Updated Wish List

This morning I took a stroll through some old posts of mine and noticed I hadn't updated my Obama Wish List in a while. Well, not a while. He's only been in office for 68 days-- there's only so much that can be done in such a short amount of time. But not since his first week in office at least.

I made the list public so people could see some of the important reasons why I voted for Barack Obama. I said back in January that he if could accomplish half of my list in his first term I'd be happy. I'm getting close.

• Safe, careful and timely withdrawal from Iraq
• Stimulus bill that is real and on par with the New Deal. One that will create millions of new jobs; that will repair and enhance our crumbling infrastructure and will provide new money and initiative for green technology and high-speed commuter rails
• Broadband access universally.
• Obama’s health care plan passed in full.
• Close down Gitmo.

Here's the reasoning for the crossed off items.

On Iraq-- yes we're still there but the president has announced broad changes from the previous administration, changes that I fully support.

Based on the recommendations of his military commanders and national security team, the President has chosen a timeline that will remove all U.S. combat brigades from Iraq over the next 18 months. By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will have full responsibility for major combat missions.

After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip, and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian personnel.

The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

The Stimulus Bill passed. That was an easy one.

Close down Gitmo again is similar to Iraq because obviously it's still open. The president, however, ordered it closed with an executive order and banned torture. I fully support both.

So my Obama Wish List is in pretty good shape for 68 days in office. I only have two items left, universal broadband and health care reform. Broadband access was contained in the Stimulus Bill that passed in February, but it did not create universal broadband so I'm keeping it on the list for now. And Obama's health care plan is included in his budget that he proposed last month. Should it pass I'll gladly cross it off my list as well.