If you missed it, President Obama gave the 2010 State of the Union yesterday evening (full text here) and there a number of things that really stand out:

One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted – immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.

First, let’s get past the blame game. While Bush moved the the United States into two wars, and the economic conditions the United States started as far back as 1999, Obama needs to take responsibility for his actions since he came into office – most of which have made economic conditions worse. Also, he has expanded the war. If the goal was the stop where is the contraction of troops?

Second, he did take office with a government deep in debt – 10T to be exact. In 8 years President Bush added roughly 5T in debt. In 13 months President Obama will have added 4T in debt. In roughly one year he managed to do what Bush need 8 years to accomplish. Blaming the administration before you for the US debt problems is disingenuous at best.

Finally, this is the second time the President has claimed the economic has come back from the brink. In the next two years, when it is obvious it has continued to move downward, what will he say?

They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded but hard work on Main Street isn’t.

This was bad behavior by Government, Special Interest groups, Banks, Politicians and normal every day citizens. Not just Wall Street… and it isn’t that Wall Street “seems” to be rewarded, they were while Main Street continues to be screwed.

To recover the rest, I have proposed a fee on the biggest banks. I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea, but if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.

Fair enough, but why are you not proposing fees on the Automakers that obtained huge amounts of federal funds?  Something to do with Unions, maybe?

Because of the steps we took, there are about two million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed.

We’ve already talked about how there is no way to verify this number. NONE. The details behind these claims are very fuzzy, and when Mish @ GETA did some math on the subject it was clear the numbers didn’t add up.

Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the interstate highway system, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.

Fantastic for those in construction! Truly.

However, how many of the 1.2M business professionals, 455K hospitality professional, 2.1M manufacturers, 548K finance professional, or 200,000 IT workers are going to be building railroads? The continued push toward infrastructure projects ignores a huge segment of the unemployed population.

But the truth is, these steps still won’t make up for the seven million jobs we’ve lost over the last two years. The only way to move to full employment is to lay a new foundation for long-term economic growth, and finally address the problems that America’s families have confronted for years.

Ok… great… you realize that.  So, what is the plan? We still are lacking a major plan.

The House has already passed financial reform with many of these changes. And the lobbyists are already trying to kill it.

Are those lobbyists you said wouldn’t be involved with your administration?  Just wondering.

Third, we need to export more of our goods. Because the more products we make and sell to other countries, the more jobs we support right here in America. So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America.

This will be a very interesting goal to watch.

First off, is he claiming to double the number of items exported or simply the dollar amount?

Second, since a doubling of exports (in dollars) has only happened once in a 5 year period since records started in 1960, I’m very curious to know how the government plans on doing this.

Fourth, we need to invest in the skills and education of our people.

HERE HERE!

I took on health care because of the stories I’ve heard from Americans with pre-existing conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who’ve been denied coverage; and families – even those with insurance – who are just one illness away from financial ruin.

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But I also know this problem is not going away. By the time I’m finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance. Millions will lose it this year. Our deficit will grow. Premiums will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans, and neither should the people in this chamber.

But you didn’t take on health care, you’ve taken on health insurance reform.

The underlying issues facing health care – litigation, big pharma, waste – need to be addressed first. Plain and simple. Anything less is politics and foolish policy development.

While an option should be available for those who need insurance it should not be forced down the throats of the American populous. Roughly 65% of the nation does NOT want your version of health care and the longer you do not listen to the people who elected you the less likely you will be re-elected.

Just remember Scott Brown… the voters were looking for someone they felt would listen and act on their behalf, not someone who was going to say “this is what you need. Why? Because I said so”.

Now, even as health care reform would reduce our deficit, it’s not enough to dig us out of a massive fiscal hole in which we find ourselves. It’s a challenge that makes all others that much harder to solve, and one that’s been subject to a lot of political posturing.

The CBO has stated it MAY, not that it would.

That said, logic must be used here. Medicare and Medicare are on the verge of bankruptcy, as is our nation, how can one believe adding 30 million people to the health insurance books will end up costing LESS than what health insurance costs the nation now all the while helping our financial condition?

It simply does not work that way.

Most of this was the result of not paying for two wars, two tax cuts, and an expensive prescription drug program.

Again, blaming someone else for your errors…  however this is flat out incorrect.

Bush expanded the US deficit to $700B in 8 years.  President Obama managed to just about quadruple the US deficit to 2.1T in ONE YEAR. Thanks to the Washington Post we can visualize this a bit more..

Via the Washington Post

From some on the right, I expect we’ll hear a different argument – that if we just make fewer investments in our people, extend tax cuts for wealthier Americans, eliminate more regulations, and maintain the status quo on health care, our deficits will go away. The problem is, that’s what we did for eight years. That’s what helped lead us into this crisis. It’s what helped lead to these deficits. And we cannot do it again.

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Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time to try something new. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let’s try common sense.

You’ve already blown past that one…. You cannot finance you way out of an economic collapse with 5T in additional debt. That, too, will lead to a crisis. One that has the potential to turn the current economic conditions look like a good time.

Since the day I took office, we have renewed our focus on the terrorists who threaten our nation. We have made substantial investments in our homeland security and disrupted plots that threatened to take American lives.

And is that why you refuse to call the two terrorists (Ft. Hood / Underwear bomber) by what they really are?  Let’s face it, they ARE terrorists so if you have renewed your focus you should also be charging these individuals AS terrorists and not just common criminals.

Tonight, all of our men and women in uniform — in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world – must know that they have our respect, our gratitude, and our full support.

HERE HERE!

I campaigned on the promise of change – change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there are many Americans who aren’t sure if they still believe we can change – or at least, that I can deliver it.

Your political decisions and personal actions both show that, no, you cannot deliver the change you promised the nation.

This was nothing more than self-worship and smoke and mirrors once again.

Wouldn’t you know it, a President Obama ecstasy pill in on the streets in Texas.

Really people?

The administration attempted to get around President Obama’s first “non bow” with the King of Saudi Arabia by saying he was going to shake the King’s hand.  It was obvious to anyone with an IQ that doesn’t fall into the mentally handicapped range that the President did, indeed, bow.  (Here is a reminder for you).

While meeting the Emperor of Japan this past weekend President Obama, once again, took a bow.  There is no getting around it, no “he was going to shake his hand” spin here. The President bowed. The administration came out saying the President was simply following protocol when, in fact, he was not.

Actually – there is NO protocol for a president bowing. Here is why: One of the pillars the United States was founded on was the rejection of a caste system (hereditary social classes and subclasses)   No Americans in any station are required to bow to royalty as bowing signifies submission to the person receiving the bow.  Bowing is not a sign of mutual respect.  As President Obama represents the United States, as a result, when the president bows to a foreign official he bows for all Americans.

You have politicians and pundits trying to make this a political thing, it is not.  This is a man that just ignored 230 plus years of principle. I would be very curious to know how any World War Two Bataan Death March survivors (if there are any alive today) feel about this.  Let us look past that for a second, let us look at the ‘gesture’ from the Japanese perspective.  What very well may have been intended as a sign of respect could be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Kyodo News is running his appropriate and reciprocated nod and shake with the Empress, certainly to show the president as dignified, and not in the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs.

“The bow as he performed did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms….The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak looking American president and, again, in all ways, he unintentionally played that part

Some one really needs to alert the President that the message he is sending is, quite possible, not the message he is intending.

For some time now I’ve wondered what, exactly, was truly driving President Obama to reform health care with such urgency.  While there is no debate that health care costs within the United States are out of control, a number of other topics need dire attention – more than health care. Social Security, anyone?

Let’s switch gears for a moment, go into the way back machine, to January 3rd, 2009, and read what President Obama said during a radio address:

That’s why we need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term.  And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem.  We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan was a flop, now the administration is looking to cover itself. If one does some quick math, one will quickly see that President Obama looks to create 600,000 government jobs.  I know, you are sitting there asking… “So?”

Well, take a look at the United Kingdom’s Nation Health Services system. They cover roughly 50 million people and…

Nationwide, the NHS employs more than 1.5m people. Of those, just short of half are clinically qualified, including some 90,000 hospital doctors, 35,000 general practitioners (GPs), 400,000 nurses and 16,000 ambulance staff.

This isn’t about providing coverage for the poor and under-insured, this is purely about politics.  President Obama is pushing for the Health Care reform with urgency so that he has the ability to fulfill his campaign promise to create 3 million jobs by the next presidential election comes around. He wants to be able to point to this a proof that he did what he said he would, and he needs to do it now as the creation, development and execution of the plan would take the remainder of his first term.

Frankly, I don’t have a problem with this – IF – it is done with due diligence and care.  Do I think that is possible, no?  My issue is President Obama telling the American Public that he is looking out for them when, in reality, he’s just trying to get a second term in office.

Be straightforward with the people, Mr. President, we’ll respect you more for it.

This is a must watch video on how the United States will deal with Iran, and the children of Iran.

While a HUGE number of people had shock and anger about the Presidents decisions to do so, he will be the man that will break almost 30 years of “don’t talk to terrorists”. He will be the man who can potentially unite the world where no hope had ever existed previously.

In his own words…

So, what do you think?

I believe he truly can bring Iran to the table for discussion, I also think it will be a difficult effort, but why not have the man the world thinks can change anything make his best pitch.

Oh…. well…

I’d hate to have him drop something like this while talking to the leadership in Iran:

I’m starting to have issues with the language that President Obama is using while discussing the financial crisis. Specifically, I do not care for the fact that the President continues to try to place the blame on his predecessor.

Let’s be very, very clear here – the current recession and financial crisis started under President Bush and his administration. There was very little the Bush administration did to make the situation any better or worse.  The only option they provided was a $700 Billion TARP package that was mismanaged, and continues to be. There is no doubt or question about that, however, every time President Obama makes a decision about economic policy he is taking ownership of the problem. Every decision his administration is making has a direct impact on the current economic environment.

Every time the Obama administration passes legislation – such as the $787 Billion Dollar stimulus that doesn’t stimulate anything, the Housing Bill that only addresses a very limited number of mortgages, or creating the biggest Deficit in the history of the country – he taking greater ownership of a problem that appears to be spiraling out of control.

That is speech like the following can only go on for so long:

As soon as I took office, I asked this Congress to send me a recovery plan by President’s Day that would put people back to work and put money in their pockets. Not because I believe in bigger government – I don’t. Not because I’m not mindful of the massive debt we’ve inherited – I am. I called for action because the failure to do so would have cost more jobs and caused more hardships.

Obama to Congress

Or

“I did think it might be useful to point out that it wasn’t under me that we started buying a bunch of shares of banks. It wasn’t on my watch. And it wasn’t on my watch that we passed a massive new entitlement -– the prescription drug plan — without a source of funding. And so I think it’s important just to note when you start hearing folks throw these words around that we’ve actually been operating in a way that has been entirely consistent with free-market principles and that some of the same folks who are throwing the word ’socialist’ around can’t say the same.”

Obama to NYT Reporters

The American public will only accept the “it’s not my fault” cry for so long.  Eventually the populous will start pointing to the impact of the administration and say “while you didn’t start it, you’ve made it worse.” So when does this become Presidnet Obama’s mess?  Ever day that passes.

It’s time for President Obama to man up and take ownership of the problem regardless of who created is to blame or at fault.  The President needs to stop attempting justify his actions by saying “well, others before me did so therefore I am too”.

The President needs to do what he was elected to do – lead.

Dear god, please don’t let it start like this.  That was my initial reaction when I found out the news about Blagojevich. 

Quick recap - Yesterday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by Federal Agents for:

Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”  U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald

 Almost immediately Obama came out and said the following:

“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening, ” Obama told reporters today in Chicago. “It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is not implying there is a connected between president elect Obama and Blagojevich. There is, however, a conflict between what Obama said yesterday about having no connection with Blagojevich and naming the next Senator.

Look at what David Axelrod, Obama political consultant, previously stated:

Axelrod also came out yesterday saying he previously misspoke and that Obama/Blagojevich had no discussion regarding the open Senate seat.

With all the other topics facing the nation, I hope the media does not make a scandal out of what appears to be nothing. More harm than good would come out of such a situation. If Obama did break the law the, yes, he needs to be held accountable but I would NOT want to see such a situation…