Like all presidents, Barack Obama has made mistakes. But, as a presidential historian, I have been struck by claims being put forward by Obama’s many critics and the news media that he has accomplished little when, in fact, his presidency is easily one of the most active in history. Moreover, the President has faced venomous incivility and relentless opposition unlike anything in recent memory. As such, with all the misinformation circulating on talk radio, at town hall meetings, and in the blogosphere about the President, here is a fact-checked list of some of President Obama’s initiatives.

Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.
Lynn University
09/11/10 (update to 07/21/09 list)

 ETHICS

Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal documents (2009)
Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible (2009)
Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (2009)
Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (2009)
Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)
Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels and boards (2009) * Note: After saying he would not hire lobbyists, a few have been hired in the Administration
Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)
Initiated the “e-Rulemaking Initiative” (in cooperation with Cornell University) to allow for online public “notice and comment” of federal laws and initiatives (2010)
Issued the “Open Gov Directive” ordering all Cabinet departments to promote transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)
Signed extensions on banning lobbyists from serving on agency boards (2010)
Developed the “Don Not Pay List” with data on contractors and recipients of federal funds who are deemed to be ineligible because of fraud and abuse (2010)

 GOVERNANCE

The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our government (2009)
Ended the Bush-era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for political reasons (2009)
Ended the Bush-era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed with the results (2009)
Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000) (2009)
Has urged Congress to adopt “Pay-Go” (whereby each dollar of spending is offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the `90s but abandoned in the `00s) (2010)
Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders, although they complain of a lack of access and information (2010)
Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (2010) * Note: To curb wasteful spending
Tasked federal agencies to develop plans for disposing of unneeded real estate and then to eliminate unnecessary or non-economical lands, properties, etc. (2010)

 NATIONAL SECURITY

Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn’t even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (2009) * Note: The closure has been delayed due to massive opposition but it remains on the agenda.
Stated his interest in housing terrorists at a new federal “super max” facility in the US (2009) * Note: this has been delayed in the face of massive opposition but it remains on the agenda
Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)
Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)
Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)
Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)
Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
Signed a one-year extension on some provisions of the controversial PATRIOT Act (2009)
Authorized the use of more unmanned warplanes/drones (Predator, Reaper, etc.) in the War on Terror (2009)
Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (2010) * Note: Components of the policy include: a pledge to stop nuclear testing; a pledge to not build a new generation of nucs; identifying nuclear terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major threat; a pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state in a conventional conflict; etc.
Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc… of individuals and organizations support the regimes of North Korea, Iran, Somali pirates, and other foreign threats (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to extend certain provisions of The Trading with Enemies Act which was to expire in September 2010 (2010) * Note: This includes freezing assets and banning trade that benefits the Cuban regime; however further efforts at normalizing travel to Cuba are supported
Signed bill for southwest border security and increased funds and agents on the Mexican border (2010)
Signed the Comprehensive Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act to deal with foreign regimes like Iran and North Korea (2010)

 IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)
Authorized the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, which had been pending for months during the Bush Administration (2009)
Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US Marine units and Special Forces in Afghanistan (2009)
Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)
Ended the Bush-era “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)
Visited US soldiers in Afghanistan (2010)

 MILITARY & VETERANS

Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
Ended the Bush-era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier’s family
Ended the Bush-era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties (2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War on Terror
Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs
Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new technologies; creating new cyber security units; etc.
Ended the Bush-era practice of awarding “no-bid” defense contracts (2009)
Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)
Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from foreign suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military (2010)
New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)
Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training, funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse; readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.
Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)
Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by August 31, 2010 (2010)
Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs, etc.
Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and security personnel) (2010)

 FOREIGN POLICY

Closed the Bush-era “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy allowing “enhanced interrogation” (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009) * Note: Obama has permitted some controversial interrogation techniques to continue
Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009) * Note: Bush withdrew from non-proliferation talks and dismantled the inspection infrastructure
Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)
Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
Overturned Bush-era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning; overturned the ban on providing funds internationally for family planning (2009) * Note: The family planning efforts were suspended under Bush
Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit families (2009)
Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)
Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israeli’s economic and financial needs (2009)
Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)
Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
Attended the Summit of America’s meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
Invited the Israeli Prime Minister to Washington; met with him (2010)
Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)
Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia (2010) * Note: The agreement calls for both countries to reduce their nucs by one-third (1,500) and launch systems by half (800)
Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)
Executive Order to establish support offices in the State Department to assist the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to continue drug interdiction support with Columbia (2010)

 ECONOMY

Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) (2009) * Note: Bush was the first president since Herbert Hoover to not make infrastructure a priority
Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls
Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy “toxic assets” from failing financial institutions (2009)
Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note: In place of the old policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the industry’s predatory practices were banned
Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009) * Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all refused to “get tough” on China’s predatory trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his presidency
In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)
Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)
Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate and end abusive practices and promote consumer protections
Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The bill includes: tax cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at least two months; small businesses can write off their investments in equipment this year; etc.
National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical assistance, training, trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US businesses export products and services (2010)
Initiatives to promote a “Wireless Broadband Revolution” (2010) * Note: Among other things, broadband is finally being considered as necessary infrastructure, with efforts to expand use, access, and spectrum…
Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)
Signed bill – US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)
Signed bill – Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)

 TAXES

Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs (2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to brings jobs back to the US
Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of “working families” (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big as was suggested during the 2008 campaign
Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (2010) * Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would return their tax rates to the 1990’s level

 BUDGETING

Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller; such “off budget” items are now included in the annual budget
Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did not list many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terror
Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals to balance the budget (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked with submitting proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much every year (2010)
Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and stick with marine One (2010)
Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national security (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for federal political appointees (2010)
Beginning to use “Pay-As-You-Go” (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with budget cuts or revenue enhancements (2010)

 HEALTHCARE

Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)
Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid (2009) * Note: Obama had promised to lift all restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies for them to lower their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions
Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)
Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held dozens of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health to be chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting healthy lifestyles and integrative healthcare (2010)
When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to reaffirm that federal funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)
Historic healthcare reform bill signed – $940 billion over 10 years (2010) * Note: 32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans, but many of the goals are phased in over four years
Components of the bill:
- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
- Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill
- An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
- Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the “donut hole”
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
- There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
- Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges
Funding sources:
- Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)
- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called “Cadillac” plans) they offer
Miscellaneous:
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
- By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)

 ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)
Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
Overturned Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act (2009)
Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)
Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy from renewable sources (2009)
Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up “Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s energy reform was killed by Senate Republicans
Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
Cancelled several Bush-era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
* Note: Bush had withdrawn from such efforts
Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009) * Note: The Congress failed to pass such a bill
Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)
Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the Grand Canyon (2009)
Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009) * Note: These green retrofits are moving very slowly
Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar installations (2009)
Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
Banned importation of pythons in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the Florida Everglades (2009)
Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
Executive orders establishing a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all federal operations (2009) (2010)
Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010) * Note: Nearly all energy initiatives were defeated by Republican opposition in Congress
Increased investment in clean energy projects (2010)
Executive Order to develop a new strategy for and commitment to ocean and lake resources, and for scientific research on water quality (2010)

 RIGHTS

Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)
Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)
Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
Reversed the Bush-era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009) * Note: The process has moved at a snail’s pace and, in the face of opposition, Obama has remained quiet
Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)
Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed a “freeze” on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)
After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)
Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service (2009)
Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)
Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
Signed Executive Order to promote the federal government as a “model employer” when it comes to hiring the disabled (2010) * Note: This includes new efforts to increase the recruitment, hiring, and training for the disabled
Programs to assist Spanish speakers with the US Census (2010)
Elena Kagen appointed to Supreme Court (2010)
Tasked all federal agencies to develop new strategies to address HIV/AIDS (2010)
After organizing studies on the topic in 2009, tasked the Pentagon to eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
Signed Fair Sentencing Act (2010) * Note: The Administration continues to deescalate marijuana interdiction and raids; increased dramatically the amount of cocaine one must possess to be sentenced to jail; eliminated mandatory sentencing for first-time drug abusers and simple possession

 EDUCATION

Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools (2009)
Increased funding for school construction (2009)
Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)
Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans (2009)
Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s education reform has been sidelined by opposition in Congress
Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies (2009)
Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year’s finances (2009)
Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)
Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) (2010)
Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs (2010)
The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks (“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)
Increased investment in technologies for schools/education (2010)

 DISASTER RESPONSE

Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
FEMA once again reports directly to the president (2009) * Note: Bush removed FEMA (prior to the Hurricane Katrina disaster) from this status
Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)
Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake and ensuing humanitarian crisis (2010)
Components of the response:
- The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief
- Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
- Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
- Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person finder” online to help families and friends to locate loved ones
- Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
- Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti
- Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel
- Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support
- Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince
After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a freeze was placed on new deep water projects (2010)
Executive Order to establish new security measures to minimize accidental release of bio and chemical agents; new strategies for public health and bioterrorism response (2010)
Established a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill to examine facts and report a plan of action; new efforts to prevent offshore spills (2010)
After a slow start in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the White House is promoting a long-term plan to reconstruct the damaged Gulf and negotiated with BP the establishment of a multi-billion dollar trust fund for victims of the spill (2010)
Extended national flood insurance program for those in need during current economic crisis (2010)

 OTHER INITIATIVES

New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)
Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)
Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (2009) * Note: Bush removed the EPA from this status
Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)
* Note: Much of Obama’s immigration reform had been stalled by opposition in Congress
Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)
Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers (2010)
Signed bill – FAA Air Transportaiton Modernizatin and Safety Improvement Act (2010)

 P.S. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…

The Obamas paid for the renovations of the private living quarters in the White House with their own money rather than using the funds provided to all new first families (2009)
The Obamas reused many Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than buy new ones (2009)
The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities (2009)
Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House employees (2009)
Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high
Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not readily available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100825/NEWS/8250327

Well, Isn’t This A Lovely Kettle Of Fish! I live in APCP. I am politically active with in the Democratic Party & actively campaigned for our current President. I questioned State Representative Scavello at the Gate House /Welcome Center for APCP during his visit on Election Day. We have several Club Houses that would be more suited as a polling place. His response was simple- We could not open a polling place behind our gates because by law all polling places must be open & accessible to the general public. Our gates deny access to everyone without a gate card.
Also I discovered Coolbaugh III has 5400 registered voters, all using the Gatehouse causing huge lines & discouraging disabled & elderly Americans from voting! Coolbaugh III had the lowest turn out during the Presidential election- less then 3,000. What I wanted was Coolbaugh III to be split in half- Main Section versus Section J,K,&L – Aint Gonna Happen.
I then suggested the entire county to use all of our public schools- That wasn’t a good idea either! Why Not- We as taxpayers are paying a huge price for what? The proposed polling place is inadequate because one location can not handle 8,000 voters! According to the information I have- for each 500 registered voters one voting machine is required- so are we to get 16 voting machines & 615 voters per hour through the doors of one building? Don’t even mention only 25% turn out because voting is an American Right & discouraging voters is “UNAMERICAN”!

http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/Who_Owns_BP__Biggest_Shareholder_is_JPMorgan_Chase_100612

BP: its 10 biggest shareholders
BP’s shares have fallen by almost a third since its well in the Gulf of Mexico erupted in April. Here’s a list of BP’s 10 biggest shareholders, according to data from Bloomberg.

BlackRock:
The world’s biggest asset management company is based in New York and owns 5.9pc of the shares.

Legal & General:
The UK insurer and asset manager owns 4pc of the shares.

Barclays Global Investors:
The asset manager, which is owned by BlackRock, owns 3.8pc of the shares.

Norges Bank Investment Management:
The asset manager manages the money generated from Norway’s oil revenues and owns 1.8pc of the shares.

Kuwait Investment Authority:
The body manages the funds for Kuwait government. It owns 1.75pc of the shares.

M&G Investment Management:
The UK asset manager, owned by the Prudential, owns 1.67pc of the shares.

Standard Life:
The Scottish insurance company owns 1.5pc of the shares

Capital Research & Management Co: The Los Angeles-based fund owns 1.3pc of the shares.

Insight Investment Management:
The fund manager owned by Lloyds Banking Group owns 1.13pc of the shares.

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange:
The body that manages China’s $2.4 trillion of foreign-exchange reserves owns 1.1pc.

Data from Bloomberg as of June 3.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/7802978/BP-its-10-biggest-shareholders.html

Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act in 1972, which provided for the establishment of National Marine Sanctuaries, in which certain activities, including oil and gas drilling, are prohibited. To date, 13 sanctuaries with a combined area of 150,000 square miles have been so designated.

In 1982 the US Congress directed that no federal funds be used to lease federal tracts off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, or central and northern California. Over the years Congress added other areas until the prohibited area included all the east and west coasts, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Congress repeated the effective ban on offshore drilling in these areas every year until September 2008, when an appropriations bill passed the House and Senate without the ban.

In 1990, Congress passed the North Carolina Outer Banks Protection Act, prohibiting leasing and drilling on federal seabed offshore from North Carolina.

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush issued an executive moratorium restricting federal offshore leasing to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and parts of Alaska. The moratorium banned federal leasing through the year 2000 off the East Coast, West Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico (offshore Florida Gulf Coast), and the Northern Aleutian Basin of Alaska. In 1998, President Bill Clinton extended the moratorium through 2012. In July 2008, President George W. Bush rescinded the executive order.

In 2002 Congress imposed a moratorium on drilling on or directionally beneath the Great Lakes. The ban was made permanent by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Part of the central and most of the eastern Gulf of Mexico was declared off-limits to oil and gas leasing until 2022 by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.

BP
Environmental and safety record

BP was named by Mother Jones Magazine as one of the “ten worst corporations” in both 2001 and 2005 based on its environmental and human rights records. In 1991 BP was cited as the most polluting company in the US based on EPA toxic release data. BP has been charged with burning polluted gases at its Ohio refinery (for which it was fined $1.7 million), and in July 2000 BP paid a $10 million fine to the EPA for its management of its US refineries. According to PIRG research, between January 1997 and March 1998, BP was responsible for 104 oil spills. BP patented the Dracone Barge to aid in oil spill clean-ups across the world.
BP Amoco was a member of the Global Climate Coalition an industry organization established to promote global warming scepticismbut withdrew in 1997, saying “the time to consider the policy dimensions of climate change is not when the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is conclusively proven, but when the possibility cannot be discounted and is taken seriously by the society of which we are part. We in BP have reached that point.”.
In March 2002 Lord Browne of Madingley declared in a speech that global warming was real and that urgent action was needed, saying that “Companies composed of highly skilled and trained people can’t live in denial of mounting evidence gathered by hundreds of the most reputable scientists in the world.”
BP Amoco changed its name to BP in 2000, and introduced a new corporate slogan: “Beyond Petroleum.” It replaced its “Green Shield” logo with the helios symbol, a green and yellow sunflower pattern similar to the emblem of the Green Party of Canada. These changes were intended to highlight the company’s interest in alternative and environmentally friendly fuels. When, in July 2006, BP admitted, only after journalists became aware of the spill, that it was facing criminal charges for allowing 270,000 gallons of crude oil to spread into the Alaskan tundra, critics pointed to the relative lack of press coverage about the spill as evidence that BP had successfully greenwashed its image while maintaining environmentally unsound practices.
In 2008, BP was awarded a satirical prize, the “Emerald Paintbrush” award, by Greenpeace UK. The “Emerald Paintbrush” award was given to BP in order to highlight its alleged greenwashing campaign. Critics point out that while BP advertises its relatively minimal investment in alternative energy sources, the majority of its investments continue to go into fossil fuels. BP was also one nominee for the 2009 Greenwash Awards.
BP is a sponsor of the Scripps Institution CO2 program to measure carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
As of 11 February 2007 BP announced that they would spend $8 billion over ten years to research alternative methods of fuel, including natural gas, hydrogen, solar, and wind. A $500 million grant to the University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,to create an Energy Biosciences Institute has recently come under attack, over concerns about the global impacts of the research and privatisation of public universities.
BP’s investment in green technologies peaked at 4% of its exploratory budget, but they have since closed their alternative energy headquarters in London. As such they invest more than other oil companies, but it has been called greenwashing due to the small proportion of the overall budget.
In 2004, BP began marketing low-sulphur diesel fuel for industrial use.
BP Solar is a leading producer of solar panels since its purchase of Lucas Energy Systems in 1980 and Solarex (as part of its acquisition of Amoco) in 2000. BP Solar had a 20% world market share in photovoltaic panels in 2004 when it had a capacity to produce 90 MW/year of panels. It has over 30 years experience operating in over 160 countries with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia and has more than 2000 employees worldwide. Through a series of acquisitions in the solar power industry BP Solar became the third largest producer of solar panels in the world. It was recently announced that BP has obtained a contract for a pilot project to provide on-site solar power to Wal-mart stores. In the 2006 annual report Lord Browne noted that BP now has a total wind generation capacity of nearly 15,000 megawatts. 15,000 megawatts would be sufficient to provide power to approximately 15,000,000 typical American households simultaneously. This makes BP one of the largest generators of wind power in the world.

BP
Contributions to political campaigns
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, BP is the United States’ hundredth largest donor to political campaigns, having contributed more than US$5 million since 1990, 72% and 28% of which went to Republican and Democratic recipients, respectively. BP has lobbied to gain exemptions from U.S. corporate law reforms. Additionally, BP paid the Podesta Group, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm, $160,000 in the first half of 2007 to manage its congressional and government relations.

In February 2002 BP’s chief executive, Lord Browne of Madingley, renounced the practice of corporate campaign contributions, noting: “That’s why we’ve decided, as a global policy, that from now on we will make no political contributions from corporate funds anywhere in the world.”

Despite this, in 2009 BP used nearly US$16 million to lobby US Congress, breaking the company’s previous record (from 2008) of US$10.4 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offshore_oil_and_gas_in_the_United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Petroleum

Join Me Over At Facebook-

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1674756550&ref=profile#!/group.php?gid=132314273452758

BOYCOTT BP

Yesterday, I visited Caminada Bay in Grand Isle, Louisiana — one of the first places to feel the devastation wrought by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While I was here, at Camerdelle’s Live Bait shop, I met with a group of local residents and small business owners.

Folks like Floyd Lasseigne, a fourth-generation oyster fisherman. This is the time of year when he ordinarily earns a lot of his income. But his oyster bed has likely been destroyed by the spill.

Terry Vegas had a similar story. He quit the 8th grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. Ever since, he’s earned his living during shrimping season — working long, grueling days so that he could earn enough money to support himself year-round. But today, the waters where he has worked are closed. And every day, as the spill worsens, he loses hope that he will be able to return to the life he built.

Here, this spill has not just damaged livelihoods. It has upended whole communities. And the fury people feel is not just about the money they have lost. It is about the wrenching recognition that this time their lives may never be the same.

These people work hard. They meet their responsibilities. But now because of a manmade catastrophe — one that is not their fault and beyond their control — their lives have been thrown into turmoil. It is brutally unfair. And what I told these men and women is that I will stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are again made whole.

That is why, from the beginning, we have worked to deploy every tool at our disposal to respond to this crisis. Today, there are more than 20,000 people working around the clock to contain and clean up this spill. I have authorized 17,500 National Guard troops to participate in the response. More than 1,900 vessels are aiding in the containment and cleanup effort. We have convened hundreds of top scientists and engineers from around the world. This is the largest response to an environmental disaster of this kind in the history of our country.

We have also ordered BP to pay economic injury claims, and this week, the federal government sent BP a preliminary bill for $69 million to pay back American taxpayers for some of the costs of the response so far. In addition, after an emergency safety review, we are putting in place aggressive new operating standards for offshore drilling. And I have appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the causes of this spill. If laws are inadequate, they will be changed. If oversight was lacking, it will be strengthened. And if laws were broken, those responsible will be brought to justice.

These are hard times in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, an area that has already seen more than its fair share of troubles. The people of this region have met this terrible catastrophe with seemingly boundless strength and character in defense of their way of life. What we owe them is a commitment by our nation to match the resilience they have shown. That is our mission. And it is one we will fulfill.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Tim Potts, co-founder of Democracy Rising PA, speaks Saturday morning at the League of Women Voters ‘Gerrymandering In Monroe County: Democracy Fractured’ forum at the Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg.
File photo/Pocono Record

By Dan Berrett
Pocono Record Writer
April 25, 2010
STROUDSBURG — A growing distrust of government is the driving force behind a push for a constitutional convention, a panel of experts said Saturday.
“We all know this state cries out for reform,” said Mark Lichty, moderator of a forum on the pros and cons of a constitutional convention in Pennsylvania, which took place Saturday at Stroudsburg Junior High School. “The question is, how should that reform take place?”
Advocates for a constitutional convention cited a litany of dysfunction in state government: the latest state budget in history, gerrymandering, and ongoing scandals and corruption, from a midnight pay increase that officials awarded themselves to the misuse of public funds for electioneering.
Tim Potts, executive director of Democracy Rising, pointed out that no legislative remedies had been offered to address these breaches of the public trust.
“No one aspires to give us a government we can be grateful for,” he said.
Potts said that the argument for a convention came down to a simple question: “Do you have faith in or fear of the people?”
A constitutional convention last took place in the state in 1967, when 163 citizens gathered to discuss the state’s constitution. That document outlines the basic structure of government and sets out the rules by which representatives are elected and how they conduct the state’s business. The previous convention occurred nearly a century before.
Advocates for a convention want voters to decide whether to convene another session; they want the issue to appear as a referendum question on the ballot in November. They also point out that a convention can only recommend changes to the constitution; those changes must be voted on separately.
Some estimates put the cost at $20 million.
Potts and others pointed to strong public support for a constitutional convention and a deteriorating faith in government.
A January poll by Franklin and Marshall College found 72 percent of Pennsylvanians favored a convention — with 45 percent of respondents strongly in favor.
Recent polls nationally also have found that nearly eight in 10 Americans don’t trust their government.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, was the only speaker at the forum against a convention. He warned against damning all public officials as corrupt because of the recent scandals.
“I think it’s wrong to have such a distrust of government,” Leach said. “The overwhelming majority are honest, sincere and hardworking people.”
He also criticized constitutional conventions as leading to “shoddy lawmaking” because they mask other agendas.
“There are two kinds of people advocating for a constitutional convention: people advocating certain policies, and people wanting to change the legislature,” he said.
Leach said the danger of such conventions is that special interest groups enshrine hot-button issues — including gun control, gay marriage and abortion — into the framework of the constitution. Policies are then locked into place, far from the reach of citizens or their elected representatives as social conditions change.
The speakers also discussed individual reforms that a convention might consider. The most common include curtailing gerrymandering, cutting the size of the legislature, and instituting term limits.
“We already have term limits,” Leach said. “They’re called elections.”
Democracy Rising has gathered several other issues that it has received from citizens and the media and that might be considered at a convention.
Items on its 11-article list of issues include limiting lame duck sessions, requiring a super-majority vote to raise taxes, instituting a graduated income tax and publicly financing campaigns, and abolishing property taxes, among others.
But state Rep. John Bear, R-97, said that reform has been stymied by the status quo, and that making any of these individual changes happen would hinge on a convention.
“I don’t think you’re going to see that unless you have a constitutional convention,” he said.

I intend NO disrespect by comparing Vatican II to a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. Let us examine this because our Elected Leaders are just that “Elected”. There is no room here to acknowledge their rant for job security. In this instance those who are Politically Employed should be removed from the decision making process. It is “WE The People” who must make a conscience effort to improve our Government. I enjoyed listening to Tim Potts yesterday morning. He made me believe there is hope; there is help in our Commonwealth to attain a higher level of governing ourselves through a Constitutional Convention to close the loop holes. As a Citizen of Pennsylvania I am mortified over the corruption- the gerrymandering- and the scandals in our current events. I want to be proud of where I live. That’s why we must join together and demand this!

I had a very disappointing experience this morning. I had hired a handyman to come to my house & install some outdoor lights. On the phone he told me he wanted $65.00 per hour & I must pay him one hour traveling time. OK I agreed to it. I also said I would meet him at the front gate of our private community because he needs a visitors pass to come in the gates. So at 9am I was there & we met. He gave the outward appearance of a good professional. He was also less then 25 miles from me.
Unfortunately he did not bring his current drivers license but instead an expired one. Our community rules require a current driver’s license. Our Public Security Force are required to up hold the community by-laws, regulations, & policies passed by our Board of Directors and the General Membership of our Property Owners Association. So access was denied no pass was issued & therefore no work was done. Upon leaving the Chief of Security I was informed I owed him $65.00 for his travel time! When I asked could he go home & get his current license he said that would cost me another $65.00.… So his beginning price was $130.00 before any work was started. No I wasn’t going to pay it. In fact I am considering filing a complaint with District Court & a Complaint against his Contractor’s License. Yes, this was a learning experience for me. Although he claimed he never heard of my large gated community I am sure he has & is familiar with our Rules. In other words this was a this was confusing to say the least. If there are any readers who has had work done by him I welcome your feed back.

HANDYMAN & MORE, INC.
BRIAN BEWICK Title: President
105 DONNY DR
MOSCOW PA 18444-0
Lackawanna

This metal bridge, which spans Saw Creek on Stony Hollow Drive near Bushkill, has been closed since July 2009. Fixing it would cost at least $250,000.
David Kidwell/Pocono Record

By Beth Brelje
Pocono Record Writer
April 13, 2010
State police handcuffed at least two Winona Lakes residents and removed them from its clubhouse Sunday during a contentious community meeting. The cuffs were removed when the crowd dispersed; no charges were filed, but it reflected the latest tension at the property owners association in Middle Smithfield.
Board members and property owners are in a power struggle over how to spend the association’s funds: on the operation of the ski hill or the replacement of a decaying bridge, according to Board President Bob Fenlon.
“That is false. We just want truth and transparency in our meetings,” said former board president Jerry Jacobs. “Besides, he (Fenlon) just wants the ski hill closed because he doesn’t use it.”
Jacobs doesn’t know if the association can afford a new bridge, but he is sure it can afford to operate the ski hill, which was closed the last two seasons. Also closed: the Stony Hollow Drive bridge in a small section of Winona Lakes, near the bank of mailboxes just off Winona Falls Road.
An inspection last summer by the engineering firm R.K.R. Hess showed the bridge is “in an imminent state of collapse. The bridge can fall into the creek under its own weight,” said Fenlon. “We have to fix it.”
That will cost between $250,000 and $300,000. The bridge was closed in July 2009.
“We have dirt roads for the most part. We’ve kept the ski hill open and ignored the infrastructure,” said Fenlon. “There’s only so much money.”
Jacobs says the bridge only services 17 members and they have another way in and out. With the bridge, the path to the mailbox, bus stop and main road was a quarter mile. Tone Hellstrom, a 30-year resident, now must travel 2.5 miles on a steep, curvy, one-lane gravel road. The road has deep ruts and is washed out in places.
“I think before you have amenities, you have to have your roads in order,” Hellstrom said.
With its 1,257 homes, Winona Lakes is one of dozens of planned communities in the Poconos afflicted with its share of internal squabbling, but its association meetings have been boiling over for about a year. Resident George Barcia had been recording meetings on his video camera until March, when the board voted to ban recording devices other than for minutes of the recording secretary.
Board member Dan D’Arco objected to the recording ban. Fenlon responded to the objection with a motion to suspend D’Arco from the board. He scheduled a special meeting to vote on D’Arco’s removal for 10 a.m. Sunday.
Via e-mail, D’Arco asked for the meeting to be moved to a day when he did not have to work and also asked for the meeting to be in public.
“He chose not to attend the meeting because of his work schedule or whatever,” Fenlon said. “He (D’Arco) wanted the hearing in an open meeting. But we also had an e-mail asking why we didn’t go into closed session.”
When the special meeting was called to order Sunday, board member Jeff Reichl moved to postpone the meeting so D’Arco could attend and defend himself, but Fenlon argued that Reichl could not make a motion. Fenlon wanted to go into closed session.
Between 30 and 50 residents, many past board members, protested noisily when the board voted to go into closed session to vote on removing D’Arco, according to witness accounts.
The board went into the Winona Lakes club house office to meet privately. Members of the community soon opened the door and let themselves into the closed meeting. A constable, regularly hired to handle security at board meetings, called the state police.
Not long after state police arrived, the crowd was dispersed, leaving the board to complete the vote to remove D’Arco.
“They were going to charge us with trespassing and disorderly conduct. How could we trespass in our own clubhouse?” asked Jacobs.
Before the vote, board members can be heard laughing at residents and remarking on how they watched as police cleared the clubhouse, according to an audio recording of the meeting released by the association.
Hear a recording of Sunday’s meeting at wwww.PoconoRecord.com.

———————————————————————————————————-
My heart goes out to this community. It is in a sad shape of affairs. All too often the elected volunteers lose sight of why they were elected. I am a firm believer- Either one is part of the problem or one is part of the solution.
It is so easy to sit here and be critical of their situation. My own private gated community has had its share of political difficulties- No one wants to get along but everyone forgets the Board of Directors are all volunteers, just trying to do what’s right. I have witnessed first hand how difficult the job they undertake is. I can remember a period of “No Public Comments” that continued on for months and months. The idea was to expedite the meeting and cut down the number of hours it took. If the Board listened to an hour and a half of residents comments that took time away from their executive session. Then we had a huge increase in our yearly maintenance fees. Could the increase have been prevented if there were better communications? I don’t know. I do know I was as mad as heck over the increase, along with all my neighbors.

PUBLIC FORUM – REFORMING HARRISBURG – IS A CONSTITUTION CONVENTION THE SOLUTION?

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

STROUDSBURG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, CHIPPERFIELD DRIVE, STROUDSBURG

9:30 A.M. TO NOON

As someone who has attended prior league events, perhaps you may be interested in attending this forum. See the attached press release for further information.

Thank you.

Peg Kraft
Secretary
League of Women Voters of Monroe County

Here Is The Press Release:
For Immediate Release:

The League of Woman Voters of Monroe County will be hosting an educational forum on a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention on April 24 at the Stroudsburg Junior High on Chipperfield Drive about one mile from the library. The program will begin at 10:00 am and end at 12:00 noon.

The last Constitutional Convention was in 1968 which was preceded by one in 1873. A constitutional Convention offers a rare opportunity for momentous reform. In the spirit of objective education the League has invited a panel of respected, notable experts which represent all sides of the issue. The select panel will include State Representative John Bear, Senator Daylin Leach, and Tim Potts, Executive Director of Democracy Rising PA. Local representatives and Senators have also been invited to weigh in on the issue at this forum.

While the League has not taken a position on the Constitutional Convention, it has identified several areas of needed reform of Pennsylvania government. Pennsylvania holds the following unfortunate distinctions: it is the second most gerrymandered state in the Union; the last budget was the latest in US history (101 days late); and Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of its budget spent on the legislature. This forum will create an opportunity for citizens to determine if a Constitutional Convention is the mechanism for accomplishing the much needed reform.

The League of Woman Voters is a non partisan group dedicated to educating the public on political and social issues which impact us all. They welcome both men and woman members. If interested in membership, please visit our website at www.palwv.org/monroe or phone (570) 421-5542. Please join us at Stroudsburg Junior High School Auditorium on Chipperfield Drive for this important public forum.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark Lichty 421-5542
Eugenia Eden 424-1664

I feel this is extremely important to all residents of Monroe County PA.

Ethics

• Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act; Bush era limits on accessibility of federal documents have been overturned (2009)
• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible (2009)
• Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (2009)
• Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (2009)
• Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)
• Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels (2009)
• Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)

Governance

• The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our government (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for political reasons (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed with the results (2009)
• Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000) (2009)
• Has urged Congress to adopt “Pay-Go” (whereby each dollar of spending is offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the `90s but abandoned in the `00s) (2010)
• Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders who complained of a lack of access and information (2010)

National Security

• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn’t even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
• Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay – though the closure has been delayed due to opposition it is still on the agenda (2009)
• Attempting to house terrorists at a new federal “super max” facility in the US (2009)
• Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)
• Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)
• Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)
• Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
• Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)
• Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
• One-year extension on some provisions of the PATRIOT Act (2009)

Iraq & Afghanistan

• Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)
• Authorized the use of more unmanned warplanes/drones (Predator, Reaper, etc.) in Iraq/Afghanistan (2009)
• Authorized the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, which had been pending for months during the previous administration (2009)
• Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
• Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
• Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US marine and special forces units in Afghanistan (2009)
• Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)
• Visited US soldiers in Afghanistan (2010)

Military & Veterans

• Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier’s family (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties – full information is now released (2009)
• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (which are needed because of susceptibility of the old hummers to roadside explosives) (2009)
• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military (initiated by Bush but abandoned after the war in Iraq began) to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military and special ops units, establishing new technology and cyber units, etc. (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of awarding “no-bid” defense contracts (2009)
• Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)
• Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
• Suspended the Bush era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from foreign suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
• Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military (2010)
• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)

Foreign Policy & International Relations

• Closed the Bush era “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy allowing “enhanced interrogation” (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009)
• Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks (Bush withdrew from them) and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009)
• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions suspended under Bush (2009)
• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)
• Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
• Overturned Bush era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
• Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
• Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning that was suspended under Bush (2009)
• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit families (2009)
• Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
• Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
• Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)
• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
• Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
• Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israeli’s economic and financial needs (2009)
• Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)
• Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
• Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
• Attended the Summit of America’s meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
• Invited the Israeli Prime Minister to Washington; met with him (2010)
• Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)

Economy

• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect during the Bush era (2009)
• Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
• Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
• Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families, 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects, 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls) (2009)
• Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
• Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy “toxic assets” from failing financial institutions (2009)
• Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
• Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
• Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from the credit card industry’s predatory practices (2009)
• Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
• After former presidents of both parties refused such action (George W. Bush refused four times), Obama placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009)
• In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
• Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
• Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)

Taxes

• Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
• Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to bring jobs back to the US (2009)
• Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of “working families” (2009)
• Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
• Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
• Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
• Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
• Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
• Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
• Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (families earning over $250,000/year) (2010)

Budgeting

• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
• Overturned the Bush era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller); such “off budget” items are now included in the annual budget (2009) (2010)
• Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
• Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
• Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitted proposals to balance the budget (2010)

Healthcare

• Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
• Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)
• Reversed some (but not all) of the Bush era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid; negotiated with drug companies for them to lower their costs (2009)
• Expanding vaccination programs (2009)
• Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
• Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
• Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
• Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held numerous public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
• Healthcare reform (32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans; the total cost to the government is $940 billion over 10 years; many of the goals phased in over four years) (2010)

Components of the bill:

Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill
An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the “donut hole”
Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges

Funding sources:

Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)
Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called “Cadillac” plans) they offer

Miscellaneous:

Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)

Energy & Environment

• Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)
• Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
• Overturned Bush era rule to weaken the Endangered Species Act (2009)
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)
• Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy from renewable sources (2009)
• Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up “Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009)
• Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
• Cancelled several Bush era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
• Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
• Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009)
• Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the Grand Canyon (2009)
• Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
• Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
• Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009)
• Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar installations (2009)
• Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
• Banned importation of pythons (in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the Florida Everglades) (2009)
• Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
• Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
• Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010)

Rights

• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
• Appointed the first Latina to the Supreme Court (2009)
• Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
• Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)
• Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
• Reversed the Bush era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
• Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009)
• Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)
• Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
• Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed a “freeze” on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)
• After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)
• Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
• Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service (2009)
• Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
• Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
• Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)
• Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
• Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)

Education Policy

• Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools (2009)
• Increased funding for school construction (2009)
• Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
• Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
• Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)
• Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009)
• Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies (2009)
• Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year’s finances (2009)
• Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)
• Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) (2010)
• Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs (2010)
• The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks (“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)

Other Policies & Initiatives

• New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
• Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)
• Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
• Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
• Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
• Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)
• Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) (2009)
• FEMA once again reports directly to the president (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)
• Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)

Haiti Disaster Response

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

Components of the response:

The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief
Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person finder” online to help families and friends to locate loved ones
Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti
Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel
Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support
Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince

P.S.

• The Obamas did not use the $100,000 authorized (to all First Families) for the refurbishment and redecoration of the White House’s private living quarters; they paid for it out of their own pockets (2009)
• The Obamas reused Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than buy new ones (2009)
• The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities (2009)
• Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
• Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House employees (2009)
• Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high)
• Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low)