What did Clinton accomplish in office?

[redman]

And my fellow Republicans, spare the "stained dress" or comparable comments.

I'm just taking stock if you will of all of the things he accomplished. I'm looking for good things, things that he should brag about.

We'll discuss them in a bit.

[Tommy-the-Greek]

Redman I have been thinking the same thing since I heard that guy on the radio. This is going to be a really short thread.

[The Evil Genius]

Saw this other day - as always - a lot of a President's accomplishments are up for debate.

Peace.

Pres. Clinton's accomplishments...

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.


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.


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.


President Clinton cut the federal bureaucracy by more than 100,000 positions.And, he reduced the White House staff by 25 percent.


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.

[Ignatius J.]

Clinton had an uncanny way of making friends.

I am sure there are moany who would take this lightly, but remember the peace talks Clinton got going between arafat and I think it was rabin....

This new flare up in violence int he middle east came immediately after bush took office. I'm not going to blame bush for any of it as there were certainly many factors going into the turn of middle eastern events for the worse, but Clinton was great at getting people to talk about thier problems face to face.

He didn't like war, but he got us into and out of Kossovo with minimal casualties.

HE had many negatives in the area of foreign policies as well. Somalia being by far the worst of them. HE took minor strides int he war terror, and many will say not enough was done here. In hindsight this is absolutely correct.

He made Tony Blair a staunch ally. Being somewhat young I don't really remember too much about US britain relations, but it seemed to me (but I could be wrong here, so older guys speak up) that clinton and blair seemed to spark US-Britain relations. They spent an aweful lot of time together, and if the British support we are seeing right now is any thanks to that, then that relationship would be a giant accomplishment.

-DB

[luckydevil]

Ill say this about clinton, he wasnt a liberal

[phanatic]

Downsized the military--we could really use them now. Increased taxes to achieve a balanced budget. Did not attempt to do anything with Osama when Syria/Sudan/Yemen were willing to give him to us. Allowed for 19 U.S. soldiers to be slaughtered in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia--this would have never happened had he the stones to commit heavy ordinance to the area. Stood by and watched North Korea further develope their nuclear program. Allowed Germany and France to dictate to us how we would handle the sanctions and inspections of Iraq when it is a known fact those counties have a tremedous financial interest in the SADDAM HUSSEIN Iraq. Passed the N.A.F.T.A. resolution wich subsequently caused the evaporation of the middle class trade worker. Instilled the American youth with the belief that it is alright to consistantly lie and betray all those, including your spouse, who look to you as a leader, mentor,father or spouse. And last but not least, he single handidly revived the popularity of the BigMac!

[redman]

Originally posted by DrunkenBoxer
This new flare up in violence int he middle east came immediately after bush took office. . . .

He made Tony Blair a staunch ally. Being somewhat young I don't really remember too much about US britain relations, but it seemed to me (but I could be wrong here, so older guys speak up) that clinton and blair seemed to spark US-Britain relations.

The current Intifada began in September 2000, two months before the election. Clinton was of course in office at the time, and has received criticism for trying in his final days to force an agreement upon the Palestinian and Israeli leadership in a desperate attempt to be able to claim resolution of the problem as his own accomplishment.

As for U.S.-Britain ties, they've been quite strong now since WWI. Clinton-Blair was a marriage made in idealogical heaven as the two are from left-of-center parties, but espouse more moderate and occasionally even right-of-center economic policies. But our relations with the Brits were just fine before them. I'd remind you of Margaret Thatcher's famous line to Bush The Elder around October 1990 when he was hemming and hawing about the level of commitment to troops in Iraq: "Now don't get wobbly, George."

[redman]

TEG, that strikes me as something that's from either Clinton's "personal" website, or the DNC. That's not helpful as most of the stuff is fluff.

I'm looking for what his supporters tout.

If you like, break it into categories and let's discuss those.

[chiefhogskin48]

Originally posted by phanatic
Increased taxes to achieve a balanced budget.

Guys, this isn't a bad thing. Despite the habit that our government has gotten into, deficits are not a good thing. It just means higher taxes in the future since we have to pay interest on the debt. Actually, over 20% of the taxes we pay go to paying interest on the national debt. I wouldn't run my household like that, and we shouldn't run our country like that either.

[fansince62]

Chiefhog...it's not that cut & dried: if the existing taxes were used more wisely then there may not have been a need to raise taxes in the first place. and, always, there is the expenditure side of the equation.....

[The Evil Genius]

Originally posted by redman
TEG, that strikes me as something that's from either Clinton's "personal" website, or the DNC. That's not helpful as most of the stuff is fluff.

I'm looking for what his supporters tout.

If you like, break it into categories and let's discuss those.

Well, out of that "fluff", I would suggest the most meritorious in our homefront was getting the Brady Bill passed, the Crime Bill, the Family Leave Act passed, and the 1993 Economic Package passed.

Internationally, Clintons involvement in Haiti appears to have worked out well. Obviously, Somalia was a disaster. Clinton internationally was average or even below average.

The motor-voter bill didnt have a large impact per se - but appealed to the GEN X crowd. The expansion of theEarned Income Tax Credit (EIC) also hit home with the working class.

But really, this all doesnt matter because most people are going to remember Clinton for 2 things - a booming economy (right or wrong) and Monica Lewinsky (right or wrong)..

[phanatic]

So the answer to this is to increase taxes on those who make the money? I don't think so! If continually tax the top half of wage earners in the nation you drive down the ablity of those individuals to cotribute to the economy. Can't spend as much. Increasing taxes has never stimulated the economy.

[redman]

Deficits and debt are not universally bad.

Debt and deficits are perfectly appropriate when facing a national crisis. We ran a huge deficit to fight WWII. That's justified.

It's also within the realm of reason for the government to go into debt as an investment in a long-term venture that will generate future tax income. For example, many governments, particularly the "Asian Dragons" incurred government debt as a way to encourage industrial growth in the 70's and 80's, knowing that there would be a long-term benefit from those industries.

The problem we've had is that our national spending does not reflect a unified, disciplined plan given that the nature of our government in budgetary matters is made up of comprimise among competing interests, aka "pork". That's why it's awfully difficult to pin blame on - or give credit to - one president or person for debt or deficit reduction.

[The Evil Genius]

Maybe someone can explain this too me - since I have never been able to "get" it.

If raising taxes is disadvantageous to a booming economy (see Reaganomics) - why did Clinton's tax increases in 1993 still lead to a booming economy?

Was it blind luck?

[Skins24]

Blind luck? no.

It was Al Gore. His invention of the internet helped boost the economy tremedously.