A record of accomplishment

For some Democrats, Obama has not done enough.

For most Republicans, Obama has not done one thing right.

In an effort to counteract the talk radio/Fox News anti-Obama lies, which have an impact on local and state elections, and encourage Democrats, here are some facts about the Obama/Democratic record of accomplishment:

* The Affordable Care Act will end health insurance corporations' egregious abuses of their customers, and help control the cost of care for millions of Americans.

* Obama and the Democrats have enacted the most significant Wall Street regulatory reform in 70 years, providing the toughest protections for investors ever. 

* The Recovery Act saved and created more than 3 million jobs, provided the largest middle-class tax cut in a generation, and made landmark investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and education.

* Obama/Democratic investments in General Motors and Chrysler saved tens of thousands of jobs -- and perhaps the companies -- and spurred a rebirth of the American car industry.

* Obama/Democratic laws that reformed student loan and credit card practices ended the worst abuses of the banking industries and made lending much more fair and affordable for American families.

* There are now two new Supreme Court justices -- Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan -- who bring their rich and diverse experiences to the Court.

* America's relationship with the international community has been dramatically improved, from the ratification of a new START nuclear arms treaty with Russia to tough new sanctions on Iran to strengthening our long-term partnership with a unified Iraq.

* Obama and Democrats in Congress finally repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which makes our military stronger at a time when it needs to be the strongest, and does so with a basic sense of justice for all.

Obama came into office facing a possible Great Depression II, almost entirely due to Republican economic and deregulatory policies.

His actions, supported by Democrats in Congress, avoided a catastrophe, and built the basis for the economic recovery we are currently experiencing.

Gibson explains his vote, and lies again

According to PolitiFact, the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website, the "Lie of the Year" for 2010 is "a government takeover of health care," referring to the health care bill passed by Congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Obama.

PolitiFact explains that the Big Lie, which originated with GOP propaganda consultant Frank Luntz, "is simply not true," since the law "relies largely on the free market."

Tea party/Republican Congressman Chris Gibson voted to repeal the health care law today, and repeated the Big Lie he told at almost every campaign stop, with an extra lying adjective:

"By voting to repeal the health care legislation passed last year, we’re one step closer to enacting health care reform that increases access to quality and affordable care in a way that does not result in a massive government takeover, harm small businesses, or step on our freedoms."

Rensselaer County's other Congressman, Paul Tonko, opposed the tea party/Republican stunt bill.

"I voted against this effort by House Republicans because repealing health care reform does not create jobs, it does not protect the middle class, and it balloons the deficit.

"The Affordable Care Act provides Americans with new benefits and protections that makes insurance more affordable and accessible – that’s why polls show most people are against a full repeal of reform.”

One part of the county has a Congressman who wants to provide health care security for his constituents.

The rest of the county has a Congressman who is a serial liar.

The View of Gillibrand

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been getting a lot of national attention lately -- for her leadership on getting Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal and the 9/11 health care bill through the Senate, and for being at the bedside of her good friend, critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, when she first opened her eyes last Wednesday.

Yesterday, Gillibrand was on The View, have a look:

Gillibrand was also on Meet the Press and Face the Nation Sunday, and several cable news shows late last week.

And, back in December, the New York Times noted that "a succinct, passionate and effective Senator Gillibrand has made her presence felt" in the lame-duck session.

With President Obama and Senator Gillibrand atop the ballot, prospects for New York Democrats look pretty good in 2012.