I keep hearing Republications decrying President Obama’s failed polices. What failed policies? When he took office, he inherited an economy that was in a nosedive, two wars, bin Laden still at large, and a health care system that was in need of reform.

With his stimulus plans the recession bottomed out five months into his presidency and a slow steady recovery began, all without help from the Republications, who did nothing but obstruct. Now all they can do is still obstruct and complain that the recovery should have been stronger and faster. The stimulus saved GM, and again, without help from the Republicans.

The war in Iraq is over with only a few troops remaining to train and keep peace. The war in Afghanistan is winding down, with most of our troops scheduled to be out by the end of 2014. Again, all the Republicans have done is criticize.

The president’s detractors still will not give him credit for one of the gutsiest decisions a president has ever made. Yes, our wonderful Navy SEALs planned and carried out the action that killed Osama bin Laden, but it was executed on his order and his order alone. Had it failed there would have been no chance for a second term.

Before Obama took office, 78 percent of the American people were in favor of healthcare reform. Without a single Republican vote, the president and Democratic party were able to pass a sweeping healthcare reform package that is not socialized medicine, as some try to claim, but an inclusive health care insurance system. The fact that a conservative Republican activist Supreme Court may strike all or part of it down will not take away from what he was able to accomplish.

The econony is in recovery, GM is alive, Osama is dead, the wars are winding down, and millions who otherwise would not now have healthcare coverage.

Dennis Thompson

Newnan