Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Really? Tell me 5 things he has done that you are pleased with. Hell, tell me 3.
1. Took a stand against the abuse of 'signing statements', the Bush administration's use of them to implement their radican, unconstitutional 'unitary presidency' theory, and his implementation of a review of the Bush administration's signing statements to see if any actions are needed now by him to ensure they are not having any inappropriate impact.
2. Reversing the Bush administration's terrible crippling of the Freedom of Information Act - for the first time, the Act now has the protection of an Executive Order supporing it.
(If you aren't familiar with the issue, the FOIA is a critical tool for investigative reporters, and therefore the public to monitor the government's wrongs (you'd think the right wing would support that sort of thing - they accuse the government of doing wrong but bizarrely are weak in supporting the tool to get that info.) Clinton had the AG issue a memo directing cooperation; Bush had the AG issue one directing agencies to provide the least possible cooperation. Obama issued an Executive Order directing cooperation.)
3. His overtures to Iran - we have a hell of a lot to apologize for, and we should take responsiblity for our mistakes both because it's right and because it's effective diplomacy.
It doesn't restrict his policy options - rather, it removes a barrier to reaching any agreements with them.
For a bonus item - on the economic crisis, he's said many of the right things, such as the need for Wall Street reform, and that he's looking at long-term fixes to keep the system from having these risks even while he deals with the crisis, and that he's seeing the need to try more radical than less radical approaches, like FDR. I have some reservations about some things on the policies we see, but I like what he's said very much.
Another bonus item - his 'honesty by government' transparency approach. While there are no doubt imperfections, he's taken large steps to have the government do better there.
He's acting like a real democrat - not the Democratic Party, but someone who believes in the rule of the people and therefore their right to information on what government does.
I could go on but you asked for three. I could add that he also simply is not doing the horrible things like Bush did or McCain planned to do, too.
I also like his taking the position that healthcare reform is essential to the economy recovering and it needs to be done sooner than later. He's right.
And prioritizing 'green', as another policy issue our country will benefit from.