Sometimes people ask: "What has President Obama Accomplished in the last three years?"
Here is a small list of President Obama's accomplishments:
Signed into law an economic plan that saved America from a depression, restored growth, and created or saved as many as 3.6 million jobs.
Signed into law landmark health insurance reform that holds insurance companies accountable, gives people and small businessess greater control of health care, and improves the quality of health care for all Americans.
Fought against Wall Street lobbyists to sign into law historic consumer protections and financial reforms that shield American families from unfair lending practices from credit card and mortgage companies, rein in the excesses of Wall Street, and work to prevent future financial crises.
Reformed the college loan system by ending subsidies to banks and using the money to make college more affordable. He also invested in community colleges that are providing Americans with the skills they need to succeed in today's economy.
Rescued the American auto industry, which saved millions of American jobs and helped GM and Chrysler become profitable again while repaying taxpayers.
Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which makes it possible for individuals to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.
Helped women get the equal pay they deserve by signing into law the Lilly Ledbetter Act.
Ended the war in Iraq, initiated a responsible drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, and ordered the operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
Broadbased, Bi-partisan Support of Taxing Marcellus Shale Drilling
Survey Done at South Mountain Fair, Biglerville, PA
When asked the question "Do you favor a tax on Marcellus Shale drilling to help fund education in Pennsylvania" was put forth by the Adams County Democratic Committee in a written survey, 83.7% said "yes." This result is particularly significant because just under 24% of the respondents were Democrats. Republicans accounted for 26.1% of those responding and they supported the tax with 70.8% of their vote. People who stated no party affiliation or said Independent numbered a full 50% of those responding and they supported the tax at an 87% level-
"Clearly the state legislature is out of step with voters across the spectrum if they do not recognize that people want the Marcellus Shale drillers to pay impact fees so public education can be funded," said Roger Lund, chair of the Adams County Democratic Committee. Nearly 100 people responded to the survey over the 5 days of the South Mountain Fair. Click for Full Results of Survey
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Letter to the Editor of the Gettysburg Times
Want to stop future tragedies like Tucson and Virginia Tech?
Don’t repeal health care reform.
Like many Americans, I was first stunned and then unsettled by the shootings at the Tucson Safeway. Since then, we’ve heard lots of debate about why Jared Loughner did this.
Partisan media hyperbole? Targets on an election map?
Most recently, there has been a chorus of pundits singing about the ills of the mental health system. Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness said, “The plain truth is that America’s mental healthcare system is horribly broken and horribly underfunded. And across the nation, budget cuts continue to eviscerate community mental health programs that reach out to vulnerable individuals and put them on a path to recovery? But, more surprisingly have been the statements of key Republicans” Republican advisor Mike Murphy said on the Bill Mahar Show on January 14, 2011, “I’d like to see a better linkage between the gun control stuff we have now and the crazy-filter.
Because if you look at Virginia Tech and you look at this guy, it is too easy for mentally ill people to get guns; because there’s no mental screening anymore.” Virginia Republican Senate candidate Jamie Radtke (and head of the Richmond Tea Party) tells ABC’s Top Line, however, that “instead of it being about the political part, it’s really about needing to get our arms around our health care, the mental health policy here.” Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI) said, “What we have to do is intervene earlier in that cycle of violence when they have this kind of disability.” Newly-elected Representative Allen West (R-FL) said, “The shooter was a very disturbed individual and it appears there were so many warning signs that he was going to do something horrible. We should be focusing on the mental health crisis in our country, not politics.” I have a simple piece of advice to solve this problem. Want to stop tragedies like this from happening again? Do not repeal health care reform. Two years ago, national legislation passed that (finally) guaranteed that most individuals with insurance will have coverage for assessment and treatment of mental illness. The health care reform legislation builds on that non-discrimination parity legislation and assures that most Americans will have some form of health coverage that includes coverage of mental health conditions.
Earmarked funding for local community mental health services will not solve the problem. The structure of the traditional community mental health system is broken beyond repair. We need to end fundamental discrimination against people with mental illnesses and get them adequate health coverage.
Monica Oss
Gettysburg
A Short List of Democratic Accomplishments
8-Hour Workday
Social Security
Minimum Wage Law
G.I. Bill of Rights
Marshall Plan
NATO
Peace Corps
Medicare
Medicaid
Operation Head Start
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Water Quality Act
Clean Air Act
First Man on the Moon
Women's Suffrage Amendment
Workers Compensation Act
Unemployment Compensation Act
Rural Electrification Act
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Home Loan Program
Securities & Exchange Act
Guaranteed Student Loan Program • Family and Medical Leave Act
School Lunch Program
Motor Voter Act
100,000 New police on U.S. streets
Balanced budget in 1998 as a result of the Balanced Act 1993
