What would you say were Bill Clinton biggest accomplishments and what his biggest mistakes?
William Jefferson Clinton has been extraordinarily effective. His greatest accomplishments include reversing almost two decades of accumulated deficits and mounting national debt — Not only a balanced federal budget, but a surplus of $127 billion — As well as the creation of more than 22 million new jobs, a homeownership rate increase, lowest unemployment rate in thirty years, higher incomes at all levels, lowest government spending as a percentage of GDP since 1974, and higher stock ownership by families. Clinton’s second term, sadly, became dominated by accusations of marital infidelity, perjury, and obstruction of justice — His reputation was severly damaged when he lied to cover up an affair (a private matter) with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern — Although President Clinton’s private life didn’t get in the way of his presidency, his presidency got in the way of his private life, and even though it had no effect on national prosperity, for a number of people that’s the on
The surplus was already there when Clinton took office. The U.S. economy was on an upswing. Nothing the Clinton administration did was responsible for it. But it did not last. U.S. corporations outsourced more jobs to foreign countries during his tenure than at any other previous time. No incentives were given for them not to. Illegal immigration soared, increasing social services and education costs by billions and stifling wages for US citizens. Border security was reduced. Terrorism increased and the security agencies and military were curtailed in their ability to combat it. The Balkan War dragged on and on, partly because of Clinton’s indeciciveness, waffling, and inability to work with other members of the coalition. He was totally out of his element as a Commander in Chief of the military. The very term is ludicrous when applied to him. Many top notch advisors left in disgust. And his sexual escapades in the Oval Office of the White House (and elsewhere) were hardly “private mat
