What Has That Barry Obama Done In 18 Months? A Lot More Than You Think

The prez and prezette also brought some much needed fashion sense

To say that the now 18-month old Obama presidency has been a huge success is an exaggeration. Look no further than a jobless economic recovery and the stalemate in Afghanistan for a head's up on that. But to say that it has been a disappointment, as some libruls as well as the usual Republican suspects claim, is inane.

In fact, you probably have to go back to the first 18 months of the accidental presidency of LBJ to come even close to the sheer volume of accomplishments.

For openers, the dude did avert a complete economic meltdown, in part through a $789 bill economic stimulus package.

For another, he enacted the most sweeping health-care reform since forever.

For yet another, and these are especially near and dear to my heart, he extended veterans' health-care benefits, returned the GI Bill to its former robust self and most recently reformed the ridiculously arcane regulations that have prevented many veterans from getting disability payments for post traumatic stress disorder.

Meanwihle, courtesy of Ugandans at Heart, he also:

* Began the draw down of U.S. troops from Iraq.

* Ended the Pentagon's media blackout on war casualties.

* Increased pay and benefits for military personnel.

* Phased out the beyond expensive F-22 warplane and outdated weapons systems.

* Ended the no-bid defense contract policy.

* Ended the Bush administration's torture policy.

* Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women.

* Expanded the SCHIP health-insurance program for children.

* Increased vaccination programs.

* Lowered drug costs for seniors.

* Limited lobbyist's White House access.

* Removed restrictions on and increased federal support for embryonic stem-cell research.

* Permitted states to enact fuel efficiency standards above federal standards.

* Considerably increased infrastructure spending.

* Funded new school construction.

* Increased college student loans.

* Rescued the domestic auto industry.

* Restarted nuculer . . . er, nuclear nonproliferation talks.

* Reengaged in global warming and greenhouse gas emissions talks.

* Launched the enormously successful Cash For Clunkers program.

* Increased tax write-offs for hybrid vehicles.

* Instituted a new policy on Cuba, including allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones.

* Authorized talks with North Korea and Myanmar.

* Closed offshore tax havens.

* Ended tax benefits for corporations who outsource America jobs.

* Cracked down on the credit card industry.

* Appointed the first Latina to the Supreme Court.

Oh, and he had a swing set built on the White House lawn.

Hat tip to BooMan at the Booman Tribune