The 1990's, The War On Terror, The Great Recession, and the Obama Years

Clinton and the 90s

  • NAFTA and Global Economic Expansion:
    • The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) led to the creation of 200,000 jobs in the U.S. by 1995.
    • President Clinton believed the U.S. should lead global economic expansion through free trade agreements like NAFTA.
    • International competition is necessary for the U.S. to secure jobs, create growth, and maintain its leadership.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

  • Compromise and Restrictions:

    • The policy was a compromise regarding LGBTQ+ individuals in the military.
    • It aimed to balance inclusion with the military's traditional stance on sexual orientation.

  • Consequences:

    • Service members risked dishonorable discharge if their sexual orientation was revealed.
    • The policy limited the expression of personal identity to preserve traditional military values.

  • Rationale:

    • Aimed to maintain military efficiency while addressing the presence of LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • Service members could be discharged for homosexual acts, stating homosexual or bisexual identity, or same-sex marriage.

  • Tension:

    • Revealed tension between personal freedoms and institutional norms in the U.S. military.
    • Demonstrated the military's attempt to balance LGBTQ+ rights without fundamentally changing military culture.

Monica Lewinsky Scandal

  • Grand Jury Testimony:
    • Monica Lewinsky provided extensive testimony in exchange for transactional immunity.
    • President Clinton acknowledged "inappropriate intimate contact" with Lewinsky.
    • He admitted the relationship was inappropriate in a televised statement.
  • Influence on Public Perception:
    • The scandal sparked debates about privacy limits and transparency needs in politicians' personal lives.
    • It intensified partisan divisions between Democrats and Republicans.
    • President Clinton's approval rating temporarily dropped, but his legacy remained largely unaffected.

Clinton's Domestic and Foreign Policy

  • Domestic Policy:
    • Key component: Reduction of the federal budget
    • Welfare reform to encourage work over dependency
  • Foreign Policy:
    • Major conflict: The Bosnian War
  • Economic Achievements:
    • Balanced federal budget and budget surplus in the U.S.
  • Impeachment:
    • The Monica Lewinsky scandal led to Bill Clinton's impeachment.
  • NAFTA Impact:
    • Established free trade and increased economic interdependence between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
  • Economic Crisis Response:
    • The Clinton administration enacted tax increases for the wealthiest Americans and reduced the national deficit.

Bush and The War on Terror

  • USA PATRIOT Act (Section 215):
    • Access to Business Records:
      • The FBI Director can apply for an order requiring the production of tangible things for international terrorism or intelligence investigations.
      • Investigations of U.S. persons cannot be solely based on First Amendment-protected activities.
      • Investigations must follow guidelines approved by the Attorney General under Executive Order 12333.
  • Opposition Groups:
    • Free speech advocates would likely oppose these developments.
  • Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF):
    • Presidential Authority:
      • The President is authorized to use necessary and appropriate force against those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the 9/11 attacks.
      • The aim is to prevent future acts of international terrorism against the United States.
  • Foreign policy goal immediately after 9/11:
    • Establishment of stability in the Middle East
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
    • Primary Mission:
      • Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States.
      • Reduce U.S. vulnerability to terrorism.
      • Minimize damage and assist in recovery from terrorist attacks.
      • Carry out all functions of entities transferred to the Department.
      • Ensure non-homeland security functions are not diminished.
      • Ensure U.S. economic security is not diminished.
      • Monitor connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism.
    • Investigating and Prosecuting Terrorism:
      • Primary responsibility rests with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
    • Goals to Avoid:
      • Diminishing overall economic security of the United States.
      • Neglecting the monitoring of connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism.
  • Military Operations:
    • Operation Enduring Freedom was an immediate response to the 9/11 attacks.
  • Claims Regarding World Leaders:
    • George W. Bush claimed Saddam Hussein possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction.
  • Operation Neptune Spear:
    • Resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden.
  • Motivations Behind 9/11 Attacks (NOT):
    • Repression of women in United States society.
  • Federal Responses to 9/11 (NOT):
    • Curtailing of civil liberties in exchange for security.
  • Public Reactions to Global Terrorism:
    • Increased prejudice towards Muslims & Arab-Americans.

Bush and The Great Recession

  • JGTRRA (JOBS AND GROWTH TAX RELIEF RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2003)
    • Purpose: Aid the lower class
    • Cause: 9/11 attacks and 2001 recession
    • Change to Child Tax Credit: Increased the credit amount
  • EESA (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008)
    • Main Purpose: Provide financial support and stabilize banking sector
    • Immediate Effects: Increased liquidity and decreased volatility
    • Similarity to Past Acts: New Deal
  • Spikes in Unemployment (2001 and 2003)
    • Cause: The dot com burst
  • Government Aid to Unemployment:
    • Created the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation
  • Decrease in Unemployment (2006 and 2007):
    • Housing market boom and job growth
  • Banking Crisis (2008):
    • Collapse of Lehman Brothers
  • Argument Against Bush Tax Cuts:
    • Unfairly helped upper class
  • Reasons for Housing Bubble Burst (NOT):
    • The 2008 financial crash
  • Company NOT Bailed Out by the Government:
    • Lehman Brothers
  • Federal Reserve Measures (NOT):
    • Practiced supply side economics
  • Effects of Bush's Quote (NOT):
    • Unfairly helped upper class
  • Government Response:
    • If money isn’t loosened up, this sucker could go down!

Obama - Hope and Change

  • Occupy Wall Street Movement:
    • Primary Goal: To protest growing economic inequality
    • Historical Situation: The Great Recession
    • Associated Idea: Populism
  • Obama’s Military Strategy:
    • Shift in Strategy: A preference for covert, precision strikes to target terrorism while minimizing American casualties
    • Emphasis on Multinational Action: Avoid international criticism and share the military burdens
    • US Intervention in Libya: It failed to stabilize the country after the dictator’s removal
  • Affordable Care Act (Obamacare):
    • Historical Comparison: The Great Society proposed by Lyndon B. Johnson
    • Advocates for Repealing: Conservatives in the 2000s
    • Primary Causes of Passage: The 2008 recession causing people to lose their job-mandated health insurance
  • Core Components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (NOT):
    • Expansion of Medicaid eligibility in all 50 states
  • Re-established Diplomatic Relations:
    • During Obama's presidency, the United States officially re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years of severance.
  • Constitutional Debate Over Separation of Powers:
    • The military intervention in Libya without Congressional authorization
  • **Obama’s