What's Up With the GOP?

As 2014 comes to an end, I must spend a minute reflecting upon the GOP and their endless efforts to discredit, misrepresent and otherwise obstruct the work of President Obama and his commitment to move the ball forward for the American people.

It should be clear to anyone that our economic situation is steadily improving and has made steady progress over the President's tenure in the White House.  We have had record growth in private sector jobs.  At last look, President Obama has had better job growth than any of the eight years under his predecessor, George W. Bush. Domestic oil production is at it's highest level ever.  We now produce more oil in America than we import. Unemployment is well under 6%. Down form 9-10%. The equities market has TRIPPLED under Obama.  Corporate profits are at record levels. Gas at the pump has dropped below $2.00 a gallon in some places in the country. 

TARP funds and auto industry bailout funds have all been repaid PLUS interest!  Great strides have been made on credit card reform, immigration reforms, Wall Street Reforms, Pell Grant increases, equal pay for women, climate change advances and Common Core education standards are welcomed n many states.  Same sex marriages, increased minimum wages and Medicaid expansion are commonplace in many states.  And 10 million plus Americans have enrolled in Affordable Health Care plans across the country.

In spite of on-going challenges globally, Obama is championing a new relationship with Cuba. He has limited deportation of 5 million more undocumented individuals who are parents of Dreamers and others.  He succeeded in getting all chemical weapons are out of Syria - so much for the rap of "inaction" once the Syrian government "crossed the line in the sand".  Talks are still viable with Iran.  And we're containing and degrading ISIS in Iraq.  No wonder a noted and respected economist called him the most consequential President in the recent past. And, according to a recent article, Obama has once again been named one of the top 10 most admired individuals in the world...he's been number one, 7 years in a row!

Yet just tonight, O'Reilly of FOXNews suggested Obama has failed to improve the economy.  O'Reilly and other GOP mouthpieces have posited that the President "doesn't lead".  The constantly blame President Obama for nearly everything negative that happens.  Whether it's the expanding racial divide, or the killing of unarmed Black men by law enforcement officers or the murder of cops on the street.  But they don't credit him for any of the "good news" that has occurred on his watch. But that's how the GOP is. They are committed to a campaign of smear when it comes o the President and his service tour country.  That's sad.

However, the real sad news is, that for all the "good news" out there, the GOP increased their numbers in both chambers of Congress in the last national election. Go figure! Come on America. We can and must do better.

The best news however, is that history will not be written by the GOP.  And as such, President Obama will go down as a very consequential President who tried and succeeded to do bring 'change' to America.

Vote Smart - VOTE BLUE