What liberal/progressive things did Clinton accomplish?

[BayCityProgressive]

I know a lot of people here criticize Clinton as beeing to conservative or moderate. We already know the moderate or right wing stands he has taken such as NAFTA, Welfare Reform, Telecom. deregulation, DOMA....but what progressive legislation did he pass? I know he attempted to create universal healthcare and he attempted to allow gays in the military.

[Eric J in MN]

1. unpaid leave for the medical needs of a person or his or her family

Family Medical Leave Act.

[kaitykaity]

4. oops.

replied to wrong post.

[NashVegas]

2. Left the Internet Alone & Released All Those Cold War Documents

Those two things don't get talked about much, but the implications have been far, very far, reaching.

Operation Northwoods, anyone?

[sam sarrha]

3. budget surplus..was going to be able to pay off debt in my lifetime.

[Eric J in MN]

5. Also, a good economy compared to today.

At the time, I don't think the economy was good, but it was better than now.

[kaitykaity]

6. Nominating Ruth Bader Ginsberg to SCOTUS.

She's one of the 4 on our side.

[loveable liberal]

7. Staved off neo-con, flat earth, anti-intellectual, psuedo religious policy

for eight years.

[cornermouse]

8. Rescued social security from the ravages of the previous

administrations and restored its funding to a safe level. I would consider that as liberal or progressive, especially when you compare it with what Jrs. done to it.

[sportndandy]

9. Passed himself off as a liberal progressive.

Not a bad job for a guy who was usually just a shade to the right of center on most issues.

Hey dont get me wrong, I really liked clinton, but I was not fooled by his politics.

[NMDemDist2]

10. IMO his "Enterprise Zones" for inner cities and depressed areas

was a wonderful progressive piece of legislation.

the "Cops" program was another good one

Both are being seriously eroded by the current administration..

[loveable liberal]

11. Cops funding has been eliminated by Monkeyboy. n/t

[noamnety]

12. cut taxes for the poor and small businesses

He cut taxes for 15 million low-income families and 90 percent of small businesses, while raising taxes on just 1.2 percent of the wealthiest taxpayers. (1993 Economic Plan)

Signed the Brady Bill allowing background checks on gun purchases

Reduced the size of the federal government and the white house staff (alright, so I know that's something the republicans claim they are in favor of, but Clinton actually did it)

eliminated the tax deduction for lobbying expenses

Signed the lobbying disclosure act of 1995

[BlueStateGirl]

13. Family and Medical leave Act? Did he raise minimun wage?

[hollowdweller]

14. Raised Min Wage, Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, Protected More Land

[jmowreader]

15. Clinton was an old-school Republican

He had some progressive stances, some moderate and some conservative. And really, that's okay.

The last old-school Republican who actually claimed to be a Republican was Richard Nixon--who, in case anyone's counting coup, was more liberal than Clinton.

Now, look at your New Republicans. Any stance not approved by Karl Rove is bad, m'kay?

The Family and Medical Leave Act was Clinton's. Also, the label on the side of a 5-gallon bucket that says children can drown in them was his too.

[Divernan]

16. gave soldiers raises EVERY year.

Repub presidents used to give a raise during the presidential election year only. Can't recall where I read that.

He also protected a lot of environmentally significant lands by declaring them off limits to development, and kept increased drilling out of Alaska.

One of a president's most important functions is in the field of international relations and President Clinton was terrific at that. Do you remember the huge crowds of people who welcomed him on foreign trips, and how he waded right into the crowds to greet them? I guess that is not a question of liberal or moderate, but more a question of courage and truly liking people.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

17. Pissed off Repukes for 8 years, appointed liberal judges, got Newd canned

Stopped some genocide, balanced the budget, don't ask don't tell (progress even if not enough)

[NMDemDist2]

18. heck your first reason is enough for me LOL n/t