Barack, Michelle, Malia & Sasha Obama

The plan:

1. Makes a $634 billion down payment on fixing health care that will go a long way toward paying for a more efficient, more affordable health care system that covers every single American.

2. Reduces taxes for 95% of working Americans. And if your family makes less than $250,000, your taxes won't go up one dime.

3. Invests more than $100 billion in clean energy technology, creating millions of green jobs that can never be outsourced.

4. Brings our troops home from Iraq on a firm timetable, finally bringing the war to a close-and freeing up almost ten billion dollars a month for domestic priorities.

5. Reverses growing income inequality. The plan lets the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire and focuses on strengthening the middle class.

6. Closes multi-billion-dollar tax loopholes for big oil companies.

7. Increases grants to help families pay for college-the largest increase ever.

8. Halves the deficit by 2013. President Obama inherited a legacy of huge deficits and an economy in shambles, but his plan brings the deficit under control as soon as the economy begins to recover.

9. Dramatically increases funding for the SEC and the CFTC-the agencies that police Wall Street.

10. Tells it straight. For years, budgets have used accounting tricks to hide the real costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts, and too many other programs. Obama's budget gets rid of the smokescreens and lays out what America's priorities are, what they cost, and how we're going to pay for them.

11. Stops unnecessary government subsidies to big banks, health insurance companies and big agribusinesses.

12. Expands access to early childhood education and improves schools by investing in programs that make sure every child has a qualified, strong teacher.

13. Negotiates for better prescription drug prices using Medicaid's tremendous bargaining power.

14. Expands access to family planning for low-income women.

15. Caps the pollution that causes global warming, and makes polluters pay to support clean energy innovation.

Source: MoveOn.org

"My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation -- (applause) -- as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents.

So it has been; so it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many -- and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met." ...

Read the Full Text of Obama's Inaugural Address

The Washington Post "KidsPost" asked readers what questions they would like the major-party presidential candidates to answer. I love Barack's answers and wanted to share some of them here.

Q: It seems kind of weird that me and my mom get to . . . hang around all summer, while all the kids in Iraq and Afghanistan have to be in a war, even though they didn't do anything. . . . What will you do to help all the moms and kids in Iraq and Afghanistan after the war is over?
- Kelly Lynn, age 6

Obama: "You're absolutely right that children and families are often victims of war, and that's why we need to be very, very careful when we decide to fight a war. . . .

In Afghanistan, the best way for us to help kids and their families is to make sure that their communities are kept safe from the spreading violence and that their country doesn't fall back under the strict and repressive rule of the Taliban.

To make sure that doesn't happen, I will send in additional American troops and offer greater assistance . . . including assistance that helps Afghan children go to school."

Q: Because global warming is such a big issue now, what would you do to lower the use of (items) not being recycled in the United States?
- Kendall, age 10

Obama: "We'll invest in clean energy sources, and we'll commit to getting more of our electricity from sources like wind and solar (power) and cut the amount of greenhouse gases we produce.

You're right that recycling more and using less Styrofoam and paper are important, and there are other steps you can take, too, like carpooling with your friends on the way to school or turning the lights off when you leave the room."

Q: I think kids should be trusted to vote because they do pay attention. What are you going to do about kids not being able to vote?
- Andrew, age 7

Obama: "I'm glad you're paying attention, Andrew, and, like you, my daughters would like to have a bigger say in what happens in their world -- but I don't plan to ask Congress to lower the voting age.

The good news is that there are many ways that young people like you can make a difference, whether it's writing letters to your representatives or talking to your parents, teachers and friends about the issues that matter to you."

You can view the full article at The Columbus Dispatch.

Rumor: Michelle Obama isn't proud of her country.
Michelle Obama's comments about her pride in her country have been taken out of context, by both the Tennessee and Washington State Republican parties in paid advertisements attacking Michelle.

Truth: Michelle Obama loves the United States and the opportunities it has given her. Even Laura Bush herself has defended Michelle Obama on this issue and labeled this kind of attack as "misconstrued."


Rumor: Obama is not a natural born citizen and can not produce his birth certificate.

Truth: Senator Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, after it became a state on August 21st, 1959. Obama became a citizen at birth under the first section of the 14th Amendment.


Rumor: Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim and was sworn into the U.S. Senate using the Koran.

Truth: Barack Obama was sworn in using his family Bible. Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian. Further, this myth perpetuates unfortunate falsehoods about the Muslim-American community that are offensive to people of all faiths.


Rumor: Barack Obama didn't take time for the troops.
Conservative blogs, referencing an inaccurate email from abroad, have been spreading the rumor that Barack Obama gave troops the cold shoulder on his foreign trip.

Truth: Barack Obama spent time throughout his trip visiting with and thanking our troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. He was proud to meet so many of our troops overseas and has repeatedly praised their service and dedication.


Rumor: An email claims that Barack Obama wants to tax your home, IRA, & even your water.
A rapidly spreading email is tricking thousands-if not millions-of Americans with outrageous lies and misrepresentations about Barack Obama's tax policies.

Truth: Barack Obama wants the tax code to favor honest, hard-working people, and he has proposed a $1,000 tax cut for middle class families.


Rumor: Barack Obama won't say the Pledge of Allegiance & he won't put his hand over his heart

Truth: Barack Obama loves his flag and his country. We've seen him leading The Pledge of Allegiance in the United States Senate, with his hand over his heart.

To read more, and to see videos and documents as proof of the above go to Fight The Smears.

Abortion: Abortions should be legal according to Roe vs. Wade, and female contraceptives should be covered by health insurance.

Education: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.

Environment: Calls for 25 percent of U.S. electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025, and for 30 percent of the federal government's electricity to come from renewables by 2020.

Gay Marriage: Supports the full inclusion of same-sex couples and their families, with equal rights, benefits and responsibilities.

Gun Control: Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic weapons while increasing restrictions on purchasing of firearms.

Immigration: Implement a guest worker program, providing a path towards citizenship for all undocumented workers.

Stem Cell Research: Obama supports expansion of federally-funded stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research.

Taxes: Barack Obama's plan will provide $80-85 billion in tax relief to America's workers, seniors, and homeowners.

War in Iraq: Supports a plan to immediately begin troop withdrawal from Iraq at a pace of one or two brigades a month, to be completed by the end of 2008.

Barack Obama is favored by a 4 to 1 margin by the 22,500+ people polled in 22 countries around the world. Countries polled included Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE and the UK.

On average, 49% preferred Obama, and in 17 of those countries, the most common view was that US relations with the rest of the world would improve under Barack Obama.

GlobeScan and Program on International Policy Attitudes carried out the survey in July and August.

Source: BBC News, September 10, 2008