2009 is over and what has Obama accomplished?

louis c

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Fri Jan-01-10 08:16 AM
Original message

2009 is over and what has Obama accomplished?

Edited on Fri Jan-01-10 08:21 AM by louis c

First off, for those who don't know, I represent a small labor union in Boston.

Because of the bad economy created under George W. Bush, we faced hardships, just as did many others. Under a new provision called "job sharing" many employees were able to furlough some days, which were picked up by less senior workers, enabling 80% of the workforce to continue to be employed with relatively the same pay and benefits by using limited unemployment benefits (low earnings) to supplement their incomes. The Obama stimulus package reduced each workers payroll tax by about $15 a week, thereby increasing their pay. I addition, each unemployed worker, or those collecting benefits for reduced earnings, received an additional $25 a week. Also, this year, in the stimulus, the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits are tax free. Please note that these benefits became taxed under Ronald Reagan. Fully one third of the stimulus package consists of unemployment benefits, tax cuts for the middle class and health care for laid off workers. When Democrats cut taxes for the middle-class, the Repukes call it "spending" but when the Repukes reduce taxes on the very wealthy, it's called tax cuts.

Second. Obama's wall street bailout is controversial and has its detractors. However, everyone of my members has a 401k. In 2008 it was cut in half due to the poor management of the Bush administration which caused the Wall Street melt-down. Since Obama has been in office, everyone's account has doubled. I'd say that accounts for something, wouldn't you? Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and Fox News were howling in March that the Stock Market had dropped 2,500 points since Obama was elected. Not Inaugurated, mind you, but elected, making him responsible for November and December of 2008 and January 2009. Yet, now that the Market has soared while he is actually in office, they give him no credit. Well, I do, and my members thank you, Mr. President.

Third. I remember when President Bush was being vilified for his failures toward the end of 2008. His apologists on the right proclaimed, "at least he kept us safe". I guess that was the reasoning because we had no major terror attack on the home land since 9/11. Well President Obama, thank you for keeping us safe, by that same reasoning. As a matter of fact, President Obama has kept us safer, because by this time into the Bush Administration their incompetence allowed the worst civilian attack on the American homeland in our history.

Fourth. Health Care Reform. I know how hard it is to bargain with people who want you to fail. In Obama's case, he needs 60 Senators and there's nothing he can do to change that. One of those 60 Senators in Joe Lieberman who publicly vilified Obama at the REPUBLICAN Convention just 15 months ago. Senator Reid can move toward reconciliation and pass some aspects of the bill with a simple majority, but Obama can't, he's the Executive Branch. In my job I hate when people criticize me when I'm doing all I can to accomplish a common goal, but the "forces of evil" have the upper hand and you can't get all you want. I will never criticize an advocate for trying. It's a lot better than the alternative.

I closing, Mr. President, thank you for all you have done for us in 2009 and I hope you are (we are) even more successful in 2010.