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.
Tags: Barack Obama, State of the Union
