18, 2010. Retrieved from nber.org</ref> like refundable tax credits.<ref>[http://www.concordcoalition.org/publications/facing-facts/1996/0913/back-door-entitlement The Back-Door Entitlement], The Concord Coalition.</ref><ref>[http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/10-27-11_Obamacares_Subsidies_and_Tax_Distribution_Final.pdf Impact of the Obamacare Tax Credits], House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Staff Report, October 27, 2011. <br>"The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that Obamacare’s refundable health insurance tax credits and Medicaid expansion will increase the nation’s debt burden by $1.36 trillion in the first seven years that these provisions are fully implemented...85 percent of filers who claim the credit will end the year with zero or negative income tax liability. Since the tax credit is refundable, nearly all 11.3 million of these filers will have negative income tax liability and will no longer pay the cost of government by contributing federal income taxes....For example, a family of four at 200 percent of the [Federal Poverty Level] (about $48,677 in 2016) cannot pay more than 6.3 percent of their income for health insurance...The CBO estimates that the average cost of the reference insurance plan (the plan used to calculate the tax credit) will be $14,100 for family coverage in 2016. Therefore, a family of four that qualifies for a credit in 2016 and that makes $48,677 would be required to pay about $3,067 for health insurance (6.3 percent of household income). The difference, $11,033, is the value of this family’s refundable tax credit...According to the CBO, 20 million Americans will receive health insurance tax credits in 2020 at a cost of $130 billion."</ref>

==== FY 2012 Budget====

Line 59: Line 59:

===Obama Care===

−

~~:''~~Main ~~article: '''[[~~ObamaCare~~]]'''''~~

+

−

With a monopoly on power in Obama's first two years, the Democratic Congress moved to create a government run insurance program that would put private sector insurers out of business. Obama proposed funding the program with higher taxes "on wealthy Americans". <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-health-care26-2009feb26,0,1056744.story Obama plans 'down payment' on healthcare overhaul] [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> The new law mandates private citizens to purchase health insurance under the threat of legal sanctions for non-compliance.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/02/senate-fine-people-refusing-health-care-coverage/ Senate Bill Would Fine People More Than $1,000 for Refusing Health Care Coverage] [[Fox News]]</ref> Critics dubbed the law [[Gestapo care]].

+

With a monopoly on power in Obama's first two years, the Democratic Congress moved to create a government run insurance program that would put private sector insurers out of business. Obama proposed funding the program with higher taxes "on wealthy Americans".<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-health-care26-2009feb26,0,1056744.story Obama plans 'down payment' on healthcare overhaul] [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> The new law mandates private citizens to purchase health insurance under the threat of legal sanctions for non-compliance.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/02/senate-fine-people-refusing-health-care-coverage/ Senate Bill Would Fine People More Than $1,000 for Refusing Health Care Coverage] [[Fox News]]</ref> Critics dubbed the law [[Gestapo care]].

−

Obama was unconvincing to most Americans. Few saw any advantage in his proposals, and everyone can see the monumental costs. Contrary to his campaign vows for openness and transparency in government, Obama cut closed door back room deals with big drug companies and insurers, and was not upfront with the American people. Polls show a steady decline in support for [[Obamacare]] as the public learned more about it. (By contrast, he had 57% approval on health issues in April 2009).<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_042609.html Washington Post-ABC News Poll ] ''[[Washington Post]]'' July 20, 2009</ref> Conservative Democrats in ~~Congress--who~~ call themselves "[[Blue Dog Democrats]]"~~--were~~ reluctant to sign on to any proposal costing a trillion dollars over the next decade. The controversy lowered Obama's overall approval and was a major factor in the [[2010 Midterm elections]] which ousted the Democratic majority from the House.

+

Obama was unconvincing to most Americans. Few saw any advantage in his proposals, and everyone can see the monumental costs. Contrary to his campaign vows for openness and transparency in government, Obama cut closed door back room deals with big drug companies and insurers, and was not upfront with the American people. Polls show a steady decline in support for [[Obamacare]] as the public learned more about it. (By contrast, he had 57% approval on health issues in April 2009).<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_042609.html Washington Post-ABC News Poll ] ''[[Washington Post]]'' July 20, 2009</ref> Conservative Democrats in Congress—who call themselves "[[Blue Dog Democrats]]"—were reluctant to sign on to any proposal costing a trillion dollars over the next decade. The controversy lowered Obama's overall approval and was a major factor in the [[2010 Midterm elections]] which ousted the Democratic majority from the House.

===Tax increases===

−

On January 1, 2013 President Obama permanently increased taxes on the middle and [[working class]]es by raising the payroll withholding 2%, effectively costing working families and anyone with a job on average $1000 per year. <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324581504578231721868759336.html The Next Tax Increase] [[Washington Post]]</ref> <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/president-obamas-unspoken-payroll-tax-increases/2012/07/25/gJQArLRq9W_blog.html Fact Checker] ''[[Washington Post]]''</ref>

+

On January 1, 2013 President Obama permanently increased taxes on the middle and [[working class]]es by raising the payroll withholding 2%, effectively costing working families and anyone with a job on average $1000 per year.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324581504578231721868759336.html The Next Tax Increase] [[Washington Post]]</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/president-obamas-unspoken-payroll-tax-increases/2012/07/25/gJQArLRq9W_blog.html Fact Checker] ''[[Washington Post]]''</ref>

===Bailouts===

Line 79: Line 79:

===Education===

−

To the angst of liberal supporters, the administration's first proposals for school reform relied heavily on Bush-era ingredients and adds others that make unions gag. They include standardized testing, school accountability, performance pay, and charter ~~schools -- all~~ of which are integral to Obama'a $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grant competition to spur innovation. Liberals dislike all these new ideas. "It looks like the only strategies they have are charter schools and measurement," protested Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. "That's Bush III."<ref> See [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092403197.html Nick Anderson, "Unions Criticize Obama's School Proposals as 'Bush III'"], ''[[Washington Post]]'' Sept. 25, 2009</ref>

+

To the angst of liberal supporters, the administration's first proposals for school reform relied heavily on Bush-era ingredients and adds others that make unions gag. They include standardized testing, school accountability, performance pay, and charter schools—all of which are integral to Obama'a $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grant competition to spur innovation. Liberals dislike all these new ideas. "It looks like the only strategies they have are charter schools and measurement," protested Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. "That's Bush III."<ref>See [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092403197.html Nick Anderson, "Unions Criticize Obama's School Proposals as 'Bush III'"], ''[[Washington Post]]'' Sept. 25, 2009</ref>

Obama and the Democrats successfully killed the Washington D.C. school voucher program which granted school choice to primarily poor African-American and minority families and children.<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03-11/politics/martin.vouchers_1_vouchers-school-choice-democrats?_s=PM:POLITICS Commentary: Obama, Dems wrong to kill school vouchers] [[CNN]]</ref> After the 2010 Midterm elections the [[Republican]]s revived the program.<ref>http://www.bluecollarphilosophy.com/2011/03/republicans-care-more-about-poor-children-than-democrats-d-c-vouchers-restored-in-house-vote.html</ref>

Line 92: Line 92:

===Guantanamo Bay===

−

On November 16, 2008, in an interview with Steve Kroft of [[CBS]]'s ''[[60 Minutes]]'' program, Barack Obama promised to close [[Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility]] by [[Executive Order]], "to regain America's [[moral]] stature in the world."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQXZoM__vU0 60 Minutes: Obama Reiterates Promise To Close Guantanamo Bay]. Youtube.</ref> A press release on January 22, 2009 claimed Obama ordered closing the camp within the year. <ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities Closure Of Guantanamo Detention Facilities ] [[White House]]</ref> In January of 2013 President Obama signed an authorization refusing to allow the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2013/1/8/4_years_after_vow_to_close Years After Vow to Close Gitmo, Why Has Obama Signed NDAA Bill Barring Transfer of Its Prisoners?].</ref> As of the president's second inaugural, the promise to regain America's moral stature remained unfulfilled.

+

On November 16, 2008, in an interview with Steve Kroft of [[CBS]]'s ''[[60 Minutes]]'' program, Barack Obama promised to close [[Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility]] by [[Executive Order]], "to regain America's [[moral]] stature in the world."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQXZoM__vU0 60 Minutes: Obama Reiterates Promise To Close Guantanamo Bay]. Youtube.</ref> A press release on January 22, 2009 claimed Obama ordered closing the camp within the year.<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities Closure Of Guantanamo Detention Facilities ] [[White House]]</ref> In January 2013 President Obama signed an authorization refusing to allow the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2013/1/8/4_years_after_vow_to_close Years After Vow to Close Gitmo, Why Has Obama Signed NDAA Bill Barring Transfer of Its Prisoners?].</ref> As of the president's second inaugural, the promise to regain America's moral stature remained unfulfilled.

===Libya===

Line 102: Line 102:

{{cquote|President Barack Obama grossly exaggerated the humanitarian threat to justify military action in Libya. The president claimed that intervention was necessary to prevent a “bloodbath’’ in Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city and last rebel stronghold. But [[Human Rights Watch]] has released data on Misurata, the next-biggest city in Libya and scene of protracted fighting, revealing that Moammar Khadafy is not deliberately massacring civilians but rather narrowly targeting the armed rebels who fight against his government. Misurata’s population is roughly 400,000. In nearly two months of war, only 257 people — including combatants — have died there. Of the 949 wounded, only 22 — less than 3 percent — are women…. Nor did Khadafy ever threaten civilian massacre in Benghazi, as Obama alleged. The “no mercy’’ warning, of March 17, targeted rebels only, as reported by the ''[[New York Times]]'', which noted that Libya’s leader promised amnesty for those “who throw their weapons away.’’ Khadafy even offered the rebels an escape route and open border to Egypt, to avoid a fight “to the bitter end.’’<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/04/14/false_pretense_for_war_in_libya/|title=False Pretense for War in Libya?|date=April 14, 2011|first=Alan J|last=Kuperman|work=[[Boston Globe]]}}</ref>}}

−

The Congressional Research Service reports that the legality of President Obama's [[Libya#~~Libyan_uprising_2011~~|Libyan operation]] may depend, at a minimum, on both authorization for the operation and the extent to which the manner of execution of the operation comports with relevant international law. The Charter of the United Nations, in Article 2(4), prohibits the “threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence” of a member state under most circumstances, and many practitioners and observers have wondered whether President Obama's establishment of a no-fly zone would constitute a violation of this prohibition.<ref>''[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41701.pdf No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress],'' Congressional Research Service, March 18, 2011, p. 6-8 pdf.</ref> In addition to international authorization, the [[War Powers Resolution]] of 1973 states that the President’s powers as Commander in Chief to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. It requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific congressional authorization. The War Powers Act also requires the President to report to Congress any introduction of forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities, Section 4(a)(1); into foreign territory while equipped for combat, Section 4(a)(2); or in numbers which substantially enlarge U.S. forces equipped for combat already in a foreign nation, Section 4(a)(3). Once a report is submitted “or required to be submitted” under Section 4(a)(1), Congress must authorize the use of force within 60 to 90 days or the forces must be withdrawn.<ref>Ibid, p. 9 pdf.</ref>

+

The Congressional Research Service reports that the legality of President Obama's [[Libya#Libyan uprising 2011|Libyan operation]] may depend, at a minimum, on both authorization for the operation and the extent to which the manner of execution of the operation comports with relevant international law. The Charter of the United Nations, in Article 2(4), prohibits the “threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence” of a member state under most circumstances, and many practitioners and observers have wondered whether President Obama's establishment of a no-fly zone would constitute a violation of this prohibition.<ref>''[http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41701.pdf No-Fly Zones: Strategic, Operational, and Legal Considerations for Congress],'' Congressional Research Service, March 18, 2011, p. 6-8 pdf.</ref> In addition to international authorization, the [[War Powers Resolution]] of 1973 states that the President’s powers as Commander in Chief to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. It requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific congressional authorization. The War Powers Act also requires the President to report to Congress any introduction of forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities, Section 4(a)(1); into foreign territory while equipped for combat, Section 4(a)(2); or in numbers which substantially enlarge U.S. forces equipped for combat already in a foreign nation, Section 4(a)(3). Once a report is submitted “or required to be submitted” under Section 4(a)(1), Congress must authorize the use of force within 60 to 90 days or the forces must be withdrawn.<ref>Ibid, p. 9 pdf.</ref>

−

[[Democrat]]ic Representatives Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), [[Dennis Kucinich]] (Ohio), [[Maxine Waters]] (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), [[Barbara Lee]] (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) “all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president’s actions” during a Democratic Caucus meeting<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51595.html Liberal Democrats in uproar over Libya action] [[Politico]]</ref>. Senator [[Rand Paul]] (Ky.) alleged the actions show "contempt" for Congress, and along with Sen [[Mike Lee]] (Utah) introduced a resolution quoting candidate Obama’s own words when the he told the ''[[Boston Globe]],''

+

[[Democrat]]ic Representatives Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), [[Dennis Kucinich]] (Ohio), [[Maxine Waters]] (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), [[Barbara Lee]] (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) “all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president’s actions” during a Democratic Caucus meeting.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51595.html Liberal Democrats in uproar over Libya action] [[Politico]]</ref> Senator [[Rand Paul]] (Ky.) alleged the actions show "contempt" for Congress, and along with Sen [[Mike Lee]] (Utah) introduced a resolution quoting candidate Obama’s own words when the he told the ''[[Boston Globe]],''

−

{{cquote|The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation<ref>[http://cnsnews.com/news/article/gop-senators-obama-s-libya-bombing-showed-contempt-congress GOP Senators: Obama’s Libya Bombing Showed ‘Contempt’ for Congress] [[Cybercast News Service]]</ref>.

+

{{cquote|The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.<ref>[http://cnsnews.com/news/article/gop-senators-obama-s-libya-bombing-showed-contempt-congress GOP Senators: Obama’s Libya Bombing Showed ‘Contempt’ for Congress] [[Cybercast News Service]]</ref>

===Afghanistan War===

Line 113: Line 113:

Conditions have turned much worse in late summer, as the much heralded national election was marked by widespread fraud and pessimism is spreading. Increasingly the main justification for the war, now 8 years old, is to prop up the shaky regime in neighboring [[Pakistan]]. NATO commander [[Stanley McChrystal]] has requested 30,000-40,000 additional troops in Afghanistan. Obama, unused to such responsibility, dithered for three months before approving the urgent request. By early 2010 the US will have over 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, triple the number when Obama took office. Conservatives have applauded the buildup.

−

American policy was increasing set by Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]], originally appointed by President Bush in 2006 and reappointed by Obama in 2009. Gates fired the commander General David McKiernan in May, 2009, replacing him with McChrystal. Gates insisted on dropping the old strategy of hunting down insurgents and instead adopting a '''counterinsurgency''' strategy that focused on protecting local civilians and training Afghan soldiers and police to take over the job. Gates convinced Obama, who ordered 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan in Dec. 2009, with a deadline of 18 months, at which time a transition to Afghan responsibility would begin. Liberals thought Obama and Gates were making a big ~~mistake--heading~~ into another quagmire like Vietnam. However liberal Democrats in Congress will not try to block Obama's proposals, at least at this point.

+

American policy was increasing set by Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]], originally appointed by President Bush in 2006 and reappointed by Obama in 2009. Gates fired the commander General David McKiernan in May, 2009, replacing him with McChrystal. Gates insisted on dropping the old strategy of hunting down insurgents and instead adopting a '''counterinsurgency''' strategy that focused on protecting local civilians and training Afghan soldiers and police to take over the job. Gates convinced Obama, who ordered 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan in Dec. 2009, with a deadline of 18 months, at which time a transition to Afghan responsibility would begin. Liberals thought Obama and Gates were making a big mistake—heading into another quagmire like Vietnam. However liberal Democrats in Congress will not try to block Obama's proposals, at least at this point.

Democrats are split not in two but in three: a small number of hawks who agree with his decision; a large number of doves who oppose it; and a sizable group that is uneasy with the Obama surge but willing to loyally support his decision. Most conservatives, on the other hand, see victory in Afghanistan as a vital national goal and approve the new strategy, while voicing objections to the 18 month deadline. Polls in mid-December show Republicans overwhelmingly supported the war, with 71% saying the country was doing the right thing compared to 21% who said it was not. By contrast, Democrats were evenly split, with 47% supporting the war and 46% opposing it.

Line 120: Line 120:

===Iran===

−

During the 2008 campaign Obama promised direct talks [[Iran]]ian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], a staunch enemy of the United States, who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070927213903/http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=200247</ref> and dismissed the [[Holocaust]] as a "myth." <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4529198.stm Holocaust comments spark outrage] [[British Broadcasting Corporation]]</ref> President Obama has supported Iran's nuclear program, which some argue is being used to develop weapons-grade material<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/obama-ok-iran-nukes/2009/04/06/id/329280/ Obama, Officials May OK Iran's Nuclear Program] [[NewsMax]]</ref>.

+

During the 2008 campaign Obama promised direct talks [[Iran]]ian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], a staunch enemy of the United States, who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070927213903/http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=200247</ref> and dismissed the [[Holocaust]] as a "myth." <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4529198.stm Holocaust comments spark outrage] [[British Broadcasting Corporation]]</ref> President Obama has supported Iran's nuclear program, which some argue is being used to develop weapons-grade material.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/obama-ok-iran-nukes/2009/04/06/id/329280/ Obama, Officials May OK Iran's Nuclear Program] [[NewsMax]]</ref>

−

In 2009 Ahmadinejad was reelected to a second term after a controversial and disputed election. Charges of alleged voter fraud from the government resulted in massive protests in Iran and around the world. The government responded by violently suppressing the protesters, killing over 250 of them<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/25/opposition-alters-tactics-to-avoid-protest-deaths/ Iran protesters alter tactics to avoid death] [[Washington Times]]</ref>. Conservatives criticized Obama for failing to provide more vocal support for the pro-democracy protesters.

+

In 2009 Ahmadinejad was reelected to a second term after a controversial and disputed election. Charges of alleged voter fraud from the government resulted in massive protests in Iran and around the world. The government responded by violently suppressing the protesters, killing over 250 of them.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/25/opposition-alters-tactics-to-avoid-protest-deaths/ Iran protesters alter tactics to avoid death] [[Washington Times]]</ref> Conservatives criticized Obama for failing to provide more vocal support for the pro-democracy protesters.

===Iraq===

Line 128: Line 128:

On February 10, 2007, Barack Obama announced his campaign for the U.S. presidency while stating he had a "''plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008.''"<ref name=announcement>(2007, February 10). "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/10/AR2007021000879.html Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's Announcement Speech]." ''[[Associated Press]]''.</ref> Later, Obama campaigned on having troops entirely out of Iraq within 16 months, but in February 2009 revised this promise to withdrawing all but 35-50 thousand troops by December 2011.<ref>Barry, J. (2009, February 25). "[http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/02/25/reality-on-the-ground.html Reality on the Ground]." ''[[Newsweek]]''.</ref> However, some of the newly withdrawn troops were simply redirected from Iraq to Afghanistan - Obama in Summer 2009 ordered 21,000 troops to Afghanistan.<ref name=amanpour>Amanpour, C. (2009, April 29). "[http://articles.cnn.com/2009-04-29/politics/amanpour.obama.foreign.policy_1_president-obama-obama-administration-iraq?_s=PM:POLITICS Amanpour: Obama's 100 Days of Foreign Affairs]." ''[[CNN]] Politics''.</ref>{{cquote|"But all of this cannot come to pass until we bring an end to this war in Iraq. Most of you know I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was a tragic mistake. Today we grieve for the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been. America, it's time to start bringing our troops home. It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war. That's why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008. Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last, best hope to pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace."

−

Barack Obama, February 10, 2007 Presidential Campaign Announcement Speech<ref name=announcement />}}Ultimately, it was the Status of Forces Agreement signed by George W. Bush on November 17, 2008 which forced U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq's cities, villages, and localities by June 30, 2009, and from Iraq entirely by December ~~31st~~ 2011.<ref>(2008, November 17). "[http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/world/20081119_SOFA_FINAL_AGREED_TEXT.pdf Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq]." Article 24. Withdrawal of the United States Forces from Iraq. Hosted by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<br>Office of the Press Secretary (2008, November 27). "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081127-1.html Statement by the President on Agreements with Iraq]." ''[[The White House]]''.</ref> Obama privately contacted the Iraq government in an attempt to persuade them to let 10,000 troops stay, but was rejected.<ref>Froomkin, D. (2011, October 26). "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/obama-iraq_n_1032507.html Ending the War in Iraq: How Obama's Own Rhetoric - And George Bush's Pact - Boxed in the President]." ''[[Huffington Post]]''.</ref> Newsweek's Michael Ware accused Obama of a "War Crime" for "''falsely taking credit for finally bringing Iraq to a close—a war actually ended by the Bush administration back in 2008''" and stated, "''The U.S. troops who fought and died in that war, the Iraqis who perished, and the American people deserve far better.''"<ref>Ware, M. (2011, October 24). "[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/24/obamas-war-crime-taking-credit-from-bush-adminsitration-for-ending-the-iraq-war.html Obama's War Crime]." ''[[Newsweek]]''. U.S. Politics.</ref> The last of Iraq's combat troops have now been withdrawn because of Bush's Status of Forces Agreement which Obama took credit for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-12-17/middleeast/world_meast_iraq-troops-leave_1_1st-cavalry-division-camp-adder-troop-movements?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST|work=[[CNN]]|title=Obama: Last U.S. troops leave Iraq|date=December 17, 2011|language=English~~|format=HTML~~}}</ref>

+

Barack Obama, February 10, 2007 Presidential Campaign Announcement Speech<ref name=announcement />}}Ultimately, it was the Status of Forces Agreement signed by George W. Bush on November 17, 2008 which forced U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq's cities, villages, and localities by June 30, 2009, and from Iraq entirely by December 31, 2011.<ref>(2008, November 17). "[http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/world/20081119_SOFA_FINAL_AGREED_TEXT.pdf Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq]." Article 24. Withdrawal of the United States Forces from Iraq. Hosted by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<br>Office of the Press Secretary (2008, November 27). "[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081127-1.html Statement by the President on Agreements with Iraq]." ''[[The White House]]''.</ref> Obama privately contacted the Iraq government in an attempt to persuade them to let 10,000 troops stay, but was rejected.<ref>Froomkin, D. (2011, October 26). "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/obama-iraq_n_1032507.html Ending the War in Iraq: How Obama's Own Rhetoric - And George Bush's Pact - Boxed in the President]." ''[[Huffington Post]]''.</ref> Newsweek's Michael Ware accused Obama of a "War Crime" for "''falsely taking credit for finally bringing Iraq to a close—a war actually ended by the Bush administration back in 2008''" and stated, "''The U.S. troops who fought and died in that war, the Iraqis who perished, and the American people deserve far better.''"<ref>Ware, M. (2011, October 24). "[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/24/obamas-war-crime-taking-credit-from-bush-adminsitration-for-ending-the-iraq-war.html Obama's War Crime]." ''[[Newsweek]]''. U.S. Politics.</ref> The last of Iraq's combat troops have now been withdrawn because of Bush's Status of Forces Agreement which Obama took credit for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-12-17/middleeast/world_meast_iraq-troops-leave_1_1st-cavalry-division-camp-adder-troop-movements?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST|work=[[CNN]]|title=Obama: Last U.S. troops leave Iraq|date=December 17, 2011|language=English}}</ref>

===Bahrain===

Line 143: Line 143:

In May 2010, President Obama promised Mexican President [[Felipe Calderon]] that his administration would assist Mexico in curbing drug cartel violence, which has led to 30,000 deaths in Mexico. "President Calderon and I . . . stand together against the drug cartels that have unleashed horrific violence in so many communities," Obama said on May 19. "Mexico can count on the United States as a full partner in this effort.

−

The ''[[Washington Post]]'' has reported however that White House officials stopped a requirement for gun dealers to report bulk sales of high-powered [[semiautomatic rifle]]s commonly used by illegal drug cartels. [[Justice Department]] officials had asked for White House approval to require thousands of gun dealers along the border to report the purchases to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives. ATF investigators expected to get leads on suspected arms traffickers. Senior law enforcement sources said the proposal from the ATF was held up by White House chief of staff [[Rahm Emanuel]]<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/17/AR2010121706598.html White House delayed rule meant to stop gun flow to Mexico] [[Washington Post]]</ref>. Gun dealers have been required for decades to report the sales of multiple handguns to the ATF.

+

The ''[[Washington Post]]'' has reported however that White House officials stopped a requirement for gun dealers to report bulk sales of high-powered [[semiautomatic rifle]]s commonly used by illegal drug cartels. [[Justice Department]] officials had asked for White House approval to require thousands of gun dealers along the border to report the purchases to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives. ATF investigators expected to get leads on suspected arms traffickers. Senior law enforcement sources said the proposal from the ATF was held up by White House chief of staff [[Rahm Emanuel]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/17/AR2010121706598.html White House delayed rule meant to stop gun flow to Mexico] [[Washington Post]]</ref> Gun dealers have been required for decades to report the sales of multiple handguns to the ATF.

==Domestic affairs==

Line 149: Line 149:

Gays complained that Obama was slow to act to fulfill his ppromises and meet their agenda A proclamation signed June 1, 2009 mentioned <ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/potus-honors-lgbt-pride-month-by-not-supporting-same-sex-marriage-while-cheney-disagrees.html POTUS Honors LGBT Pride Month by Not Supporting Same Sex Marriage, While Cheney Disagrees] [[ABC News]]</ref>

*his administration’s international efforts to decriminalize homosexuality, the President said he would continue to

−

*''“support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT ~~Americans” -- enhancing~~ hate crimes laws,''

+

*''“support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans”—enhancing hate crimes laws,''

*''supporting [[civil unions]], outlawing :discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing''

*repeal ''"[[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]]" policy for [[gays]] and [[lesbians]] in the armed services.''''

Line 155: Line 155:

===Environmental policy===

−

[[File:Slide 6569 89213 small.jpg|right|300px|thumb|President Obama waited nine days before his first response and photo-op in the Gulf oil spill disaster<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/opinion/01sat1.html Unanswered Questions on the Spill] [[The New York Times]]</ref>.]]

+

[[File:Slide 6569 89213 small.jpg|right|300px|thumb|President Obama waited nine days before his first response and photo-op in the Gulf oil spill disaster.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/opinion/01sat1.html Unanswered Questions on the Spill] [[The New York Times]]</ref>]]

:''Main article : '''''[[Gulf oil spill disaster]]'''

The ''[[New York Times]]'' has reported since January 2009 the [[Obama]] administration has approved at least three huge oil and gas lease sales, 103 seismic blasting projects and 346 oil drilling plans.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14agency.html?partner=rss&emc=rss U.S. Said to Allow Drilling Without Needed Permits,] Ian Urbina, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 13 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.</ref> Documents from the [[Department of Interior]]'s [[Mineral Management Service]] (MMS) show that permission for those projects and plans was granted without getting the permits required under federal law.<ref>''NYT'', ibid.</ref> Federal records show one of the permits issued was for the well drilled by the Deepwater Horizon rig, which exploded on 20 April 2010, killing 11 workers<ref>''NYT,'' ibid.</ref> and resulting in nearly 30 million barrels of [[crude oil]] dumped into the [[Gulf of Mexico]], contaminating shorelines and killing wildlife, and by far the largest environmental disaster in the history of the [[United States]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28flow.html Estimates Suggest Spill Is Biggest in U.S. History,] Tom Zeller, Jr., ''[[The New York Times]], 27 May 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-33986-Political-Spin-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Worst-environmental-disaster-in-US-history-Oil-slick-in-Gulf-of-Mexico-is-set-on-fire Worst environmental disaster in US history,] Maryann Tobin, ''Examiner'', April 29, 2010.</ref><ref>http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/law_order_corporate_crime_unit_20100518/</ref>

−

President Obama personally approved offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico<ref~~>[http://www.~~csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0430/Gulf-of-Mexico-oil-spill-imperils-Obama-s-offshore-drilling-plan Gulf of Mexico oil spill imperils Obama's offshore drilling plan,] By Mark Clayton, ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref> and was widely criticized for his slow reaction to the drilling disaster. While authorizing offshore drilling<ref>[http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/the-oil-spill-is-obamas-fault/?src=twt&twt=NytimesKrugman Conscience of a Liberal: The Oil Spill Is Obama’s Fault,] [[Paul Krugman]], ''[[New York Times]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref> the president stated, "oil rigs today generally don’t cause spills. They are technologically very advanced."<ref>White House Press Release, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-discussion-jobs-and-economy-charlotte-north-carolina Remarks by the President in a Discussion on Jobs and the Economy in Charlotte, North Carolina,] Office of the Press Secretary, April 02, 2010. Retrieved from [[The White House|whitehouse.gov]] 3 May 2010.</ref><ref>''[http://members.greenpeace.org/blog/greenpeaceusa_blog/2010/04/30/president_obama_committed_to_endangering President Obama must reinstate moratorium on offshore drilling,]'' [[Greenpeace]] USA blogs, 30 Apr 2010.</ref><ref>http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/28/obama-katrina-spill/</ref>

+

President Obama personally approved offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico<ref name="csmonitor.com"/> and was widely criticized for his slow reaction to the drilling disaster. While authorizing offshore drilling<ref>[http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/the-oil-spill-is-obamas-fault/?src=twt&twt=NytimesKrugman Conscience of a Liberal: The Oil Spill Is Obama’s Fault,] [[Paul Krugman]], ''[[New York Times]]'', April 30, 2010.</ref> the president stated, "oil rigs today generally don’t cause spills. They are technologically very advanced."<ref name="whitehouse.gov">White House Press Release, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-discussion-jobs-and-economy-charlotte-north-carolina Remarks by the President in a Discussion on Jobs and the Economy in Charlotte, North Carolina,] Office of the Press Secretary, April 02, 2010. Retrieved from [[The White House|whitehouse.gov]] 3 May 2010.</ref><ref name="members.greenpeace.org">''[http://members.greenpeace.org/blog/greenpeaceusa_blog/2010/04/30/president_obama_committed_to_endangering President Obama must reinstate moratorium on offshore drilling,]'' [[Greenpeace]] USA blogs, 30 Apr 2010.</ref><ref name="wonkroom.thinkprogress.org">http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/28/obama-katrina-spill/</ref>

BP's exploration plan received in the Obama administration's MMS field office on 23 March 2009 states "no mitigation measures other than those required by regulation and BP policy will be employed to avoid, diminish or eliminate potential impacts on environmental resources." It declared any spill would have only "sub-lethal" effects on fish and marine [[mammal]]s but it was "unlikely that an accidental oil spill would occur from the proposed activities."<ref>[http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/initial_exploration_plan050410.pdf Initial Exploration Plan] [[Washington Post]]</ref> BP was granted a “categorical exclusion” by the Obama administration from a detailed environmental impact statement required under [[law]]<ref>[http://ceq.hss.doe.gov/nepa/regs/nepa/nepaeqia.htm The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.]</ref> according to reports in the ''[[Washington Post]].''<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050404118.html U.S. exempted BP's Gulf of Mexico drilling from environmental impact study,] Juliet Eilperin, ''[[Washington Post]],'' 5 May 2010.</ref>

Line 166: Line 166:

BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig was inspected by the Obama administration's [[Minerals Management Service]] (MMS) only two weeks before it exploded<ref>White House Press Office, [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/press-briefing-bp-oil-spill-gulf-coast Press Briefing on the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast,] 29 April 2010. Retrieved from [[The White House|whitehouse.gov]] 12 May 2010.</ref> killing 11 people and dumping 30 million barrels of oil in the Gulf. The rig had been awarded the ''Safety Award for Excellence'' in 2009 by the Obama MMS.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=66303 Democratic Leader Hoyer Doesn’t Know Whether Obama Administration was Prepared for Oil Spill,] Matt Cover, [[Cybercast News Service]], May 20, 2010.</ref><ref>MMS Thought Deepwater Horizon was Award-Winningly SAFE, The Project on Government Oversight, Exposing Government Corruption, 29 April 2010.</ref>

−

The Obama [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) gave BP the green light to apply its dispersant, Corexit as cosmetic relief to the spill.<ref>[http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/epa-bp-dispersants Why Is the EPA Letting BP Use Dirty Dispersants?], Kate Sheppard, ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'', 19 May 19 2010.</ref> Corexit was found to be 10 to 20 times more [[toxic]] to human and wild life than a dozen other dispersants approved by the EPA.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/business/energy-environment/13greenwire-less-toxic-dispersants-lose-out-in-bp-oil-spil-81183.html Less Toxic Dispersants Lose Out in BP Oil Spill Cleanup,] Paul Quinlan, ''Greenwire'', May 13, 2010. Retrieved from [[The New York Times]] 25 May 2010.</ref> Corexit is manufactured by Nalco of Naperville, Illinois, a company's whose current leadership includes several executives from BP. "It's a chemical that the oil industry makes to sell to itself, basically," said Richard Charter, a senior policy adviser for Defenders of Wildlife.<ref>''Greenwire'', ibid.</ref> At Congressional hearings investigating the Gulf oil spill disaster, [[Democratic]] Representative Jerrold Nadler of [[New York]] raised the prospect of "thousands and thousands of people getting sick or dying" as a result of the Obama administration's sanctioned use of the dispersant.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/science/earth/28workers.html Worry About Dispersant Rises as Men in Work Crew Complain of Health Problems,] Leslie Kaufman and Elizabeth Rosenthal, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 27 May 2010.</ref>

+

The Obama [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) gave BP the green light to apply its dispersant, Corexit as cosmetic relief to the spill.<ref>[http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/epa-bp-dispersants Why Is the EPA Letting BP Use Dirty Dispersants?], Kate Sheppard, ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'', 19 May 19, 2010.</ref> Corexit was found to be 10 to 20 times more [[toxic]] to human and wild life than a dozen other dispersants approved by the EPA.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/business/energy-environment/13greenwire-less-toxic-dispersants-lose-out-in-bp-oil-spil-81183.html Less Toxic Dispersants Lose Out in BP Oil Spill Cleanup,] Paul Quinlan, ''Greenwire'', May 13, 2010. Retrieved from [[The New York Times]] 25 May 2010.</ref> Corexit is manufactured by Nalco of Naperville, Illinois, a company's whose current leadership includes several executives from BP. "It's a chemical that the oil industry makes to sell to itself, basically," said Richard Charter, a senior policy adviser for Defenders of Wildlife.<ref>''Greenwire'', ibid.</ref> At Congressional hearings investigating the Gulf oil spill disaster, [[Democratic]] Representative Jerrold Nadler of [[New York]] raised the prospect of "thousands and thousands of people getting sick or dying" as a result of the Obama administration's sanctioned use of the dispersant.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/science/earth/28workers.html Worry About Dispersant Rises as Men in Work Crew Complain of Health Problems,] Leslie Kaufman and Elizabeth Rosenthal, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 27 May 2010.</ref>

===Cozy relationship with oil industry===

−

As Senator, and while running for president, [[Barack Obama]] has received more money from BP's [[Political Action Committee]] and individuals connected with BP than any other candidate over the past two decades, according to [[Federal Election Commission]] disclosure records.<ref>[http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0505/obama-biggest-recipient-bp-political-action-money-20-years Obama is biggest recipient of BP’s political action cash in the last 20 years,] John Byrne, 5 May 2010. Retrieved from rawstory.com 9 May 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/white-house-idea-that-bp-given-special-exemption-because-of-campaign-cash-to-obama-silly-and-ridiculous.html?cid=6a00d8341c4df253ef0134807669a3970c|title=White House: Idea that BP Given Special Exemption Because of Campaign Cash to Obama ~~“Silly~~ and ~~Ridiculous”~~|date=May 5, 2010|first=Jake|last=Tapper|work=[[ABC News]] Political Punch}}</ref><ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/04/on-thursday-oil-giant-bp.html</ref>

+

As Senator, and while running for president, [[Barack Obama]] has received more money from BP's [[Political Action Committee]] and individuals connected with BP than any other candidate over the past two decades, according to [[Federal Election Commission]] disclosure records.<ref>[http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0505/obama-biggest-recipient-bp-political-action-money-20-years Obama is biggest recipient of BP’s political action cash in the last 20 years,] John Byrne, 5 May 2010. Retrieved from rawstory.com 9 May 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/white-house-idea-that-bp-given-special-exemption-because-of-campaign-cash-to-obama-silly-and-ridiculous.html?cid=6a00d8341c4df253ef0134807669a3970c|title=White House: Idea that BP Given Special Exemption Because of Campaign Cash to Obama "Silly and Ridiculous"|date=May 5, 2010|first=Jake|last=Tapper|work=[[ABC News]] Political Punch}}</ref><ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/04/on-thursday-oil-giant-bp.html</ref>

===Riots===

:''Main article:'' '''[[Riots during the Obama Administration]]'''

−

The riots during the Obama Administration were a series of racially motivated conflagrations that erupted nationwide in the last half of [[President Barack Obama]]'s second term. Initially elected as America's first "post-racial" president<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18489466 A New, 'Post-Racial' Political Era in America] [[NPR]]</ref>, many African-Americans became increasingly disillusioned as Obama's presidency progressed.<ref>http://www.people-press.org/2014/12/08/sharp-racial-divisions-in-reactions-to-brown-garner-decisions/12-8-2014_08/ </ref> Critics charged Obama personally inflamed the rioters and lawless elements responsible for the destruction of property, businesses, and jobs in several American cities<ref>http://blog.blackbusiness.org/2014/08/black-businesses-in-ferguson-missouri-recovering-from-looting.html#.VWPqLzY4nTb </ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2015/04/protests-baltimore Protests in Baltimore It's chaos] [[The Economist]]</ref>. [[Pat Caddell]] and [[Doug Schoen]] noted early on in the [[Wall Street Journal]], "Rather than being a unifier, Mr. Obama has divided America on the basis of race, class and partisanship." Caddell and Schoen further stated, "President Obama's divisive approach to governance has weakened us as a people and paralyzed our political culture."<ref>Caddell, P.H. & Schoen, D.E. (2010, July 28). [http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703700904575391553798363586.html Our Divisive President]. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.</ref>

+

The riots during the Obama Administration were a series of racially motivated conflagrations that erupted nationwide in the last half of [[President Barack Obama]]'s second term. Initially elected as America's first "post-racial" president,<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18489466 A New, 'Post-Racial' Political Era in America] [[NPR]]</ref> many African-Americans became increasingly disillusioned as Obama's presidency progressed.<ref>http://www.people-press.org/2014/12/08/sharp-racial-divisions-in-reactions-to-brown-garner-decisions/12-8-2014_08/</ref> Critics charged Obama personally inflamed the rioters and lawless elements responsible for the destruction of property, businesses, and jobs in several American cities.<ref>http://blog.blackbusiness.org/2014/08/black-businesses-in-ferguson-missouri-recovering-from-looting.html#.VWPqLzY4nTb</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2015/04/protests-baltimore Protests in Baltimore It's chaos] [[The Economist]]</ref> [[Pat Caddell]] and [[Doug Schoen]] noted early on in the [[Wall Street Journal]], "Rather than being a unifier, Mr. Obama has divided America on the basis of race, class and partisanship." Caddell and Schoen further stated, "President Obama's divisive approach to governance has weakened us as a people and paralyzed our political culture."<ref>Caddell, P.H. & Schoen, D.E. (2010, July 28). [http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703700904575391553798363586.html Our Divisive President]. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.</ref>

==Senior Staff==

−

Bill Daley replaced [[Rahm Emanuel]] as chief of staff in early 2011; Emanuel retired under a cloud to run for Mayor of Chicago after allegations that favors were promised to Rep. [[Joe Sestak]] in the [[Jobsgate]] scandal; [[Robert Gibbs]] was ousted as press secretary in the wake of the disastrous [[2010 Midterm elections]]; [[Greg Craig]] was dispatched in less than one year as White House counsel after the botched handling of the Guantanamo closing and was replaced by Robert Bauer<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1940537,00.html The Fall of Greg Craig, Obama's Top Lawyer] [[Time Magazine]]</ref>; old Chicago friends [[Valerie Jarrett]] remained while [[David Axelrod]] fell victim the midterm White House shake up and returned to Chicago to head up fundraising for Obama's 2012 election bid.

+

Bill Daley replaced [[Rahm Emanuel]] as chief of staff in early 2011; Emanuel retired under a cloud to run for Mayor of Chicago after allegations that favors were promised to Rep. [[Joe Sestak]] in the [[Jobsgate]] scandal; [[Robert Gibbs]] was ousted as press secretary in the wake of the disastrous [[2010 Midterm elections]]; [[Greg Craig]] was dispatched in less than one year as White House counsel after the botched handling of the Guantanamo closing and was replaced by Robert Bauer;<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1940537,00.html The Fall of Greg Craig, Obama's Top Lawyer] [[Time Magazine]]</ref> old Chicago friends [[Valerie Jarrett]] remained while [[David Axelrod]] fell victim the midterm White House shake up and returned to Chicago to head up fundraising for Obama's 2012 election bid.

In private White House strategy sessions Dana Milbank of the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported Emanuel was bitterly opposed the effort to close the Guantanamo Bay prison early, arguing that it wasn't politically feasible. Obama overruled Emanuel. Emanuel fought against the plan to send [[Khalid Sheik Mohammed]] to New York for a trial. Emanuel lost. On health care Emanuel argued for a smaller bill with popular items that could win [[Republican]] support and opposed the public option as a needless distraction. Obama disregarded that strategy and sided with Congressional liberals who hoped to ram a larger, less popular bill through Congress with Democratic votes only. Milbank writes,

Line 185: Line 185:

===Jobsgate===

:''Main article:'' [[Jobsgate]]

−

Jobsgate refers to the scandal where former President [[Bill Clinton]] was asked by someone in the [[White House]] to offer Congressman [[Joe Sestak]] a federal job in exchange for his withdrawal from the [[Democratic]] primary election against incumbent U.S. [[Senator]] [[Arlen Specter]].<ref>Jeffrey Lord. [http://spectator.org/archives/2010/03/16/specter-opens-door-on-white-ho Specter Opens Door on White House Felonies], ''[[American Spectator]]'', March 16, 2010.</ref><ref>Tim Shoemaker. [http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=33660 Jobsgate: Obama's Watergate?], ''Campaign For Liberty'', March 18, 2010.</ref> Under [[America~~|American~~]] [[law]], it is a federal crime to offer someone a federal position in exchange for favors.<ref name=stonewall>Jeffrey Lord. [http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/17/gibbs-jobsgate-stonewall-day-2 Gibbs' Jobsgate Stonewall: Day 23], ''[[American Spectator]]'', March 18, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://vlex.com/vid/acceptance-solicitation-obtain-appointive-19190192 Watergate to Jobsgate], ''VOX'', March 17, 2010.</ref> Joe Sestak's allegation that President Clinton carried the message from the White House for a job if he were to drop out of the [[Pennsylvania]] [[~~2010_Midterm_Elections~~#~~Democratic_incumbents~~|Senate primary]] race against Arlen Specter may be an impeachable crime.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/25/congressman-white-house-job-offer-sestak-impeachable-offense/ Congressman: White House Job Offer to Sestak May Be an 'Impeachable' Offense], [[Fox News]], May 25, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593482,00.html Rove on Sestak-White House 'Job Offer': Somebody Broke the Law], ''[[Fox News]]'', May 25, 2010.</ref>

+

Jobsgate refers to the scandal where former President [[Bill Clinton]] was asked by someone in the [[White House]] to offer Congressman [[Joe Sestak]] a federal job in exchange for his withdrawal from the [[Democratic]] primary election against incumbent U.S. [[Senator]] [[Arlen Specter]].<ref>Jeffrey Lord. [http://spectator.org/archives/2010/03/16/specter-opens-door-on-white-ho Specter Opens Door on White House Felonies], ''[[American Spectator]]'', March 16, 2010.</ref><ref>Tim Shoemaker. [http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=33660 Jobsgate: Obama's Watergate?], ''Campaign For Liberty'', March 18, 2010.</ref> Under [[America]]n [[law]], it is a federal crime to offer someone a federal position in exchange for favors.<ref name=stonewall>Jeffrey Lord. [http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/17/gibbs-jobsgate-stonewall-day-2 Gibbs' Jobsgate Stonewall: Day 23], ''[[American Spectator]]'', March 18, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://vlex.com/vid/acceptance-solicitation-obtain-appointive-19190192 Watergate to Jobsgate], ''VOX'', March 17, 2010.</ref> Joe Sestak's allegation that President Clinton carried the message from the White House for a job if he were to drop out of the [[Pennsylvania]] [[2010 Midterm Elections#Democratic incumbents|Senate primary]] race against Arlen Specter may be an impeachable crime.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/25/congressman-white-house-job-offer-sestak-impeachable-offense/ Congressman: White House Job Offer to Sestak May Be an 'Impeachable' Offense], [[Fox News]], May 25, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593482,00.html Rove on Sestak-White House 'Job Offer': Somebody Broke the Law], ''[[Fox News]]'', May 25, 2010.</ref>

==Cabinet==

Line 195: Line 195:

===Cabinet Scandals===

[[Image:Cabinet09.jpg|thumb|300px]]

−

Scandal has already tainted the cabinet. [[Bill Richardson]] was nominated for Secretary of Commerce but had to withdraw when he became a party to a criminal investigation. The nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, [[Timothy Geithner]], was confirmed after a humiliating televised session in which he admitted not paying $34,000 in federal income taxes. [[Tom Daschle]] withdrew his nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services because he had avoided $140,000 in federal taxes over a period of years, and paid them only after he had been named to the cabinet<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31daschle.html?ref=us Robert Pear, "Use of Free Car Lands Tom Daschle in Tax Trouble," ''[[The New York Times]],'' Jan. 30, 2009] </ref>.

+

Scandal has already tainted the cabinet. [[Bill Richardson]] was nominated for Secretary of Commerce but had to withdraw when he became a party to a criminal investigation. The nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, [[Timothy Geithner]], was confirmed after a humiliating televised session in which he admitted not paying $34,000 in federal income taxes. [[Tom Daschle]] withdrew his nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services because he had avoided $140,000 in federal taxes over a period of years, and paid them only after he had been named to the cabinet.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31daschle.html?ref=us Robert Pear, "Use of Free Car Lands Tom Daschle in Tax Trouble," ''[[The New York Times]],'' Jan. 30, 2009]</ref>

Scandal also ruined the career of Nancy Killefer, nominated by President Obama to be the federal government's first chief performance officer. She too had evaded paying her taxes.

Line 209: Line 209:

It was much worse in Illinois, after Gov. [[Rod Blagojevich]] (a Democrat) sought to sell the Obama seat. Obama refused to bargain, so Blagojevich tried to auction it off, and was caught in FBI wiretaps. He was arrested and will face criminal trial in federal court, and was promptly impeached by the state legislature, with all the conservatives and Republicans there unanimous in calling for his ouster. Before he was forced out, Blagojevich named a light-weight replacement, [[Roland Burris]]. Democrats in Washington at first promised they would keep Burris out because of his tainting by the governor's maneuvers; they relented and were forced to seat Burris.

−

Burris admitted in February that he lied under oath to the Illinois legislature about his contacts with Blagojevich. Calls have been made for a perjury investigation that may lead to Burris's expulsion from the Senate..<ref>Natasha Korecki and Dave McKinney, "Illinois lawmakers mull Burris perjury probe," [http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/02/illinois_lawmakers_mull_burris.html ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' Feb. 14, 2009] </ref>

+

Burris admitted in February that he lied under oath to the Illinois legislature about his contacts with Blagojevich. Calls have been made for a perjury investigation that may lead to Burris's expulsion from the Senate.<ref>Natasha Korecki and Dave McKinney, "Illinois lawmakers mull Burris perjury probe," [http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/02/illinois_lawmakers_mull_burris.html ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' Feb. 14, 2009]</ref>

===Important Officials===

Line 323: Line 323:

Below is a list of present and past [[Obama administration]] officials who have had problems with being overweight:

−

1. Regina M. Benjamin - U.S. Surgeon General<ref>[http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/06/06/food_guide_efforts_are_a_waste/ Food guide efforts are a waste] [[The Boston Globe]]</ref>

+

1. Regina M. Benjamin - U.S. Surgeon General<ref name="Food guide efforts are a waste">[http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/06/06/food_guide_efforts_are_a_waste/ Food guide efforts are a waste] [[The Boston Globe]]</ref>

2. Katherine Archuleta - Political director<ref>http://newsone.com/nation/newsonestaff4/katherine-archuleta-obama-2012-campaign-director/</ref>

Line 331: Line 331:

=== Michelle Obama's Healthy Eating Initiative ===

−

[[Michelle Obama]] made the liberal media news cycle by promoting healthy eating from the White House garden. The food network filmed “Iron Chef America" showcasing Michelle's healthy food, cooking five dishes using the secret ingredient: produce from the [[White House]] garden. The two-hour special showed the chefs picking sweet potatoes, broccoli, fennel and tomatillos from the White House garden. An issue came to light that the foods were actually prepared in [[New York City]], speculating that the entire show was just staged to look like produce from her garden. <ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2010/01/14/everythings-staged-michelle-obamas-garden-food-was-fake/ Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake], [[Michelle Malkin]], January 14, 2010</ref> Also, her campaign against obesity has not stopped her and Barack from [http://conservapedia.com/Liberal_hypocrisy#The_Obamas_and_obesity taking their children out for ice cream while on vacation].

+

[[Michelle Obama]] made the liberal media news cycle by promoting healthy eating from the White House garden. The food network filmed “Iron Chef America" showcasing Michelle's healthy food, cooking five dishes using the secret ingredient: produce from the [[White House]] garden. The two-hour special showed the chefs picking sweet potatoes, broccoli, fennel and tomatillos from the White House garden. An issue came to light that the foods were actually prepared in [[New York City]], speculating that the entire show was just staged to look like produce from her garden.<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2010/01/14/everythings-staged-michelle-obamas-garden-food-was-fake/ Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake], [[Michelle Malkin]], January 14, 2010</ref> Also, her campaign against obesity has not stopped her and Barack from [http://conservapedia.com/Liberal_hypocrisy#The_Obamas_and_obesity taking their children out for ice cream while on vacation].

−

In Michelle Obama's first interview on the [[Fox News]] network, she would tout her responsible-eating initiative for kids. She would highlight the Obama Administration's $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative and her "Let's Move" campaign, which educates the danger of obese children and healthy eating. <ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61I5E820100219 U.S. launches program to end "food deserts", February 19, 2010] [[Reuters]]</ref> She would tie the promises of the program to saying it would create 5000 jobs and pointed out that childhood obesity is a threat to national security. She urges children and parents to just skip "food desserts".

+

In Michelle Obama's first interview on the [[Fox News]] network, she would tout her responsible-eating initiative for kids. She would highlight the Obama Administration's $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative and her "Let's Move" campaign, which educates the danger of obese children and healthy eating.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61I5E820100219 U.S. launches program to end "food deserts", February 19, 2010] [[Reuters]]</ref> She would tie the promises of the program to saying it would create 5000 jobs and pointed out that childhood obesity is a threat to national security. She urges children and parents to just skip "food desserts".

She would promote healthy eating initiatives for schools. Barack sought and passed legislation costing more than $4 billion. It is a horrible example of nanny state politics with draconian requirements on what can or cannot be sold at school bake sales and at the school cafeteria.

=== Michelle Obama greeted an overweight U.S. Surgeon General for the MyPlate initiative ===

−

In June of 2011, [[Michelle Obama]] greeted an overweight U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin as they introduced the MyPlate initiative.<ref~~>[http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/06/06/food_guide_efforts_are_a_waste/~~ Food guide efforts are a waste~~] [[The Boston Globe]]<~~/~~ref~~>

+

In June 2011, [[Michelle Obama]] greeted an overweight U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin as they introduced the MyPlate initiative.<ref name="Food guide efforts are a waste"/>

=== Barack and Michelle Obama and a burger joint ===

−

In August of 2011, [[Barack Obama]] and his staff ate a high calorie meal at a burger joint. Obama said concerning his wife, "Michelle eats here all the time".<ref>[http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-celebrates-debt-deal-with-1700-calorie-staff-lunch-at-burger-joint/ Obama Celebrates Debt Deal With ’1,700′-Calorie Staff Lunch at Burger Joint] [[The Blaze]]</ref>

+

In August 2011, [[Barack Obama]] and his staff ate a high calorie meal at a burger joint. Obama said concerning his wife, "Michelle eats here all the time".<ref>[http://www.theblaze.com/stories/obama-celebrates-debt-deal-with-1700-calorie-staff-lunch-at-burger-joint/ Obama Celebrates Debt Deal With ’1,700′-Calorie Staff Lunch at Burger Joint] [[The Blaze]]</ref>

==See also ==

Line 364: Line 364:

==References==

−

[[Category: Barack Hussein Obama]]

+

[[Category:Barack Hussein Obama]]

[[Category:Obama Administration]]

[[Category:Hillary Clinton]]

DavidB4-bot

Block, SkipCaptcha, Automoderated users, Bots, edit

57,719

edits

Changes

Obama Administration (view source)

Revision as of 13:06, June 24, 2016

Navigation menu

Search