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Third World nations are not permitted to nationalize their own natural resources and use them for the benefit of their own people. This will lead you to getting sanctions that will destroy your economy, followed by an outright invasion or a CIA led coup.1. AfghanistanIn the 1980s, the U.S. worked with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to overthrow Afghanistan's socialist government. It funded, trained and armed forces led by conservative tribal leaders whose power was threatened by their country's progress on education, women's rights and land reform. After Mikhail Gorbachev withdrew Soviet forces in 1989, these U.S.-backed warlords tore the country apart and boosted opium production to an unprecedented level of 2,000 to 3,400 tons per year. The Taliban government cut opium production by 95% in two years between 1999 and 2001, but the U.S. invasion in 2001 restored the warlords and drug lords to power. Afghanistan now ranks 175th out of 177countries in the world for corruption, 175th out of 186 in human development, and since 2004, it has produced an unprecedented 5,300 tons of opium per year. President Karzai's brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, was well known as a CIA-backed drug lord. After a major U.S. offensive in Kandahar province in 2011, Colonel Abdul Razziq was appointed provincial police chief, boosting a heroin smuggling operation that already earned him $60 million per year in one of the poorest countries in the world.2. AlbaniaBetween 1949 and 1953, the U.S. and U.K. set out to overthrow the government of Albania, the smallest and most vulnerable communist country in Eastern Europe. Exiles were recruited and trained to return to Albania to stir up dissent and plan an armed uprising. Many of the exiles involved in the plan were former collaborators with the Italian and German occupation during World War II. They included former Interior Minister Xhafer Deva, who oversaw the deportations of "Jews, Communists, partisans and suspicious persons" (as described in a Nazi document) to Auschwitz. Declassified U.S. documents have since revealed that Deva was one of 743 fascist war criminals recruited by the U.S. after the war.3. ArgentinaU.S. documents declassified in 2003 detail conversations between U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Argentinian Foreign Minister Admiral Guzzetti in October 1976, soon after the military junta seized power in Argentina. Kissinger explicitly approved the junta's "dirty war," in which it eventually killed up to 30,000, most of them young people, and stole 400 children from the families of their murdered parents. Kissinger told Guzzetti, "Look, our basic attitude is that we would like you to succeed... the quicker you succeed the better." The U.S. Ambassador in Buenos Aires reported that Guzzetti "returned in a state of jubilation, convinced that there is no real problem with the US government over that issue." ("Daniel Gandolfo," "Presente!")4. BrazilIn 1964, General Castelo Branco led a coup that sparked 20 years of brutal military dictatorship. U.S. military attache Vernon Walters, later Deputy CIA Director and UN Ambassador, knew Castelo Branco well from World War II in Italy. As a clandestine CIA officer, Walters' records from Brazil have never been declassified, but the CIA provided all the support needed to ensure the success of the coup, including funding for opposition labor and student groups in street protests, as in Ukraine and Venezuela today. A U.S. Marine amphibious force on standby to land in Sao Paolo was not needed. Like other victims of U.S.-backed coups in Latin America, the elected President Joao Goulart was a wealthy landowner, not a communist, but his efforts to remain neutral in the Cold War were as unacceptable to Washington as President Yanukovich's refusal to hand the Ukraine over to the west 50 years later.5. CambodiaWhen President Nixon ordered the secret and illegal bombing of Cambodia in 1969, American pilots were ordered to falsify their logs to conceal their crimes. They killed at least half a million Cambodians, dropping more bombs than on Germany and Japan combined in World War II. As the Khmer Rouge gained strength in 1973, the CIA reported that its "propaganda has been most effective among refugees subjected to B-52 strikes." After the Khmer Rouge killed at least 2 million of its own people and was finally driven out by the Vietnamese army in 1979, theU.S. Kampuchea Emergency Group, based in the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, set out to feed and supply them as the "resistance" to the new Vietnamese-backed Cambodian government. Under U.S. pressure, the World Food Program provided $12 million to feed 20,000 to 40,000 Khmer Rouge soldiers. For at least another decade, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency provided the Khmer Rouge with satellite intelligence, while U.S. and British special forces trained them to lay millions of land mines across Western Cambodia which still kill or maim hundreds of people every year.6. ChileWhen Salvador Allende became President in 1970, President Nixon promised to"make the economy scream" in Chile. The U.S., Chile's largest trading partner, cut off trade to cause shortages and economic chaos. The CIA and State Department had conducted sophisticated propaganda operations in Chile for a decade, funding conservative politicians, parties, unions, student groups and all forms of media, while expanding ties with the military. After General Pinochet seized power, the CIA kept Chilean officials on its payroll and worked closely with Chile's DINA intelligence agency as the military government killed thousands of people and jailed and tortured tens of thousands more. Meanwhile, the "Chicago Boys," over 100 Chilean students sent by a State Department program to study under Milton Friedman at the University of Chicago, launched a radical program of privatization, deregulation and neoliberal policies that kept the economy screaming for most Chileans throughout Pinochet's 16-year military dictatorship.7. ChinaBy the end of 1945, 100,000 U.S. troops were fighting alongside Chinese Kuomintang (and Japanese) forces in Communist-held areas of northern China. Chiang Kai-Shek and the Kuomintang may have been the most corrupt of all U.S. allies. A steady stream of U.S. advisers in China warned that U.S. aid was being stolen by Chiang and his cronies, some of it even sold to the Japanese, but the U.S. commitment to Chiang continued throughout the war, his defeat by the Communists and his rule of Taiwan. Secretary of State Dulles' brinksmanship on behalf of Chiang twice led the U.S. to the brink of nuclear war with China on his behalf in 1955 and 1958 over Matsu and Qemoy, two small islands off the coast of China.8. ColombiaWhen U.S. special forces and the Drug Enforcement Administration aided Colombian forces to track down and kill drug lord Pablo Escobar, they worked with a vigilante group called Los Pepes. In 1997, Diego Murillo-Bejarano and other Los Pepes' leaders co-founded the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia) which was responsible for 75% of violent civilian deaths in Colombia over the next 10 years.9. CubaThe United States supported the Batista dictatorship as it created the repressive conditions that led to the Cuban Revolution, killing up to 20,000 of its own people. Former U.S. Ambassador Earl Smith testified to Congress that, "the U.S. was so overwhelmingly influential in Cuba that the American Ambassador was the second most important man, sometimes even more important than the Cuban president." After the revolution, the CIA launched a long campaign of terrorism against Cuba, training Cuban exiles in Florida, Central America and the Dominican Republic to commit assassinations and sabotage in Cuba. CIA-backed operations against Cuba included the attempted invasion at the Bay of Pigs, in which 100 Cuban exiles and four Americans were killed; several attempted assassinations of Fidel Castro and successful assassinations of other officials; several bombing raids in 1960 (three Americans killed and two captured) and terrorist bombings targeting tourists as recently as 1997; the apparent bombing of a French ship in Havana harbor (at least 75 killed); a biological swine flu attack that killed half a million pigs; and the terrorist bombing of a Cuban airliner (78 killed) planned by Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, who remain free in America despite the U.S. pretense of waging a war against terrorism. Bosch was granted a presidential pardon by the first President Bush.10. El SalvadorThe civil war that swept El Salvador in the 1980s was a popular uprising against a government that ruled with the utmost brutality. At least 70,000 people were killed and thousands more were disappeared. The UN Truth Commission set up after the war found that 95% of the dead were killed by government forces and death squads, and only 5% by FLMN guerrillas. The government forces responsible for this one-sided slaughter were almost entirely established, trained, armed and supervised by the CIA, U.S. special forces and the U.S. School of the Americas. The UN Truth Commission found that the units guilty of the worst atrocities, like theAtlacatl Battalion which conducted the infamous El Mozote massacre, were precisely the ones most closely supervised by American advisers. The American role in this campaign of state terrorism is now hailed by senior U.S. military officers as a model for "counter-insurgency" in Colombia and elsewhere as the U.S. war on terror spreads its violence and chaos across the world.11. FranceIn France, Italy, Greece, Indochina, Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines at the end of World War II, advancing allied forces found that communist resistance forces had gained effective control of large areas or even entire countries as German and Japanese forces withdrew or surrendered. In Marseille, the CGT communist trade union controlled the docks that were critical to trade with the U.S. and the Marshall plan. The OSS had worked with the U.S.-Sicilian mafia and Corsican gangsters during the war. So after the OSS merged into the new CIA after the war, it used its contacts to restore Corsican gangsters to power in Marseille, to break dock strikes and CGT control of the docks. It protected the Corsicans as they set up heroin labs and began shipping heroin to New York, where the American-Sicilian mafia also flourished under CIA protection. Ironically, supply disruptions due to the war and the Chinese Revolution had reduced the number of heroin addicts in the U.S. to 20,000 by 1945 and heroin addiction could have been virtually eliminated, but the CIA's infamous French Connection instead brought a new wave of heroin addiction, organized crime and drug-related violence to New York and other American cities.12. GhanaThere seem to be no inspiring national leaders in Africa these days. But that may be America's fault. In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a rising star in Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah. He was Prime Minister under British rule from 1952 to 1960, when Ghana became independent and he became president. He was a socialist, a pan-African and an anti-imperialist, and, in 1965, he wrote a book called Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism. Nkrumah was overthrown in a CIA coup in 1966. The CIA denied involvement at the time, but the British press later reported that 40 CIA officers operated out of the U.S. Embassy "distributing largesse among President Nkrumah's secret adversaries," and that their work "was fully rewarded." Former CIA officer John Stockwell revealed more about the CIA's decisive role in the coup in his book In Search of Enemies.13. GreeceWhen British forces landed in Greece in October 1944, they found the country under the effective control of ELAS-EAM, the leftist partisan group formed by the Greek Communist Party in 1941 after the Italian and German invasion. ELAS-EAM welcomed the British forces, but the British refused any accommodation with them and installed a government that included royalists and Nazi collaborators. When ELAS-EAM held a huge demonstration in Athens,police opened fire and killed 28 people. The British recruited members of the Nazi-trained Security Battalions to hunt down and arrest ELAS members, who once again took up arms as a resistance movement. In 1947, with a civil war raging, the bankrupt British asked the U.S. to take over their role in occupied Greece. The U.S. role in supporting an incompetent fascist government in Greece was enshrined in the "Truman Doctrine," seen by many historians as the beginning of the Cold War. ELAS-EAM fighters laid down their arms in 1949 after Yugoslavia withdrew its support, and 100,000 were either executed, exiled or jailed. The liberal Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup in 1967, leading to seven more years of military rule. His son Andreas was elected as Greece's first "socialist" president in 1981, but many ELAS-EAM members jailed in the 1940s were never freed and died in prison.14. GuatemalaAfter its first operation to overthrow a foreign government in Iran in 1953, the CIA launched a more elaborate operation to remove the elected liberal government of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala in 1954. The CIA recruited and trained a small army of mercenaries under Guatemalan exile Castillo Armas to invade Guatemala, with 30 unmarked U.S. planes providing air support. U.S. Ambassador Peurifoy prepared a list of Guatemalans to be executed, and Armas was installed as president. The reign of terror that followed led to 40 years of civil war, in which at least 200,000 were killed, most of them indigenous people. The climax of the war was the campaign of genocide in Ixil by President Rios Montt, for which he was sentenced to life in prison in 2013, until Guatemala's Supreme Court rescued him on a technicality. A new trial is scheduled for 2015. Declassified CIA documents reveal that the Reagan administration was well aware of the indiscriminate and genocidal nature of Guatemalan military operations when it approved new military aid in 1981, including military vehicles, spare parts for helicopters and U.S. military advisers. The CIA documents detail the massacre and destruction of entire villages, and conclude, "The well documented belief by the army that the entire Ixil Indian population is pro-EGP (Guerrilla Army of the Poor) has created a situation in which the army can be expected to give no quarter to combatants and non-combatants alike."15. HaitiAlmost 200 years after the slave rebellion that created the nation of Haiti and defeated Napoleon's armies, the long-suffering people of Haiti finally elected a truly democratic government led by Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991. But President Aristide was overthrown in a U.S.-backed military coup after eight months in office, and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recruited a paramilitary force called FRAPH to target and destroy Aristide's Lavalas movement in Haiti. The CIA put FRAPH's leader Emmanuel "Toto" Constant on its payroll and shipped in weapons from Florida. When President Clinton sent a U.S. occupation force to restore Aristide to office in 1994, FRAPH members detained by U.S. forces were freed on orders from Washington, and the CIA maintained FRAPH as a criminal gang to undermine Aristide and Lavalas. After Aristide was elected president a second time in 2000, a force of 200 U.S. special forces trained 600 former FRAPH members and others in the Dominican Republic to prepare for a second coup. In 2004, they launched a campaign of violence to destabilize Haiti, which provided the pretext for U.S. forces to land in Haiti and remove Aristide from office.16. HondurasThe 2009 coup in Honduras has led to severe repression and death squad murders of political opponents, union organizers and journalists. At the time of the coup, U.S. officials denied any role in the coup and used semantics to avoid cutting off U.S. military aid as required under U.S. law. But two Wikileaks cables revealed that the U.S. Embassy was the main power brokerin managing the aftermath of the coup and forming a government that is now repressing and murdering its people.17. IndonesiaIn 1965, General Suharto seized effective power from President Sukarno on the pretext of combatting a failed coup and unleashed an orgy of mass murderthat killed at least half a million people. U.S. diplomats later admitted providing lists of 5,000 Communist Party members to be killed. Political officer Robert Martens said, "It really was a big help to the army. They probably killed a lot of people, and I probably have a lot of blood on my hands, but that's not all bad. There's a time when you have to strike hard at a decisive moment."18. IranIran may be the most instructive case of a CIA coup that caused endless long-term problems for the United States. In 1953, the CIA and the U.K.'s MI6 overthrew the popular, elected government of Mohammed Mossadegh. Iran had nationalized its oil industry by a unanimous vote of parliament, ending a BP monopoly that only paid Iran a 16% royalty on its oil. For two years, Iran resisted a British naval blockade and international economic sanctions. After President Eisenhower took office in 1953, the CIA agreed to a British request to intervene. After the initial coup failed and the Shah and his family fled to Italy, the CIA payed millions of dollars to bribe military officers and pay gangsters to unleash violence in the streets of Tehran. Mossadegh was finally removed and the Shah returned to rule as a brutal Western puppet until the Iranian Revolution in 1979.19. IsraelJust as the U.S. uses its economic and military power, its sophisticated propaganda system and its position as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council to violate international law with impunity, it also uses the same tools to shield its ally Israel from accountability for international crimes. Since 1966, the U.S. has used its Security Council veto 83 times, more than the other four Permanent Members combined, and 42 of those vetoes have been on resolutions related to Israel and/or Palestine. Just last week, Amnesty International published a report that, "Israeli forces have displayed a callous disregard for human life by killing dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children, in the occupied West Bank over the past three years with near total impunity." Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Territories condemned the 2008 assault on Gaza as a "massive violation of international law," adding that nations like the U.S. "that have supplied weapons and supported the siege are complicit in the crimes." The Leahy Lawrequires the U.S. to cut off military aid to forces that violate human rights, but it has never been enforced against Israel. Israel continues to build settlements in occupied territory in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention, making it harder to comply with Security Council resolutions that require it to withdraw from occupied territory. But Israel remains beyond the rule of law, shielded from accountability by its powerful patron, the United States.20. IraqIn 1958, after the British-backed monarchy was overthrown by General Abdul Qasim, the CIA hired a 22-year-old Iraqi named Saddam Hussein to assassinate the new president. Hussein and his gang botched the job and he fled to Lebanon, wounded in the leg by one of his companions. The CIA rented him an apartment in Beirut and then moved him to Cairo, where he was paid as an agent of Egyptian intelligence and was a frequent visitor at the U.S. Embassy. Qasim was killed in a CIA-backed Baathist coup in 1963, and as in Guatemala and Indonesia, the CIA gave the new government a list of at least 4,000 communists to be killed. But, once in power, the Baathist revolutionary government was no Western puppet, and it nationalized Iraq's oil industry, adopted an Arab nationalist foreign policy and built the best education and health systems in the Arab world. In 1979, Saddam Hussein became president, conducted purges of political opponents and launched a disastrous war against Iran. The U.S. DIA provided satellite intelligence to target chemical weapons that the West helped him to produce, and Donald Rumsfeld and other U.S. officials welcomed him as an ally against Iran. Only after Iraq invaded Kuwait and Hussein became more useful as an enemy did U.S. propaganda brand him as "a new Hitler." After the U.S. invaded Iraq on false pretenses in 2003, the CIA recruited 27 brigades of "Special Police," merging the most brutal of Saddam Hussein's security forces with the Iranian-trained Badr militia to form death squads that murdered tens of thousands of mostly Sunni Arab men and boys in Baghdad and elsewhere in a reign of terror that continues to this day.21. KoreaWhen U.S. forces arrived in Korea in 1945, they were greeted by officials of the Korean People's Republic (KPR), formed by resistance groups which had disarmed surrendering Japanese forces and begun to establish law and order throughout Korea. General Hodge had them thrown out of his office and placed the southern half of Korea under U.S. military occupation. By contrast, Russian forces in the North recognized the KPR, leading to the long-term division of Korea. The U.S. flew in Syngman Rhee,a conservative Korean exile, and installed him as President of South Korea in 1948. Rhee became a dictator on an anti-communist crusade, arresting and torturing suspected communists, brutally putting down rebellions, killing 100,000 people and vowing to take over North Korea. He was at least partly responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War and for the allied decision to invade North Korea once South Korea had been recaptured. He was finally forced to resign by mass student protests in 1960.22. LaosThe CIA began providing air support to French forces in Laos in 1950, and remained involved there for 25 years. The CIA engineered at least three coups between 1958 and 1960 to keep the growing leftist Pathet Lao out of government. It worked with right-wing Laotian drug lordslike General Phoumi Nosavan, transporting opium between Burma, Laos and Vietnam and protecting his monopoly on the opium trade in Laos. In 1962, the CIA recruited a clandestine mercenary army of 30,000 veterans of previous guerrilla wars from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines to fight the Pathet Lao. As large numbers of American GIs in Vietnam got hooked on heroin, the CIA's Air America transported opium from Hmong territory in the Plain of Jars to General Vang Pao's heroin labs in Long Tieng and Vientiane for shipment to Vietnam. When the CIA failed to defeat the Pathet Lao, the U.S. bombed Laos almost as heavily as Cambodia, with 2 million tons of bombs.23. LibyaNATO's war on Libya epitomized President Obama's "disguised, quiet, media-free" approach to war. NATO's bombing campaign was fraudulently justified to the UN Security Council as an effort to protect civilians, and the instrumental role of Western and other foreign special forces on the ground was well-disguised, even when Qatari special forces (including ex-ISI Pakistani mercenaries) led the final assault on the Bab Al-Aziziya HQ in Tripoli. NATO conducted 7,700 air strikes, 30,000 -100,000 people were killed, loyalist towns were bombed to rubble and ethnically cleansed, and the country is in chaos as Western-trained and -armed Islamist militias seize territory and oil facilities and vie for power. The Misrata militia, trained and armed by Western special forces, is one of the most violent and powerful. As I write this, protesters have just stormed the Congress building in Tripoli for the fourth or fifth time in recent months, and two elected Representatives have been shot and wounded as they fled.24. MexicoThe death toll in Mexico's drug wars recently passed 100,000. The most violent of the drug cartels is Los Zetas. U.S. officials call the Zetas "the most technologically advanced, sophisticated and dangerous drug cartel operating in Mexico." The Zetas cartel was formed by Mexican security forces trained by U.S. special forces at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia, and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.25. MyanmarAfter the Chinese Revolution, Kuomintang generals moved into northern Burma and became powerful drug lords, with Thai military protection, financing from Taiwan and air transport and logistical support from the CIA. Burma's opium production grew from 18 tons in 1958 to 600 tons in 1970. The CIA maintained these forces as a bulwark against communist China but they transformed the "golden triangle" into the world's largest opium producer. Most of the opium was shipped by mule trains into Thailand where other CIA allies shipped it to heroin labs in Hong Kong and Malaysia. The trade shifted around 1970 as CIA partner General Vang Pao set up new labs in Laos to provide heroin to GIs in Vietnam.26. NicaraguaAnastasio Somosa ruled Nicaragua as his personal fiefdom for 43 years with unconditional U.S. support, as his National Guard committed every crime imaginable from massacres and torture to extortion and rape with complete impunity. After he was finally overthrown by theSandinista Revolution in 1979, the CIA recruited, trained and supported "contra" mercenariesto invade Nicaragua and conduct terrorism to destabilize the country. In 1986, the International Court of Justice found the United States guilty of aggression against Nicaragua for deploying the contras and mining Nicaraguan ports. The court ordered the U.S. to cease its aggression and pay war reparations to Nicaragua, but they have never been paid. The U.S. response was to declare that it would no longer recognize the binding jurisdiction of the ICJ, effectively setting itself beyond the rule of international law.27. Pakistan; 28. Saudi Arabia; 29. TurkeyAfter reading my last AlterNet piece on the failed war on terror, former CIA and State Department terrorism expert Larry Johnson told me, "The main problem with respect to assessing the terrorist threat is to accurately define the state sponsorship. The biggest culprits today, in contrast to 20 years ago, are Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Iran, despite the right-wing/neocon ravings, is not that active in encouraging and/or facilitating terrorism." In the past 12 years, U.S. military aid to Pakistan has totaled $18.6 billion. The U.S. has just negotiated the largest arms deal in history with Saudi Arabia. And Turkey is a long-standing member of NATO. All three major state sponsors of terrorism in the world today are U.S. allies.30. PanamaU.S. drug enforcement officials wanted to arrest Manuel Noriega in 1971, when he was the chief of military intelligence in Panama. They had enough evidence to convict him of drug trafficking, but he was also a long-time agent and informer for the CIA, so like other drug-dealing CIA agents from Marseille to Macao, he was untouchable. He was temporarily cut loose during the Carter administration but otherwise kept collecting at least $100,000 per year from the U.S. Treasury. As he rose to be the de facto ruler of Panama, he became even more valuable to the CIA, reporting on meetings with Fidel Castro and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and supporting U.S. covert wars in Central America. Noriega probably quit drug trafficking in about 1985, well before the U.S. indicted him for it in 1988. The indictment was a pretext for the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, whose main purpose was to give the U.S. greater control over Panama, at the expense of at least 2,000 lives.31. The PhilippinesSince the U.S. launched its so-called war on terror in 2001, a task force of 500 US JSOC forces has conducted covert operations in the southern Philippines. Now, under Obama's "pivot to Asia," U.S. military aid to the Philippines is increasing, from $12 million in 2011 to $50 million this year. But Filippino human rights activists report that the increased aid coincides with increased military death squad operations against civilians. The past three years have seen at least 158 people killed by death squads.32. SyriaWhen President Obama approved flying weapons and militiamen from Libya to the "Free Syrian Army" base in Turkey in unmarked NATO planes in late 2011, he was calculating that the U.S. and its allies could replicate the "successful" overthrow of the Libyan government. Everyone involved understood that Syria would be a longer and bloodier conflict, but they gambled that the end result would be the same, even though 55% of Syrians told pollsters they still supported Assad. A few months later, Western leaders undermined Kofi Annan's peace plan with their "Plan B," "Friends of Syria." This was not an alternative peace plan, but a commitment to escalation, offering guaranteed support, money and weapons to the jihadis in Syria to make sure they ignored the Annan peace plan and kept fighting. That move sealed the fate of millions of Syrians. Over the past two years Qatar has spent $3 billion and flown inplaneloads of weapons, Saudi Arabia has shipped weapons from Croatia, and Western and Arab royalist special forces have trained thousands of increasingly radicalized fundamentalist jihadis, now allied with al-Qaeda. The Geneva II talks were a half-hearted effort to revive the 2012 Annan peace plan, but Western insistence that a "political transition" means the immediate resignation of Assad reveals that Western leaders still value regime change more than peace. To paraphrase Phyllis Bennis, the U.S. and its allies are still willing to fight to the last Syrian.33. UruguayThe foreign officials the U.S. has worked with include many who have benefited from their cooperation in American crimes around the world. But in Uruguay in 1970, when Police Chief Alejandro Otero objected to Americans training his officers in the art of torture, he was demoted. The U.S. official he complained to was Dan Mitrione, who worked for the U.S. Office of Public Safety, a division of the US Agency for International Development. Mitrione's training sessions reportedly included torturing homeless people to death with electric shocks to teach his students how far they could go.34. YugoslaviaThe NATO aerial bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999 was a flagrant crime of aggression in violation of Article 2.4 of the UN Charter. When British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told Secretary of State Albright that the U.K. was having "difficulties with its lawyers" over the planned attack, she told him the U.K. should "get new lawyers," according to her deputy James Rubin. NATO's proxy ground force in its aggression against Yugoslavia was the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), led by Hashim Thaci. A 2010 report by the Council of Europe and a book by Carla Del Ponte, the former prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, support long-standing allegations that at the time of the NATO invasion, Thaci ran a criminal organization called the Drenica group which sent more than 400 captured Serbs to Albania to be killed so that their organs could be extracted and sold for transplant. Hashim Thaci is now the Prime Minister of the NATO protectorate of Kosovo.35. ZairePatrice Lumumba, the president of the pan-Africanist Mouvement National Congolais, took part in the Congo's struggle for independence and became the Congo's first elected Prime Minister in 1960. He was deposed in a CIA-backed coup led by Joseph-Desire Mobutu, his Army Chief of Staff. Mobutu handed Lumumba over to the Belgian-backed separatists and Belgian mercenaries he had been fighting in Katanga province, and he was shot by a firing squad led by a Belgian mercenary. Mobutu abolished elections and appointed himself president in 1965, and ruled as a dictator for 30 years. He killed political opponents in public hangings, had others tortured to death, and eventually embezzled at least $5 billion while Zaire, as he renamed it, remained one of the poorest countries in the world. But U.S. support for Mobutu continued. Even as President Carter publicly distanced himself, Zaire continued to receive 50% of all U.S. military aid to sub-Saharan Africa. When Congress voted to cut off military aid, Carter and U.S. business interests worked to restore it. Only in the 1990s did U.S. support start to waver, until Mobutu was deposed by Laurent Kabila in 1997 and died soon afterward.***Major Joe Blair was the director of instruction at the U.S. School of the Americas (SOA) from 1986 to 1989. He described the training he oversaw at SOA as the following: "The doctrine that was taught was that if you want information you use physical abuse, false imprisonment, threats to family members, and killing. If you can't get the information you want, if you can't get that person to shut up or stop what they're doing, you assassinate them—and you assassinate them with one of your death squads."The stock response of U.S. officials to the exposure of the systematic crimes I've described is that such things may have occurred at certain times in the past but that they in no way reflect long-term or ongoing U.S. policy. The School of the Americas was moved from the Panama Canal Zone to Fort Benning, Georgia, and replaced by the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2001. But Joe Blair has something to say about that too. Testifying at a trial of SOA Watch protesters in 2002, he said, "There are no substantive changes besides the name. They teach the identical courses that I taught, and changed the course names and use the same manuals."A huge amount of human suffering could be alleviated and global problems solved if the United States would make a genuine commitment to human rights and the rule of law, as opposed to one it only applies cynically and opportunistically to its enemies, but never to itself or its allies.

Senior ISIS information minister Wael Adel Salman killed in Syria after U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Sep 16 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect nearly 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains off the coast of New England designated by President ObamaEnvironment Sep 15 2016Median household income up 5.2% for the first time in over seven years due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Poverty rate at its lowest level since 1999 due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Muhammad al-Adnani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) Aug 30 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands designated by President ObamaEnvironment Aug 26 201687,500 acres of wildlife, forests, rivers and mountains in Maine’s North Woods designated as a national monument that will be protected by the National Park ServiceEndangered Species Aug 24 2016Scientists researching the potential benefits of medical marijuana can apply to grow their own marijuana after the DEA lifted the ban limiting the number of institutions allowed grow the plantMedical Marijuana Aug 11 2016214 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commutedPardons Aug 03 2016Transgender Americans able to serve openly in the military after the Department of Defense lifted a ban prohibiting them from servingCivil & Human Rights Jul 01 2016All Freedom of Information request responses to be posted online after a successful pilot program was permanately expanded and signed into lawFreedom of Press Jun 30 2016Students who were defrauded or had their contract breached by a college or university can more easily petition to have their student loans forgiven under new rules by the Department of EducationHigher Education Jun 13 201642 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commutedSentencing Jun 03 2016President Obama becomes the first President to visit Hiroshima laying a wreath at Peace Memorial ParkInternational Relations May 27 2016Senior Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour killed in Pakistan after U.S. drone strikeTaliban May 22 2016Nutritional labels updated and modernized to better inform consumers of what they are purchasing under new labeling rules by the Food and Drug AdministrationHealth & Welfare May 20 2016Suggested maximum daily sugar amount added to nutritional labels for the first time under new labeling rules by the Food and Drug AdministrationHealth & Welfare May 20 2016First openly gay Secretary of the Army confirmed unanimously by the SenateCivil & Human Rights May 18 2016Over four million Americans to qualify for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week under new rule by the Labor Department that raised the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 per yearLabor May 17 2016Environmentally dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas sector regulated for the first time under new rule by the Environmental Protection AgencyFossil Fuels May 12 2016Transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the bathrooms of their gender identity under new rule by the Obama AdministrationDiscrimination May 12 2016American bison named as the first national mammal after the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into lawGovernment May 09 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Sa'ad al-Sudani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) May 05 2016Stonewall Inn named the first national monument honoring the history of gays and lesbians in the United StatesCivil & Human Rights May 04 201640 ISIS operatives responsible for multiple attacks in Europe and the Middle East killed by Delta Force and Navy SEAL commandos during various raidsIslamic State (ISIS) Apr 27 2016First woman on American currency in more than 100 years will be Harriet Tubman after the Treasury Department announced she will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 billWomen's Rights Apr 20 2016Individuals investing in retirement accounts protected under new rule requiring financial advisers to provide investment advice that puts their client's best interests above all elseFinancial Regulation Apr 15 2016387,000 Americans unable to to work due to a permanent disability have their student loan debts forgiven by the Department of EducationEducation Apr 12 2016Homeowners taken advantage of by deceptive mortgage practices from Goldman Sachs to receive monetary relief after agreement between the bank and the Justice DepartmentLaws & Crime Apr 11 2016American banks must identify the owners of shell companies they do business with under a new rule by the Treasury DepartmentMonetary Policy Apr 10 2016Gender neutral restrooms available for White House staff and visitors so individuals can use the bathroom that conforms to their gender identityDiscrimination Apr 07 2016Senior Al-Qaeda leader Abu Firas al-Suri killed in Syria after U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Apr 04 2016Sentences reduced and adapted for 61 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Mar 30 2016ISIS Finance Minister Haji Iman killed during U.S. operationIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 25 2016Hazardous industrial material crystalline silica which is known to pose serious risks of incurable lung disease and lung cancer regulated to lower the allowable exposure limitHealth & Welfare Mar 23 2016Workers must be informed of their employers and its contractors direct or indirect persuading against forming a union under a new rule by the Labor DepartmentUnion Workers Mar 23 2016Cuban citizens witnessed Cuban President Raul Castro take questions from the media for the first time during press conference with President ObamaInternational Relations Mar 22 2016Public Wi-Fi areas in Cuba greatly expanded since American telecommunication companies were allowed to do business in the countryInternational Relations Mar 20 2016President Obama becomes the first U.S. President to visit Cuba since 1928 after successful diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Mar 20 2016General Lori Robinson becomes first woman nominated to lead a combatant command in the United States militaryWomen's Rights Mar 18 2016Senior ISIS leader Omar al-Shishani and 12 additional ISIS fighters killed in Syria after a series of U.S. drone and manned aircraft strikesIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 15 2016Offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast prohibited after local communities voiced strong oppositionOffshore Drilling Mar 15 2016Cubans may open U.S. bank accounts under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba for people-to-people educational reasons under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016150 Al-Shabaab fighters killed at Somalia training camp after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 08 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Yusuf Ali Ugas killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Mohamed Mire killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior unnamed ISIS operative captured and detained during U.S. led raid in IraqIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 03 2016Moderates winning a majority in Iran's parliament and Assembly of Experts partially attributed to improved diplomacy and landmark nuclear deal with major world powersInternational Relations Feb 29 2016Senior ISIS leader Noureddine Chouchane and over thirty ISIS militants killed in Libya after U.S. airstrikesIslamic State (ISIS) Feb 19 2016American citizens may fly to Cuba for the first time in 50 years after the two countries sign an agreement restoring commercial air travelInternational Relations Feb 16 2016All active duty service members eligible for 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave through new rule by the Department of DefenseMilitary & Defense Jan 28 2016Juveniles in federal prisons can no longer be placed in solitary confinement after executive order by President ObamaPrisons Jan 25 2016Consumers who reduce their electricity use during peak hours receive a discount through new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionEnergy Jan 25 2016Four United States citizens imprisoned in Iran released after a prisoner swap between the United States and IranInternational Relations Jan 16 2016Ten Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo Bay for fourteen years transferred to OmanGuantanamo Bay Jan 14 2016New coal mining leases on public lands halted under new rule by the Department of InteriorFossil Fuels Jan 14 2016Ten Navy sailors detained by Iran after accidentally sailing into their waters freed within 24 hours through diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Jan 13 2016ISIS cash depot holding millions of dollars bombed in Mosul, Iraq by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 11 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Mohammed al-Adnani injured and detained in Iraq after U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 07 2016Sentences reduced and adapted for 97 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Dec 18 2015Environmentally hazardous plastic microbeads found in personal care products banned from being manufactured in the U.S.Microbead-Free Waters Act Dec 18 2015Families with three or more children have their taxes reduced $200-$600 through the permanent expansion of the Child Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015College students can claim $2,500 towards tuition, fees, and course material on their taxes after the extension of the American Opportunity Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Medical marijuana patients may purchase prescriptions without fear of arrest after DEA prohibited from raiding legal dispensariesBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Solar and wind energy production to double in size through a five year extension of Federal tax creditsBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015World community pledges to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees celsiusEnvironment Dec 12 2015Teacher performance evaluations no longer based off student test results after passage of the Every Student Succeeds ActEvery Student Succeeds Act Dec 10 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Abdirahman Sandhere killed in Lybia by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Dec 07 2015Female soldiers roles expanded to serve in any combat positionWomen's Rights Dec 03 2015Military personnel who handled service dogs in combat zones given first rights of adoption after the dog retires from dutyMilitary & Defense Nov 25 2015Senior ISIS leader Wisam al Zubaidi killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Mohammed Emwazi (Jihadi John) killed in Syria by U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Veterans and their families offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in all fifty statesVeterans Benefits Nov 11 2015Final phase of Keystone pipeline rejected because it would not serve the national interest of the United StatesOil & Gas Industry Nov 06 2015Federal job applicants can't be denied employment solely for having a prior convictionLaws & Crime Nov 02 2015Seventy hostages held by ISIS in Iraq rescued after joint operation with Iraqi soldiers and US special forcesIslamic State (ISIS) Oct 22 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Sanafi al-Nasr killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Oct 18 2015Sentences reduced and adapted for 6,000 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Oct 06 2015First openly gay American nominated to become Secretary of the ArmyMilitary & Defense Sep 18 2015Employees of Federal government contractors must be offered seven days of paid sick leave per yearLabor Sep 07 2015Transgender Americans may not be discriminated against by health insurance companies or medical providersDiscrimination Sep 03 2015Tallest mountain in North America renamed Mount DenaliGovernment Aug 31 2015First openly transgender person hired by White House to work as civilian employeeCivil & Human Rights Aug 18 2015Each state must reduce carbon emissions by set amounts by 2030Global Warming Aug 04 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Muhsin al-Fadhli killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeTerrorism Jul 21 2015Sexual orientation discrimination against Federal employees ruled illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights ActProfiling Jul 16 2015Six major world powers reach agreement with Iran to curb their nuclear programNuclear Energy Jul 14 2015Sentences commuted for 46 people serving excessive & unfair punishment for nonviolent crimesPardons Jul 13 2015National monuments consist of 260 Million Acres throughout AmericaEnvironment Jul 12 2015United States and Cuba re-open embassies after 54 year diplomatic freezeTreaties & Agreements Jul 2015Government mandated threshold for all hourly workers to qualify for overtime pay increased from $23,660 to $50,440.Jobs Jun 30 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi killed in Yemen by U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jun 12 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasr al-Ansi killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Apr 21 2015Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Actsigned into lawMedicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act Apr 16 2015New Medicare formula changes the way doctors are reimbursed; rewards doctors when their patients have better health outcomesHealth Care Industry Apr 16 201553 political prisoners in Cuba released as a show of good will in the ongoing restoratiation of diplomatic relationship between the two countriesInternational Relations Dec 17 2014United States restores diplomatic relationship with Cuba after 50 year freezeInternational Relations Dec 17 2014Abortion coverage extended to Peace Corps volunteers who became pregnant because of rape, incest, and life endangermentContinuing Appropriations Act of 2015 Dec 16 2014President Obama issues executive order allowing the parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to continue residing in the United StatesImmigration Nov 20 2014President Obama pledges $3 Billion to global fund assisting poor countries coping with climate changeGlobal Warming Nov 14 2014China and the United States agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to twenty-five percent by 2030Global Warming Nov 12 2014Senior Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane killed in Somalia by U.S. airstrikeTerrorism Sep 05 2014Broad Coalition of Middle-Eastern countries conduct military campaign against ISIS inside of SyriaTerrorism Sep 2014President Obama signs executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminting against LGBT individualsCivil & Human Rights Jul 21 2014United States assumes control of weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium from Japan after the two countries signed an agreement to secure their stockpile to prevent it from theftNuclear Proliferation Mar 24 2014International Trade Data System created to streamline small business Export/Import processBusiness & Economy Feb 19 2014Minimum wage for Federal Contractors raised to $10.10 per hour.Minimum Wage Feb 12 2014Agriculture Act of 2014signed into lawAgriculture Act of 2014 Feb 07 2014Federal Government reopens after 16 day shutdown defeating Republican partisan attempt to cancel health care benefits for millions under ObamacareGovernment Shutdown Oct 17 2013President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have first formal communication between the two nations in 35 yearsInternational Relations Sep 27 2013Syria agrees to dismantle chemical weapons stockpile after deal reached between the Obama Administration and RussiaTreaties & Agreements Sep 14 2013Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional by Supreme CourtCivil & Human Rights Jun 26 2013American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012signed into lawAmerican Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Jan 02 2013Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng relocates to the United State after diplomatic agreement between China and the Obama administrationInternational Relations May 19 2012President Obama becomes first sitting president to publicly support marriage equalityCivil & Human Rights May 09 2012Senior Al-Qaida commander Fahd al-Quso killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda May 06 2012Members of Congress and certain government employees prohibited from using non-public information for personal profitSTOCK Act Apr 04 2012Federal unemployment benefits programs extended an additional 13 to 20 weeksMiddle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Cuts in Medicare physician payment rates averted with extension of existing rates through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Employee social security payroll tax reduction from 6.2% to 4.2 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Self-employed social security payroll tax reduction from 12.4% to 10.4 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012U.S. drone attack in Yemen killed 12-15 militants, including at least four Al-Qaeda leadersAl-Qaeda Jan 30 2012Senior Al-Qaeda figure Aslam Awan killed in U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jan 2012War in Iraq ended with last American troops crossing border into Kuwait2003 Iraq War Dec 17 2011US government international campaign initiated to build respect for the human rights of LGBT persons worldwideDiscrimination Dec 06 2011$700 million annual funding for child protection, child abuse prevention, family support and adoption promotion through 2016Child and Family Services Improvement Act Sep 30 2011Senior Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 30 2011Entrepreneurs and businesses benefited by reduced average wait time for patent approvals from 3 years to 1 year.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Patent litigation costs reduced through tightened patent standards, quality and processes to expedite challenges.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Al-Qaeda's operations chief for Pakistan Abu Hafs al Shahri reported killed in U.S. Predator strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 11 2011U.S./Pakistani joint arrest of suspected Chief Al-Qaeda Younis al-Mauritani in QuettaAl-Qaeda Sep 06 2011Al-Qaeda No. 2 Atiyah Abd al-Rahman Killed in Pakistan by CIA predator drone strikeAl-Qaeda Aug 22 2011East Africa's Al-Qaeda senior leader Harun Fazul killed at security checkpoint in SomaliaAl-Qaeda Jun 07 2011Al-Qaeda Commander Ilyas Kashmiri Killed in U.S. Predator StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 03 20116 senior Al-Qaeda figures killed in U.S. Air StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 2011US Forces Kill Osama Bin Laden in PakistanAl-Qaeda May 02 2011Defense of Marriage Act declared unconstitutional and no longer defended in federal courts by the Obama AdministrationFeb 23 2011Number of US and Russian nuclear warheads deployed reduced by two-thirds by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Number of US and Russian strategic nuclear missile launchers reduced in half by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Small family farms selling locally exempted from federal regulations such as traceability and record keepingFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of imported food improved with new FSVP & VQIP programs that helps ensure it is safe, unadulterated and not misbrandedFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of U.S. grown food improved with requirements for large factory farms to register all food handlers and maintain records relating to food safetyFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011US sponsored measure to include “sexual orientation” in the definition of human rights adopted by the UN General Assembly, 122- 0.Discrimination Dec 22 2010Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the militaryDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$193 million saved over five years by eliminating recruiting and retraining costs of replacing soldiers discharged due to DADTDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$186 billion in tax relief for all tax payers by extending the Bush income tax cuts for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$136 billion in tax relief for 21 million middle class households through patch to the Alternative Minimum Tax for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$111 billion in tax relief for workers by a reducing social security payroll tax from 6.2% to 4.2% for 2011.2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Unemployment benefits extended for 13 months at a cost of $56 billion2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$40 billion in tax credits for college students and lower income families with children2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs increased by approximately 115,000 studentsHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010Schools and communities provided resources to utilize local farms and gardens to provide fresh produce for school food programs.Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010$1.5 billion awarded to some 75,000 black farmers who were victims of discrimination in applying for farm loans from 1983 to 1997Claims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010$3.4 billion settlement for Native Americans against the US government arising from incorrect accounting for royalties on mineral leasesClaims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010Veteran work-study programs expanded to include congressional offices, state agencies and institutions of higher learningVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010On-the-job training opportunities expanded for veterans by reimbursing energy sector employers for training costs.Veterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Insurance policy amounts and terms enhanced for severely disabled veteransVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Service members receiving relocation orders protected from early termination fees for certain contracts and residential leasesVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$10 million in job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with childrenVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Disabled veterans provided improved independent assisted living services, automobile adaptive equipment and allowances for automobile purchaseVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$30 billion lending program created for community banks with incentives to increase small business lendingSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010$12 billion in assistance for small businesses through eight separate tax cutsSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010Large disparity in jail sentences reduced for crack cocaine related offenses that disproportionately affected African AmericansFair Sentencing Act Aug 03 2010Long-term economic stability improved through new FDIC powers to liquidate failing financial firms such as insurance companies and non-bank financial companiesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Borrowers protected from bad loans with rules and penalties requiring that lenders verify that they are able to repay the loans that they issueWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Financial Stability Oversight Council established to identify and monitor excessive risks to the U.S. financial systemWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Future economic downturns minimized with new rules and transparency regarding bank trading in credit default swaps and derivatives including the "Volker Rule"Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Risk in the financial system reduced with new SEC Office of Credit Ratings (OCR) to monitor credit rating agencies for conflict of interests & inaccuraciesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010FDIC bank deposit insurance increased from $100,000 to $250,000Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Transparency of Federal Reserve improved with additional government oversight and new audits to be performed by the GAOWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Consumer Financial Protection Bureau established to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial productsWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010U.S. drone attack killed 7 known terrorists, most notable Al-Qaeda operative from Egypt Hawza al JawfiAl-Qaeda Jun 29 2010Federal benefits extended to same sex partners of workers through memorandum by Obama administrationCivil & Human Rights Jun 02 2010Transgender Americans able to list their gender identity on their passports under rule issued by the State DepartmentCivil & Human Rights Jun 01 2010Al-Qaeda’s number three commander Sheik Saeed al-Masri killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda May 21 2010Family caregivers of veterans granted eligibility to VA counseling and mental health servicesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Health care services improved and expanded for women veterans at Veterans care facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Counseling and care enhanced for military women victims of sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Caregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Care options expanded for veterans living in rural areas that lack the necessary VA medical facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Housing and care options expanded for homeless veterans living in care sheltersCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Joint American and Iraqi operation killed Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-BaghdadiAl-Qaeda Apr 18 2010$68 billion to expand Pell grants & make it easier for students to repay outstanding loans after graduation through savings in the federal student loan programStudent Aid Act Mar 30 2010$2 billion investment to laid off workers for education and career training programs in community colleges over four years starting in 2010Student Aid Act Mar 30 2010People denied coverage for a pre-existing condition given access to a temporary high risk health insurance planObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Children under 19 can no longer be denied coverage or benefits for a pre-existing conditionObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Young adults can stay on parent's insurance plan up until age 26Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$250 rebate for those in the Medicare Prescription drug "donut hole" during 2010Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 201050% discount on prescription drug costs for seniors in the Medicare "donut hole" starting in 2011Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health care insurance plans prohibited from putting a lifetime limit on the benefits you receiveObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Annual dollar limits on health benefits restricted and phased out by 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurers selling to groups of 50 or more employees must spend 85% of premiums on medical care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers guaranteed the right to choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician from their health plan’s provider networkObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010HIV Testing Will Now Be Covered Under ObamacareObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers are guaranteed the right to appeal decisions made by their health insurance providerObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Women are no longer charged higher premiums because of their genderObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Preventative services will be covered at no additional costObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must provide consumers a short, easy to understand summary of their benefits and coverageObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health insurance companies can not charge higher premiums for out of network emergency room careObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010People with a pre-existing condition cannot be denied health coverge by an insurance company starting in 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$143 billion in deficit reduction estimated between 2010-2019 from health care reform law provisionsObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Mental health and drug addiction coverage is an "essential benefit" that can not be deniedObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must spend 80% of the money raised from consumers premiums on health care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Social Security payroll tax credits in 2010 for employers that hired people who have been unemployed for 60+ daysHire Act Mar 18 2010Tax credits to employers who keep new hires for 52 weeks to encourage retention of new hiresHire Act Mar 18 2010$17.5 billion in tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds to stimulate business investment and hiringHire Act Mar 18 2010$20 billion to the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Encourages job creation by expanding investments in schools and clean energy projectsHire Act Mar 18 2010Offsets costs through a 30 percent withholding tax on income from certain U.S. financial assets held by foreign banks who have not agreed to disclosures.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Al-Qaeda operative Hussein al-Yemeni killed by U.S. drone attack in PakistanAl-Qaeda Mar 2010Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked Fedayeen-i-Islam leader Qari Zafar killed in US airstrikeAl-Qaeda Feb 24 2010Militant commander Muhammad Haqqani killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Feb 2010Discrimination based on gender identity banned in federal workplacesDiscrimination Jan 01 2010Liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler avoided through government mandated restructuring plans and conditional investment and loan programsManufacturing Industry 2009115,000 jobs created at General Motors and Chrysler since government financing and restructuring implementedJobs 20091.45 million American jobs saved overall by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationJobs 2009$96 billion in personal income losses avoided by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationLabor 2009$28.6 billion net public benefit in income taxes and social security taxes paid because liquidation of GM and Chrysler avoidedTaxes 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Abdallah Sa’id killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 17 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Saleh al-Somali killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 08 2009People with HIV/AIDS no longer prohibited from entering the United StatesDiscrimination Oct 30 2009Federal hate crime law expanded to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.Matthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Existing hate crime laws strengthened with funding to investigate and prosecute those crimesMatthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Operation Celestial Balance: Navy Seals Kill Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan killed by U.S. raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009White House voluntary disclosure of visitor logsSep 04 2009Co-founder of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Tohir Yo‘ldosh killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Aug 29 2009U.S. drone attack killed Tehrik e-Taliban Pakistan leader Baitullah Mahsud in PakistanPakistani Taliban Aug 05 2009First-ever reception at the White House honoring Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual Pride Month hosted by the President and First ladyDiscrimination Jun 29 2009Sonya Sotomayor nominated and approved as Supreme Court justiceMay 25 2009Dept of Defense systems analysis, engineering and developmental testing processes overhauled to reduce high rates of failure on defense acquisitionsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense Dept ordered to evaluate the technological maturity and product knowledge of critical weapons' technologies before letting defense contractsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Independent cost assesessment director initiated to ensure that cost estimates for major Defense contracts are fair, reliable, and unbiasedWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense oversight council required to seek input from combat commanders in evaluating proposed weapons system capabilities and needsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense contractors prohibited from participating in both the systems engineering and the development /construction phases of the weapon systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Oversight and audit required of those major defense programs experiencing cost overruns to determine if the programs are essential and cost-effectiveWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Funding provided to hire and retain highly skilled specialists to assess the cost, schedule and applicability of proposed Defense Dept weapons systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Annual awards program established to recognize individuals and teams making significant contributions to improving efficiency of defense aquisition programsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Credit cardholders protected against arbitrary interest rate increases, hidden and excessive fees, and due date gimmicksCredit Card Act May 22 2009Homeowners' foreclosures avoided by improved terms for loan modification and restructuring of their debtHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Lenders incentivized to reduce foreclosures by loss mitigation guarantees, compensation and lender protection from lawsuits by investors holding the loansHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009$2.2 billion appropriated to help communities address the homeless crisis.Helping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Financial Crisis Inquiry commission created to examine and report on the domestic and global causes of the 2008 - 2009 financial and economic crisisFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Mortgage lending businesses added to list of financial institutions subject to Federal criminal law in fraudulent lending practicesFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Crime of major fraud against the United States amended to include Federal grants made to stimulate economic recovery for fiscal years 2009 and 2010Fraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Securities fraud definition amended to include fraud related to commodities futures and derivatives fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$140 million in special funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$100 million in special funding for the offices of the United States Attorneys to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$80 million in special funding to the criminal, civil and tax divisions of the Dept of Justice to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for the Postal Inspection Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for Inspector General's Office at the U S Dept of Housing and Urban Development to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$40 million in special funding for the Secret Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$42 million in special funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate securites fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009250,000 volunteers by 2017 for community service programs in low income neighborhoodsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Community volunteer program expanded to address the education, health care, energy and veterans needs of low income communitiesServe America Act Apr 21 2009Disadvantaged youth job opportunites enhanced by community service to gain skills/experience and earn education grants and stipendsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Restrictions eased on Cuba travel, money transfers, and cellular telephone/satellite service.International Relations Apr 13 2009Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips rescued during operation in which U.S. Navy Seal snipers kill three Somali Pirates holding him for ransom aboard lifeboatSomali Civil War Apr 11 2009Deeper recession or depression averted in 2009 and beyond with the help of stimulus bill provisions2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 2009Approximately 2.7 million jobs added to US payrolls and unemployment rate kept 1½ percentage points lower due to Stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 20092010 real GDP increased by about 3.4% due to stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009Tax credit of $400 per worker ($800 per couple) for middle income workers for 2009 & 2010 totaling $116 billion2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$82.2 billion in aid for low income workers, unemployed and retirees (including job training)2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$70 billion in tax relief for middle class workers by patching the Alternative Minimum Tax for one year2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$155 billion in health care assistance for the poor & unemployed primarily for Medicaid, health information technology and insurance premium subsidies2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$100 billion in education aid to prevent lay-offs, modernize schools, award Pell grants and help low income children & special education programs2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$48.1 billion in investments for highway, bridge, high-speed rail & other transportation projects2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 20094 million more children insured under SCHIP in addition to the 6.6 million already coveredChildren's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Feb 04 2009Statute of limitations on filing equal-pay lawsuits eased by setting period to start from the date of the most recent paycheck.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Pay discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, age and disability prohibited.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Employers prompted to review, develop and update their criteria on employee compensation to ensure they are applied consistently and uniformly.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Use of torture by CIA and military to interrogate prisoners prohibited.Torture Jan 21 2009

Hope you have a lot of time on your hands. Here are some accomplishments courtesy of pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishmentsWithin his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5·Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1·On his first full day, he froze White House salaries for the duration of the Great Recession. http://cbsn.ws/2aNMqNN·He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending and efficiency. http://www.cio.gov·He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems and signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, in an attempt to limit waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting systems. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1·Established the Open Government Directive, which completely changed the government’s approach to technology at all levels. http://bit.ly/2iOTERn·He created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa·Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd·Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu·Banned gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN·Banned anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years and placed strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV·Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/2atEVct·Became the first president to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5·Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov·Restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews, giving the public greater access to historic White House documents, and curtails the use of executive privilege to shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb·Improved the Freedom of Information Act and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2·Streamlined the Department of Education’s procurement policies and made them more transparent. http://bit.ly/1r9oQvh·Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7·Signed a law to completely reform NSA Data Collection program and keep phone records in the hands of the phone company. http://bit.ly/1dG34vD·Improved access and data available to Inspectors General throughout the federal governments and elsewhere, thus improving investigative quality.·Sought to improve project management and accountability throughout the federal government. http://bit.ly/2jRaC3A·Enjoyed a virtually scandal-free Administration for eight solid years. http://bit.ly/2iOCTFV·Prevented a Bush Depression, Improved the Economy·Pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as “the stimulus package.” He also launched http://recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://bit.ly/2aw6HGt·By the end of his first year, the economy created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and the ARRA stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE·He guided the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan and forced financial organizations to pay back virtually all bailout money. http://bit.ly/2alXjlV·Established the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl·In 2010 alone, more jobs were created than had been created during Bush’s eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY·He pushed through and implemented an auto industry rescue plan that saved as many as 1 million jobs and possibly the entire auto industry. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr http://bit.ly/gj7mt5·Through his investment in GM, returned to the company to its place as the premiere car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx·In February 2016, GM was in such good financial shape, they gave a share of the profit to each worker, with checks up to $11,000. http://detne.ws/1mk7Jry·Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf·Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw·Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which helped millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures and provided $2.2 billion to combat homelessness and stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/2aiFCbi·Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by reducing the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt·Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/2aOGmVM·Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5·Signed new rules making it easier for home buyers to get a loan to buy a condominium. http://bit.ly/2c4VPDl·Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30D·Provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR·Signed bill to provide extra training for local police forces, especially with regard to active shooter situations. http://bit.ly/2cvFlRf·China’s largest manufacturer, Foxconn, is building a large plant in Pennsylvania http://cnnmon.ie/1k7LT4S·Worked with Apple Computer to get them to build more product here, and the company is building two large plants to manufacture products here; one in Texas http://zd.net/1nkpt2O and one in Arizona http://bit.ly/1mXY5Vg·Created an institute to invest in more manufacturing jobs in the technology fields of the future. http://nyti.ms/1egyXrV·Ordered all federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, leading the way to a national increase. http://wapo.st/1iaU5kd As a result of this decision, a number of large employers, including Disney and Walmart, have increased their minimums. http://bit.ly/2c3iwF5·Ordered the completion of the International Trade Data System, a digital trade record book, by 2016. This move will streamline and simplify the process through which small- and medium-sized businesses set up the export of US goods. http://bit.ly/1nwSRF4·Signed bill to expand opportunities and to promote greater Native American tourism. http://bit.ly/2dTIQmo·Specific Examples of Economic Improvement·As of December 2016, a record 75 consecutive months of overall job growth, a record. http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ·As of August 2016, Unemployment drops below 5% for the first time in eight years and without a significant bubble, remains below 5% until he leaves office. 4.9% http://on.msnbc.com/1TKFCPQ·As of December 2016, there have been 82 consecutive months of private sector job growth, a record. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho·In April 2016, new unemployment claims hit their lowest level since Nov. 1973. As of September 2016, they remain at 43-year lows. That means lower than at any time during Saint Reagan’s Administration. http://yhoo.it/2eaIPbf http://nyti.ms/1YhZEBk·Since February 2010, when unemployment peaked, 16 million non-farm private sector jobs have been created. http://1.usa.gov/1Xhizho·Contrary to GOP rhetoric, most of the new jobs created have been full-time, not temporary. http://bit.ly/2dF7pjO·Oversaw a reduction in the federal budget deficit by two-thirds since taking office. http://bit.ly/1xKMmjY·Reduced the federal budget deficit from 9.8% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2009 under Bush, to 2.5% of GDP in FY 2015. http://bit.ly/2cI4ABV·Scolds Congress and gets a $305 billion highways bill passed. This bill has the added benefit of created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and creating incentives for green cars. http://bit.ly/1NsL2Zq·Wages have risen more in 2015 and 2016 than at any time in almost 20 years, without the aid of an economic bubble. http://theatln.tc/2iX24JK·For the first time in 15 years, the lowest income demographic is seeing a rise in income. http://theatln.tc/2iX24JK·Addressed Wrongdoing in the Financial Sector·Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7·Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq·Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0http://bit.ly/geHpcD·Created and implemented rules to reduce the influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t·Created and implemented rules so banks can no longer use depositors’ money to invest in derivatives and other high-risk financial instruments that work against depositors’ interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj·Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj·Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM·Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks permitting the US government to gain access to bank records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/2aAwUS5·Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, closing many of the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq·Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, inflation in the healthcare sector dropped to its lowest point in 50 years. http://on.wsj.com/1E6cYjF·Improved Conditions for Consumers and Small Businesses·Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS·Guided the housing market all the way back from total collapse, which led to a rally for housing starts. http://reut.rs/1NTAOVU·Spent unprecedented amounts of money on technology, to move the country well into the 21stCentury, after eight years of lag. http://bit.ly/2jCTwsA·Brought airline industry back to their highest profitability since before the recession. http://lat.ms/1O8H1iE·Created an airline passenger bill of rights, preventing airlines from stranding passengers on tarmac for hours, requiring them to return to the gate within three hours or face stiff fines. http://bit.ly/2c3jAZi·Blocked a monopolistic merger of Staples and Office Depot, to preserve at least some competition. http://bit.ly/1kcY2Kv·Stock market has reached record highs, restoring most of the economic losses felt during the Bush Recession. http://bit.ly/1z4FAtL·Promoted and signed a bill to established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and implemented it. http://1.usa.gov/j5onG http://bit.ly/fnTayj·Consumer confidence continues to inch up to its highest level more than a decade. http://bit.ly/1PZLRcK·Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b·Created BusinessUSA, to allow online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with Small Business Administration.) http://www.business.gov·Through the FCC, Established the Open Internet Order, which established new neutrality as a standard for the future. http://fcc.us/2iGc0ZA·Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7·Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://bit.ly/2b3jKOk·Crafted and signed an executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE·Oversaw the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/2aiIPaS·Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act to combat fraud by companies and individuals using money from TARP and Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa·Set up rules for banks in handling legal marijuana money. http://nyti.ms/1b80o2K·Added greater protections to consumer financial transactions to reduce identity theft. http://1.usa.gov/1pjfUFq·Took steps to prevent pirate fishing and protect fish populations, and ordered stricter labeling requirements on labeling of seafood products in stores. http://1.usa.gov/1BYhTUn·Signed the RAISE Act, which should encourage more people to open small businesses and help improve the economy. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF·Signed a bill that allows low-volume vehicle manufacturers that will increase entrepreneurship among small car manufacturers, who often build replicas of classics but who often build green vehicles. http://bit.ly/1QhTqkF·Signs an Executive Order to strengthen cooperation with regard to global entrepreneurship. http://1.usa.gov/294u5eI·Signs a law to allow “ordinary investors” to help a company start up through crowdfunding. http://n.pr/299eZEn·Blocks the merger of several health insurers to ensure that competition remains in the health insurance business. http://bit.ly/2cvHV9P·Signs a law to strengthen American economic competitiveness. http://bit.ly/2932zfA·Prohibited the elimination of “floating homes” In the Tennessee Valley Authority. http://bit.ly/2k5C6S9·Established new offices at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that are designed to assist small businesses and to reduce unnecessary regulations. http://bit.ly/2jdpdp3·Banned the used of automated “ticket-bots” http://newsok.com/article/5531133·Offers greater protection for consumers who post online reviews. https://yhoo.it/2iP8ZkY·Strengthened the Middle Class and Fought Poverty·Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS·Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cut taxes for 95% of America’s working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F·Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8·Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP·Extended discounted health coverage under the COBRA health insurance law for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he’s also extended unemployment benefits more than a few times. http://aol.it/evtVxDhttp://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz·Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM·Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8·Included the Buffet Rule in his 2014 budget proposal, in order to fulfill a campaign promise to make sure tax rates are fair between the rich and the middle class. http://1.usa.gov/19PkdQo·Used the fiscal cliff negotiations to extend for five additional years the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to families for college-related expenses, thus saving those families up to $10,000. http://onforb.es/17zYg3u·Increased protections for the unemployed who are seeking a government job. http://1.usa.gov/1jgXATu·Updated and modernized overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) http://1.usa.gov/1iGDO8e·Signed and implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, to improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk·To make college more affordable and accountable, will begin rating colleges with regard to affordability and value. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL·Initiated a reform of federal job training programs, to make them more relevant to the current economy and the job market. http://1.usa.gov/1kZLQHG·Under Obama, the bottom 95% of taxpayers pay lower federal income taxes than at any time in the last 50 years, including under Reagan, or either Bush. http://bit.ly/1w1W8Ns·Signed a presidential memorandum authorizing six weeks paid leave for all federal employees with a new baby and encouraged Congress to do the same for all workers. http://bit.ly/18613XA·2014 marked the first time since 1984 that unemployment dropped in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 1.usa.gov/1E25u0C·Took steps to improve workplace safety by creating an Advisory Board to study workers’ exposure to toxic substances. http://1.usa.gov/1M4s8IG·Changed overtime rules to make it far more difficult for employers to avoid paying overtime to workers. http://politi.co/1KHfiBe·Changed rules for federal contractors, guaranteeing that all workers earn paid leave; this should affect about 300,000 workers. http://1.usa.gov/1LcHZWl·Signed a Hague Convention Agreement to make it easier to collect child support from parents wherever they are in the world. http://bit.ly/2cI38wB·Negotiated a law to finally replace “No Child Left Behind” and remove much of the onerous government “oversight” that caused children to stagnate, not improve, academically. http://bit.ly/1Up9pMl·Signed executive order to expand charitable giving among federal employees. http://bit.ly/2e7cJQy·Helped to end the “Victory Tax” that caused financial hardship to successful Olympic athletes. http://bit.ly/2ds4uO2·Addressed Civil Rights and Equality·Formed a commission to examine and make recommendations for fixing the broken voting system. http://wapo.st/16K0D·Created a Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department that has become a very strong voice for Black people. http://bit.ly/1ObO7TI·At a press conference August 9, 2013, gave up some executive power, promising to create adversarial process in FISA regarding NSA surveillance. http://1.usa.gov/1dQmnyQ·Proposed rules to enhance Fair Housing Laws, to give HUD and other enforcement agencies more enforcement power. http://bit.ly/1qkz4uQ·Ordered a review of capital punishment policies after several botched executions. http://nyti.ms/RDJp58·Approved $1.2 billion discrimination settlement with black farmers who had proved USDA bias. http://huff.to/1Nol9Ab·Appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0·Concentrated immigration enforcement on those who commit crimes, and vowed to stop breaking up families. http://1.usa.gov/1uTZ8gV·Streamlined the visa process, to make it more responsive and humane for those who want to be here legally. http://1.usa.gov/1tgDRti·Took steps to tighten the reins when it comes to providing local law enforcement agencies with military-style equipment and exercising more control over the equipment they receive. http://1.usa.gov/1ATWV3K·Changed fair housing rules to make more affordable housing available to more people. http://cnn.it/1JcR3qB·Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8·Created a Policing Task Force to deal with the problems that led to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. http://nbcnews.to/1T17PON·His Justice Department investigated the Ferguson Police Department twice and slammed them for their racism and exploitive practices. http://nbcnews.to/1q9jTpf·Established the White House Council of Native American Affairs, to improve government-to-government relations with Native American nations. http://1.usa.gov/1cIEeEv·Limited local police acquisitions of military-style equipment, to reduce the likelihood of overkill. http://n.pr/1NGkBjT·Signed Blue Alert Law, which provides police officers with more information when they are threatened. http://bit.ly/1NGksga·Blocked the sale of Apache tribal land to foreign mining company, over Republican objections. Hero: Obama Blocks Sale Of Sacred Apache Land To Foreign Mining Firmhttp://bit.ly/1RYpmfi·Settled with the City of Cleveland over civil rights and excessive force violations. http://nbcnews.to/24GRQNw·Reviewed the practices of the Philadelphia Police Department and made 91 recommendations to prevent civil rights and excessive force violations. http://on.msnbc.com/1q9ktmX·Signed a law to modernize the way the federal government refers to minorities, removing certain archaic terms from the vocabulary. http://bit.ly/291BeIL·Took steps to treat opioid addiction as a health issue rather than purely as a law enforcement issue. http://bit.ly/2ccokd3·Signed a law to better protect children in tribal foster care. http://strib.mn/293Gyky·Blocked an oil pipeline in South Dakota that would have devastated sacred Sioux land. http://theatln.tc/2cmmmqb·Worked with Congress to pass bill establishing Commission on Native Children, which will examine some of the most pressing problems facing Native American nations. http://wapo.st/2esGxbC·Signed bill establishing a Sexual Assault Rights Act by working with Democrats in Congress. http://bzfd.it/2ejelVd·Worked with Congress to pass law to make sure there are changing tables in all federal restrooms, including men’s rooms. http://slate.me/2ejdWlu·Extended religious protection to atheists and agnostics. http://nbcnews.to/2jD7meL·Officially scrapped a post-9/11 registry that primarily targeted Muslim men http://cbsn.ws/2k5nNNk That makes the proposed Trump registry a lot more difficult to create. http://theatln.tc/2jEfDhZ·Established a law to allow disabled people to set up their own trusts and tend to their own financial affairs. http://bit.ly/2jR7BA1·Established the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. http://bit.ly/2iOtBtL·Signed bill to create thousands of outdoor recreation jobs while preserving an important part of the environment. http://bit.ly/2jCPSPN·Improved Workers’ Rights·He issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including all websites and intranets. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ·Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission clarified and strengthened rules prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. http://alj.am/1mo0kjV·Required companies who bid on federal contracts larger than $500,000 to publicly disclose all previous violations of labor law, including unpaid claims for back wages. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3·Made it illegal for federal contractors with more than $1 million in contracts to force employees into arbitration in workplace discrimination accusations. http://1.usa.gov/V54qY3·Vetoed Republican bill that would have blocked new NLRB rules that were designed to speed up the time it takes workers to unionize. http://reut.rs/1agujMO He also added a Memorandum of Disagreement to make his reasons for the veto clear and made a major statement in support of unions. http://1.usa.gov/1NG7RuA·Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj·Signed law that bans imports of goods produced through forced labor. http://nbcnews.to/1RuJu2y·Protected the Rights of LGBT People·Signed and implemented the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7·Oversaw and implemented the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. http://bit.ly/fdahuHhttp://bit.ly/mZV4Pz·Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj·Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D·Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7·Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide. http://lat.ms/pQe1RS·As soon as the Supreme Court invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, he moved to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. http://wapo.st/1avDjue·Issued an order requiring hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples. http://reut.rs/llNJek·Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP·Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp·Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT·Appointed several prominent gay athletes and others, and plans to show US government’s commitment to gay rights to anti-gay Russia. http://on.cpsj.com/1fckN9h·Department of Agriculture propagated new rules to better enforce non-discrimination when it comes to USDA investigations and to extend non-discrimination to gender identity. http://bit.ly/1yChJhi·Banned all federal contractors from discriminating against gay workers. http://1.usa.gov/1ok1gfH·Persevered with his campaign to turn “gay marriage” into “marriage” and won in the Supreme Court. http://cbsloc.al/1M4qLKb·Improved Conditions for Women·Establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM·Implemented the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg·Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 http://bit.ly/f92drF·Improved the Paycheck Fairness Act, making it possible for employees to talk about their salaries without retaliation, and ordering salary data collection, so as to make it harder for employers to pay women less. http://huff.to/1nwVOWf·Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU·Shattered another glass ceiling by naming Janet Yellen chair of the Federal Reserve beginning Feb. 1, 2014. http://usat.ly/1gqMBfk·Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x·Ordered companies with 100 employees or more to disclose pay data based on race and gender, to address the pay gap. http://theatln.tc/1Q04XPL·Signs law restoring Arlington Cemetery burial rights for women pilots in World War II. http://bit.ly/293rmjb·Signed a bill to allow for nursing women to bring breastfeeding equipment onto the plane and to protect women who choose to feed children while traveling. http://bit.ly/2k8eW1o·Addressed Criminal Justice Failings and the Gun Culture·Made significant reductions in drug sentencing guidelines for current prisoners. http://n.pr/1mWBLkM·Oversaw the first drop in the federal prison population in 32 years. http://bit.ly/1B5h8rW·Increased his use of clemency to release thousands of non-violent drug offenders from prison. http://nyti.ms/1KE8DJG·Ordered a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in federal prisons. http://bit.ly/20ObRzA·Took executive action to promote smart gun technology, to make them safer. http://1.usa.gov/1RhK1tU·After a failure by Congress to act, proposed executive orders to create more background checks and to fully staff the background check system. http://cnn.it/1JXmUg6·Relaxed HIPAA rules enough to allow for more information to be available to the background check system. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ·Ordered the tracing of guns as part of criminal investigations to provide data to researchers. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ·Order the Justice Department to look at the categories of mental health problems prohibited from owning guns to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks, getting guns. http://onforb.es/1nUAGw3·Expanded the definitions of gun dealers and expanded the information available and required in background checks for firearm purchases. http://bit.ly/1K5aXee·Set up a task force to figure out what other measures can be taken to limit gun violence in the wake of Congressional inaction. http://1.usa.gov/1QjYMGJ·Signed bill to improve protections for correctional officers and their families. http://bit.ly/1SMCi4W·Changed the playing field on criminal justice reform by commuting sentences of low-level criminals and signaling a more practical footing. http://1.usa.gov/1YclW7f·Signaled major shift away from the failed “Drug War” by promising to commit more than $1 billion to combat addiction. http://2wsb.tv/1SMBQUv·Signed the Emmitt Till Bill, which will reopen cold cases from the civil rights era. http://bit.ly/2jsVaum·Set a record for granting clemencies or pardons, giving many non-violent offenders a second chance. http://bit.ly/2jcIBCy·Improved Treatment of Soldiers and Veterans·Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h·Created a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEshttp://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW·Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q·Signed and implemented Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, making more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1·With Congressional Democrats, oversaw largest spending increase in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, for improved medical and extended care facilities for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x·Implemented the Green Vet Initiative, which provides special funding to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY·Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi·Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX·Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is posted for military duty can avoid state taxes in their temporary residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX·Ordered improvements to access to mental health care for veterans, military personnel and their families. http://1.usa.gov/TP7PVZ·Got Syria to dismantle its chemical weapons without military firing a single shot or dropping a single bomb. http://nyti.ms/1lVEkU7·Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. Pentagon Will Help Families Travel to Dover http://bbc.in/gWSSkA·Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo·Signed into law a bill that provides support, counseling, and breastfeeding supplies to military moms who are covered under TRICARE, the health insurance provided to veterans. http://bit.ly/1yNxL8O·Signed into law a bill that makes it easier for military dogs to retire at home with their handlers. http://bit.ly/1J78Y2U·Signed bill to expand the availability of housing to homeless veterans. http://bit.ly/2eaGQDJ·Raised soldiers pay. http://bit.ly/2k5sOFD·Improved America’s Reputation Around the World·Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda·As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g·Made a speech at a US mosque to demonstrate his commitment to religious rights and send a message to Muslims around the world. http://cnn.it/1PGU1uI·Restored America’s reputation around the world as a global leader. http://bit.ly/h743y7http://bit.ly/ho4TCr·Re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj·Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l·Improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe·Pushed forward the first realistic Middle East peace strategy in more than a decade, without abandoning the two-state solution. http://wapo.st/1avyste·Pushed for military to emphasize greater development of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV·Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, while calling on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh·Refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK·Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, although blocked by Congress. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF·Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy and prohibited the use of “enhanced interrogation.” http://bit.ly/g6MTuC·Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax·Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0·On his second day in office, banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies and brought the US into full compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zvehttp://nyti.ms/hzWWys·In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9·Ended the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the 187 aircraft cost $358 million each to build, it had never flown a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT·Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war and encourage the Iranian government to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb·Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS·Worked to keep our withdrawal from Afghanistan on track, despite GOP opposition. http://reut.rs/1cIOsF1 Reiterated that commitment in 2014. http://nyti.ms/1exnmRF·Conducted a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz·Through United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, creating an independent South Sudan. http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj·Helped make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY·Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP·Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U·Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde·The new policies in Cuba led to thawed relations and the first US Embassy in Cuba in more than 55 years. http://abcn.ws/1ghLrEs·Became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 80 years. http://bit.ly/1qlKwbi·Negotiated a deal with Iran that will prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon anytime soon, without firing a shot or invading the country. http://cnn.it/1M3Hpvv·As a result of the Iran agreement, Iran shipped pretty much all of it nuclear material to Russia. http://nyti.ms/1PrzLty·Became the first US President to visit Jamaica in more than 30 years, worked to restore relations with the country and signed a natural gas distribution agreement with the country. http://bit.ly/1JtpFqi·Signs law extending some privacy protections to US allies, a reversal of the Bush practice of spying on people like Angela Merkel and the like. http://bit.ly/1VZza6w·With the Global Food Security Act, committed resources to expand food availability worldwide in an attempt to limit the scope of global hunger. http://usat.ly/2ehLnUr http://fandw.me/2czf6YG·Instituted Power Africa, an initiative to bring electrical generation to greater parts of the African continent. http://bbc.in/1QtYVud·Signed bill to end Americans’ involvement in international wildlife trafficking. http://bit.ly/2edq3V9·Signed an executive order to allow up to 110,000 additional refugees into the United States. http://bit.ly/2df2CJN·Refused to interfere with UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements. http://cnn.it/2k81evI·Changed US Approach to “Defense” and National Security·Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE·Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2·Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i·Signed and got ratification of a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw·Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will stay in force until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4·Committed the US to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ·Developed a comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda, the withdrawal of most troops and the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs·Re-focused on Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna·Negotiated a deal with Afghan government, to withdraw troops and military support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an·Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6·Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn·Worked with NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that Libyans could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj·Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ·In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the Asian-Pacific region by simultaneously engaging China and crafting new alliances with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi·Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z·Increased border security http://bit.ly/1JQDGz9·Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw·Established the Homeland Security Partnership Council, to enhance the nation’s ability to “address homeland security priorities, from responding to natural disasters to preventing terrorism, by utilizing diverse perspectives, skills, tools, and resources.” http://1.usa.gov/VJjLXO·Signed agreement with Afghanistan to end war, turn security over to Afghans. http://nyti.ms/1xSjgBd·Breaking with recent presidential tradition, instead of just attacking Syria in the wake of chemical weapons attacks on Syrians, Obama ordered a full report on the decision-making process. http://cbsn.ws/184RFgu·Instead of holding hearings and creating a political football, he quietly captured a suspect who actually committed the Benghazi terrorist attack. http://wapo.st/1jFlmzv He is also getting a lot of useful information from the suspect. http://nyti.ms/UfE2Ka·Instituted rules to order sanctions against individuals and groups that threaten national cybersecurity. http://1.usa.gov/1HWcGMG·Instituted tougher new sanctions against North Korea after threats of nuclear attack and several tests. http://cbsn.ws/1L8L5hW·Got Congress to reauthorize FAA spending and to improve the efficiency of air travel for passengers. http://bit.ly/2cJZLrA·Took concrete steps to improve our counter-terrorism efforts. http://bit.ly/1RATjAh·Making great strides in defeating the Islamic State without committing hundreds of thousands of troops or carpet bombing civilians, against Republican objections. http://bit.ly/1TxBK5e·Established rules for data-sharing between the NSA and other intelligence agencies to improve the quality of information. http://bit.ly/2iOnc1F·Signed law to better protect the children who live on military bases. http://bit.ly/2k82nn7·Established program to provide more help for veterans with PTSD http://bit.ly/2k5kSEm·Established a national anti-propaganda center, to go after the fake news epidemic. http://bit.ly/2iXBy39·Improved Education and Educational Opportunities·Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr·Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L·Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide. http://bit.ly/fNDcj3·Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV·Signed an executive order that expanded recognition and funding for historically black colleges and universities. http://on.thegrio.com/1rD50gc·Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr·Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0, to improve veterans’ access to education. http://bit.ly/hPhG7J·Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low and middle income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz·Signed and implemented the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe·Took major new steps to protect students from ineffective for-profit colleges through “gainful employment” measures, whereby schools have to demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2·Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process, thus us creating greater accountability. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq·Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt·Created a rating system for colleges, so that those applying for student financial aid know better what they’re paying for. http://bit.ly/14Dn7UL·Led a bipartisan effort to reform the federal approach to education and essentially repeal “No Child Left Behind.” http://cbsn.ws/2780qXu·High School graduation rates have soared under Obama http://huff.to/2diafzo·Restored the Adult View on Science and Technology·Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw·Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U·Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7·Obama EPA reversed research ethics standards which allowed humans to be used as “guinea pigs” in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS·Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC·Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr·Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP·Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA·Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3·Expanded space exploration and discovery options to include more players. http://1.usa.gov/13qmZpm·Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs http://bit.ly/129V3SY·In the wake of the West Fertilizer tragedy, formed the Chemical Safety and Security Working Group, to work on measures to prevent another such events. http://1.usa.gov/18kHSlA·Established a Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission, to coordinate efforts to fight cyber-crime and terrorism. http://1.usa.gov/1A0aEoS·The Obama FCC, with his leadership, adopted strong net neutrality rules, to keep the Internet open and equal for everyone. http://fcc.us/1MhTlIA·Ordered rules to speed up deployment of a more comprehensive broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe·Set up a National Strategic Computing Initiative, to “maximize benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment.” http://1.usa.gov/1IN3FZa·Ordered a federal level change in national earthquake standards. http://1.usa.gov/1T5wGoR·Signed executive orders designed to strengthen government cybersecurity and prevent hackers from getting in. http://usat.ly/1R0saIt·Took steps to combat the effects of climate change by committing the U.S. to developing long-term drought resilience measures. http://1.usa.gov/1SMCuRY·Started the road to greater exploration of space by signing bill to encourage mining on asteroids and clarifying property rights in space. http://bit.ly/1RV2la9·Officially joined the Paris Climate Accords, thus strengthening the effort and making it a more powerful commitment to climate change. http://bit.ly/2jDgO1O·Signed bill to relieve California drought and to fix Flint’s water crisis. http://bit.ly/2iYd0a4·Signed a bill to improve science and technology research and development. http://bit.ly/2jd31vf·Signed the WIIN Act, which improves the country’s water infrastructure and which also protects the nation’s water supply to a greater degree. http://bit.ly/2jd3r4Y·Improved Our Health and Safety·Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSOhttp://ti.me/edezge·Led the enormous expansion of electronic medical records, which improves the availability and quality of care. http://bit.ly/2k7JLmX Currently, 96% of hospitals use electronic health records, up from 9.4% in 2009.·Electronic health records led to greater efficiency, leading to greater healthcare savings. http://on.wsj.com/2iGvL3h·Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb·Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc·Ordered that all vehicles be equipped with a rear-view camera by 2018, despite car makers’ complaints about cost. http://bit.ly/2c3jAZi·Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing FDA to regulate tobacco and order tobacco companies to disclose their ingredients and to ban cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.” http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB·Has overseen a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9·Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b·Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv·Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C·Pushed through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage greatly and ended many detrimental insurance company practices. He also established Get 2017 health coverage. Health Insurance Marketplace . http://www.healthcare.gov/·Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V·Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V·Through the ACA, millions of people receive help in paying their health insurance company premiums. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V·Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (Note: except for those states whose Republicans refused to take the extra money.)·By 2014, the Affordable Care Act dropped the number of uninsured Americans by 22.3%, which amounts to more than 10.3 million people with insurance who didn’t have it before. Only 13.9% of Americans are uninsured, a drop from 18.9% in 2013. http://on.msnbc.com/1r4kjGn·The Affordable Care Act has increased the life expectancy of Medicare greatly. http://on.wsj.com/1yuNco6·Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V·Medicare costs actually declined slightly, for the first time in decades in 2011, according to the Congressional Budget Office. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh·Since passage of the ACA, health care inflation is at its lowest level since 1960. http://1.usa.gov/1vXR0Ld·Created the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to the continuing domestic HIV epidemic, after years of Republicans weakening the government’s ability to deal with the crisis. http://1.usa.gov/1iLED0t·Signed bill that will provide health insurance premium support to workers who lose their health insurance due to foreign competition. http://bit.ly/1evvVDF·In response to the confusion triggered by the Hobby Lobby decision, which essentially declared that corporations could have “religious rights” and lord them over employees, created new rules to give all women with insurance the right to free birth control. http://on.wsj.com/1O44a1t·Implemented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2015-2020, which is a follow-up to the first such strategy in US history, which he implemented in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/1IXknHm·Took steps to improve the country’s approach to drug addiction and mental health. http://bit.ly/2cJTHQ9·Signed and will implement new child safety standards for e-cigarettes. http://bit.ly/1XaFCIS·Put into place the first mandatory rules regarding labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) http://bit.ly/2ciVlH7·Set up a White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, in order to implement ways to develop a cure for cancer. http://1.usa.gov/20AeKY4·Took steps to improve detection and treatment of mental health problems. http://1.usa.gov/25HEDp5·Signed Trevor’s Law, which will allow for better tracking and study of cancer and disease clusters. http://bit.ly/297uFJK·Signed a memorandum of understanding with Cuba to share healthcare information. http://bit.ly/29mCojf·Expanded availability of Cuban cigars and Cuban run in the absence of a GOP Congressional bill lifting the Cuban embargo. http://bit.ly/2esLtNE·Extended an incentive program for Big Pharma that was about to expire, that encouraged them to find cures for pediatric diseases. http://bit.ly/2dF55t7·Signed a bill designed to improve research into and increase the availability of new treatments and drugs in the healthcare industry. http://bit.ly/2iOQxZU·Made sure that health insurance coverage was guaranteed for eating disorders. http://bit.ly/2iY6h05·Signed a law enforcement pact with Cuba, to foster greater cooperation between the two countries. http://on.wkyc.com/2k7G9kS·Addressed Environment, Climate Change While Meeting Energy Needs·Doubled federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE·Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars. http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y·Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq·Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a “hoax.” http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv·Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO·Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P·Under Obama, our dependence on foreign oil has dropped to its lowest rate since 1985, and continues to drop. http://1.usa.gov/1p6kTUy·Meanwhile, oil consumption is way down because of reduced driving and higher mileage standards. http://ti.me/1z4HFG8·Improved siting, review and permitting stations for power plants, in an attempt to seriously improve the nation’s electric grid. http://1.usa.gov/1l8zNqn·Reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO·Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid and electric vehicles. http://bit.ly/glCukV·Established a quadrennial review of our energy infrastructure, to encourage a modernization of the grid, and to encourage the transition away from fossil fuel use. http://1.usa.gov/1nx2oMo·Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles. http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c·Encouraged BP to pay $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up. http://wapo.st/ds2BxT (Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )·Oversaw and pushed through an amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo·Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3·Became the first President to simply say “Climate Change is a fact,” and set up the first federal government protocols for dealing with the impacts of climate change. http://1.usa.gov/1b7V67B·Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a·Asserted federal legal supremacy to bar Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own.http://bit.ly/ww8eMd·Set up new, stricter standards severely limiting power plant emissions, curring them to 68% of 2005 levels by 2030. http://1.usa.gov/1mML2M3·Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH·Strengthened protection for wildlife, and expanded enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking. http://1.usa.gov/1fce1Ai·Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt·Through the EPA, attempted to take steps to severely limit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2·Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA·Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY·Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K·Signed a bill that allowed for increased regulations of a large number of chemicals and other toxic materials, allowing the EPA to make the use of certain toxic materials more transparent. http://usat.ly/2911hA4·Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in 2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW·Facilitated investment in industrial energy efficiency to create jobs and strengthen US manufacturing while saving businesses $100 billion over a decade. http://1.usa.gov/WsIgbx·Set up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to oversee Gulf Coast restoration efforts after the 2010 BP oil spill. The money to fund the restoration efforts comes from fines against BP. http://1.usa.gov/Rxjb29·Engaged in the most comprehensive plan to combat climate change in a generation. http://bit.ly/13lXhET·Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p·Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R·Guided a 418% increase in solar power capacity between 2010 and 2014. http://bit.ly/1rHkWJC·As of May 2015, 74% of new electrical capacity was provided by solar and wind power. http://bit.ly/1T5r0LC·Bypassed Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5·Oversaw a tripling in the use of wind power to generate electricity. The US now leads the world in increased wind power capacity. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448·Ordered the federal government to incorporate climate resilience and climate science into all international development in which the United States engages. http://1.usa.gov/YV1EpW·Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x·Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in more than a decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM·Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y·Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL·Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu·Obama EPA ruled that excess CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN·Closed a deal with China to limit carbon emissions to slow down climate change. http://nyti.ms/1xzyS8K·Blocked all oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, one of the most pristine environments in North America http://lat.ms/13xUVFD·Signed an Executive Order to improve environmental efforts in the Arctic region and to combat climate change by better coordinating the efforts of the 23 federal agencies operating in the area. http://usat.ly/ZEzLzE·Vetoed a bill to fast track construction of the parallel Keystone XL pipeline. http://nbcnews.to/1DVDFo7·Expanded clean water regulations to more stringently protect all of the nation’s waterways, even when states fail in their duty. http://bit.ly/1RdQpTc·Signed an Executive Order committing the federal government to lead the way in building a sustainable economy. It’s his fifth doing just that. http://1.usa.gov/1EzO2ne·Banned the use of antibiotics in food served in US Government-run cafeterias and ordered agencies to only use antibiotic-free meat. http://bit.ly/1G1vUxi http://bit.ly/1KHkl4N·Developed new rules to address climate change and to create a significant boost to clean energy. http://bit.ly/1UnQcuR·Negotiated and signed a virtually Republican-Proof global agreement on climate change, with 190 countries signing on. http://bit.ly/1RkjVG8·Became one of 196 countries that signed onto a UN Framework on Climate Change. http://unfccc.int/2860.php·Ordered a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal land, and they will examine the whole leasing process. http://wapo.st/23Q6en8·Signed a bill to better protect pipelines and to authorize greater oversight. http://bit.ly/291woja·Signed an order turning more than 87,000 acres of Maine Woods into the North Woods National Monument. http://bit.ly/2ciWDCc·Signed into law a measure directing the Department of Transportation to issue guidelines for minimum standards for underground storage of natural gas. http://bit.ly/291AdjL·Established the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area in an effort to preserve the Bering Sea and to protect the people who live in the area and depend on the sea for their lives. http://bit.ly/2k8cpEP·Permanently banned offshore oil and gas drilling in many areas of the Arctic and North Atlantic, to preserve the environment and stave off climate change. http://bit.ly/2jDcLm7·Infused a lot of extra money to assist Texas in its study of better hurricane protection. http://bit.ly/2iP9Mm1·Created national parks in Nevada and Utah to do as much as possible to preserve the environment before the Trump debacle. http://bit.ly/2jdbj6t·Pledged $500 million to United Nations Climate Fund that Trump promised to de-fund. http://bit.ly/2jCEiUH·Signed a pact with Cuba to coordinate resources in cases of oil spills. http://reut.rs/2jcZsp7·There’s So Much More!·Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6http://bit.ly/i02wgP·Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB·Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j·Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5·Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first responders. http://bit.ly/o7cWYS·Placed major restrictions on the ivory trade in a bid to prevent the wholesale slaughter of elephants in Africa. http://ti.me/292Z4Gg·Signed a bill that will seriously curb the use of animal testing and establish alternative testing methods. http://bit.ly/28Z5AuS·Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa·To help those communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, issued an executive order setting up the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and asked Congress to approve $60 billion in supplemental assistance to aid in storm recovery. http://1.usa.gov/134L7hl·Produced 23 Executive actions designed to make it easier for law enforcement to identify those who shouldn’t have guns, thus helping them enforce the law. http://on.wsj.com/SX9xaZ·Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements in trade pacts like NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY·Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO http://bit.ly/ff5Luv·Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.http://bit.ly/dFb8qFExpanded the authority of Customs to improve enforcement of trade and customs laws and to better coordinate said enforcement among various agencies. http://bit.ly/1S5pun7Was voted most admired man of the year for 2016. http://ti.me/2jDauHtAnd Did You Know?Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cYAnd of course…Despite the odds, became the first black president and then, was reelected by a wide margin.·Acted with grace and dignity for right years and restored a proper level of dignity to the office of the president.·Also, left office with an approval rating above 60%, 20 points higher than his “replacement” had going into the office.