Obama’s first year seen as remarkable

President Obama's first year in office is shaping up to be remarkable. His presidency brought about a sea change regarding how the people of the world, and their leaders, see America. His lifting of restrictions on stem cell research may literally save your life one day. The credit card reform act takes effect soon.

Other accomplishments include the acceleration of fuel-efficiency standards, financial regulatory reform to protect our economy, lifting of the global “gag order” on family planning information, passage of a law that gives the Federal Drug Administration broad new power to regulate tobacco, the extension of health insurance to millions of previously uninsured children (over the “no” votes of 80 percent of Senate Republicans), passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay (for women) Act (over the “no” votes of 90 percent of Senate Republicans), and billions of dollars in funding to stimulate alternative energy production.

Oh, and we avoided economic collapse, despite Republican opposition to the stimulus packages and bailouts.

Todd Grimshaw

Coralville