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Professor Ramsey
Bush and Obama Similarities and Differences
George Bush was the republican president in his two-tern presidency from 2000-2008
and Barack Obama followed consecutively as the democratic president in 2008. These two
presidents, while being members in opposite parties, still shared common beliefs and practices in
One way the two presidents showed their similarities and differences is through their
ideas regarding education. In 2009, Obama created a stimulus bill with the authorization of
Congress that costed $900 billion and “would capture the imagination of the education world”
(Hess). Many people were pleased with this policy – a pretty bipartisan idea because this was a
value many Americans felt strongly about. This enthusiasm for Obama’s program, Race to the
Top, was comparable to Bush Leave No Child Behind pledge. Both presidents had a large focus
and campaign around education and its improvement. These presidents both had policies that
centered around education for all. Obama and Bush had a plan where low-income families could
access free education. These plans were supported by non-governmental organizations like
USAID and education groups. Obama extended the ideas of his predecessor by not only
providing free education but also making free healthcare. The presidents’ ideas were different
though, because Bush focused on expanding K-12 education and Obama had a focus primarily
on early childhood education. With Obama’s presidency, it gave the education reform a new face
and new inclusive energy with a democratic lead. Unlike Bush’s plan, Obama extended the
efforts to things like teacher accountability, learning standards and disciple. While the energy
was high at the start of this policy, disagreements began as the Common Core became disputed
and didn’t yield wanted results nor was received by teachers well. Barack Obama is also blamed
for “repeating the most grievous errors of his predecessor, charge a trio of venerable education
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Professor Ramsey
policy analysts, including one — Diane Ravitch — best known for her past support of
In terms of healthcare, there were different policies and more noticeable differences.
When entering the last part of his term, Bush presented a private health insurance reform plan.
Because congress was controlled by democrats though, this plan never reached authorization.
This plan would have attempted to continue, if not broader coverage, and reduce the deficit.
Bush, for healthcare, is best known for his prescription drug plan from 2003 because people
hated it. Conservatives had issues with this plan because it only increases the deficit. On the
other side, liberal had issues with its fixation or the market and advertisement. (Roy). However,
Bush sought to fix this in his 2007 plan. Because employers can obtain health insurance for its
employees’ tax free while individuals can’t do that and would pay taxes, Bush wanted to
“equalize the tax treatment of individually-purchased health insurance,” (Roy). Obama was most
recognizable known for his Obamacare plan. Obamacare, or the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act was put into law in 2010. This plan would make big changes that would
include subsides and make qualification for Medicaid less restricted. Obamacare aimed to end
discrimination for individuals that had pre-existing medical conditions. This plan also provided
Lastly, environmental policies were different for the presidents in many ways while also
having some similarities like endangered species and mining waste. Bush had rif of regulations
that followed-up on government projects and how they affected endangered species. Because
Obama as well as many others thought this left the environment in a vulnerable state, Obama re-
implemented this rule. In terms of mining waste, Bush had made it possible for mining waste to
be dumped near rivers. With an already environment jeopardizing practice, this runoff is also
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Professor Ramsey
hazardous to the environment. This was also reversed with the administration of Obama. Even
though it seems as if Obama was the only president who cared about the environment, both
presidents held a stance on carbon power plants and their effects. Bush had a plan to monitor and
lessen the pollution by the plants while Obama had a plan call Clean Power Plan with the same
goal. Obama had worked to protect federal lands while Bush worked to protect wetlands.
Even though George Bush and Barak Obama belonged to differing parties, similarities
between the two were still apparent during their terms. However, as accepted, there were still
Professor Ramsey
Works Cited
“FACT SHEET: Overview of the Clean Power Plan.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9
plan.html.
Hess, Frederick. “Reflections on the Legacy of Bush-Obama School Reform.” Education Next, 1
did-promising-popular-federal-efforts-lose-luster/.
“Obama Education Policies: a Lot like Bush Policies.” Economic Policy Institute,
www.epi.org/publication/obamas_education_policies/.
legacy.html.
Roy, Avik. “How George W. Bush Would Have Replaced Obamacare.” Forbes, Forbes
w-bush-would-have-replaced-obamacare/?sh=7f1254ff3355.
Steve Anderson Editor, and Steve Anderson. “Obamacare and the Affordable Care
“U.S. History, The Challenges of the Twenty-First Century, Hope and Change.” OpenEd CUNY,
opened.cuny.edu/courseware/module/476/student/?task=4.