1. TAXES Signed a relief bill to continue tax cuts initiated by bush. Taxes must be increased in order to balance budget, rich will be paying more than the middle and lower classes. ECONOMY -No trickle-down economic because that policy does not work. Bottom-up economics is the focus. The economy is in the process of a recovery, not entirely noticeable yet- efforts still need to be made

2. UNEMPLOYMENT Obama helped pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009) to create more jobs. Has had some impact on the economy, and downplayed effects of recession. Jobs made primary focus since 2010. Making sure incentives for foreign jobs are removed. DEBT Put freeze on federal worker pay, defense spending. Taxing will be necessary to decrease deficit, along with managing healthcare costs.

3. HEALTH CARE Obamacare Get everyone insured Make it illegal for insurance agencies not to cover you SOCIAL SECURITY Less demand because of Obamacare

4. EDUCATION New standards for NCLB Can qualify for a stipend if The state adheres to the common core curriculum The state reforms the lowest 5% of districts The state evaluates teachers with a student progress based test DEATH PENALTY Obama sees it as a necessary evil. He doesn’t want to abolish it nor does he want to make it more popular. If the crime fits the punishment, than it is justified.

5. GAY RIGHTS Repealed the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Voted against banning Gay Marriage. Declared DOMA unconstitutional. IMMIGRATION Believes anti- immigrant bitterness is from joblessness. Wants to stop expelling talented undocumented workers. Signed Dream Act.

6. ENVIRONMENT Funding for EPA and other environmental agencies such as: Omnibus Public Land Management Act, National Environmental Protection Act ALTERNATE FUELS Promotes clean energy sources and energy independence. 80% clean energy by 2035.

7. Foreign Policy

8. CHINA Work with China as it becomes a Superpower Benefit each other as both nations tackle World Issues

9. ISRAEL We must stand along Israel as it deals with the issue with Palestine

10. NORTH KOREA A careful eye must be kept on North Korea incase of alarming military actions

11. MEXICO Only with the help of the USA will Mexico be able to fight the Drug Cartels