Obama Ready To Quickly Reverse Bush Actions, Executive orders

Washington Post :

Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.

A team of four dozen advisers, working for months in virtual solitude, set out to identify regulatory and policy changes Obama could implement soon after his inauguration. The team is now consulting with liberal advocacy groups, Capitol Hill staffers and potential agency chiefs to prioritize those they regard as the most onerous or ideologically offensive, said a top transition official who was not permitted to speak on the record about the inner workings of the transition.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[SatyriDon]

The Obama Team Seeks to Reverse the ‘Ultimate Bush Position’
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=4729

[DSummoner]

I don't particularly mind being the proverbial fly in the ointment as someone needs to inject some sense of realism in the set of expectations that have reached stratospheric proportions secondary to a basis on symbolism alone. The hard reality of the matter is that the huge budget deficit, the trillions in extant debt and the previously passed bailout are going to fetter much of what could be done at the Federal level regarding the current economic situation. The underlying market fundamentals are not good and nor have they been for some period of time as the US transitioned from an industrial production economy to a services/finance based economy. The periods of "good times" represent various bubbles from tech, to the dot.com to real estate in which asset prices were inflated beyond their underlying value as capital was moved from one sector to the next with the aiding and abetting of the Fed through exceedingly low interest rates. The conundrum here is that any increase in interest rates will further stifle the credit markets which will further hurt the 70% of the American economy derived from consumption. I suspect that the next bubble will be the "green technology" bubble. If one has money then invest wisely... just make sure that you get out of the pets.com equivalent before it craters.

[formerprosecutor]

You are exactly right. We need to move FROM service/ finance/based/consumerism into production; or I shoudl say BACK to a production based economy. You described a society that eventually will collapse upon itself when it becomes clear (as it did) there are not enough "wealth" at the top even support the wealth based market. We have been seduced, as a country, into a credit based economy: buying things we could never afford with cash. That makes the rich grow richer and the poor get poorer AND be totally dependent of the finance industry for actually surviving. We ned to produce not consume and reject the seduction of living beyond our cash means except for the traditional mortgage and occasionally a car. It is not all our fault though by any means. When is that last time you saw shoes or toasters being repaired ? The throw away mentality encouraged by reatilers, overseas manufacturs, credit, etc. WE must return to the repair instead of throwaway. Tip of the iceberg but it still has to be a societal mindset instead of a edict.

[formerprosecutor]

And where it can start is to cease all tax breaks or even deductions for companies outsourcing service or manufacturing. Why should teh tax payers of this country allow tax breaks for wealthy companies that love life here in America; utlize our justice system, hide behind favorable tax codes so that they make make enourmous profits; even blackmail Congress by threatening to take even more of their companies overseas is they are not catered to ? Ridiculous. They want uis to buy it but they don't want us to benefit from their comapnies employment. Patriotism needs to start with the corporations.

[DSummoner]

Herein lies another rub. With greater multilateralism comes the greater ability of foreign governments to not only protest but to also engage in actions (e.g. going through the WTO) against the US for actions that they deem are protectionist of what little domestic industry that remains. Countries that are the economic beneficiaries of both nearshoring (e.g. Mexico) and offshoring (e.g. China) will protest vehemently if the US balks at or unilaterally violates the terms of the various free trade treaties that the country has entered into. While removing tax breaks from companies that offshore has populist appeal, I doubt that it will be a path taken in the near term. There are far too many companies that are reaching the precipice of fiscal insolvency secondary to the credit markets and decreases in consumer activity. Worsening their economic situation will inevitably lead to more job losses and will make them less competitive against foreign imports that are produced at a much lower cost. Given the mood on both sides of the Moebius Strip of the aisle at the Federal level, government is interested in bailing out companies - not removing their tax breaks (except for the oil companies). It really is a Catch-22 and a conundrum.

[formerprosecutor]

I will leave will one final thought. We must have a balance in consumerism and production. I am reminded of the positions of the North and South in the Civil War. The South had only Upper class consumers withthe vast majority living in poverty. The North had manufacturing etc. We are somewhat like the South. dependant on other countries to supply us with our needs. For our safety and future, we must encourage a restart. Of course along with that will be hugher prices for some items; most of which are not necessary to start with. It is a condumdrum, but I think where we disagree the most , si who we shoudl be thinking of when the decisions are made. I do NOT think our future is rooted in supporting big finance. I think our future direction shoudl be predicated on what is in the best interest of the working class. Truly, I am tired of waiting for the wealth to be trickled down; since it never did.

[DSummoner]

On the issues raised by formerprosectuer... it is too late, my friend to reverse the nature of the economy that we have domestically from a service/finance economy to a production economy (as the predominant form of productivity). England went through the same transition and serves as a historical exemplar for evaluation (as an aside). Free trade, greater multilateralism and foreign competition (the missing component during the 1950s and 1960s) have virtually cemented us on the path that we are on. There might be some deviation from this path IF there are technological revolutions regarding energy production but decimating the already crippled economy (amazing what a less than 1% drop in GDP can do) in hopes of the development of such technology (rather than transitioning to their use once they have been developed) would be folly as it would mitigate the funding needed from productivity to pay for the trillion in new spending that has been proposed. As far as exporting this technology goes, should it be developed... that also remains to be seen. If the US signs onto a Kyoto type treaty, such technology would be "transferred" thereby eliminating the export profit basis for the same.

A healthy economy is the linchpin in the whole process. I suspect that the attempts that will be made in order to return the economy to some semblance of health (noting full well the underlying structural weakness in the "bubble" based economy over the last two decades) will not leave everybody feeling happy.

[ccpostman]

Here is a good site.

You can vote on a priority.
Makes a nice check list.

http://whitehouse2.org/

[BIG JOHN]

MA MA THERE GO'S THAT MAN AGAIN.

[jebranto]

I would love some expert feedback on my new Blog. Please feel free to let me know what you think of it.
http://mypresidentobama.blogspot.com/


As far as this particular Blog goes. I like many of you am tired of same old politics. So change has to be a good thing. As far as I am concerned it cam't go a whole lot worse.

[larazon]

Here's what I think is going to happen and what I think should happen in President Obama's first term:

1) First President Obama will focus on pushing through an unprecedented rescue package which will include middle class tax breaks and relief for small business and mortgage owners in crisis;

2) He will start to draw down forces in Iraq and ask the Iraqis to start contributing in a major way towards the rebuilding effort with oil revenues;

3) He will send a couple of brigades to Afgh-anistan;

4) He will visit all major NATO allied countries in a world tour, including Isr-ael, Pale-stinian territory, Pak-istan, Afgha-nistan and Iraq and build on the confidence he automatically gained after this election;

5) His Secretary of State will become ag-gressively involved in a major international push for Isra-eli-Pale-stinian negotiations towards peace;

6) He will begin work on an energy package that will focus on environmental issues AND renewable energy sources with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

7) He will hold an energy and environmental protection summit;

8) He will focus on rebuilding infra-structure and schools with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

By tackling these pressing issues in his first two years, he will gain a lot of credibility.

Third and 4th years:

[larazon]

Third and 4th years:

9) He will raise taxes on the wealthy and tax corporations shipping jobs overseas, while compensating those that create jobs in the U.S.A.;

10) In the last two years he can begin the monumental task of tackling the healthcare system, and start providing the blueprint for change in this regard.

11) He will use his popularity with NA-TO countries to stage a NA-TO summit regarding Iraq, Afgh-anistan, Pak-istan, Iran, No-rth Kor-ea and Rus-sia as strategic topics on the agenda, and also discuss the VIABILITY of the mis-sile defense system!;

12) He will draw down DRAMATICALLY the forces in Iraq to just a few brigades for peacekeeping purposes and perhaps involve the U.N.;

13) He will address the United Nations on Environmental Protection, maintaining global economic cooperation, and promoting peace in the world through the promotion of education and the elimination of poverty in the world;

END OF FIRST TERM

[leeman79]

There seems to be alot of pinpointing of certain policies and orders to overturn. This is easy, reverse every executive action/order that's been intiated over the last 8 years, and we'll be on our way to recovery.

[DA786]

"Obama is the first 'YouTube politician' because he gets that you can't control the Internet"

[larazon]

Here's what I think is going to happen and what I think should happen in President Obama's first term:

1) First President Obama will focus on pushing through an unprecedented rescue package which will include middle class tax breaks and relief for small business and mortgage owners in crisis;

2) He will start to draw down forces in Iraq and ask the Iraqis to start contributing in a major way towards the rebuilding effort with oil revenues;

3) He will send a couple of brigades to Afghanistan;

4) He will visit all major NATO allied countries in a world tour, including Israel, Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq and build on the confidence he automatically gained after this election;

5) His Secretary of State will become aggressively involved in a major international push for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations towards peace;

6) He will begin work on an energy package that will focus on environmental issues AND renewable energy sources with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

7) He will hold an energy and environmental protection summit;

8) He will focus on rebuilding infra-structure and schools with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

By tackling these pressing issues in his first two years, he will gain a lot of credibility.

(Please see years 3 and 4 as follows)

[larazon]

Here's what I think is going to happen and what I think should happen in President Obama's first term:

1) First President Obama will focus on pushing through an unprecedented rescue package which will include middle class tax breaks and relief for small business and mortgage owners in crisis;

2) He will start to draw down forces in Iraq and ask the Iraqis to start contributing in a major way towards the rebuilding effort with oil revenues;

3) He will send a couple of brigades to Afghanistan;

4) He will visit all major NATO allied countries in a world tour, including Israel, Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq and build on the confidence he automatically gained after this election;

5) His Secretary of State will become aggressively involved in a major international push for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations towards peace;

6) He will begin work on an energy package that will focus on environmental issues AND renewable energy sources with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

7) He will hold an energy and environmental protection summit;

8) He will focus on rebuilding infra-structure and schools with a focus on CREATING JOBS;

By tackling these pressing issues in his first two years, he will gain a lot of credibility.

[MontanaHome]

New main:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/08/obama-team-weighing-which_n_142414.html

[Veni-Vidi-Vici]

dct1999

"This is an open opinion forum, they have a right to be here, they have a right to disagree with us. If they are being abusive flag them, otherwise don't engage them unless you want to."

Someone who gets it... Bravo dct1999....

[DA786]

Finally, someone who truly follows OBAMA's message of tolerance!

Keep it up dct1999, Sir. :)

[formerprosecutor]

In some Native American tribes, there exist "contrarians". In part the exhibt actions and words that teach people how not to behave and think. Sort of a simplified Socratic method of teaching. My thought is that is the role the T r o lls serve her at HP. To throw out ridiculous faulty reasoning in order for us to firm our thoughts and articulate our own valid critical reasoning. As we all remeber, there is one in every class that causes the complacent students to rise in their own ability to critical reason.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Sounds like some of my arguments my Constitutional Law prof tried to make.

[formerprosecutor]

My identity is revealed : )

[MNmommy]

Why does Reid have to be so soft-spoken and conciliatory - he just does not seem like a great leader to me, but then again, I'm not a senator.

[DA786]

__mommy > It's called being Diplomatic!

:]

[BreakfastatTiffanys1]

With regard to Joe Lieberman? I agree. Reid and Lieberman are friends.

Lieberman should not be forgiven for what he did. He stood behind McCain when McCain attacked O's patriotism. He stood behind McCain when he called Obama a Marxist, Socialist.

Lieberman is a Judas.

[DA786]

BREAKING NEWS!

Obama goes head hunting on world wide web ! :)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
President-elect Barack Obama is inviting online applications from across the world to fill various positions in the new regime, reaffirming his tech-savvy nature.

Obama along with his deputy Joe Biden is looking for people for "non-career positions" in the White House or any Federal body...
-------------------
Sunday, November 09, 2008 1:27 PM (New York)

[DA786]

The call for applicants online is another affirmation of the 'tech-savvy' Obama, who has exploited electronic and new media like never before during his Presidential campaign.

[formerprosecutor]

anybody have the link ???

[DA786]

Sir, do you mean the "link" to the article?

[Ramirez]

I think he should hire American citizens first.

Maybe that's just me...