State of the Union

[theatokos]

I am a little sad to have missed Obama's first State of the Union address. I chose to go to yoga instead. This was definitely the winning choice. And I've yet to read a transcript or reviews, but I ask you: those of you who watched it or listened to it, what are your thoughts? Any one listen to Bobby Jindal's response?

Comments

Obama's Speech

[robroys.livejournal.com]

The basic thing I got from Obama's speech: the party is over, it is time to clean up. It was what I have been wanting to hear for a long time. He really gets it. His basic statement is that we have put off tough decisions and pawned problems off to future generations for too long. The time is now to fix things, not later. The time to place blame is done, the time for action is now.

The other thing-Republican booing/catcalling when he talked about taxing the rich.

Jindal basically spoke like he thought we were idiots. Literally idiots. He spoke of things that people who watch/listen to speeches like this know already. The thing that stuck out for me (besides bitching about things Republicans did when they were in power)is that Jindal did not mention Obama as the opposition/problem, but "Congressional Democrats."

[snowcalla.livejournal.com]

I suggest reading the transcripts of both and making up your own mind.

I try to never, ever listen or watch a politician speak. I don't want to be emotionally manipulated and that's what good speakers are able to do. However, some people want that and enjoy it - to each his own.

I don't want to color your view of either the President's speech or the Republican responce.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Oh you're no fun.

Here's my guess of what went down:
Obama ruled the school with his soaring speechifying. He said great things about hard work. He left 75% of viewers inspired. He talked up his (regretful, in my mind) stimulus package.

Jindal - I have no idea. As the counter speech, he'd say "what he said was wrong." I have heard in passing that he did an awful job.

[snowcalla.livejournal.com]

I didn't see Jindal and I did hear that his delivery was aweful. As read, his speech was great. *shrug*

Also - you didn't miss Obama's first State of the Union - this was just an address. He won't give a Sttae of the Union until next year. I mean, you gotta be in office for a while before you can even begin to know what the State of the Union is.

If you want the quick and dirty on the speech -
He is going to do the following:

— National health care coverage within the year.

— Seek a “cure for cancer in our time.”

— Reestablish America as producing the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

— Lay “thousands of miles of power lines,” and construct wind turbines and solar panels.

— Expand mass transit.

— Reform the regulatory system

— Pass legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution

— Commit to the goal of a “re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry.”

— Invest in electronic health records and new technology to reduce medical errors.

— Create new incentives for teacher performance

— Expand commitments to charter schools

— Sign legislation on national service authored by Sens. Edward Kennedy and Orrin Hatch.

— End direct payments to “large agribusinesses that don’t need them.”

— Eliminate no bid contracts in Iraq.

— “Root out waste, fraud and abuse in our Medicare program.” -

— Jettison tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas.

— No new taxes – “not one single dime” – for families that earn less than $250,000 a year.

— Begin debate on overhauling Social Security while creating “tax-free universal savings account for all Americans.”

— Increase the number of soldiers and Marines – and raise their pay and benefits.

— Encourage parental responsibility.

While cutting the Debt in half

My comments -
I have no clue how Obama is going to Balance the Budget during an economic downturn while increasing spending and creating new government programs that will need increased funding as each year goes by.

College graduates - I am getting tired of the Trades getting looked down on. Shouldn't that be a goal, too? I actually think we need to decrease the number of College Graduates and increase the number of people who graduate from a Trade program.

Read My Lips, No New Taxes - Obama bent himself over on that one. FICA is going to go up and that will affect people that make under $250,000. There will also be user taxes on healthcare that will go up to fund the mis-named National Heathcare. (Which is neither National, nor healthcare, but health insurance) There will be other Federal taxes that will go up and will affect middle and lower class. Bad move to make such a statement.

Re-tooling the auto industry - When did that become MY problem that an industry has refused to make anything but shit for over 25 years? But now I have to pay for them to update? No thank you.

Wind Turbines, Soalr, and the connection to the grid - HUZZAH!!! That I can get behind and cheer for 100%. I sooooo want to be able to tell the Middle East and those south of our boarder to go fuck themselves - we don't need your oil.

Electronic Health Records - I do NOT want this to happen. The government doesn't need access to my health records. No one is going to convince me that at some time, those records will be used for bad shit. For all you who HATE someone like Cheney - how would you like him to have access to your health records. People went ape-shit over a Federal ID, saying it was an invasion of privacy. Well...ummmm...this is a bit more private, don't you think?

The rest....whatever...

Oh...and here is the President's speech FactChecked.
http://www.factcheck.org/politics/fact-checking_obamas_speech.html

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I love Obama's dignity and the respect that he has returned to the office. But.... he already disappointed me with the stimulus package. I don't know how possible it is to reduce the deficit AND pass that much pork, I mean stimulus. And don't get me started on our PATHETIC auto industry.

I agree completely with your feelings on college. Not everyone should go to college! I like California's tiered system. Not all colleges are created equal, leaving different levels open to different abilities and motivations. We need to support the trades and increase the value seen in them.

The fact check site is awesome. It's really too bad that Obama relies on so much hyperbole.

[(Anonymous)]

I say: great speech for Obama. He gives good speeches, this one was exceptional. Not a lot new, or that you don't already know. The one thing I thought was new/different and welcome was the calling onto the carpet of Congress. Essentially he was saying people are counting on you to get things done. I appreciated the straightforwardness. It's an ambitious agenda, for sure. But, as is often tediously quoted "we don't accomplish 100% of the things we don't try" or something like that. Cheesy, but certainly true. Having things on the agenda is a good start.

Speaking of tedious and cheesy...Bobby Jindal, wtf? He was what my students would call "fake an' shit". There really isn't anything wrong with his positions. They're conservative, so what? A lot of Americans are conservative, no biggie. He was just so fake and childish I had to turn off the tv and listen to the radio instead because I absolutely could not take the saccharin. Ew. Give me a break. The main reason people like Obama is that he (at least appears) to be authentic. Republicans need to find a way to get some authenticity. I have no idea how they will do this. Time, I think, is key...think democratic party circa 1980.

SEE YOU TOMORROW....SO EXCITED!!!!!

[(Anonymous)]

actually, I didn't mean childish...I meant treating people like children. Too excited clicking finger.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Ohmygoodness, I just realized that tomorrow is Thursday and I am so excited to see you!! Yay!! Oh I can't wait to see you.