Katharine Valentino
2 min readNov 18, 2021

--

When Obama came into office, the country was in the middle of the worst recession since the "Great Depression" of the 1930s. Not only did he pull the U.S. out of this recession—which itself would be considered a respectable legacy—but his administration also:

Ended the Iraq war and brought most of the troops home

Established an agreement with Afghanistan to keep that country from being a threat to us (Trump reversed this agreement.)

Established trade agreements and diplomatic relations with various friendly foreign countries, to help ensure that differences are settled by diplomacy rather than war and that new research and development in any of these countries would benefit all of them (Trump cancelled these agreements.)

Dealt successfully with terrorist leaders Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi

Increased the Department of Veterans Affairs budget and otherwise provided help to veterans

Passed a number of environmental regulations, thus helping to ensure that our children and their children can be healthy and thrive (Trump rescinded many of these.)

Introduced the notion that health care is a human right rather than a privilege for the rich and the wealthy

Passed the Affordable Care Act, which provided health insurance for 32 million formerly uninsured people and lowered health-care costs—yes, lowered health care costs, even though the cost of health is still way too high (Trump dismantled the part of this Act that paid for itself, thus increasing the premiums we all have to pay.)

Created almost 15 million jobs in the private sector, a steady increase each year over six years

Invested in the development of renewable energy, including electric cars, and shut down toxic power plants, decreasing the amount of environmental degradation they cause

Blocked some offshore oil drilling and thus more massive oil spills (Trump reversed this but was prevented from creating more disasters by some of the individual states affected.)

Added more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to school lunches

Proposed the adoption of a ban on three dangerous chemicals in household products (Trump prevented the ban from being adopted.)

Passed Wall Street and banking reforms (Trump rescinded these.)

Granted legal status to immigrants brought to this country as children through no choice of their own, who have contributed greatly to this country's continued development and well-being (Trump tried to rescind this but could not.)

I submit that these accomplishments amount to a great deal more than "nothing."

In any case, even if you think these are not significant accomplishments, are you really suggesting by your comment that we should vote for Trump Republicans next time? What a disaster! Even less taxes paid by the rich, who already pay considerably less than you or I do. Continued low wages and expensive health care and child care for the rest of us? Continued environmental and infrastructure degradation? More war?

Or maybe you're just griping. In this country, you get to do that. Sometimes, combined with positive action, griping is good.

--

--

Katharine Valentino
Katharine Valentino

Written by Katharine Valentino

Still trying for the words to help us do & feel good things. Owner of Reviews for Medium Featured Books. I write life stories & about politics / social issues.

No responses yet