What has Bill Clinton done?
dmdp
What did Clinton accomplish on his own? In other words, what original idea
did he evolve and achieve.
For example, NAFTA orginated under the Bush administration, the balanced
budget amendment was part of Newt's Contract with America, Family and
Medical Leave Act was also part of Newt's contract. The fact that
Clinton supported these issues does not make them his own.
The only original idea I know Clinton evolved was "don't ask; don't tell".
Other concerns ... if you believe that the government having a budget
surplus is a good thing, realize that taxes are at an all time high: 40% of
your income. If you think this is a good thing, then fine. I conceed this
point.
If you believe he created a prosperous economy, then what specific plan did
he originate to create that fact?
I have asked this question of many Clinton supporters but was only greeted
with dumb stares and some inconsequential statement like: "He created a
positive atmosphere."
To this I say: "The atmosphere is made of gas, and there are many sources
of gas."
Thank you for reading my gas and I hope this post gets some interesting
replies.
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Denis M.dePierro
StorageSoft,Inc.
Product Development Division
C++ Software Engineer
Tim Almore
Clinton's State-by-State Economic Progress
Economic Leadership and a Stronger Economy
Under President Clinton's leadership, almost 6 million new jobs were created
in the first two years of his Administration -- an average of 250,000 new
jobs every month.
In 1994, the economy had the lowest combination of unemployment and
inflation in 25 years.
As part of the 1993 Economic Plan, President Clinton cut taxes on 15 million
low-income families and made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small
businesses, while raising taxes on just 1.2 percent of the wealthiest
taxpayers.
President Clinton signed into law the largest deficit reduction plan in
history, resulting in over $600 billion in deficit reduction. The deficit is
going down for 3 years in a row for the first time since Harry Truman was
president.
Fighting Crime and Restoring Our Communities
The President signed into law the Brady Bill, which imposes a five-day
waiting period on handgun purchases so that background checks can be done to
help keep handguns away from criminals.
The President's Crime Bill will put 100,000 new police officers on the
street. More than 1,200 communities have already received grants to hire
27,000 additional officers.
The Crime Bill also punishes criminals by expanding the number of offenses
eligible for the death penalty and implementing the
"three-strikes-and-you're-out" provision.
And, the Bill banned the manufacture of 19 specific types of deadly assault
weapons, while simultaneously protecting hunters' rights by exempting over
650 hunting rifles.
Strengthening Our Families: Security and Opportunity
President Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act. The law, which
covers over 42 million Americans, offers workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid,
job-guaranteed leave for child birth, adoption, or personal or family
illness.
President Clinton expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit to cut the taxes of
15 million working families with incomes of $27,000 or less.
President Clinton granted waivers to 25 states -- half the nation --
providing for comprehensive welfare reform demonstrations.
President Clinton ordered the U.S. Justice Department to conduct the
first-ever crackdown on deadbeat parents who refuse to accept financial
responsibility for their own children.
Signed an Executive Order cracking down on federal employees who owe child
support.
Cutting Bureaucracy
President Clinton has already cut the federal bureaucracy by more than
100,000 positions. Under the recommendations of the National Performance
Review, the federal bureaucracy will be reduced by 272,000 -- its lowest
level since the Kennedy Administration.
And, he reduced the White House staff by 25 percent.
Making Education A Priority
Under the President's Direct Student Loan program, students can borrow money
directly from the government at a lower interest rate and with many flexible
repayment options, including the option to repay with a percentage of their
after-graduation salary. Taxpayers will save at least $4.3 billion over five
years.
In 1994, over 20,000 AmeriCorps members tutored students, immunized
children, reclaimed urban parks, and patrolled neighborhoods. In return,
they earned $4,725 per year of service towards college tuition or job
training.
President Clinton signed into law Goals 2000, a national standard of
excellence for our public schools. Already, 41 states and territories have
received federal grants to raise academic standards and improve schools.
President Clinton's Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act and the
Safe Schools Act provide funding to schools to fight violence and drug
abuse. Schools can use up to 25 percent of their funds to purchase metal
detectors, develop safe zones, and hire school security personnel.
The President's School-to-Work program provides venture capital to spark a
nationwide system for moving America's young people from high school to a
job with a future. In 1994, all states received planning funds for their
school-to-work program.
Charter School legislation signed by President Clinton encourages states and
localities to set up public school choice.
Expanding Markets for American Products
The Clinton Administration forged a bipartisan coalition to pass NAFTA,
after concluding tough negotiations on side agreements covering workers'
rights, the environment, and import surges. Exports to Mexico rose 23
percent in the first 11 months of 1994.
President Clinton led the fight to pass GATT, which lowers tariffs worldwide
by $744 billion over ten years -- the largest international tax cut in
history. GATT cuts tariffs on manufactured goods by more than one-third
overall and eliminates tariffs in major markets in a number of sectors in
which the U.S. is particularly competitive.
Protecting Our Environment
Under President Clinton, the EPA launched its "Common Sense Initiative" to
make health protection cheaper and smarter by focusing on results rather
than one-size-fits-all regulations.
The President's Northwest Forest Plan is putting communities in the
Northwest back to work, while conserving ancient forests.
After decades of conflict, the Clinton Administration negotiated a consensus
plan to protect California's most valuable natural resource -- its water.
The San Francisco and Delta estuary supplies dr inking water to two-thirds
of the state's people, provides irrigation for 45 percent of the nation's
fruits and vegetables, and sustains 300 aquatic species.
Promoting Security and Freedom Abroad
President Clinton hosted the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration
of Principles in September, 1993, and the signing of the Israeli-Jordan
Washington Principles in July, 1994 -- historic agreements between the
leaders of Israel and her Arab neighbors to settle differences by peaceful
means.
To enhance European security and stability, the Clinton Administration
proposed the Partnership for Peace program, offering former Soviet republics
and Central/East European states closer ties with NATO. Already, 22 nations
have signed on, since NATO's adoption of the program in January, 1994.
As of May, 1994, nuclear missiles in Russia and the United States are no
longer targeted against any country. And, as a result of other Clinton
Administration efforts, the Ukraine is ahead of schedule in reaching the
goal of transferring 1,500 nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantlement.
President Clinton peacefully restored democracy to Haiti, curbing the
violence that threatened tens of thousands of Haitians, securing our
borders, and upholding our commitments and the commitments made to us in the
process.
CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SECURITY FOR ALL AMERICANS
Signed the Economic Package, August 10, 1993.
The economy created 7.7 million new jobs in the first 34 months of this
Administration.
Passed the largest deficit-cutting plan in history -- saving more than $1
trillion over seven years.
On track for three consecutive years of deficit reduction -- for the first
time since Harry Truman.
Cut federal spending by $255 billion over 5 years.
Made new tax cuts available to over 90% of small businesses.
Unemployment has fallen from 7% when President Clinton took office to its
current rate of 5.6%
Lowest combined rate of unemployment and inflation since 1968.
1994 real GDP growth was the highest in a decade.
Proposed a plan to balance the budget while protecting critical investments
in education.
PROMOTING A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITY
Increased Head Start funding by almost $760 million.
Passed the Student Loan Reform Act, August 10, 1993.
Implemented the National Service Act, September 21, 1993.
Signed the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, March 31, 1994.
Enacted the School-to-Work Opportunities Act on May 4, 1994.
Signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization
MAKING COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS SAFE FOR OUR FAMILIES
Passed the toughest most comprehensive Crime Bill ever, September 13, 1994
Signed the Brady Bill, November 30, 1993.
Enacted the Assault Weapons Ban as part of the Crime Bill.
Put 100,000 new police on the street -- nearly 31,000 more officers have
been funded.
Signed the Violence Against Women Act as part of the Crime Bill.
Signed the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act, October 20, 1994.
Issued Presidential Directive enforcing a "Zero Tolerance" gun policy in
schools, October 22, 1994
Submitted and fought for the most comprehensive Drug Control budget ever.
MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER AND COST LESS
Already cut the Federal Workforce by over 200,000 -- on the way to lowest
level in 30 years.
Abolishing 16,000 pages of obsolete regulations and rewriting 31,000 more
pages.
$58 billion in savings are already in the bank. $46 billion in savings are
still to come.
Over 180 new recommendations will save $70 billion. Eliminated 284 federal
advisory committees.
Developed government-wide Customer Service Standards for the first time.
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet and Administration in history.
Signed the most important federal procurement act ever to streamline
government purchasing.
Reformed Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation to protect 8.5 million
pensions.
Signed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, March 22, 1995.
CREATING OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA'S COMMUNITIES
Created nine Economic Empowerment Zones and 95 Enterprise Communities.
Signed the Community Development Banking Financial Institutions Act, Sept.
23, 1994.
Signed the Interstate Banking Bill, September 29, 1994.
Instituted the Defense Reinvestment and Conversion Initiative.
Reformed the Community Reinvestment Act to focus on performance rather than
paperwork.
Made the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Mortgage Revenue Bond Program
permanent.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH
Issued a new executive order to require polluters to disclose information to
the public and expanded the public's right-to-know about toxic releases.
Launched "reinventing environmental regulation" to cut red tape and better
protect public health.
Issued a new standard to cut pollution from chemical plants 90% by 1997.
Signed executive orders to increase recycling and cut pollution in federal
buildings.
Signed the California Desert Protection Act, October 31, 1994.
Issued a new standard to cut pollution from incinerators 95%.
Introduced comprehensive Safe Drinking Water and Superfund reforms.
Developed a plan to restore Florida's Everglades.
Ended decades of conflict over the allocation of California Bay-Delta water.
PROMOTING HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS
Passed the Family and Medical Leave Act, February 5, 1993.
Signed a comprehensive Child Immunization Plan.
Revoked the Reagan/Bush restrictions on abortion counseling ("the gag
rule"), abortions in military hospitals, "Mexico City" policy and RU-486
imports.
Increased Ryan White CARE Act funding for outpatient AIDS care over 100% in
first 3 budgets.
Put the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) on a full-funding path.
Increased funding 65% for breast cancer research.
As part of the balanced budget plan, introduced health care reform
initiative which strengthens Medicare and expands coverage.
Proposed a $1.3 billion increase in veterans' benefits -- of which $1
billion will be directed to the VA health system to provide treatment for
43,000 more veterans.
PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING OUR FAMILIES
Expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit providing tax relief for 15 million
working families.
Introduced the Work and Responsibility Act - comprehensive welfare reform.
Passed the Family Support and Preservation Program.
Passed major funding increases for homeless programs in both Houses.
Approved 35 waivers to states permitting comprehensive welfare reform
demonstrations.
Collected a record $10 billion in child support through enforcement in 1994.
Signed the Social Security Independent Agency Act.
Increased adoption and foster care funds by almost $600 million from
1994-1995.
RESTORING TRUST IN OUR GOVERNMENT
Signed the National Voter Registration Act (Motor-Voter), May 20, 1993.
Eliminated the tax deduction for lobbying expenses.
Imposed strictest Administration ethics guidelines in history.
Barred top officials from becoming foreign lobbyists after leaving
government.
Signed the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 -- the first overhaul of lobbying
rules in 50 years.
Fought for passage of and signed into law the Congressional Accountability
Act, January 22, 1995.
Fought for passage of line-item veto and campaign finance.
OPENING FOREIGN MARKETS TO AMERICAN GOODS
Signed NAFTA into law, December 8, 1993, which will create hundreds of
thousands of US jobs.
Signed GATT into law, December 8, 1994, the largest trade agreement in
history.
Secured free-trade commitments from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
leaders.
Hosted Summit of the Americas and agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Area of
the Americas by 2005
Developed National Export Strategy, eliminating outdated export controls on
$35 billion in exports.
Opened 15 different market sectors in Japan ranging from telecommunications
procurement to rice.
Reached historic agreement with Japan on opening its automotive market to
billions of dollars worth of American cars and parts.
Reached agreement with China to provide intellectual property rights
protection for billions of dollars worth of U.S. exports.
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
Helped Israel and Jordan achieve an historic peace treaty and Israel and the
Palestinians fulfill their historic accord.
Contributed to an historic cease-fire in Northern Ireland.
Restored democratically elected Haitian President Aristide to power; will
continue to stop the flow of refugees to Florida.
Undertook, with NATO allies and UN, military and diplomatic actions to
alleviate the suffering and lead the effort to broker a comprehensive peace
agreement in Bosnia.
Russian nuclear missiles are no longer pointed at our cities.
Persuaded Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan to give up the nuclear weapons
left on their land when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Agreed to framework with North Korea that freezes and leads to the eventual
elimination of North Korea s dangerous nuclear program.
Led the international effort to secure the indefinite and unconditional
extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) further reducing the
danger of nuclear proliferation around the world.
Working to prevent nuclear weapons from ending up in the hands of terrorists
or international criminals.
Air-lifted more than half a ton of vulnerable, highly enriched uranium,
enough to make dozens of nuclear bombs, from Kazakhstan to safe storage.
Assisted South Africa's transition to democracy, providing support for
elections and development.
Bringing the nations of Europe closer:
-- Modernizing NATO;
-- Working with Russia;
-- Reforming the former Soviet Union economies
Waging a tough counter-terrorism campaign with stronger laws and more
training for law enforcement.
Maintaining strong sanctions against states that sponsor terrorism and defy
the rule of rule, such as Iran, Iraq, Libya and Sudan.
Sent our planes, ships and troops to turn back a new Iraqi threat to the
Persian Gulf.
dmdp <den...@storagesoft.com> wrote in message
news:MP1c6.10186$KJ3.6...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
Darrell Hogue
c-span :: part of that surplus was benefits that were supposed to be paid to
the military and were held back by congress , and actually not a surplus at
all just funds held back to artificially create a surplus!
And as far as econonmics and hi tech advancements go, the years Clinton was
in office were the most profitable I believe in modern history , stats dont
lie just for example look at the unemployment percentages throughout the
U.S. during his administration.
So it looks like everybody prosphered , not just a few.
dmdp
I will conceed many points listed below, but some points ignore political
realities:
1)
>Undertook, with NATO allies and UN, military and diplomatic actions >to
alleviate the suffering and lead the effort to broker a >comprehensive peace
agreement in Bosnia.
If we have such "peace" there, why aren't our boys home?
2)
>Under President Clinton's leadership, almost 6 million new jobs were
>created in the first two years of his Administration -- an average of
>250,000 new jobs every month.
These jobs were created due to the expansion of the internet and the fact it
happened during his presidency is just dumb luck. As a matter of fact,
Presidents have little control over econmics.
3)
>President Clinton signed into law the largest deficit reduction plan in
>history, resulting in over $600 billion in deficit reduction. The deficit
is
>going down for 3 years in a row for the first time since Harry Truman
>was president.
True. But, the Department of Education is missing billions and their books
are in such a shambles that Ernst & Young couldn't even do an audit.
4)
>President Clinton hosted the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian
>Declaration of Principles in September, 1993, and the signing of the
>Israeli-Jordan Washington Principles in July, 1994 -- historic >agreements
between the leaders of Israel and her Arab neighbors to >settle differences
by peaceful means.
And, we have seen how well this has turned out.
5) RESTORING TRUST IN OUR GOVERNMENT
Come on!!!!! Give me a break.
-d.
Tim Almore wrote in message ...