Obama calls for unity in State of the Union address

Obama is fighting Republicans for the upper hand in showing fiscal restraint in a time of staggering debt.

This is a lot like people whose house in the middle of a flood plane gets washed away, and who think if they can just rebuild the house in the same place all their problems will go away.

US government debt is not the cause, it is the effect. The predictable result of 30 plus years of economic idiocy. Also, stop using the ridiculous word "entitlements". The correct word is "necessities", if you don't want to pay for them go ahead, but use the correct word.

Obama should start with his own habits, and those of his wife. She steps out in 600 dollar loafers. She has the largest staff in WH history. He has played more golf in 2 than the last guy did in 8. But since the Dems and their base believe themselves to be morally superior to the rest of the country - who they honestly believe they are saving from themselves - all of this is to be excused, or overlooked, or even condoned.

Venona95....I take it you watch Fox News, huh?

stop using the ridiculous word "entitlements". The correct word is "necessities"" Disagree, respectfully, but there are a lot of entitlements and there a lot of necessities... and we should have the right to decide which is which and alter as necessary.

"Venona95....I take it you watch Fox News, huh?"

I take it you imagine anyone who disagrees with you does , but Fox is the same as CNN to me.

I dont watch either.

In fact, I have no tv.

I do not watch either, but Fox News is extremely biased to the right wing (Republican) that make lies and over-exaggerated pretty much anything.

I guess Congress might be able to cut down on the lobster and steak. Naw...

"Venona95....I take it you watch Fox News, huh?"" It is next to impossible to watch Fox News in Japan.... unless you want to watch, crank, stop... MSNBC comes in much better

“Voters sent a clear message in November. When it comes to jobs and the economy, the administration’s policies have done far more damage than good,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.

And the Republicans appear to mean what they say, for once.

Paul Ryan will deliver the GOP reply to Obama.

It should be interesting.

Venona95....I take it you watch Fox News, huh?

If you just do a web search, you can see what the Pres has been doing for the past two years. You can then see how many golf games and vacations have been taken. You don't have to rely on Fox.

I do not know where he/she lives and frankly his/her first post sounds like something that would come from there.

And I do not watch MSNBC.

Presidents don't take vacations. They are just working in a different spot than dc. Also, for those who don't know deals and important meetings are regularly held while playing golf. Weird conversation :(

And like what Junnama says, most of what it says is overexaggerated and the President does work outside of DC, as well.

I dont watch either. In fact, I have no tv." Spoken like a true resident of Japan... when all you are limited to is six channels, you in fact, don't have TV.

Another brainwashing speech to manipulate the uneducated American that they must do more for their country and the lying politicians can continue making a career out of politics not dealing with real issues. As Gerald Celente said "When people lose everything and have nothing else to lose they lose their minds." All the lying rhetoric is just delaying civil unrest which will come in the near future. Wake up America you can be once again a wonderful nation if you would just give your head a shake and realize your leaders and corporations don`t care about you. Their power is growing and the point of no return is closing in quickly.

"go bush! btw, the last guy started twice as many wars as the current guy. but golf statistics is more interesting."

Congress authorizes war.

Obama made Sec of State a Democrat and a woman who voted for both of those wars. His VP voted for both of them.

But facts never bother dreamers and idealists, at least when it is other people's money making their dreams come true...

Moderator: Readers, please focus your comments on Obama's State of the Union address.

"They lose it."

Venoma, you are so off topic. This is about the state of the union address.

"a nation still reeling from a monster recession"

This is all Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the rest of the Republicans' fault. It's going to take most of Obama's two terms to fix it, maybe longer now that there's a Republican-controlled House of Representatives throwing monkeywrenches into the works, lol.

"peace in the Middle East"

Probably not this year either.

why did he bring up Tuscon and not mention Ft. Hood?

To upset republicans... ;)

When Mr Obama mentioning the 'Sputnik' back in 54 years ago...is he comapring China is the new Soviet union?

If Congress is half serious about tackling the debt mountain - as I hope Presidemt Obama is - and stopping America slipping into third world status, here's some ideas:

1/ Introduce a gas tax to help get motorists off oil and funding terrorist regimes, and to use to fund research into clean, more environmentally-friendly forms of energy and help America regain her competitive edge in an industry that is only going to grow.

2/ Cut the billions that are wasted on agricultural subsidies and earmarks.

3/ stop all the talk about wanting small government. This is an economic and fiscal meltdown, and if Americans want small government, admit that right now you need big government to pay your social security, provide a functioning healthcare system, build you roads, fix your bridges, keep your military going and sell your debt to keep America from defaulting.

Oh, and introduce a 5% sales tax immediately. Despite the anti-tax hype emanating from the Right, this will make a significant dent in the deficit and won't noticeably affect productivity.

I think Mr Obama was very 'annoyed and jealous' when he met Chairman Hu Jintao, that was the reason he made calls for unity in State Union address! I feel very pity for America and her dignity!

@skipthesong why did he bring up Tuscon and not mention Ft. Hood? Didnt you know Mr Obama is a muslim?

Obama already had his chance for "investment". American people still remember the $800 million stimulus he wanted so badly and it produced nothing when it came to infrastructure, except for road signs claiming your tax dollars hard at work and "shovel ready" jobs that even he admitted did not exist.

If the American people buy into Obama's line of "investment" BS a second time, we are basically finished as anything but a third world nation.

RR

Read that: $800 billion.

RR

Sushi: "1/ Introduce a gas tax to help get motorists off oil and funding terrorist regimes, and to use to fund research into clean, more environmentally-friendly forms of energy and help America regain her competitive edge in an industry that is only going to grow." A tax in not necessary... You are talking about a penalty. What was brought up a while ago, was that the alternative energy industry needs to rely less on government and more on innovation and private investment. You've seen me here long enough; you know I want people to move to renewable energy.

2/ Cut the billions that are wasted on agricultural subsidies and earmarks." Agreed!

3/ stop all the talk about wanting small government." You haven't been listening.. People like myself want a smaller government not in size to pop ratio, we want a government that is not taking business away from people. We don't want some congressman having a lavish office fitted with expensive furniture and too many staff. We don't want government to decide to build a building, but buy a building from someone. And most of all, there are far too many government employees doing nothing.

"This is an economic and fiscal meltdown, and if Americans want small government, admit that right now you need big government to pay your social security" No, there are far too many people working and running SSI as it is. ", provide a functioning healthcare system" No, leave it to the states build you roads" Nope there again with the exception to the interstates. The rest Leave it to the states keep your military going" The military pays far too much for goods from t contractors with over paid contractors and charging the gov at something like the 5th year's inflation rate. The gov should buy from non-union manufacturers.... "and sell your debt to keep America from defaulting." to who? its not like some collection agency can buy the gov debt at .10 on the dollar.

Romeo - "American people still remember the $800 million stimulus he wanted so badly and it produced nothing,"

It stopped your country's economy from going under.

It stopped your country's economy from going under.

Pure nonsense. Obama's highly touted "stimulus" package did nothing for the U.S. economy -- like keeping unemployment at 8 percent -- except maybe allowing some states to stay afloat so they can sink now instead of back then.

The fundamentals of the economy and why it was going down were not addressed in the stimulus. It was an absolute failure.

RR

It stopped your country's economy from going under." Sushi, c'mon man... It may have kept a bunch of unions working at inflated wages

SushiSake3

1/ Introduce a gas tax to help get motorists off oil and funding terrorist regimes, and to use to fund research into clean, more environmentally-friendly forms of energy and help America regain her competitive edge in an industry that is only going to grow.

No. The market should rule.

2/ Cut the billions that are wasted on agricultural subsidies and earmarks.

Yes.

3/ stop all the talk about wanting small government. This is an economic and fiscal meltdown, and if Americans want small government, admit that right now you need big government to pay your social security, provide a functioning healthcare system, build you roads, fix your bridges, keep your military going and sell your debt to keep America from defaulting.

A bigger government won't solve anything. Fiscally responsible yes and this won't happen with the republican either. If you want to pay for all of this, you'll still need higher taxes.

Obama is lost. The speech was a dud. I guess he thoght he could play Reagan. But he can't.

As usual, the conservatives - including those on JT - show they have absolutely zero ideas and solutions. I put some ideas out there and get bashed. Great. I've got no problem with that. But what's up with conservatives having no constructive ideas at all? Vitriol won't save America from going to pot.

I think I am even feeling sorry for the President at this point. Even the Associated Press isn't buying the SOTU.

AP: "The ledger did not appear to be adding up Tuesday night when President Barack Obama urged more spending on one hand and a spending freeze on the other. Obama spoke ambitiously of putting money into roads, research, education, efficient cars, high-speed rail and other initiatives in his State of the Union speech."

Let us hope his administration actually has a plan, and that the only problem is a bad speechwriter.But I doubt it. A team of more than 20 hacks and spinmeisters vetted Obama's second autobiography. I am pretyy sure his speeches get the fine tooth also.

sushi, with your first idea, how are you going to get materials to those in the renewable energy biz - trucks which run on petroleum. How are you gonna generate power to said companies? Electricity (by gas, hydro, and coal). How you gonna get the sale people out to sell the products? cars, buses, and trains.... So, put a tax on said gas for motorists and you just cost a company cash before they even had their first sale.... I'm not knocking your ideas so don't go telling the mod I offended you.... I would like for you to take your idea and refine it though. The same holds true for the prez

Skip, no offence taken. You're one of the sanest, most sensible and rational people on JT.

To answer your question - I believe the future is going to be fueled by renewable energy sources.

How are you going to pay for them when many governments' finaces are down the toilet? Slap on a small gas tax and raise the money that way.

I'm not interested in any of that socialist / big government cr*p - using a gas tax, you get funds into the (slimy or otherwise) hands of the government which - if they are smart - wil use to to subsidize research and tax breaks for research into renewables.

Obama's already been channelling money into renewable research and building projects - a very good move. He's way smarter than those who think we'll be driving gas-powered vehicles for ever.

Let's face it - China is leaving every player in the dust on this one. China is getting some big foreign construction gigs because the Chinese govt. is partnering with business. [FYI - this has scared the cr*p out of JGov because it's looking likely the Chinese will get a contract to build high-spped rail in California because the Chinese Gov. is offering cheap loans. JGov. isn't partnering with J skinkansen makers at all.)

So, instead of waiting for the smart entrepeneurs to come up with the ideas to do the research, you put a rocket up their nether regions with government research subsidies - paid for thanks very much by the gas tax.]

Tnis way, things happen faster, and that's what we need.

Skip, I hear what you're saying loud and clear, but IMO, you're thinking short-term when we need to be thinking long-term.

GOP Speaker John Boehner...he didn't break down in tears this time.

What's with that? I thought the GOP's points man's emotional breakdown was par for the course? :-)

Just watched SOTU.

There is no one on the GOP/Tea Party side who comes close to having the verbal dexterity of the president.

Boehner looked like a lost child who isn't sure which classroom to go to next.

And he began with a political grace note, taking a moment to congratulate Boehner, the new Republican speaker of the House.

President Obama is a class act all the way.

"President Obama is a class act all the way"

Too bad he's clueless on the economy. He's taken us to record levels of debt.

President Obama is a class act all the way.

Agreed.....To bad he thinks America is some sort college and he is the Dean who can hold class over us now.

Sarge and Sailwind - both conservatives, therefore no ideas. Oh, and Sarge, Obama has only had to bail out the economy because the guy you voted for twice caused so much damage. If you have any self respect, you'll blame yourself before you blame Obama.

Sail, Obama is to class what Einstein was to science. Conservatives don't even come close.

Sushi - Question: Is the U.S. economy and U.S. government financial situation better now or when Obama took office on January 20, 2009?

Obama disappointed Americans last night. He just regurgitated the same old stuff he's been saying for years now, with a few changed words. Runaway spending now becomes "investment". More stimulus becomes "Investment".

RR

Question: Is the U.S. economy and U.S. government financial situation better now or when Obama took office on January 20, 2009?

Regarding the US economy, the auto companies, stock market, and corporate profits have gone steadily upwards.

Regarding the government financial situation, I recall well the conservative hand-wringing about the debt in the 70s-80s and into the 90s. Then Clinton came into office, and, lo and behold, within eight years the government was running a surplus to the point that Treasury Secretary Greenspan warned, actually warned, about the dangers of paying down the national debt too fast.

In short, anyone who keeps whining and complaining about "we the people" not being able to manage this situation is betting against America, pure and simple. They don't want a successful, prosperous country if it means giving their political opponents any of the credit.

Sarge reminds me of the person who looks upon the construction site of a 100-story skyscraper while the foundation is still being excavated and loudly complains that the workers are going the wrong way.

Sarge, if you had a grip on what was really going on you would realize straight away that questions like that are pointless.

And Romeo is another conservative who needs to look in the mirror to see where the real problem is. So simple, yet so difficult for some...

More long speeches,does it increase jobs???

It's always amusing to read liberal responses to how the GOP brought down the economy as if democrats have no share of the blame. Fact is the economy started going down hill from 2006 onward when the DEMOCRATS took control of both houses. That's when govt expansion and spending sky rocketed to unprecedented levels. What liberals like Sushisake3 need to understand ( ad they he does not ) is the fact that the president has VERY little to no power over the economy. Ad even then Bush unlike Obama was a strong laissez fairez kind of guy, not surprising since he worked for the oil industry. But hey these facts don't cross the minds of liberals do they? noooooo.. to them everything is "BLAME BUSH!".

Question: Is the U.S. economy and U.S. government financial situation better now or when Obama took office on January 20, 2009?

I think the answer is "yes". Unemployment is a lagging indicator, always has been...

Obama calls for unity in State of the Union address

And the radicals on both the right and the left have responded by telling Obama to take a hike. They want to fight and nothing's going to change their minds.

That's clearly what's killing America - an implosion of the political core.

Question: Is the U.S. economy and U.S. government financial situation better now or when Obama took office on January 20, 2009?

Quick answer is NO. The real question is will the situation be better if and when the Repubs win the presidency in 2012? Too easy, the answer is also NO.

Ignore and cover up the real problem for as long as you can, but that won't work forever. One day, the bill will have to be paid.

Pleading for unity in a newly divided government, President Barack Obama implored Democratic and Republican lawmakers to rally behind his vision of economic revival for an anxious nation, declaring in his State of the Union address Tuesday night: “We will move forward together or not at all.”

Wow, it only took him 2 years to figure this out.

"Yet he never explained how he’d pull that off or what specifically would be cut."

Obama appears to falling back to his successful campaign tactic of speaking in vague terms of what he really wants to accomplish and letting the listener make their own interpretation of what he means.

I have another question: who is paying the unbelievable 1.5 trillion dollars Bush Era debt now? I have the answer: you, your children, your future grandchildren, your company, your boss, your employees...

SuperLib - Obama calls for unity in State of the Union address

And the radicals on both the right and the left have responded by telling Obama to take a hike. They want to fight and nothing's going to change their minds.

Good government is based on "compromise". Compromise can be reached by opposing factions when they both have "similar" goals. Compromise can not be reached when opposing factions views are diametrically opposed.

The last election has left Obama with no choice but to finally reach out to the GOP and the various Tea Party representatives if he intends to accomplish anything before he comes up for re-election.

"Yet he never explained how he’d pull that off or what specifically would be cut."

Why should he show his cards now when the other side also hasn't specified exactly which programs they would cut and by how much? The writer shows a poor knowledge of the art of political negotiation.

Obama appears to falling back to his successful campaign tactic of speaking in vague terms

Have to say that I am always amazed at how many Americans on this site are still suckers for the political theater and still unaware of where the real causes of their problems come from. No excuse for that either in the internet age, there are lots of places to get your news now without the obvious spin and dis/misinformation.

But having said that, that comment above is one comment I can agree with 100%. Being vague is the one thing he is really good at, looks like they have decided to go with that strategy. Whatever it takes to keep kicking the can down the road I guess.

How can you call for "unity" if you radically disagree on what is right and what is wrong? If people are serious about their political positions, of course they have to defend them and try to convince others of them. A perfect "unity" would mean a dictatorship where no dissent is allowed. (Which of course the ultimate ideal envisioned by the political left.)

GJDailleult:

" Have to say that I am always amazed at how many Americans on this site are still suckers for the political theater and still unaware of where the real causes of their problems come from. "

So enlighten them! What do you have in mind... illuminati, Bilderberg group, reptilians, or something even more fashionable?

yabits: "Regarding the US economy, the auto, companies, stock market and corporate profits have gone steadily upward ( since Obama's immaculation )"

Really! Then why has Obama himself said he will focus on the economy?

Sushi: "Sarge, if you had a grip on what was really going on, you would realize straight away that questions like that are pointless"

Translation: The U.S. economy and the government's financial situation are indeed worse off now than at the time of Obama's immaculation.

Really! Then why has Obama himself said he will focus on the economy?

I'm not sure anyone could explain it to you so that you'd understand. Perhaps if you close your eyes and pretend there's an (R) after Obama's name, you might see the light.

GJD - wow, you are so much smarter than America. Too bad you can't run for Pres.

No excuse for that either in the internet age,

yes, commondreams is such a reliable source of "truth".

SuperLib-

And the radicals on both the right and the left have responded by telling Obama to take a hike.

Obama is a radical. He just can't do much now, so he's turned down his inflamatory rhetoric.

Mfa and WilliB, thanks for making my point for me so well.

"Have to say that I am always amazed at how many Americans on this site are still suckers for the political theater and still unaware of where the real causes of their problems come from."

You have all 300 million of us figured out. Awesome.

@manfromamerica

He just can't do much now, so he's turned down his inflamatory rhetoric.

And can you supply one example of inflammatory rhetoric from President or Senator Obama?

@GJDailleult

Have to say that I am always amazed at how many Americans on this site are still suckers for the political theater and still unaware of where the real causes of their problems come from. No excuse for that either in the internet age...

There are lots of sources and folks out there who claim to have THE HANDLE on all the answers. And so who or what are your sources?

yabits - do you want the list of gun metaphors from his speeches? Or wanting to know whose ass to kick for the oil spill? Or his "putting the jackboot on BP's throats"? Or calling Republicans the "enemy"? how about the WH drive to report anyone badmouthing the President's health care sham?

yabits, please watch or read the news.

And so who or what are your sources?

I have to say I am a bit surprised here. I thought people here just pretended be in the dark so they could fight their little political war games. But you guys really are in the dark aren't you. Who are my sources??? Pretty much every financial news site, magazine, and newspaper in the world, right-wing, left-wing and center, that is who. With the exception of the Wall Street Journal op-ed page of course, those guys are serious Kool-Aid drinkers. Also, pretty much all of the major financial blogs out there are sources too.

It is said that if you throw a frog into a pot of boiling water he will immediately jump out. But put the same frog in a pot of cool water, and then slowly turn up the heat, he will just sit there until he is cooked to death. Friendly advice guys, get out of the pot, the heat has been being turned up slowly since the 70's, and not just in the good old U.S. of A.

do you want the list of gun metaphors from his speeches?

That would mean more than one. OK, yes, I would like to have a list.

Or wanting to know whose ass to kick for the oil spill?

That example makes it pretty clear that you don't have any idea what inflammatory rhetoric is.

Or calling Republicans the "enemy"?

That is no more inflammatory than the saying "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer." Obama admitted he shouldn't have used the word, but one word by itself, taken out of context, does not constitute inflammatory rhetoric.

I believe that those who think this stuff is inflammatory are like hemorrhoids: very easily inflamed. It doesn't register on the scale anywhere near "second amendment remedies," "I want my constituents armed and dangerous," or "If ballots don't work then bullets will." -- Stuff that's become all too common and accepted from President Obama's opposition.

And it makes anyone who tries to make an issue out of some of President Obama's more pointed euphemisms look like a complete hypocrite.

Pretty much every financial news site, magazine, and newspaper in the world, right-wing, left-wing and center, that is who.

But all those sources are more often than not at odds with each other. It reminds me of how Truman said he wanted a one-armed economist because the person wouldn't be able to say, "on the other hand."

I will be the first to admit I am clueless about just what it is you are referring to as the real problems that President Obama is not addressing. So, in your opinion, who is the economist that you feel does the best job of articulating the problem?

So, in your opinion, who is the economist that you feel does the best job of articulating the problem?

On the off chance you check back for an answer, I will answer your post.

First off, the US problem is not political, although the politicians are part of the mix, and it is the same problem in all other countries. The problem is financial and monetary. The money supply exceeds the ability of the country to support it, so somebody has to lose.

As for who articulates the problems, here is a short list of economists and writers. Off the top of my head check out Steve Keen, Mike Shedlock, Michael Hudson, Ellen Brown, Matt Taibbi, Dean Baker, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Simon Johnson, Joseph Stiglitz, Eric Janszen, Gonzalo Lira, Nouriel Roubini, if you can stomach him Max Keiser, and blogs like Naked Capitalism and The Big Picture. And there are more. Lots of people on both the left and right, but all kept off the US MSM for completely non-mysterious reasons.

And if you have the time, watch The Money Masters and the follow up The Secret of Oz. Completely loony tin-hat stuff, except for the unfortunate fact that the predictions have all come true.

Thank you very much for the sources, GJ.

Of the list, I am most familiar with Taibbi, Simon Johnson, and Stiglitz, and respect their work. Johnson's article in The Atlantic Monthly a couple years ago on the banking "coup" was extremely accurate and troubling.

I will certainly be checking out the work of the other names, and I think I have a better idea of where you're coming from.

Cheers Yabits, apologies for being an old crank, but I do get very tired, and also suspicious, of people who spend all their time fighting over trivialities and ideological fantasies while they ignore what is really happening in the world. Reality doesn't care about their ideology.

Didn't mean to lump you in with that group, if that is how it came across.

GJD - don't forget Oprah, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Dr. Phil.

Now reading for people who actually pay attention to reality: Ludwig von Mises Friedrich Hayek Hans Sennholz Milton Friedman

Obama conceded that everything he asked for would prompt more partisan disputes. “It will take time,” he said. “And it will be harder because we will argue about everything. The cost. The details. The letter of every law.”

Which is exactly the way the "system" was designed to function. As a sitting U.S. Senator for 4 years, I would have thought that Senator Obama would have a better understanding that good leadership means the ability to compromise.

The Democrat leadership wasted 2 years telling the GOP that the Democrats won and the GOP would just have to learn to live with that. The voters just told the Democrats that their progressive, hopey/changey, lack-luster leadership was unacceptable. Time will tell if Obama is just making another pretty campaign speech, like Harry Reid said, or he's actually going to work with Congress to fix the actual problems facing the U.S.. - jobs, jobs, jobs, the housing debacle and 2 wars (yes Mr. President, there are still 2 wars).

He also forgot to mention that the voters demand that Congress and the President actually READ the bills before they vote on them or sign them. No more bills creating another "sub-prime ARM monster" slipping thru Congress unread and unchallenged.

He also forgot to mention that the voters demand that Congress and the President actually READ the bills before they vote on them or sign them.

But arrestpaul, they said there was "no time to read the bill", so they had to trust the former Weatherman terrorist whose group wrote it. Makes sense to me!

He also forgot to mention that the voters demand that Congress and the President actually READ the bills before they vote on them or sign them. No more bills creating another "sub-prime ARM monster" slipping thru Congress unread and unchallenged.

Oh please, they have people on their staff to do that stuff. Each congressman reading each bill? Well at least nothing would get done that way....

GJD - love the Matt Taibbi plug. LOL!! Interesting to see you get your economic ideas from Rolling Stone mag.

Junnama - Oh please, they have people on their staff to do that stuff. Each congressman reading each bill? Well at least nothing would get done that way....

The healthcare bill was being assembled for the first time on the house floor just before the actual vote. Assembling the 1,400+ page bill actually delayed the vote. No member had the chance to read the entire bill, including the non-elected staffers (who none of the voters hold responsible for it's passage).

Members of Congress who can't be bothered to actually know what they are voting on, shouldn't be too bothered when they don't get reelected.

I doubt they hadn't read pretty much all of it in prior versions, unless you thing they had someone on a PC typing up 1400 pages right before the vote and then dropping it on their laps. LOL

A lot of important work is done by non-elected people. Do you think congressman type their own speeches and what not?

manfromamerica - But arrestpaul, they said there was "no time to read the bill", so they had to trust the former Weatherman terrorist whose group wrote it. Makes sense to me!

Hahaha. There are 60 plus EX-elected representatives that have plenty of time to read the bill now.

(I voted for THIS garbage? What was I thinking..... I wouldn't re-elect me either.)

I doubt they hadn't read pretty much all of it in prior versions, unless you thing they had someone on a PC typing up 1400 pages right before the vote and then dropping it on their laps. LOL

junnama, do you follow the news at all??? The Congressmen themselves admit they never read the bill!!!

No, they wouldn't. They have staffers to do that. Are you reading my comments? ;)

Gotta love this one. The sheer effort required for one person to read a 1400 page legal document would take weeks. They split the thing up and let staffers pore over it.

Be serious guys. I think everyone knows the GOP hates the bill. Do you really think congressmen personally read the bills they pass in depth? Delegation people, get used to it...lol

Junnama - No, they wouldn't. They have staffers to do that. Are you reading my comments? ;)

Are you reading the minds of the voters? They can actually read the bills themselves or they can go find honest work after the next election.

Haha, if that's our standard we'll have 435 new congressmen every 2 years.. LOL

junnama, you prefer just to have a Kennedy for 30?

junnama - you don't think congressmen should know what is in the bills they pass, as long as their "staffers" may have look ed through some of it? wow...

The Dems and Harry Reid sure to like to delegate their responsibility to special interests. Reid sure is working hard to defend earmarks.

heh. "The president has been co-opted by the Tea Party,"

---Rand Paul, as he and Senators Jim DeMint and Mike Lee launched Senate Tea Party Caucus Wednesday.

and heh again.

they must STOP outsourcing & IF & when they do do it to More allied trusted countries like JAPAN. Thats why we lose many Jobs here & don't see how Many people in congreses & in our Government can't figure this stuff out. even though he won he is still trying to get both parties to work together. I Doubt Mccain would be doing that if he won, but i did see him applaud in agreement to alot of Obamas comments.

Overall it was a good speech .

I liked it.

It was the kind of mid-term speech one-term presidents give.

You mean Obama can't walk on water or part seas. I thought he could wave his hands and make all things new.

A week gone and the pollsters at Gallup report no bounce for Obama after his SOTU. weak.