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The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was set into motion with the hopes to lower the number of Americans without health insurance. However, controversy arose when the public learned that you must pay a penalty if you do not receive insurance from your employer and choose not to pay for coverage through the ACA.

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Before the Affordable Care Act was passes, insurance companies held significant amounts of power over their clients. They had the right to deny insurance to anyone, mainly choosing not to cover those with preexisting conditions. They also had the ability to limit the amount of care they can cover. Meaning that once the patient has reached their limit on coverage, the insurance company can no longer provide them insurance.

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The 44th President of the United States 

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The 44th President of the United States 

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On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the U.S., making him the first African American President. While still in the campaign portion of his campaign, Obama appealed to many with his various promises to the American people. Upon taking his seat in office, Obama faced one of the biggest economic challenges since the great depression. He wished to "change the culture of Washington" (Obamanation). He was an advocate for foreign policy based on diplomacy, reduction of inequality, increased access to health care, abolishment of the Bush tax cuts, ending war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and reducing the effects of global warming.

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While in office, Obama made strides to fulfill his campaign promises. In efforts to reduce inequality, he passed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. An act that made it easier for women to sue when they are systematically underpaid. He also appointed two women to the Supreme Court: Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayer (the first Hispanic Supreme Court member). He also increased the number of troops in Afghanistan as part of a long term plan to end the war. And most importantly, he passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), frequently referred to as Obamacare, in efforts to increase citizens access to healthcare.

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In 2006, the democratic party won the 51st seat in the senate, regaining total control of congress after 12 years of republican control. This shift in power was especially significant because it dramatically altered the governments balance of power. The shift left president Bush without GOP congressional control to run his legislative schedule.

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At the start of President Bush's first term, the economy was not in a healthy state. A recession began in 2001 and its recovery is often described as a "jobless recovery" due to the lack of job availability at the time. The country fell back into another recession in 2007 when the "housing bubble" began to collapse along with the near destruction of the American banking system in

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"Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and most costly storms in U.S. history. The destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina carries valuable lessons about the relationship between humans and nature."

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"Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and most costly storms in U.S. history. The destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina carries valuable lessons about the relationship between humans and nature."

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(Moore)

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In the world of politics, the early 2000's was a time primarily shaped by the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. The events not only unified the country, but brought everyone to a state of loyalty towards the U.S. The 2000's also eventually lead to time of social justice reformation and restitution. It was a decade that shaped the world that we know today.

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Hurricane Katrina grew rapidly from the first moment it formed. It took nearly two hours to form before its first landfall between Hallandale Beach, Florida and North Miami Beach on August 25, 2005. As the storm passed over land, it weakened but grew extraordinarily when passing over the Gulf of Mexico, growing to a category five hurricane. Katrina dropped back down to a category three hurricane with 125 mph winds as it neared Louisiana. Katrina caused severe damage along the Gulf coast but caused significant damage to the city if New Orleans. Almost all of the leves in the city were broken by the storm, leading to the flooding of 80 percent of the city and its neighboring communities.

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The aftermath of hurricane Katrina was devastating to both the city and the country. With communication failures, poor federal response, and extensive levee failures, Hurricane Katrina left behind one of the most devastating and costly disasters in United States History. Shelters were set up at the Super Dome and convention center in order to provide for the citizens who were unable to evacuate. However, as more people began to arrive at these shelters, the more the conditions decreased and living conditions became unsanitary and unsafe. The National Guard soon arrived and evacuations took place more frequently. The levees were fixed and water was drained from the city through the use of pumps. The citizens of New Orleans soon returned to their homes to find them destroyed and often times their loved ones dead. Although the storm was over, issues continued to rise throughout the country. Controversy grew as media coverage of the storm was primarily of the poor, African American communities, leading some to comment that the aftermath was "an instance of racially aggravated environmental justice" (Moore). Issues also continued to raise in every direction. Safety precautions, economic stability, and both mental and physical health care issues were also questioned.

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The Affordable Care Act benefits many throughout the country. With the ACA in play, those who have low income jobs have the option of affordable health coverage and those with pre-existing conditions can not be denied. These are only two of the many benefits that come from Obamacare.

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The ACA states that if your employer does not provide health care, you must buy the plan provided in the ACA, otherwise you will pay a fine. Many believed this fine to be unfair and unnecessary.

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Terrorism, War, and Bush 43: Crash Course US History #46

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Obamanation: Crash Course US History #47

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After the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, Americans set out to gain restoration for those who had lost their lives to terrorism. The War on Terror was an international campaign in direct relation to 9/11. The ultimate goal of the campaign was to wipe out all extremest groups in relation to al-Qaeda.

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Although Iraq had no correlation to 9/11, they were still considered to be a sponsor of terrorism. Saddum Husseni, the leader of Iraq at the time, had shown hostility towards international affairs and crueltowards Iraqi citizens. In addition to this, "international military experts believed that Saddam was developing nuclear weapons and possibly other weapons of mass destruction" (9/11 Attacks). The U.S. government saw this as enough means to send in troops and overthrow the dictatorial government in place. Although the mission was only set to take place over the course of a few months, it went on for years, leading to more controversy when no signs of weapons of mass destruction were ever found. The war became unpopular amongst all both within the United States and Iraq.

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On September 11, 2001, nineteen members of the Islamic extremest group known as al-Qaeda boarded four different commercial airplanes, took control of the planes, and rerouted them towards New York City and Washington D.C. Two of the four planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Another plane struck the Pentagon, and the last plane was believed to be heading to the U.S. Capitol Building but crashed in Pennsylvania after Passengers on the plane over powered the hijackers. On this day, nearly 3,000 people died, approximately 400 being firefighters and police officers.

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This day in particular plays a significant role in United States history because it brought the citizens of the country together, resulting in a stronger, more united America. In this somber time, the United States truly became united, honoring those who lost their lives, year after year.

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-Raised questions about the election process
-Generated proposals for election reform
-Strengthened the red & blue divide (Republicans v. Democrats)

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"The presidential election of November 7, 2000, was one of the most controversial in the history of the United States."

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"The presidential election of November 7, 2000, was one of the most controversial in the history of the United States."

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(Election of 2000)

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The United States presidential election of 2000 was remarkably close. Following the first tally of votes, not including absentee votes, less than 1,000 votes separated the two candidates. A recount of Floridas ballots took place immediately following the initial count, as required by state law in an election as close as this. This recount of votes sparked major controversy throughout the country. Although the recount declared Bush as the winner, many believed that the ballots were counted incorrectly or not recounted at all. It is important to know that these assumptions came to be because Bush's brother, Jeb Bush, was the governor of Florida at the time. Gore's campaign committed then sued and demanded a recount of the votes by hand. However these recounts were put to an end when the United States Supreme Court interfered on December 12, 2000 and demanded they be stopped. George W. Bush was then announced the forty third President of the United States.