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A Year in Review

12/30/2014 Nativegrl77

A responsible end to the war in Afghanistan. A historic agreement to combat climate change. A strong pace of job growth that we haven’t seen since the 1990s.

And those are just a few of the achievements for President Obama and the American people this year.

As 2014 comes to a close, we put together some highlights from the past year — historic accomplishments, economic milestones, and unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments. We even got Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to tell us his own favorite moments from the year.

Take a look at our year in review — and share these highlights with your friends and family.

The Faces of Health Care: Tricia T.

Tricia wrote the President to share the impact that the Affordable Care Act has made on her life. Read her story here.

On Christmas Day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dropped in on service members in Kaneohe, Hawaii to thank them for their “extraordinary service on behalf of our country.”

In this week’s address, the President and First Lady wished Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thanked our brave troops for their service.

A Better Balance

12/30/2014 Nativegrl77

Dear Friend,

There is still time in 2014 to help us protect and advance the rights of working families. Your support is crucial because caregiving is an issue that affects everyone. At some point in our lives, we are all likely to be primary caregivers to a child, spouse, parent or other family member, or to need care ourselves.

At A Better Balance we are fighting to give American workers the time and flexibility they need to care for their families without jeopardizing their economic security. We are leading the charge for policies that help families, such as sick and family leave, workplace flexibility, pregnancy accommodations, and pay equity, while also fighting discrimination in the workplace. Our work benefits families of all income levels. If you haven’t already, please checkout our year end newsletter highlighting a year of victories for working families. We appreciate each and eveyone of you for making this work possible.

Please help us achieve more victories in 2015. Please donate to A Better Balance today.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Dina and Sherry

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U.S. and Cuba

12/30/2014 Nativegrl77

The White House, Washington

Yesterday, after more than 50 years, we began to change America’s relationship with the people of Cuba.

We are recognizing the struggle and sacrifice of the Cuban people, both in the U.S. and in Cuba, and ending an outdated approach that has failed to advance U.S. interests for decades. In doing so, we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries.

I was born in 1961, just over two years after Fidel Castro took power in Cuba, and just as the U.S. severed diplomatic relations with that country.

Our complicated relationship with this nation played out over the course of my lifetime — against the backdrop of the Cold War, with our steadfast opposition to communism in the foreground. Year after year, an ideological and economic barrier hardened between us.

That previous approach failed to promote change, and it’s failed to empower or engage the Cuban people. It’s time to cut loose the shackles of the past and reach for a new and better future with this country.

I want you to know exactly what our new approach will mean.

First, I have instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to immediately begin discussions with Cuba to re-establish diplomatic relations that have been severed since 1961. Going forward, we will re-establish an embassy in Havana, and high-ranking officials will once again visit Cuba.

Second, I have also instructed Secretary Kerry to review Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism — a review guided by the facts and the law. At a time when we are focused on threats from ISIL and al Qaeda, a nation that meets our conditions and renounces terrorism should not face such a sanction.

Third, we’ll take steps to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to — and from — Cuba. These steps will make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba. They will make it easier for Americans to conduct authorized trade with Cuba, including exports of food, medicine, and medical products to Cuba. And they will facilitate increased telecommunications connections between our two countries: American businesses will be able to sell goods that enable Cubans to communicate with the United States and other countries.

Learn more about the steps we’re taking to change our policy.

These changes don’t constitute a reward or a concession to Cuba. We are making them because it will spur change among the people of Cuba, and that is our main objective.

Change is hard — especially so when we carry the heavy weight of history on our shoulders.

Our country is cutting that burden loose to reach for a better future.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama