The title of this diary sums up what our new President has been doing since taking office...Taking Care of Business! I for one am thoroughly pleased and impressed with his efforts. And while some wish for him to fail, and others concern themselves with questions wondering why he doesn't wear a jacket in the Oval Office or why the First Lady goes "sleeveless", Prez O just keeps doing what he does best...TCB!
And on Iraq....Thought he was kidding about getting the hell out of there?
On my first full day in office, I directed my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of our strategy in Iraq to determine the best way to strengthen that foundation, while strengthening American national security. I have listened to my Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commanders on the ground. We have acted with careful consideration of events on the ground; with respect for the security agreements between the United States and Iraq; and with a critical recognition that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political - not military. Because the most important decisions that have to be made about Iraq's future must now be made by Iraqis.
We have also taken into account the simple reality that America can no longer afford to see Iraq in isolation from other priorities: we face the challenge of refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan; of relieving the burden on our military; and of rebuilding our struggling economy - and these are challenges that we will meet.
Today, I can announce that our review is complete, and that the United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility.
On Tax Cuts:
He said the Treasury Department has begun directing employers to reduce the amount of taxes withheld from people's paychecks in accordance with the new law, and that in six weeks, a typical family will start taking home at least $65 more every month.
Obama says his signature "Making Work Pay" tax break will affect 95 percent of working families.
On closing Gitmo:
On LGBT issues:
Obama Reverses U.S. Position on LGBT Issues at the UN
On Reviewing stupid Bush policies:Pentagon Rethinks Photo Ban on Coffins Bearing War Dead
On repealing the Military's Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy:
Obama moves to end 'Don't ask, don't tell'
The White House says President Obama has begun consulting his top defense advisers on how to lift a ban on gays serving openly in the military.
On the Wasteful Government contracts that strain our fiscal budget:
Obama seeks major change in federal contracting
Obama said "the days of giving government contractors a blank check are over" and said changes could save up to $40 billion a year.
One area in particular that is targeted is no-bid contracts, which the administration is seeking to change so that there will be more competition for government-paid work.
Obama said that "even if these were the best of times, budget reform would be overdue in Washington."
On the housing crisis:
Obama administration launches housing plan
The Obama administration kicked off a new program Wednesday that's designed to help up to 9 million borrowers stay in their homes through refinanced mortgages or loans that are modified to lower monthly payments.
And it seems the American Public is in full support of the President as well, despite the desires of the bitter haters who wish he (and by default this country too) fails.
President Obama...keep on, keeping on. Let the Limbaugh-Rethugs continue to live in the past while the rest of the country moves forward. They'll one day look up and realize there's only a handful of them left with old tattered "McCain-Palin T-Shirts", and "Country First Banners" (a slogan they NEVER fully understood). Meanwhile, the rest of us will be talking about the time the US saw it's second major economic depression and how a young talented leader, lead us out of an era of Bush-Cheyney misery! =)