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11:40 pm: That's all for First Read tonight. Look for lots of fresh analysis from the NBC politics team in tomorrow's First Thoughts. Thanks as always for following along!
11:37 pm: One last update as we get ready to sign off from a big night of live-blogging. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reported earlier tonight that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left the State of the Union after finding out that her son needed an appendectomy.
He's okay, the senator said tonight.
"Thanks for all the prayers for Matt. Appendix is out - with just a few hours before rupture - all is well," she tweeted.
11:33 pm: Via Luke Russert, one ardent conservative was pleased that Obama spoke at length about America's greatness.
Speaking to NBC News tonight, Rep. Allen West (R-FL), a spirited retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, commended Obama for his mentioning of "American Exceptionalism."
"When he talked about American exceptionalism and the American dream it was great to finally hear him say those type of things because it does make us unique in who we are," West said.
11:29 pm: More on that "socialism" tweet by Rep. Paul Broun, via Roll Call:
Broun spokeswoman Debbee Keller told Roll Call that her boss tweets about the address every year from the confines of his office, instead of attending the event in the House chamber. “Out of respect, he watches the President’s speech from his office and uses his desktop computer.”
NBC's Luke Russert notes that Broun has said outlandish things about Obama before. In March of 2010 he compared President Obama to "Snooki" from the MTV show "The Jersey Shore," saying "I don't know if we should be insulted or humored at the President's feeble attempts to incorporate Republican ideas into his latest health care proposal, Snookie [sic], from the Jersey Shore, has more substance than President Obama's offer."
11:26 pm: Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a Democrat, liked the president's remarks - saying his focus on the economy "hit exactly the right notes" -- but she would have liked more specifics on the debt.
“I think the best thing the President did was explain the transition of the economy so the average person can understand it," she said in a statement. "But I was disappointed by the absence of an overall formula to deal with the very serious and worsening deficit.”
11:18 pm: Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., commented on Obama's Sputnik reference in his response to the speech.
"The president’s biggest push was to advance an argument he has made many times in the past – that the government is a vital partner in making investments and spurring innovation. The problem is we’ve had countless Sputnik moments in recent decades that have created little more than space junk."
11:14 pm: At least one congressman was tweeting his responses to Obama's remarks during the speech itself, and he wasn't happy with what he was hearing.
Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., wrote on his Twitter feed during the speech - among other critiques - "Mr. President, you don't believe in the Constitution. You believe in socialism."
11:12 pm: Bachmann camera shot explained: Reports say she was looking into the Tea Party Express camera, not the network pool camera operated by Fox News.
11:06 pm: Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a Democrat who campaigned against some Obama policies and faces a re-election race in 2012, praised Obama's call for civility but raised questions about his strategy for addressing the deficit. "I appreciate the President’s call for a freeze on existing spending, but I am, frankly, concerned to hear him signal additional new spending by the federal government, and I will carefully evaluate his proposals. The fact is, we must deal with our long-term debt problems in a responsible way that does not burden our children and grandchildren with more debt."
He also disagrees with the president's call to ban earmarks. "I truly believe that spending geared toward infrastructure – when done in a transparent manner – is a commonsense investment in countless communities in West Virginia and around the country," he said in a statement.
11:04 pm: In a tweet, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., says she enjoyed the seating arrangement at SOTU.
"Liked bipartisan seating tonight.Less like a team sporting event,more serious"
11:03 pm: Ouch - Sen. John Cornyn of Texas: "In Texas we prefer straight talk and promises kept, over grandiose pledges and zero results."
10:58 pm: House Speaker John Boehner, in a statement, said that he's glad Obama "recognizes the need" to reach across the aisle, but he bemoaned Obama's spending proposals.
"As I've stated in the past, when the president is willing to work with us on the people's priorities, we'll be ready to work with him. Unfortunately, even as he talked about the need for fiscal discipline, President Obama called for more 'stimulus' spending without making a commitment to the cuts and reforms the American people are demanding."
Boehner called the "partial" spending freeze "inadequate."
10:57 pm: Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts told NBC News that he thought Obama's remarks hit on "good points."
"It wasn't a ra-ra speech but it was balanced and it hit on a lot of good points," Brown said. "As a Republican I'm looking forward to working with him and finding some common ground to move our country forward."
Brown's up for re-election in blue Massachusetts in 2012.
10:56 pm: Bachmann's remarks now complete. We'll bring you a few more from lawmakers and organizations as we get 'em.
10:55 pm: Lots of Twitter traffic about how Bachmann appeared to be looking slightly off to the right of the camera rather than right into the lens...
10:54 pm: Bachmann shows famous image of six young soldiers at Iwo Jima.
"Our current debt crisis we face today is different, but we still need all of us to pull together. We can do this."
10:53 pm: Bachmann: "Thanks to you, there's reason to hope that real spending cuts are coming. Last November you went to the polls and voted out big-spending politicians and you put in their place men and women with a commitment to follow the Constitution and cut the size of government."
10:52 pm: Like Ryan, Bachmann offers strong words about health care and calls for its reform. "In the end, unless we fully repeal ObamaCare, a nation that currently enjoys the world's best healthc re may be forced to rely on government-run coverage that will have a devastating impact on our national debt for generations to come."
10:51 pm: Bachmann: "Deficits were unacceptably high under President Bush, but they exploded under President Obama's direction, growing the national debt by an astounding $3.1 trillion-dollars."
10:50 pm: She's got charts! Bachmann uses a visual aid to show unemployment rates over the last 10 years.
10:50 pm: Right off the bat, Bachmann notes that she's not the official GOP representative responding to the speech. She says she's speaking at the invitation of the Tea Party Express.
10:49 pm: Bachmann's remarks are starting now.
10:45 pm: If you missed Ryan's speech, you can watch the video here.
10:43 pm: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also a gun control advocate, is also unhappy that Obama did not mention gun laws.
"... in discussing the terrible tragedy in Tucson, he missed an opportunity to bring the country together on an issue that has support among the vast majority of Americans: fixing the nation's broken background check system that is designed to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Its absence was disappointing, but it will not slow the momentum we are building around the country, and in both parties, for common sense measures to strengthen law enforcement and improve public safety."
10:42 pm: Gun control advocate Rep. Carolyn McCarthy says in a statement that she's "disappointed" that Obama didn't speak about gun control laws.
10:37 pm: Meanwhile, the responses from lawmakers continue to pour in.
In a video response, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky slammed Obama's overtures to moderates as shallow. "President Obama will try to run to the center, to emulate President Clinton after the Republicans took over in 1994. But it hurts him, and he isn't quite as good at it as his predecessor."
10:36 pm: Michele Bachmann will be speaking shortly. You can watch the stream online here:
Only one television network - CNN -- is taking Bachmann's unofficial response live to air.
10:35 pm: Ryan and Obama both spoke about the uniqueness of America. Ryan, tonight: "These are not easy times, but America is an exceptional nation. In all the chapters of human history, there has never been anything quite like America. The American story has been cherished, advanced, and defended over the centuries."
10:35 pm: Notes NBC's Chuck Todd: "Obama was trying to sell optimism, [but] Paul Ryan has a more somber message."
10:34 pm: Ryan: "We believe a renewed commitment to limited government will unshackle our economy and create millions of new jobs and opportunities for all people, of every background, to succeed and prosper. Under this approach, the spirit of initiative - not political clout - determines who succeeds."
10:33 pm: Referencing debt crises in Greece and Iceland, Ryan says "Speaking candidly, as one citizen to another: We still have time… but not much time. If we continue down our current path, we know what our future will be."
10:30 pm: Fun Ryan fact: After the 2008 election, some - including an editorial in the Wall Street Journal - encouraged Ryan to challenge then-Minority Leader John Boehner as leader of the GOP in the House. The editorial said Ryan was equipped, especially because of his "youthful energy," with the ability to "pull his party in a more promising direction." Ryan obviously decided against it.
10:30 pm: On government spending: "We owe you a better choice and a different vision."
10:28 pm: He slams health care reform. "Job creation is being stifled by all of its taxes, penalties, mandates and fees."
He references House Republicans' vote to repeal the law week.
10:27 pm: "Since taking office, President Obama has signed into law spending increases of nearly 25% for domestic government agencies - an 84% increase when you include the failed stimulus."
10:26 pm: Ryan: "Tonight, the President focused a lot of attention on our economy in general - and on our deficit and debt in particular. He was right to do so, and some of his words were reassuring. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I assure you that we want to work with the President to restrain federal spending."
10:26 pm: "We all miss Gabby and her cheerful spirit; and we are praying for her return to the House Chamber."
10:25 pm: Here's Ryan. He's speaking from the House Budget Committee meeting room.
10:18 pm: We'll be live-blogging reaction to the president's State of the Union speech here, including the official GOP reaction from Rep. Paul Ryan and the (unofficial) Tea Party response from Rep. Michele Bachmann.
As one of us wrote earlier today, Ryan was first elected to the House in 1998 at age 28. He was once offered the job of budget director for President George W. Bush. (He turned the job down to stay in Congress, where he rocketed to the top of the budget panel two years later.)
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Another campaign speech that was a collection of one-line grabbers that his writers had the mental midgets of his administration test market them on the talking head shows the week before. Only things missing were waving the American flag with Kate Smith singing God Bless America in the background. Obviously directed at the great unwashed that elected this empty suit.
If that is your analysis, we can only hope Dr. is a nickname! You must have only listened to Bachman
Dr Bob, I hope you are a chiropracter. After Mr Bush and his empty headed and empty suited Republicans ran our economy into the ground, After involving us in a useless war in Iraq based on lies and untruths, the Democrats were the only choice that can save the country in this sad era of US political history. George helped decimate our military, killed thousands of civilians, cost us over a trillion dollars, alienated our allies, revealed our weaknesses to our enemies and allowed our only real enemy, bin Laden to run free. This was after ignoring information that might have prevented the 911 disaster. If you recall, 911 happened on his watch, as did the Iraq debacle and the tanking of the economy. Private health insurance profits went up 5 fold in the last decade and our health insurance premiums went up over 125%. Huge amounts of Our insurance premiums went for profit to investors here and overseas (foreigners making money off of us, imagine!) that should have gone to healthcare providers. How can everyone continue to ignore that?? I am speaking as a physician with over 40 years of practice and 26 in the US Army and USAF. I am now a consultant for Social Security and regularly see claimants with diabetes who cannot afford treatment and have lost vision, kidneys and limbs; hypertensive patients who haven't had meds for a decade and have congestive heart failure or strokes; cataract patients who cannot obtain surgery. They ALL are allowed disability payments. Would it not be better to save their vision, limbs, hearts and save money by trying to furnish healthcare to all. I am also a Barry GOldwater voter, who like he would be now, am far to the left of the brown shirted rabble rousers who are now trying to emulate the Germany of the 1930's. Sign me: fed up with this era of emotional excess and avoidance of reason and with people who think shouting down their opponents, whether their congressman or neighbor, is upholding the constitution.
I have to agree with ken and gpotts. What is your doctorate in, stupidity? Obtained from the redneck school of ignorance?
kind of have to give the bob a thumbs up,they all seem to like to wave the flag at us while they steal from the poor and give to the rich.The founders of our country served their terms of service than went back to their shops and farms,now they live off taxpayers the rest of their lives.
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.
Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.THEN EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER It'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China .
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
A special note to our neighbors: Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.
Mexico is also on List 2. Its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple thousand extra tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska -which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.
To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.
God bless America .. Thank you and good night.'
If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.
good one,we spent all that money on weapons lets put em in play!!!We saved the butts of everybody in 2 world wars,lets call in some markers.Lets send the 3rd world some condums instead of our retirement money!I just lost my job of 11 years,bet it ends up on list 2!!!!!!!!
To all Democrats and Republicans, Independants, etc. Lets all stop trying to insult each other with pithy comments in this column and everywhere else for that matter. Lets all learn as much political knowledge and savvy as we can and skip the bias when we try and make our voices heard. My God, the country is in a mess-forget about who created it and when. Whats important is for each of us to pitch in and HELP our country in every way possible. Get out and help in every way you think appropriate. Volunteer for community work, perform charity work for the needy- in short try and help stop our internal bleeding. No one political party has all the right answers. Spitting vitriolic comments won't help us in any way. Sure, the average Joe Citizens' efforts alone won't do much, its the "working togeather' as Americans that will help our country that all of us love and respect. I hope at least one person out there will feel my words make sense and heed them.
As I read correctly, Obumis address was a bust; He has no idea what to do next to improve the economy except spend. he keeps on trying and wavering right and left but he cant seem to find the spot. America cannot wait any longer its time for this man to go before the whole country collapses.
diana: Why in hell didn't you watch the speech last night? Have you no mind? Why do you listen to other people who didn't watch the State of the Union address? Please give us your age and your level of education?
Initially, I thought it would be unfair to automatically put Bachman in the same category as Palin, but then I heard her speech. Same mentality, kinda different hairdo. Must we go thru this again. I don't think I can stand it.
What we have here is a failure to communicate. And every single blogger cannot hear. It is actually a pretty simple solution. Listen, tkae the good, act. Let's all get rich from our hard work.
A "ball-less" president for sure. It takes a "ball-less - clueless" idiot president, and that's what we have folks, to stand up and tell America that he wants to freeze spending for the next 5 years at current levels. What a great frickin deal! That should only add another $ 5 trillion or so to the national debt, and by the way this idiot thinks cutting $ 400 Billion out over a 10 year period is something we should jump for joy about?? Have we all gone plum f.....g insane. It will take BALLS to keep America from financial ruin! I think that just maybe Jesse did clip his nuts off before he was elected, cause he sure doesn't have any now!!
You sure like balls. I hope your a woman, because thats kind of unseemly for a man...
You bet appalachian, as opposed to that pussy in office now who calls himself a president!
I see he still doesn't get it. He wants to mess around with medicade/medicare from seniors who lived, worked and paid into taxes, SS etc. But he still wants the american people to pay for the illegals. This country would save over 160Billion dollars a year if we send them back where they came from. He Obozo they are breaking our laws and laughing at you. This is a hot topic and Obama should ship all illegals back where they came from and guard the american citizens. Since he was so hot again how the US is behind other countries, why not take a cue from them and their immigrations laws. Even Mexico is full of rules, but we let them come here break our laws while the american tax payer pays their way. WE ARE TIRED!
Bachman should put her express vehicle in Overdrive, and speed toward the nearest cliff, then as she approaches it, don't Turner either left of right.
Â
The Bama's speech was nothing but to control business and a govt run economy under the guise of capitalism and a free market. Nothing else.
Political posturing will not solve the nations economic problems. Its time to roll up the sleeves and really do something that will create bottom line results. Cut spending back to 2006 levels and do not just freeze spending to current inflated levels. Doing this will solve the majority of the problems.
Another clue less speech from the Bama with clue less facts, clue less sentences, clues less points and
clue less about the economy. This speech shows that the Bama has no knowledge about economics as all
Socialists and Progressives do. They can't live in a Capitalist society because they are confused about free
enterprise and a free market system. It seems that the Bama cannot still grasp the mechanics of a free
market economy and his speech hinted darkly and subtly that he will try to control business by letting the
govt have a bigger say in its implementation. That is what he meant by using the word 'investment'
meaning that govt spending will lead and say what businesses will exist in energy, healthcare and other
such fields. This President should step down because he is steeped in Marxism and Socialism and the
tenets of Alinsky. He cannot change. He still cannot get it through his head that America is and will remain
a Capitalist country.
This speech shows that the Bama has no knowledge about economics as all
This coming from someone who has no clue about spelling, sentence structure, or even how to use a blog correctly. But yes, I am sure you know all about economics, simple simon. LOL!
JB, um, yeah, we can tune into Rush and listen to his spew for ourselves, thank you for sharing.
Not new for me same old Obamanomics and stupidy. Did He believe that We could not see thru Him. A second grader could see his Marixis, Communist, Socialist agenda. We the public are smarter than He is. He just thinks He is smart. We see through all His lies !
Bachman's rebuttal as well as the Repub rebuttle didn't go far enough. The insane liberal media reports that there is now a 85% approval for BO. Had the Tea & Repub rebuttal gone further maybe the viewers would have seen the farce that BO was trying to represent himself to be. We still have a recession going on regardless what Berry says, the gov. is still out of control regardless what Berry syas, and if the ObamaCare isn't repealed the deficit will soar out of control and we'll never be able to be "the best we can be" speech that Berry missed totally. Soros must have been proud.
Obama's SOTU speech can be summarized with a single quote: "We will move forward together or not at all." Translated from Obama's Marxist dialectic the quote is translated as: "Join with me in implementing the Cloward-Piven strategy of spending America's existing economic structure into oblivion, from the ashes of which we shall raise our vision of a Socialist Utopia on the American homeland; or, I will obstruct every legislative move that the new House majority attempts to make." And, Obama's current budget on the table with a CBO projected $1.5 Trillion deficit, an obscene spending level which Obama proposed in his SOTU to freeze for the next five years, verifies Obama's arrogant persistence to continue to govern in direct opposition to the expressed will of the majority of the American people. Compounding the calamitous and unsustainable level of deficit spending is Obama's SOTU pledge to add even further deficit funds for infrastructure, etc., rhetorically disguised as "Investments". If the overwhelming majority of the American electorate doesn't soon open their eyes to the destructive nature of the arrogantly pompous intruder that we have unwittingly elevated to the Presidency of the United States; and, demand Impeachment, our Nation is doomed. Greg Neubeck
If spending remains the same, and the tax rate doesn't change substantially, we can still balance the budget by growing the economy; it's called expanding the pie.
 guy sounds like a convict up for parole,hey dude what about record foreclosures?what about the real unemployment rate?just where is the recession over?how many jobs where shifted overseas the last 10 years?why did the top 5% incomes go up so much and the bottom 5% so little?I just lost my job of 11 years,any chance of getting a tax break to help me keep my house?sure wish these money suckers would deal with the present,and quit talking about how they are going to screw us in the future.......
Limited government, spending cuts, deficit reduction or Bigger government, increased spending, deficit reduction. Interest on current debt is $4,000,000,000 per day and growing. We borrow $0.42 of every dollar we spend. Is this acceptable, manageable?
Here's the kicker, Dahly ~ we are borrowing the $4-billion every day to pay the interest. That's a fact.
Sure and the government should add to the federal payroll , that will reduce unemployment right ?
I've been told all the people in that building last night do not participate in social security,have their own health care plan,and collect big money even when they leave office.Please tell me this is not true.
It is true.
This was a typical address by a president that we've heard so many times in the past. It's very easy to 'summarize' where we are as a country. Easy to 'breakdown' the issues that we are faced with on a daily basis. I continue to ask this question: When is it ever going to 'really' be about The People first and foremost... instead of about politicians and big governement. I'm 40 years old and my first vote was in 1988. Our priorities are STILL all wrong. We know what our problems are. We know what the issues are.... but no one is willing to give up anything substantial and give to The People. The SAGA continues... We The People, have no control, no say so and really no resonsibility other financial in all of this. This traditional SHOW last night is becoming more and more laughable as the years and presidents go by. I know there are honest members of Congress out there who have a level head and good intentions. However... like everything, money gets in the way and we continue to leverage ourselves and our country deeper and deeper. We need to save Social Security and find a way to restore it. We need to take care of our own and make 3rd world countries and secondary concern. Get rid of government programs that are failing. A very close and comprehensive look at our budget and spending is necessary. The Government needs to be downsized. We could easily rid ourselves of 15-20% and put those dollars back into the publics pockets! There's an act that would go along way and secure a 2nd term for Obama! Instead, he chose the easier path. Consequently, his approval rating will continue to go down.
great comment Steve!I'm 55 and watched factories close in the 70's and those jobs go overseas.Our government is all about the top 5% of which they want so much to belong.Good thing the speech didn't start with MY FELLOW AMERICANS cause we have what in common?I just wish they would pick one thing and try and fix that.
There are those who don’t want to acknowledge the truth, who are stuck in being loyal to their emotional preferences even when reality stares them in the face, even when it isn’t in their best interests. The reality is that the Republicans, Tea Party and regular alike, have digressed to being owned and controlled by Special Interests and the influential, powerful and extremely wealthy few who strongly support them, those who greatly benefit from the focus that is totally in their favor and who literally ‘pull the strings’. The con to disguise, rationalize and perpetuate the deception is completely obvious in their obnoxious and stubborn refusal to indulge in any bipartisan cooperation, only faulting and obstructing every effort, in the extensive subterfuge offered to manipulate public opinion with the substantial overt and covert support provided by their supporters to complete the deception and in the resulting continually growing spread between those very few who always gain while the rest, including the total middle-class, just constantly loose as the Republicans put their political ambitions above all else, at any cost to the people. It is really hard to imagine that anyone could rationally deny the self-serving irresponsibility of those like Sarah Palin or in that seen with their narrow focus on more money for the few and more power for themselves - without their ever offering any real answers to the problems.
The Democrats are far from perfect, are definitely not all ‘pure and holy’, have their own faults and inadequacies and people can literally get caught up in arguing over the pros and cons, over all of the details on each issue, which then obscures reality and plays into the manipulators’ hands. The reality is that even with their short falls the Democrats are actually focused on the problems and on the people while the Republicans are only focused on their political ambitions and on being ‘puppets’ for the very few, their strong supporters. They used the terms ‘deregulation’, ‘open markets’, ‘small government’ and such to cover policies allowing the few to take advantage and to cost the majority drastically and now it is ‘limited government’ and ‘free enterprise’ being offered to rationalize a return to more of the same (Bush-Cheney style) that cost us so much, that once again would just benefit the few and be a continuing catastrophe for the majority. A government that was too responsive didn’t cause the problems, rather a government that was unresponsive to the needs and was irresponsible did. We really need the Republicans to return to being the Grand Ole Party focused on a truly ‘moderately conservative’ representation for the people and that can only happen when the people reject what they have become - ‘puppets’ for the few, hiding behind the disguise of being ‘totally conservative’ while just exciting and playing emotions to arrogantly con the people for the benefit of the few.
Obama has many great ideas for this country. The problem is turning those visions into reality. Look how far we've fallen behind. Look at Europe and their mass transit then come to Seattle or Minneapolis and try getting across the country on high-speed rail. It doesn't exist. Try commuting from the suburbs to the city on rail. Exists in a few cities but not everywhere. Americans want want want but are unwilling to pay for it.
Obama 2012. God help us if a Republican gets in office and snuggles up with big business and oil companies.
Is there anyone out there who can give accurate and detailed informatin about what a retired congressman and/or congresswoman receives as far as a pension/retirement after just one term? Hard to believe someone can work (if you wanna call it that) for just a hand full of years and be set for the rest of their lives. More importantly... at who's expense!!!?? I will work for 35 years and pay into Social Security. My dollars have been spent and in some cases, minorities are benefiting from my dollars who have never paid a dime!!! When I retire... I'll still have to work p/t to support myself. How is this even possible? Why do we have to take care of EVERYBODY??? It's legalized theft on so many levels!!
No pension is paid after just one term in the House. One must be on the federal payroll for a minimum of five years to draw a pension. Senators qualify because of their six year term. Contrary to popular belief, since 1984, members of the legislature pay into Social Security (6.2% up to $97,000)just like any other citizen and also many other assessments that ordinary citizens pay, plus a few additionals unique to them. As with any pension system, the longer one serves (works) the greater the annual benefit. All that said, there aren't any retired members of congress having to struggle on Social Security, nor are they dependent on COLA for annual salary increases as are SS recipients.
My fellow Americans. The State of our Union is dire.
We have wronged you, and lost our way. I am as guilty of it as many of my predecessors. We are in trouble, and need to fix the situation, or we will be insolvent. I need your help. I will relinquish all powers of the Executive Branch except as Commander in Chief, effective immediately. I implore all small business owners to go to the following website:__________________________. This will enable you to communicate directly with your representative. Please supply them with any and all ideas you believe will assist you in expanding.
Besides defending our dear citizens militarily, I will sign only legislation that reduces regulation save basic protection of food and water, balances our budget, and reduces taxes.
Today our corporate tax rate should be reduced to zero-pass it after I leave this chamber.
Beginning now, I will use the power of Commander to keep all of Congress in session until we have a balanced budget, and unemployment is below 5%. Sergeant at Arms, please enforce, you have the backing of the United States Military.
And now, please join me in our National Anthem.
Good night and thank you.
The continuing problem the republicans and baggers have is the hate, and nastiness, that defines their character. It just sorta looks like things have cooled off but don't be fooled by that. Last night was supposed to be a reuniting of the country. Cant do it because the republicans are too pissed. Chicken$hit boehner looked like he wanted to be anywhere but sitting behind Obama. Hell, he couldnt even fake it. Give rush and glenn and joe plumber another week and theyll be back in original form. It's in their nature.