Enjoy the reading….
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D. Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University"
Email: rwatson@lynn.edu
I am always being asked to grade Obama’s presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama’s critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
1.. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier’s family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist’s access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21 The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with theGeneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held bySomali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expandednational youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49.. Ended the previous practice of protectingcredit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57 Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorpsprogram
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation’s healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office
Filed under: President Barack Obama, Robert P. Watson Ph. D. |
Dancy Communications Network - The DCN 
I don’t believe in picking a party just because my parents were Republicans, Independents or Democrats. Why is it people fall on one side or another instead of taking a step back to see the bigger picture of who will be the best man for the job; senator, governor, president, etc? With this said, I am always curious as to why it is that when Bush was in office all sorts of comments, jokes and criticism took place (by members of the media and citizens) yet if people try to state their disappointments or unhappiness with Obama in any way, there is always someone out there who voices this is being done because “he is black”. Really? That’s odd because first of all, he is half black and half white. Secondly, Obama was not elected by only the African-American community. It was people of all walks of life who voted for Obama and he won big time. So why is it that no one can point a finger without their comments being labeled as “racist” such as with Trump’s comments in recent days? Why was it that a member of the NAACP was quick to judge and accuse people that it is a “black” thing when it isn’t? The ridiculous antics of Whoopi Goldberg were shocking. What does any of it have to do with our Preesident’s JOB performance? It is a job folks. A tough one and he knew what he was getting into when he ran for President. So this is part of the job when things don’t go well, there is and should be questionis raised and criticism if it is earned. Period! It’s as if no one can say anything that is negative about Obama for fear, especially after those recents “racial” labelings, that one may be considered a racist or that Obama’s being picked on because he is Black. How ridiculous and ignorant is this? Those who are quick to say such things (whether it is because they are true Obama supporters or because they may be too sensitive due to their race) ony demonsrate how far off the mark they are, and come across politically ignorant. I don’t believe it helps our President or anyone of any color or race in or running for political office. Focus on the truth of the matter and stop using Obama’s race as a way of intimidating others from expressing what they think or how they feel. Yes, thank God for freedom of speech, but use it wisely people. Don’t take us back to before Civil right times. We have an African-American President. Enough said.
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To question why some folks choose to do things because their parents did it is just funny as hell to me. We always talk about parents being good parents and we growing up to be productive like them but every time I turn around when it comes to politics some folks want to change their train of thought to justify a point as it relates to race, party and etc. Well it don’t work that way. Later in life people sometimes step out of the family tradition but not when they first get into the real world. But if it worked for their family they may feel it is good enough for them.
What is your point that “Our” President is half white and half black when anyone with any knowledge of how that works should know that he is considered a black man so forget all of that b.s. half and half means nothing. Hell my Great Grand Dad was white so what?
Hell yeah some folks are racist when it comes to “Our” President and they have been before and all during his Presidency.
I have no problem with other folks thinking different from me as long as they keep it real and don’t attempt to mislead folks. In other words as long as they tell the truth about an issue, people and etc. I can agree to disagree but when they get ignant to the facts then this is where I draw the line.
Funny you mention “Don’t take us back to before Civil Rights times” but damn that Tea Party and the like have been preaching taking our country back. Back to where? Oh hell, I mean oh well!! LMBAO!!
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ALL TALK NO ACTION GET THE PIECE OF TRASH OUT OF OUR HOUSE
Note: You are confused you are talking about your house and your house only. Damn almost 4 years later and ya still haven’t gotten over the black man being in office. LMBAO!!
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aww one day it would be nice if the GOP/Rep would take some accountability of assisting in slowly tearing down this country for the past twelve years while they were in the House. Nothing was built nor nothing made. All was just war and play that the people of this country will continue to pay. The question is how much did the Bush administration make off the Iraq war, for they Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rums field were all in the Oil business.. None of the money was accounted for even though Congress kept asking for a item list n would always come up with some kind of excuse… I used to be for GOP/ Rep but not anymore for all I have seen is selfishness, greed n they never will work with Mr. Obama, they stated that since day one.. But in time this country will see all the hard work that Mr. Obama assisted this country in a better direction but the sad part of it all is they will give all the credit to the GOP/Rep….. thanks to underhanded lying media coverage.
A Proud American Army Brat Citizen.
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To begin with, Presidernt Obama has relentlessly complained about the financial mess he inherited. I think he would like those of us who follow current events impartially to forget that he and the Democrats took control of the Legislature after 2006, and played a large role in creating the mess he inherited. When he was a Senator he was ranked the most liberal member of the Senate because he never turned down a spending bill that came before him, except for Iraq war funding bills, of course.
When President Bush and Senator McCain tried to stop the growing madness of the house of cards of sub-prime loans being purchased willy nilly by Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae, insured by AIG, it was Democrats like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank and Maxine Waters who thwarted them. Here, watch this news report of how it all unfolded sequentially:
So, for the President to try to pass the buck back to Bush is clearly bogus and designed to fool the gullible or uninformed. I hope President Bush has exposed some of this in his new book.
Since 2006, Obama and the Democrats have run up the national debt by $5 TRILLION in 4 years. This after the country’s national debt had increased to $8 trillion in the previous 230 years from the first George W. to the last George W. In spite of pouring all these trillions down various rat holes, the unemployment has doubled to 10% from 5% in 2006.
The average deficit in the 8 years of Bush was 2.5% of GDP. It is 11% now, which is evidence of the wasted billions under Obama and the Democrats. At least Bush’s spending generated economic growth and jobs.
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Lest the Fox News talkers here prevail, I offer as follows: First, the assertion that the media is leaning left may have been true in times past, but today, it’s a free-for-all of bashing our President and anything he tries to do, and adoration of the Tea Party, and ignoring completely any similar rallies/demonstrations by non-Republican/non Tea Party entities. With few exceptions, any radio talk show on the bandwidth is actively engaged in ridiculing this President, and extolling the virtues of ridiculous caricatures such as Sarah Palin, Christine O’Donnell, Michele Bachman, Glenn Beck — I am genuinely questioning my own generous assessment of our society as being one of thoughtful, analytical, rational people — Next, this President has not increased the deficit more than Bush — not by anyone’s math — unless you are all in favor of giving a free pass on the costs of both un-budgeted wars AND the unaccounted-for cost of the medicare/medicaid changes AND the loss of revenue resulting from the Bush tax cuts (YES-pushed thru by Reconciliation tyvm Forthemorons) — do you even believe your own ridiculous claims here? I would agree that some of the Professor’s list of accomplishments are “tried to do” vs. “did-do” items, but even still, name one President who has faced this magnitude of challenges and who has even attempted to do this much in the timeframe allowed for here (13 months)(?) All the while facing the dilemma of an obstructionist minority party filibustering every initiative, including those undeniably in the best interests of American workers. Witness the election process at hand, with the Citizens United ruling allowing for corporations and foreign entities to buy our elections. Do you agree that whoever can afford to pay for more slanderous ads should win the right to represent you? Do you? Go ahead, disappoint me more … I can take it
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Dear Dr. Watson:
I am deeply troubled that a person with a P.H.D. has written such an article that is not well thought out at all.
First and foremost, Mr. Obama record is not as great as you report it to be in my humble opinion.
1. The bank bailout was not a sucess but a failure in my opinion (AIG, Lehman Bro. Goldman Sachs). Dr. Watson if your businesses fails will Uncle Sam bail you out? Or is this a privelage extended to the corporate elite?
2. Since when is the government purupose to be running the auto industry or any other industry that it deems should be taken over.
3. And your 1st point is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, since when is Mr. Obama concerened about cutting government spending. When he has done more to increase the deficit than George Bush ever did.
4. How about Mr. Obama blasting BP officials for blaming each other. Then every opportunity he gets to remind the American public that he did not create this mess he inherited it. Excuse me Mr. Obama are you know casting blame? He was elected to solve the problem not participate in the blame game.
5. As a former Marine, since when do enemy combatants get entitlement to Miranda Rights when they were not captured on American Soil, how about Military Courts.
6. The housing rescue plan that is working oh-so well. Mr. Obama could have but, failed to pressure Congress to allow bankruptcy judges the ability to offer modifications on their loans in the event the banks were not willing to however, he failed to do so. Subsequently, if you have been following the news his rescue plan is not working.
Finally, change has not come to Washington, it is business as usual. Mr. Obama’s appeal is wearing off and those who supported his agenda are now being voted out.
Otis Cutler-
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1. Success depends on what you measure it by. Are you saying that it is not a success because the government may not bail you out in a time of need?
2. If the government had not bailed out the automakers, the fallout from it would have been catastrophic. If GM alone went under, that would be almost a quarter of a million more people out of work. Now, look beyond that. The parts suppliers, the equipment/robotics suppliers, the accountants & lawyers, the paint companies… the list would be very long as to who would be hurt by it. You think unemployment is bad now???
3. He’s concerned with getting rid of unnecessary spending, and spending on programs that don’t work. Yes, he has spent a TON of money… but again, if he hadn’t, where do you suppose we would be?
4. That’s apples and oranges. The BP officials were actively involved in the decisions that led to the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon. Obama was NOT in office at the start of the slaughter of our economy. Like it or not, Bush left a mess.
5. We’re America. That’s what we should do. (Yes, I realize we don’t always take the high road… but we should)
6. You’re right on this one. The housing plan doesn’t seem to be working very well. I’d like to think that they have good reasons for not allowing bankruptcy judges to handle loan modifications… I just don’t know what they are.
The bottom line is, there are a lot of really smart people in Washington DC. Do they use that intelligence all the time? No… at least, it doesn’t seem so. But, they know a lot more about the situation than we do.
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Wow, this is really amazing. At the first paragraph I am falling over.
The media biased far, far left. Anybody with half a brain knows this. Liberals know it. Conservatives know it. The question is not even debated anymore, because we basically all acknowledge that the general media outlets are so far left leaning.
Yet Robert would have us believe that the media is “focusing only on Obama’s critics” and not lauding him every chance they get? Wake up and smell the coffee man!
In the press we hear almost nothing negative about Obama (I won’t bother posting that long list here). We hear only positive.
In the press we hear almost nothing about the reasons Obama has critics. When we do hear about them they are basically dismissed as somehow backward or obstructionist.
What a joke this article is.
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That’s has been the same with any president – democratic or republican!
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Dr. Watson, Thank you for compiling this list. I would add…
#91 – White House Garden. Even though our First Lady may get credit for this… They are a team and this has taken place during his term. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Story-of-the-White-House-Garden/
#92 -No ordering of new White House plates. The First Family are using plates from prior administrations for official white house visits.
#93 – Opening the White House again to guest tours.
#94 – Blogging and speaking in far more open forums. I finally feel like I know what our elected leader is doing. And I no longer cringe during open mike talks. It is a relief to finally have a well educated, well read leader in the White House.
Again, I thank you for compiling this list.
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Open letter to the professor…
I have seldom seen a less honest piece propaganda in my life.
It’s absurdity was only overshadowed by it’s dishonesty.
You are a pseudo-intellectual at best.
Why not prove you are worthy to teach our youth by compiling a list of all BO’s lies?
I do realize that would be a much longer and grievous list but you could
limit it to actual lies instead of including possible or stated intentions as if
they were done things as you did on your hoax list.
I am only personally familiar with one history professor that should be held in lower regard than you.
That “teacher” told the class that the moon landing was a hoax and when
it was proved to that the US choice to use the bomb on Japan was the only sane course
failed to understand why we hadn’t used it on the Germans.
Her abysmal ignorance of the facts of history are the only one I have heard that rise to
the level of the ignorance of current history you display in your list.
You should be ashamed, but as I have seen again and again
the left has little shame or conscience at all.
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right
to tell people what they do not want to hear.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth
is a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell
“It takes the highest courage to utter unpopular truths.” —Herbert Spencer
“He who does not bellow out the truth when he knows the truth
makes himself the accomplice of liars and forgers.” – Charles Peguy
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Alex-please let us know if you’re successful in getting a source list. I too will not forward/put my name behind anything stated as factual without it. Too bad some are not shamed by spreading falsehoods; that’s immoral in any good book…
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Immoral? I wouldn’t take it to that extreme.
How is forwarding something with someone else name and email included not being a source? It definitely says it is not your wording if someone else is saying it. Damn the person’s name which includes Ph. D. and start out saying, “I am always being asked to grade Obama’s presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far.”
So what more do you want?
The source: Robert P. Watson Ph. D.
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Note: The following was posted by an Alex, however I accidentally deleted it. Alex to respond to your questions what you need to do is contact Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.. He has his email listed so it should not be a problem with contacting him.
Alex says: I’d like to be able to use this to send to my friends that complain so much, but I can only do that if the information is qualified. What are the sources? Where did he get this information? I reference online to each of the 90 items would be most helpful. The reader could then visit the source and determine for themselves whether it’s indeed a result of Obama’s work or otherwise.
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okay what about prison reform, pollution reform, state by state assessement on corruption and spending.
police reform, tax cuts for poor and middle class. boys and girls clubs of america need to be able to give free day care to poor.
newjersey and new york need a license and insurance investigation.
credit scores process need to be revamped and or errased
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Let’s see, he’s accomplished much in 1 year and 8 months.
So sorry that he’s not addressing your personal agenda during his term.
Police reform, boys & girls clubs are local, not federal.
Credit scores are private, not governmental.
You’re trying to address state issues at the federal level.
Are you totally unimpressed with his accomplishments, or are you just grasping at straws trying to negate them?
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#91 Over 10% unemployment
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Really?
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You cannot blame the 10% unemployment on Obama. That is sheer ignorance. That train was rolling far before Obama took office, and the same thing (if not worse) would’ve happened if McCain had won.
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Exactly, McCain was in denial that we were even in a recession. Thank goodness he didn’t take office!
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Even if all these accomplishments are not true,at least there has been some attention given. Can the past administration over an eight year period even begin to compare? May God bless him in all he(Obama) attempts to accomplish for the good of America, and the world,and may God grant His grace and mercy on those that try to tear him apart with their negative and hater agendas……………..Marty Mack
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I think the president deserves credit for some of the work that he has done but this list contains a lot of false information. Unfortunately, by giving too much credit to the President, the professor actually diminishes the few accomplishments that this administration has actually accomplished.
Sadly, this type of exaggeration is very similar to how the tea baggers behave.
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Please tell us what is false and then maybe you can receive some credit. Exaggeration?
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Wonderful. Can this be shared on Facebook?
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Yes. When I post information on my blog, it goes to my Facebook page. However anyone can put it on theirs as well.
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Dr. Watson,
Continue to research the facts and speak out. Many of us appreciate your time and commitment to the current political agenda.
I say shame on those who sat right next to President Bush for eight years while he ran the country into a colossal deficit and now have the audacity to cry overspending? There is something scary in that type of thinking. Nevertheless, it is time for the pundits to back off and give healthcare reform an opportunity to work.
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Robert, Robert, Robert – you must not read the Wall Street Journal, if you did you would get “the rest of the story” most of these are half truths or complete untruths.
lets just consider one big one you forgot…..Health Care. 1-increase the covered number of people by 30 million, it will cut the deficit, and not cost “one thin dime more to the public” REALLY, please name one government run program that’s in the black????
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Phonse Phonse Phonse you like those 10 second scary and intimidating sound bytes from the right, do ya?
All the ‘right’ have done ALL along is feed misinformation (what the rest of us call outright lies) for keeping with their ‘agenda’ of sleeping w/ corporate america for the power and greed and do not give one rats a** about lowly tax paying americans…except how to keep getting their $$$ from them to support their republican lies— bottom line
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P.S. the CBO (means Congressional Budget Office– figuring you didn’t do your homework) agreed that health care reform will NOT increase the deficit but infact will save over 1 trillion $$$ in the next 20 years…this health care bill is paid for unlike the ‘Bush’ tax cuts that were NOT paid for and added to our deficit AND A REMINDER were shoved through using RECONCILIATION YEAH the big scary reconciliation that has never been used before according to the republican LIARS
NOW THAT’S GREED AND SCREWING THE TAX PAYERS BIG TIME… would ya think??!!!!
The ‘republicans’ after the last 8 years DO NOT have a fiscal leg to stand on, as they should quite simply take their deflated family jewels, and hang their impudent heads and just go home…
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the question is still unanswered. Name the govt program (entitlement) thats in the black!
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How about the aid to G.M.? Govt already being paid back w/interest.
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Ya thats a joke if they paid it back with interest that fast they didnt need it in the first place its a lie
Note: To say some body or entity don’t need help to get back on their feet in the short term is just ignant as hell. But thanks for your comment. However the main thing for some folks it does not matter what our President does it will not matter to them because they are not pleased with having a Black President. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher
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