pointing out his granddaughter’s recent accomplishment of buying an iPad with all the money she saved over the last eight months.

I'm curious as to why Newt failed to mention where the money came from that she managed to save...

When I was growing up and then when raising my daughter, we had something known as an allowance for doing chores around the house!

Newt would make Charles Dickens proud!

Oliver; *can I have some more please'?

Newt; *get the hell out of here kid - go scrub some toilets until your knuckles bleed and then come back & see me*!

I bet it wasn't from cleaning toilets!

Gingrich.

Who wouldn't want to meet this fat, 'me-first' pig in a dark alley somewhere?

What a piece of non-human garbage.

Girl...that fool is crazy. You've got people with post-secondary degrees...people who have been in the workforce for decades not being able to find work/good work and yet I'm supposed to believe that the Job Creators (out of the goodness of the hearts) are going to hire "really poor" kids out of "really poor" neighborhoods as workers and that those same Job Creators are going to do everything above and beyond the law to protect working conditions and treatment of their new found workforce?!?!?

You run with that Newt. Next time Callista wants a new pair of family jewels to play with, I'm certain you'll be sure to reminder her to buy the diamonds made the by the 12 year old that Tiffany's hired.

So Feisty what happens when your parents have no money to pay allowance?

Best thing I ever did was get a job when I was 16. Had to save up to buy my first car - a $75 beater, that got me to work and back to a better job after I got it, but also to my girlfriend's house and the beach.

Sad part is Allan is right. Rich kids, poor kids, all, and especially too many young adults [hello my silly little OWS-ers] have no real work ethic.

It only helps people to understand, as early in life as possible, that hard work is the only way to get ahead.

You beat 50% of the people by showing up. You beat another 40% by working hard. But that last 10% is a DOGFIGHT in the free market.

And don't we all want our kids to get into the top 5% at least?

It's out there, all they have to do is go and get it.

Feisty, when my daughter decided she wanted more money than her allowance, at 16, she got a part time job tossing pizzas. The deal was, her grades drop, the pizza job got dropped. Well, the grades dropped, and her next job was tossing books - as in studing and doing homework. Grades came right back up.

We can teach our kids responsibility without forcing them to get an outside job. Homework, school activities should be their first full time job!!!!!

"pointing out his granddaughter’s recent accomplishment of buying an iPad with all the money she saved over the last eight months"

Ok, Newt is really sounding crazed......

Was his grandkid paid to guard the door (Newt was busy with someone else behind the door)...and stomp 3 times if Callista was approaching!

How on Gods green earth could anyone support this arrogant blowhard fool!

Feisty, when my daughter decided she wanted more money than her allowance, at 16, she got a part time job tossing pizzas.

Same here phinephancy!

My parents bought me a car at 16 and it was up to me to pay for the gas & insurance so I went to work waitressing tables!

It was the same with my daughter except she went into retail!

Homework, school activities should be their first full time job!!!!!

Along with enjoying their childhood!

Lord knows their innocence is lost far too early...

Look at my man Drive By - ratcheting up the personal attacks and now advocating violence.

Tell us tough guy, just what would you do if you met him in an alley?

How exactly is he 'non-human?'

And again phinep - what of all the parents who cannot afford an allowance?

And since you constantly refer to his weight, perhaps you could tell us what your BMI is these days?

Newt,

Surely you jest. How would you possibly suggest that children work in labor intensive jobs like janetorial services in order to earn a little extra money. Perhaps you need to pick up a copy of David Copperfield, which as you should know, is largely an autobiographical account of the experiences of Charles Dickens who worked in a boot blacking factory for twelve hours a day to support his family while Dad spent all of his wages on drink and gambling. This is what you are supporting in the 21st century. You call yourself an "historian," but perhaps you feel that big business in the United States could sacrifice the childhood or even the lives of our youth in return for cheap wages for youngsters who are undereducated, malnourished and in poor health in the name of corporate profit.

How dare you bring up your grandchild, who probably got 10 bucks every time she walked the dog or made her bed, and compared that to children living in poverty who wouldn't get to buy a GD Ipad! You are a sick man Newt.

Go back to selling your "what if" history books that portray Confederate victories where there were none.

@ chilled

How on Gods green earth could anyone support this arrogant blowhard fool!

A better question is how could anyone support the the arrogant failure tool we currently have?

I will take Gingrich any day over Obama. At least he has a track record of success. But then again I would take a can of soup over Obama. At least the soup as an inanimate object could not cause the level of harm BHO has.

ABO 2012

There is a big difference between being 16 and getting a job, and being 12 and being forced to scub toilets. Seriously, I don't know where this pompous ass gets off. Oh, and I'd like to know what kind of job these poor kids will get, if there are no jobs, to begin with!

Spanky, you missed my point (surprise). Fine, let kids get a part time job - as long as it does NOT interfere with their first priority - an education!

And what's up with wanting to know my BMI?

"Tell us tough guy, just what would you do if you met him in an alley?"

Probably the same thing I'd do to you, IF you showed up without weapons and a bag of s'mores. "Coursre, you'd probably go looking for a cop or a lawyer or something afterwards.

"And what's up with wanting to know my BMI?"

I think he meant me. Not sure why he would want to know my Ball Mass Index, tho'.

phinep - that was directed to Drive By, who seems to have a particular fascination with Newt's weight.

Drive By - are you saying you'd hit me? Get all violent?

Really? Wow - you really are a tough guy. On an anonymous board.

Now, I'm just speculating, but I suspect that I am at least five inches taller, and 10 years younger than you. And then there is the weapon thing.

But I'm sure you are much better looking and have a bigger 'ball mass.' Fact maybe we should just start calling you "Big Balled Jimmy?"

Besides, we all know Newt would take you out with one big old head butt. :)

Gotta concede to the head-butt, lil fella. God knows he's got a HUGE one.

But hey- if you want to condone a pig like Newt, go for it. You do have that freedom, I guess.

Anonymous boards. Weapons. Yep- they bring out the bravado in folks for real, huh? SO- would you call a cop on me, old pal, old friend? You'd do that to ME?? Awww.....

I'd whip his ass if I met him In the proverbial alley for insulting poor people...Now poor people don't work at all? Guess what my family is now poor because of these GOP windbags and now my wife works at a chain restaurant instead of my good paying job that supported my family of seven...

And of course this fat blowhard advocates child labor, hell even child slave labor... That's where his ho's diamonds come from,child slave labor in africa where they do all kinds of scary things too people of color....UUghh..

Spanky: You need to go back and ask Buckwheat for his opinion on all this if you claim to be his freind..

I am on the corner of 63rd and reedland in south west philly hows that for anonimity, and I'll bet you aren't bigger and tougher than me I have never met a rich,soft,republican besides Arnold who is redneck

You liberal progressive socialists can twist this all you want, but Mr. Gingrich was correct in his statement that children in some neighborhoods have no working role models who are not selling drugs or sex. My children see me go off to work and know that I work for the money that supports our family. Welfare children see their parent(s) sitting at home collecting government checks. Since children very often follow in the footsteps of their parents then it is reasonable to assume that welfare children are far more likely to not finish school, not go to college, not work and continue the circle. But why assume it when the data confirms it.

Since the creation of the welfare state the poor of America have failed to improve their standing even though we have poured trillions of dollars into solving the problem. Should we keep that up?

No where did Mr. Gingrich suggest that any child could be forced to work as some of you suggested.

As a man whose father was a coal miner I was taught the value of hard work. I had multiple jobs in high school, built a very large paper route, and managed to pay for my entire engineering degree by myself. Hard work builds character and it pays off.

Drive By - now why would I call a cop?

Cops come after crimes take place. I take a more proactive role.:)

Oh my god a head butt from Newt would be like getting hit with a five gallon bucket full of crap. It could kill or mame you DBO. On the other hand you can't miss with your jab.

I am glad I live in the land of snitches get stitches.....Some people just can't survive here..

“Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits for working and have nobody around them who works. So they literally have no habit of showing up on Monday,”

I love it! He insulted Children and Poor adults in the same breath! Awesome! I guess he really doesn't want to win. Or is it that he is bank on the premise that poor people don't vote? Well either way he's a callous ass.

I guess if China can do it, we can do it. Go America!

Rational AmericCAN right on!

At no point in time did Newt say he wanted to see 12 year olds scrubbing toilets. He said college students, which usually means over 18, should get a job to help pay for school. He used custodial services as an example. There are alot of children out there with virtually no parents for a number of different reasons. Having a job would, depending on the individual, be a beneficial experience and you get paid for it. What kid, heck person, does not like getting money.

The other side of the argument is equally as true. Newt did not mention anything about rich brats with no work ethic. Working at a college I do see alot of that. For this demographic though I suspect it is really up to the parents not to give them everything they want.

For both groups it really comes down to parenting. Newt offered a suggestion. Take it as such.

The reason conservatives will support Newt on this is because when illegals are deported, who will do the jobs no one else can support themselves with except minors still living at home?

His comments are nothing but a diversion...

His point... at this time... is what? Inner city kids are lazy? And that's why they're unemployed? We are physically short jobs for roughly 10% of our population, why? Because they're lazy? What a load...

This sh!t-for-brains garbage mouth basically slammed the poor (again) and tried to move the blame for joblessness from the real source to the unemployed themselves.

It's like blaming the raped for the way they dress and for "asking for it"... but, yes, that would be Newt.

I didn't ready anything in the article about illegals but I'll play.

Wasn't Newt one of the few in the GOP that stated he wanted to find some way to make it legal for families, here illegaly, that had been here for some time with roots in the communities to stay?

I'm not sure if I'm going to support Newt or not. We need someone good now more than ever. I actually wish Hillary would run.

I picked crops as a kid, and I rode my bike 26 miles a day on a paper route, starting about 9 years old. (I gathered filberts starting when I was 3.)

I had money in my pockets, I was thin and strong. I was prepared with grit to compete well in school sports. My dad worked hard for the family money, too.

I believe hard work as a child is the most important aspect of education that there is.

"Welfare children see their parent(s) sitting at home collecting government checks. Since children very often follow in the footsteps of their parents then it is reasonable to assume that welfare children are far more likely to not finish school, not go to college, not work and continue the circle. But why assume it when the data confirms it."

Except you didn't provide any 'data', just your opinion. You're assuming everyone who is poor is on welfare and that no one in the whole neighborhood works. Ever heard of the working poor? How many minimum wage jobs would it take to support a family?

"He said college students, which usually means over 18, should get a job to help pay for school."

Then why would child labor laws have anything to do with it? And you're aware that there's a good bit of research indicating that school performance suffers when students work more than 15 hours per week, right? Getting an education should be job #1.

Is my opinion wrong DrDr? Is it a one sized fits all discussion? No, of course not. But it is not wrong. Hardly.

Some people will argue against the anything no matter what.

As a landlord to many working poor I feel confident talking at length on the matter.

"Is my opinion wrong DrDr? Is it a one sized fits all discussion? No, of course not. But it is not wrong. Hardly."

YOU said the data support it. So provide it. Or admit it's an opinion based on feelings rather than facts.

"As a landlord to many working poor I feel confident talking at length on the matter."

So these aren't folks who are all on welfare if they're working poor, right? And you have anecdotal evidence only, it seems.

So we have conservatives wanting to remove restrictions on child labor and abolish the minimum wage. We will soon be able to compete with Indonesian sneaker factories. Just chain those little gutter-snipes to their sowing stations and America will be back on top in no time.

This is for all you Gingrich supporters read it and thinck about your constitutional rights being trashed http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/01/appalling-moments-in-newtspeak !!! RON PAUL 2012

“Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits for working and have nobody around them who works. So they literally have no habit of showing up on Monday,” Gingrich told more than 500 employees inside the Nationwide Insurance lunchroom.

This comment is staggering in its prejudice and ignorance of the poor. The broad brush characterization of Americas poor is stunning! If Mr. Gingrich truly feels this way about all of the poor, it reveals his hard heart and poor character. HE is the one who is POOR!

HE is the LAST person who should be President of the United States of America which embodies all cultures, economic levels, religions and all of the dynamics of a free country. This comment is so far from the teaching and wisdom of Christ.

Surely the GOP/TP people who profess moral Christian family values can see this? My God what has this political party come to????

Gingrich won't back off support for relaxed child labor laws

He wants them to work so he can rob them of their monies as our government does to the rest of the Adult workers. Tax the adults, soon there will be a tax-code for teens as well. This isn't about teaching kids how to learn work ethics, it's about how to keep the dumb and stealing their money from them as they do to the rest of the American's with taxes.

Look how fat this Gingrich pig is. He needs more money to feed his fat and sorry azz off the backs of the people.

Why don't we make him work for a change instead of letting him live off the taxpayers incomes.

your right on in your statement. still the GOP are blind and hide behind an image of who they supposedly are, not the money grubbing lowlife traitors they really are

When I was a high school student in Kaiserslaughtern Germany, An D.O.D. American High school, there was a program run by the German Government. If a person needed a job the German Government told the man or woman to report to a location and be ready to put in a long hard day of road work or custodial work.

Before the conservatives pounce on this, this worked only because the German government gave their citizens a choice. They take care of the Disabled and the elderly. They have a cradle to grave health care system. They have tax payer funded education all the way to the University level. They had those things when I was there in 1978. Whether all those policies are still in effect, I don't know.

If the same thing is to be attempted in the United States, I am all for it if everything Germany had, or has, in 1978 is implimented. It will mean higher taxes for every one in tax brackets available to pay the taxes. To do anything less is to create a kind of economic slavery among the poor. Childrens first and most important job is their school work. Not being subject to impressment into semi bondage by the Government.

If such a program is implimented, how long before poverty becomes a capital crime in the United States followed by the creation of slaves subject to state control? May God Damn the conservatives in the GOP for all time if this is the way they ressurect the institution of slavery.

I misspelled resurrect.

There is no doubt that the kids of the wealthy tend to be lazy. So what? Their parents are paying their way.

When I was a kid (young teen) I picked beans, strawberries, radishes and onions. My senior year in high school I cleaned toilets. None of those jobs paid much but they were better than nothing. I had a few bucks in my pocket and never felt like a slave to anyone.

The reason America is being invaded by the south is because Americans have gotten lazy. Especially the young. They think manual labor is beneath them. Mommy, and sometimes daddy when there is one (rare in minorities that are entrenched in the lazy welfare system), don't encourage their kids to work at anything.

There is nothing wrong with kids working. It builds self esteem, sense of worth, moral fiber. The left seems to have a big problem with all of that. Why?

The left has damned itself thinking that work is beneath them. Picking fruit and vegetables, janitorial work, mowing lawns and yard work, etc. was once the way the young could make a buck, an honest buck without selling drugs and killing each other just being stupid because their parents raised them that way.

The left has destroyed work ethic and replaced it with entitlement which they don't want to earn. They want it given to them for nothing in return. And that is why America is so screwed up today.

JFK's words were not "ask not what I can do for your country, ask what my country can do for me."

For nearly 5 decades the left has been systematically destroying America, one gang banger, one dropout, one teen pregnancy, and one more dependent person at a time.

Bob, I'm sorry to say but that's not what the left thinks. I am an engineer, school paid for by a cardiologist mother (I'm black by the way) and never had to work as child for a single penny. A lot of people do not have the same privileges I had growing up and I will not presume that they are poor because they wanted to be that way. Reading an article about the plight of Alabama farms after the mass exodus of the illegal workers. Alabamians who tried to work the farms had to drive at least an hour each way and at the end of the day, month, week, the cost of gas, food etc was not compensated by the pay they made from these farms. That's not the problem either...How are you to pay for utility bills, rent or mortgage and other debt on $3:50 an hour?

I keep hearing that the left want to destroy America. The destroyers of America start unnecessary wars, send those same 'poor' kids off to die, then let them come home with injuries that they need to 'suck up', take jobs overseas, want to poison our air, farmland and water all for a profit and threaten to take the jobs from state to state if they don't get tax incentives. Those are the people hell-bent on destroying America. The left does not advocate gang bangers, teen pregnancy or dropouts. Obama wanted to speak to the children and tell them to work hard but the speech was deemed 'indoctrination'

As a woman, entitlement means equal pay for equal work as a man, family medical leave act, maternity leave, vacation with pay, and I will go on and on. I love what Obama has done for me as a woman. He has slowed the robbery from shark lenders, robber banks, paying more for healthcare simply because I am a woman, I could go on and on.

Oh did I step on a nerve Bob? Heavens I will have to kill myself in an apology. The day may come if I end my life to avoid dying of cancer. I will not apologize for offending you. The GOP is willing to throw the poor, the sick, and the elderly under the bus, and wreck our economy in order to save it?

How stupid do you think I am if you think such specious arguements will sway me in any way? Go play with someone else, to paraphrase Barney Frank I have as much interest in talking to you as I have in talking to a toaster oven.

Ah, but school is not the only place to get a good education.

Look at all the hapless recent college grads, with shiny degree that cannot get a job, and who owe thousands of dollars.

For many a better path is to get a job and work your way up the ladder.

So who is better off phinep - the 18 year old apprentice electrician, earning $15 per hour and on his way to making journeyman status, or a college freshman in art history, on his way to $75k in debt?

Cause after all - -per Obamacare you are now a 'child' until age 26, right?

Spanky, I absolutely approve of apprentice programs! My husband has spent his adult life (and our married life) in the construction trade. He actually started his trade while in the Navy, then apprenticed after leaving the service. A lot of kids aren't cut out for "white collar" jobs. I remember growing up we had tech schools for those who knew they wanted to go into a trade vs. college.

It is great to be a doctor or computer techie, but I want a skilled HVACR person to fix my a/c and heat!

No kidding, phinephancy. I never quite recovered from the time Newtie opined that we should re establish orphanages. He is right out of the 1800's and wants to drag the world back to that time.

The Grinch does seem fascinated with toilets!

There probably is a deep psychological reason, when he reflects on his own history does he see it as being flushed down the drain a long time ago.....and this is his chance to stop the flow to the ultimate sewer...TOO LATE!

newday, I guess he love history so much he wants to go back to it.

And for the record, there is a big difference a 16 year old getting a part time job and a 10 year old cleaning toilets!

There sure is a HUGE difference.

Guess the next great GOP idea is for poor/work houses. Then gather up all the homeless and put them in institutions and practice shock therapy on them. My God in heaven, what have these people come to?

How much will these kids be paid? Will it be at least minimum wage, if want them to learn the value of hard work you have to pay them a decent wage otherwise you will only teach them that hard work does not pay worth a crap. Nothing worse than an angry 13 year old going postal at the local elementary school. So what is the pay scale Newt, will it be worth giving up their childhood, will it give them the incentive to one day want to be a school janitor, or will it convince them that people that work hard are chumps.

I just want them to explain to me when the child will have time for an education? Do we want to keep dropping in the world because of our children are too busy doing menial jobs to get the education to suceed? Even HVACR supervisors have to know math, english, computer skills, etc.

Hey Newt any problem if I organize these kids and represent them, so they can bargain collectively, or are they on their own to negotiate with the employers?

This still cracks me up...and seems apropos

http://youtu.be/C0-FWweJLRc

Phine,

A lot of kids aren't cut out for "white collar" jobs. I remember growing up we had tech schools for those who knew they wanted to go into a trade vs. college.

And therein lies the problem with many people in this country. College isn't for everyone, it is for those who actually want to do something that requires a degree. College was a privilege in my day, if you could pay for it, you got to go, if not, you sat a semester. Now we have made it a god given right--and wait until the next bubble hits, student loans. Because those that have graduated would rather protest than take a job beneath them or their so called "education".

If you really want the government to help these people, restart the CCC, put them to work in the national parks, state parks, or city parks, have them build and clean the roadways. If we are going to go socialist, then go all the way baby!!!!

It worked before and we are still enjoying the product of their labor. But the republicans killed the infrastructure bill, so good luck with them approving any thing like a modern version of the CCC.

@ Dangerfield I checked out your link, Ha it was almost to true to be funny, it was darn near prophetic, thank you for that, it was terrific.

And therein lies the problem with many people in this country. College isn't for everyone, it is for those who actually want to do something that requires a degree. College was a privilege in my day, if you could pay for it, you got to go, if not, you sat a semester"

The problem is that all the jobs went overseas and the remaining ones require a college degree. Because of safety issues, all jobs need workers to learn the codes be it HVAC, IT or whatever

JFK 2112…..Back in August 2009, my good friend Feisty posted this list of accomplishments of the Obama administration, your list is nothing but a list of extreme right wing lies and nitpicking. Read these and learn.

ETHICS

• Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal documents (2009)

• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible (2009)

• Placed limits on lobbyists' access to the White House (2009)

• Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (2009)

• Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)

• Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels and boards (2009) * Note: After saying he would not hire lobbyists, a few have been hired in the Administration

• Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)

• Initiated the "e-Rulemaking Initiative" (in cooperation with Cornell University) to allow for online public "notice and comment" of federal laws and initiatives (2010)

• Issued the "Open Gov Directive" ordering all Cabinet departments to promote transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)

• Signed extensions on banning lobbyists from serving on agency boards (2010)

• Developed the "Don Not Pay List" with data on contractors and recipients of federal funds who are deemed to be ineligible because of fraud and abuse (2010)

GOVERNANCE

• The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our government (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for political reasons (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed with the results (2009)

• Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000) (2009)

• Has urged Congress to adopt "Pay-Go" (whereby each dollar of spending is offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the `90s but abandoned in the `00s) (2010)

• Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders, although they complain of a lack of access and information (2010)

• Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (2010) * Note: To curb wasteful spending

• Tasked federal agencies to develop plans for disposing of unneeded real estate and then to eliminate unnecessary or non-economical lands, properties, etc. (2010)

NATIONAL SECURITY

• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn't even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)

• Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (2009) * Note: The closure has been delayed due to massive opposition but it remains on the agenda.

• Stated his interest in housing terrorists at a new federal "super max" facility in the US (2009) * Note: this has been delayed in the face of massive opposition but it remains on the agenda

• Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)

• Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)

• Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)

• Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)

• Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)

• Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)

• Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (2010) * Note: Components of the policy include: a pledge to stop nuclear testing; a pledge to not build a new generation of nucs; identifying nuclear terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major threat; a pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state in a conventional conflict; etc.

• Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc… of individuals and organizations support the regimes of North Korea, Iran, Somali pirates, and other foreign threats (2010)

• Presidential Memoranda to extend certain provisions of The Trading with Enemies Act which was to expire in September 2010 (2010) * Note: This includes freezing assets and banning trade that benefits the Cuban regime; however further efforts at normalizing travel to Cuba are supported

• Signed bill for southwest border security and increased funds and agents on the Mexican border (2010)

• Signed the Comprehensive Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act to deal with foreign regimes like Iran and North Korea (2010)

IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

• Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)

• Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)

• Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)

• Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US Marine units and Special Forces in Afghanistan (2009)

• Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era "stop-loss" policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)

MILITARY & VETERANS

• Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era "blackout" imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier's family

• Ended the Bush-era "black out" policy on media coverage of war casualties (2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War on Terror

• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)

• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs

• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)

• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)

• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)

• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)

• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new technologies; creating new cyber security units; etc.

• Ended the Bush-era practice of awarding "no-bid" defense contracts (2009)

• Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)

• Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)

• Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)

• Ordered a review of the existing "Don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military (2010)

• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)

• Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training, funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse; readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.

• Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)

• Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by August 31, 2010 (2010)

• Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs, etc.

• Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and security personnel) (2010)

FOREIGN POLICY

• Closed the Bush-era "secret detention" facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era policy allowing "enhanced interrogation" (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009) * Note: Obama has permitted some controversial interrogation techniques to continue

• Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009) * Note: Bush withdrew from non-proliferation talks and dismantled the inspection infrastructure

• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush

• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush

• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)

• Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)

• Overturned Bush-era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)

• Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)

• Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning; overturned the ban on providing funds internationally for family planning (2009) * Note: The family planning efforts were suspended under Bush

• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return "home" to visit families (2009)

• Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)

• Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)

• Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)

• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)

• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)

• Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)

• Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israeli's economic and financial needs (2009)

• Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)

• Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)

• Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)

• Attended the Summit of America's meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)

• Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)

• Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia (2010) * Note: The agreement calls for both countries to reduce their nucs by one-third (1,500) and launch systems by half (800)

• Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)

• Executive Order to establish support offices in the State Department to assist the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010)

• Presidential Memoranda to continue drug interdiction support with Columbia (2010)

ECONOMY

• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) (2009) * Note: Bush was the first president since Herbert Hoover to not make infrastructure a priority

• Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)

• Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)

• Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls

• Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)

• Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy "toxic assets" from failing financial institutions (2009)

• Authorized the "Cash for Clunkers" program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)

• Convened a "jobs summit" to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)

• Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note: In place of the old policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the industry's predatory practices were banned

• Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)

• Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally "dumping" exports below cost (2009) * Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all refused to "get tough" on China's predatory trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his presidency

• In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers

and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)

• Called on Congress to deliver a "Jobs bill" (2010)

• Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)

• Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)

• Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate and end abusive practices and promote consumer protections

• Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The bill includes: tax cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at least two months; small businesses can write off their investments in equipment this year; etc.

• National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical assistance, training, trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US businesses export products and services (2010)

• Initiatives to promote a "Wireless Broadband Revolution" (2010) * Note: Among other things, broadband is finally being considered as necessary infrastructure, with efforts to expand use, access, and spectrum…

• Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)

• Signed bill - US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)

• Signed bill - Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)

TAXES

• Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs (2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to brings jobs back to the US

• Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of "working families" (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big as was suggested during the 2008 campaign

• Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)

• Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)

• Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)

• Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)

• Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)

• Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)

• Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (2010) * Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would return their tax rates to the 1990's level

BUDGETING

• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)

• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)

• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)

• Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller; such "off budget" items are now included in the annual budget

• Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did not list many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terror

• Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)

• Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)

• Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)

• Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals to balance the budget (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down

• Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked with submitting proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down

• Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much every year (2010)

• Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and stick with marine One (2010)

• Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national security (2010)

• Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for federal political appointees (2010)

• Beginning to use "Pay-As-You-Go" (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with budget cuts or revenue enhancements (2010)

HEALTHCARE

• Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)

• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)

• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)

• Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)

• Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid (2009) * Note: Obama had promised to lift all restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies for them to lower their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions

• Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)

• Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)

• Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)

• Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)

• Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held dozens of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)

• Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health to be chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting healthy lifestyles and integrative healthcare (2010)

• When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to reaffirm that federal funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)

• Historic healthcare reform bill signed - $940 billion over 10 years (2010) * Note: 32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans, but many of the goals are phased in over four years

Components of the bill

- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014

- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits

- Bans "rescission" so insurance companies can't cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill

- An individual's out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped

- Closes the "donut hole" (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount

- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the "donut hole"

- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits

- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance

- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine

- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care

- There are hardship exemptions if individuals can't afford health insurance

- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26

- Promotes health insurance "exchanges" so consumers can buy "wholesale"

- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges

Funding sources:

- Large employers (over 50 workers) that don't offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)

- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)

- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)

- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+

- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires

- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called "Cadillac" plans) they offer

Miscellaneous:

- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies

- By Executive Order, such federal funding can't be used for abortion

- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

• Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)

• Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)

• Overturned Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act (2009)

• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government (2009)

• Ended the Bush-era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)

• Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy from renewable sources (2009)

• Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up "Superfund" toxic waste sites (2009)

• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009) * Note: Much of Obama's energy reform was killed by Senate Republicans

• Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)

• Cancelled several Bush-era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)

• Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)

* Note: Bush had withdrawn from such efforts

• Asked Congress for an energy reform and "cap and trade" bill (2009) * Note: The Congress failed to pass such a bill

• Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)

• Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the Grand Canyon (2009)

• Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)

• Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)

• Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009) * Note: These green retrofits are moving very slowly

• Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar installations (2009)

• Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)

• Banned importation of pythons in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the Florida Everglades (2009)

• Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)

• Executive orders establishing a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all federal operations (2009) (2010)

• Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)

• Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010) * Note: Nearly all energy initiatives were defeated by Republican opposition in Congress

• Increased investment in clean energy projects (2010)

• Executive Order to develop a new strategy for and commitment to ocean and lake resources, and for scientific research on water quality (2010)

RIGHTS

• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)

• Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)

• Held the first Seder in White House (2009)

• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)

• Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)

• Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)

• Reversed the Bush-era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)

• Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009) * Note: The process has moved at a snail's pace and, in the face of opposition, Obama has remained quiet

• Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)

• Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)

• Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy; placed a "freeze" on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)

• After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)

• Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)

• Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service (2009)

• Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)

• Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (2010)

• Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)

• Signed an Executive Order for the President's Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)

• Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)

• Signed Executive Order to promote the federal government as a "model employer" when it comes to hiring the disabled (2010) * Note: This includes new efforts to increase the recruitment, hiring, and training for the disabled

• Programs to assist Spanish speakers with the US Census (2010)

• Elena Kagen appointed to Supreme Court (2010)

• Tasked all federal agencies to develop new strategies to address HIV/AIDS (2010)

• After organizing studies on the topic in 2009, tasked the Pentagon to eliminate "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (2010)

• Signed Fair Sentencing Act (2010) * Note: The Administration continues to deescalate marijuana interdiction and raids; increased dramatically the amount of cocaine one must possess to be sentenced to jail; eliminated mandatory sentencing for first-time drug abusers and simple possession

EDUCATION

• Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools (2009)

• Increased funding for school construction (2009)

• Increased funding available for student loans (2009)

• Expanded the national youth service program (2009)

• Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)

• Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans (2009)

• Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009) * Note: Much of Obama's education reform has been sidelined by opposition in Congress

• Initiated a "Race to the Top" competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies (2009)

• Instituted a "judgment review" allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year's finances (2009)

• Launched "Educate to Innovate," a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)

• Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) (2010)

• Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs (2010)

• The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks ("middle man") who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)

• Increased investment in technologies for schools/education (2010)

DISASTER RESPONSE

• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)

• FEMA once again reports directly to the president (2009) * Note: Bush removed FEMA (prior to the Hurricane Katrina disaster) from this status

• Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)

• Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)

• Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake and ensuing humanitarian crisis (2010)

Components of the response:

- The FBI's National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief

- Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund

- Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department

- Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a "person finder" online to help families and friends to locate loved ones

- Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.

- Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti

- Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel

- Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support

- Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince

• After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a freeze was placed on new deep water projects (2010)

• Executive Order to establish new security measures to minimize accidental release of bio and chemical agents; new strategies for public health and bioterrorism response (2010)

• Established a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill to examine facts and report a plan of action; new efforts to prevent offshore spills (2010)

• After a slow start in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the White House is promoting a long-term plan to reconstruct the damaged Gulf and negotiated with BP the establishment of a multi-billion dollar trust fund for victims of the spill (2010)

• Extended national flood insurance program for those in need during current economic crisis (2010)

OTHER INITIATIVES

• New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)

• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)

• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)

• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)

• Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)

• Ordered a review of existing "mandatory minimum" prison sentencing (2009)

• Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)

• Restored the EPA to "Cabinet level" status (2009) * Note: Bush removed the EPA from this status

• Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)

* Note: Much of Obama's immigration reform had been stalled by opposition in Congress

• Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA's budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)

• Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers (2010)

• Signed bill – FAA Air Transportaiton Modernizatin and Safety Improvement Act (2010)

P.S. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…

• The Obamas paid for the renovations of the private living quarters in the White House with their own money rather than using the funds provided to all new first families (2009)

• The Obamas reused many Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than buy new ones (2009)

• The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)

• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities (2009)

• Planted a garden for the White House's vegetables and flowers (2009)

• Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House employees (2009)

• Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high

• Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not readily available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low.

• 24

• !

#8.7 - Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:35 AM EDT

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Looks like somebody needs to publish a longer list, or go back to his job at the National Enquirer.

Jaysus, GBM, I thought that JFK posted that list to make fun of the right wing neanderthals! He's serious about it? Sad.

No Drive By - looks like someone needs to create an UPDATED list.

Too bad it's not August '09, eh GingerBread?

Yeah, back then Obama was riding high.

Now, not so much. Hell he has even lost Tina Brown. Man did she demolish Obama on Morning Joe yesterday.

It was ugly. True, but ugly.

Speaking of ugly, Bachmann needs you over on the next thread, 'counselor'.

Heh Heh . If you watch that Morning Pile of Joe that says it all!

So I suppose you supported him up until then Spank?

Why am I not surprised there is no rebuttal on the Presidents accomplishments?

Thanks for re-posting that Gingerbread Mamma - I think we better keep it handy! ;o)

The wing-nuts on the right really believe the tabloid stuff...Stuff like the wedding ring during ramadan trash....And I guess they believe that we never landed on the moon too..They pay no attention to facts like that list Fiesty..

Outrageous, unsupportable slander from the right, meet angry, ad hominem attack from the left...Political discourse at it's finest!...
The cartoonish caricatures of the opposition that constitute many of the opinions expressed here seem to indicate a deeper underlying need to lash out at someone, anyone to vent pent up feelings of helplessness and frustration in their daily and or political lives.
Assigning blame is for losers. Adults find common ground, common self-interest and are results oriented. Griping, finger pointing and demonizing the opposition is political masturbation, the teenagers' philosophical lament that "If EVERYONE thought like ME the world would be a better place"...
If there is a path to a better, more equitable economic and political future, it isn't being taken by many in our hyper-polarized body-politic, the collective media and/or the most prolific posters on this blog. Imagine the country as a two-person kayak, going in an endless circle because the two idiots in the boat can't seem to row TOGETHER, so neither one ever gets ANYWHERE...

Eighty-four ethics charges were filed against Speaker Gingrich during his term, including claiming tax-exempt status for a college course run for political purposes. Following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee Gingrich was sanctioned US$300,000.^[64]Gingrich acknowledged in January 1997 that "In my name and over my signature, inaccurate, incomplete and unreliable statements were given to the committee". ^[65] The House Ethics Committee concluded that inaccurate information supplied to investigators represented "intentional or ... reckless" disregard of House rules.^[66] Special Counsel James M. Cole concluded that Gingrich violated federal tax law and had lied to the ethics panel in an effort to force the committee to dismiss the complaint against him. The full committee panel did not agree whether tax law had been violated^[67] and left that issue up to the IRS.^[68] In 1999, the IRS cleared the organizations connected with the "Renewing American Civilization" courses under investigation for possible tax violations.

Thank you for that very informative post. I would like to add to it, Gingrich was charged with 85 ethics violations, in return for his resignation as Speaker of the House, 84 ethics violations were dropped. He was fined $300,000 for the ethics violation that was not dropped. He left office in disgrace.

For the record I think you are full of it when you claim there is a video of Obama saying he is not an american citizen JFK. But I will look for it any way.

I saw the speech you were refering to JFK. Admitting to spending time in muslim countries, having a Kenyan father, or speaking Arabic, does not mean he was born anywhere else but Hawaii. It does not mean he is a muslim. I spent 9 years of my life in West Germany as a child and as a teenager. That does not mean I was BORN in West Germany. The facts are Barack Obama is an american citizen, born in Hawaii. Nothing he says about his background quoted out of context invalidates the facts I cited in the previous sentence.

I don't even think this resistence from hard right conservatives is about Obama being black. If Lincoln himself were president now advocating what Obama is in addition to the platform he had in 1860, the hard right would be comparing Lincoln to Hitler, and calling him a socialist.

Hey, theotas: long time no see.

Llamas will do that, and it stinks. My kids were so busy with horses and dogs and shows and all of that nonsense that they didn't get jobs til they were 16.

Nothing like a horse to teach a kid how to work.

I had a blast until a Llama hocked a loogie, and hit me in the face.

What did you say .... "that llama looks feisty"?

No it was one of your children....Inbred mongoloids

There you are booby lots of numbers...

Why did you tuck your tail between your legs and run away from the Boiler Room thread?

Wouldn't be because you got your ass kicked now would it?

Speaking of the loogie lady,

Tuck tail? What 3 rebuttals wasn't enough. Anymore and I would have worried that it looked like I was picking on someone retarded.

You think I should have wasted more time on the moron?

I noticed you didn't jump in.

That guy was too stupid to realize how out of his depth he was.

At least you knew your depth.

What 3 rebuttals wasn't enough.

That's what your calling them these days? lol

What I saw was your usual ignorant garbage!

You think I should have wasted more time on the moron?

I think you ran away like all good right wingers do when you get your ass handed to you!

I noticed you didn't jump in.

Way to much fun watching him take you apart with surgical precision...

At least you knew your depth.

At least you confirmed what I have suspected about you all along!

You're a class 'C' coward just like the rest of the right wing nuts!

When challenged you fold like a cheap suit!

Have another Scotch little buddy & soothe your bruised ego! ;o)

The unadulterated fact is my comment refuted your comment and you had nothing....

Never have won one.

You know it.

bob.

That guy was too stupid to realize how out of his depth he was.

At least you knew your dep

LOL!!!!

Confident ignorance. Always amusing.

I look forward to mocking you in the future.

Cheers.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9142805-inside-the-boiler-room-questions-please?last=1322779313&threadId=3285367&sp=0&pc=25#last_1

I look forward to mocking you in the future.

There are no better pickins than our own little booby lots of numbers!

Notice how he runs like little girl who had her pig-tails pulled?

Take note booby - you can run but you can not hide! lol

Hey, how do all you GOP clowns fit into that tiny little car? Don't those long floppy shoes make it hard to do?

Bob, Feisty blew you out of the water. If all you can do is resort one liners and insults it's better not to post. For the record I, a moderate center left Republican, consider you and every member of the GOP who holds your views to be a R.I.N.O. Lincoln is my role model as a Republican.

i agree with you but when did the goverment start teaching us how to raise our kids? rich poor middle class there are all kinds of lazy people out there

Did you not just read the post by Gingerbread Mama? His empty suit was at his desk because he was busy working Unlike George Bush who was racing to read the most books with Karl Rove. 180 books in his first year was it? With a record 1000 DAYS OF VACATION?!?!?!!? With the fake cutting of timber on his ranch? He could not wait to get out of office in those last days when Russia invaded Oscetia and Georgia!! And you claim Obama is an empty suit? Because he is not a WASP? Because he cares about other people of color, culture and sexuality? You know what? My family has houses all over the world. I would like you to vote in the kid who has mowed two lawns as president. I will be watching from over there.

Careful there jazzycat (great moniker) Newtie will steal the idea.

"So where are poor children to find work when adults CAN NOT??"

Oh come on. If Newt says it's so jobs must be everywhere! Why would he fib?

Great post. Which I could think of a few more except he is morally bankrupty.

So, is this how it starts? First your take away their childhood. Then, you put them to work mostly likely over school work. You make them into objects instead of children. Then what GOPers? What else do you have in mind for children. Hey didn't the Catholic Church have boys working around the church with the priests? Hmmm, familiar? What else does Newt and those you who agree with him have in mind. I worry.

I don't think anyone's arguing the point that hard work isn't good for kids. A well rounded routine of chores when they're in elementary school, easy outside the home jobs like lawn mowing or paper routes in middle school, and perhaps 15 hours/week of employment in high school. Of course, that's a good idea.

What we're disgusted by is the at best complete naivety and at worst complete callusnous associated with how he presented this sentiment. That's great his grandkid got an Ipad, thank God her parents can afford to pay her an allowance. Here are a few problems with Bling-rich's idea...

1. We currently don't have enough jobs for adults. If schools need office assistants, janitors, or library clerks, let's begin by giving them to the grown ups with bills to pay first.
2. How are you expecting to pay these kids? Newt and his party don't want to raise any kind of taxes, don't like state mandated programs, and want to cut all discretionary spending.
3. So, according to Newt, not one person who is economically suffering is honest, works, or wants to work. Any person under the poverty level is either lazy or a criminal?
4. There aren't any lazy middle class/rich kids?

Furthermore, can you produce any kind of citation to any law that says kids can't do yard work?

No, he only said that they don't know what hard work is. That is not what he is advocating. He says that Child labor laws are stupid. I had a roommate in College whose family owned cotton mills in India and used child workers. IT's a slippery slope. Who's not to say that they would move that age even lower to even younger children. There are younger children who work all the time eg actors, models etc but that's not what is being discussed here

Someone make a list of actions of the GOP over the last 11 years and that of the Nazis. Then cover the headings and ask people which ones the Nazis did and which ones the Republicans did and are doing. Let's see the results. I bet no one will be able to tell the difference.

That's it Dtomhatmir! That's all we can take! How could you!!!!! Misspelling words. What is this world coming to? Crazy. lol.