State of the Union Address

[JaggerPlate]

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Thoughts? I was personally shocked to hear Obama bring up the healthcare bill again, and essentially tell Reid and Pelosi that it's in their laps, don't let him down.

Overall, I cannot believe how arrogant and staunch he sounded. I really thought it would be more like Clinton's speech in 95 post national political shifting, but he proved me wrong. Personally thought it was a shocking move.

Thoughts (especially on the health care comments)?????

 

[Omar Gooding]

This isn't about the health care comments, but my jaw hit the floor when he bashed the supreme court as they sat 10 feet in front of him.

 

[PinkIvy08]

Man, Obama was firing shots left and right...no one was safe! It made me laugh.

 

[JaggerPlate]

This isn't about the health care comments, but my jaw hit the floor when he bashed the supreme court as they sat 10 feet in front of him.

SO shocked. It was frankly, an inappropriate comment, no matter how bad the decision may have been.

 

[JaggerPlate]

In an aside ... I really liked the rebuttal from the Gov of VA. I also heard McCain on TV a minute ago, talking a little about his/the rights views on health care reform - tort reform + competition for insurance companies across state lines. Love or hate the guy ... sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Omar Gooding]

I agree, I saw that as well.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Man, Obama was firing shots left and right...no one was safe! It made me laugh.

He definitely didn't back down. It was nuts (and confusing at points hahaha).

 

[RevDoc]

Overall, I thought that he remained pretty bipartisan, even talked about some Republican wants. I'm afraid SOU addresses are just that though - TALK.

Laughed when he jabbed supreme court, also at one point he waved his hand and looked like he flipped them off too. Agreed as inappropriate though.

I thought he would leave healthcare alone, esp when talking up job needs (what people really want them working on). But alas, it did seem as though he wanted them to push it through rather than lets table and come back to it after jobs are secured.

 

[Birdsbeak]

I loved President Obama's speech. This was a great State of the Union address by a great president. I am hopeful for the future and I firmly believe we have the perfect leader for these troubled times. He has my vote of confidence. I am a staunch supporter of his policies and actions. His moral compass points true north.

 

[Laryngophed]

I hate to do this, but I do agree with McCain. Any bill that doesn't include an incentive for the states to address medical malpractice tort reform (it's an issue for the states, not the federal government to address) and something to lift the restriction on sales of health insurance across state lines is an incomplete bill in my humble opinion. I think it's ballsy to take shots but it may also be someone who realizes that at the current pace, he'll be a one-term President. Or, he has three years left to recover from this and this is really just an attempt to fire up some individuals and get the ball rolling on his agenda.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I loved President Obama's speech. This was a great State of the Union address by a great president. I am hopeful for the future and I firmly believe we have the perfect leader for these troubled times. He has my vote of confidence. I am a staunch supporter of his policies and actions. His moral compass points true north.

Well, if you like his policies then you are in luck, because he's obviously sticking to them ... despite the majority of the nation rejecting them vehemently. He was even nice enough to re-explain his health care bill to us idiots. Still shocked at his tenacity.

 

[Omar Gooding]

Well the state of the union just sounded like the campaign speeches he gave before the election. I loved how he bashed earmarks and lobbyists when he signed a stimulus bill with hundreds of earmarks and has 11 lobbyists on staff.

 

[RevDoc]

He was even nice enough to re-explain his health care bill to us idiots. Still shocked at his tenacity.

No one can explain that 2000+ page bill of crap! 👎

 

[JaggerPlate]

Well the state of the union just sounded like the campaign speeches he gave before the election. I loved how he bashed earmarks and lobbyists when he signed a stimulus bill with hundreds of earmarks and has 11 lobbyists on staff.

Hahaha I was just going to state that he's hired 10-15 lobbyists. You're right though, a big rehash of campaign sound bytes.

 

[RevDoc]

I loved how he bashed earmarks and lobbyists when he signed a stimulus bill with hundreds of earmarks and has 11 lobbyists on staff.

Even the Dems were murmurring aloud when he talked about kicking lobbyists out of Washington - guess they know ho he really feels

 

[JaggerPlate]

I hate to do this, but I do agree with McCain. Any bill that doesn't include an incentive for the states to address medical malpractice tort reform (it's an issue for the states, not the federal government to address) and something to lift the restriction on sales of health insurance across state lines is an incomplete bill in my humble opinion. I think it's ballsy to take shots but it may also be someone who realizes that at the current pace, he'll be a one-term President. Or, he has three years left to recover from this and this is really just an attempt to fire up some individuals and get the ball rolling on his agenda.

Love or hate McCain ... it just makes sense. The bill not included tort reform is just inane. He was definitely making the moves of a one-termer (which I've always thought he was), but it is weird because I definitely thought he wanted two. Maybe you're right, and he thinks he has times to recover while still sticking to his guns.

 

[JaggerPlate]

No one can explain that 2000+ page bill of crap! 👎

Haven't you heard though? The US people CLEARLY want the reform this bill represents, we just don't know it because were all too stupid to understand it.

 

[RevDoc]

Love or hate McCain ... it just makes sense.

I think McCain (an obvious Mod) would have won if he didnt look like Skeletor from He-Man.

**Sorry, and the whole Palin thing

 

[Omar Gooding]

I think McCain (an obvious Mod) would have won if he didnt look like Skeletor from He-Man.

Hahaha so true.

 

[Birdsbeak]

Well, if you like his policies then you are in luck, because he's obviously sticking to them ... despite the majority of the nation rejecting them vehemently. He was even nice enough to re-explain his health care bill to us idiots. Still shocked at his tenacity.

I am glad he is sticking to his guns, so to speak. I do not believe that he can make vast changes in one year's time. I also do not believe he is doing what is popular so as to be elected again in 3 years. I think that is the right frame of mind. He conducts himself and his office with a measure of respect and dignity.

The polls will swing up and they will swing down. Passing legislation based on the opinions of the fickle will not bring positive change. Judgment should be passed after the totality of his time in office. To sum it all up, I am very pleased with President Obama.

 

[JaggerPlate]

He conducts himself and his office with a measure of respect and dignity.

Did you not see when he insulted the freaking Supreme Court with them in the room and the nation watching??? Respect? Dignity? Taunting the Republicans to their face with 'that's budgeting,' comments after they giggled because he complete fumbled around with his comments? When he campaigns for Coakley by bashing Scott Brown's ad campaign saying 'Anyone can buy a truck,' when our unemployment rate has reached 10%, something he said wouldn't touch 8%???? Dignity isn't something he has in spades.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I think McCain (an obvious Mod) would have won if he didnt look like Skeletor from He-Man.

**Sorry, and the whole Palin thing

Yup. He looked like a grumpy old man next to slick, cool Obama, and the fact that if something did happen ... Sarah Palin would run the country, was just too much.

 

[Birdsbeak]

Did you not see when he insulted the freaking Supreme Court with them in the room and the nation watching??? Respect? Dignity? Taunting the Republicans to their face with 'that's budgeting,' comments after they giggled because he complete fumbled around with his comments? When he campaigns for Coakley by bashing Scott Brown's ad campaign saying 'Anyone can buy a truck,' when our unemployment rate has reached 10%, something he said wouldn't touch 8%???? Dignity isn't something he has in spades.

I won't engage in a debate with you in this forum. I saw the same speech you did. My guess is the only difference between our viewings is that you watched it on Fox News.

Suffice to say, I won't participate in pointless banter. I respect your opinion, even though I wholeheartedly do not agree with it.

 

[RevDoc]

Yup. He looked like a grumpy old man next to slick, cool Obama.

It was remiscient of JFK vs Nixon. No one thought Kennedy stood a chance, but it was the first year they televised a presidential debate instead of just radio. People saw how nice JFK looked, and how ugly Nixon was - the rest is history

 

[Omar Gooding]

Did you not see when he insulted the freaking Supreme Court with them in the room and the nation watching??? Respect? Dignity? Taunting the Republicans to their face with 'that's budgeting,' comments after they giggled because he complete fumbled around with his comments? When he campaigns for Coakley by bashing Scott Brown's ad campaign saying 'Anyone can buy a truck,' when our unemployment rate has reached 10%, something he said wouldn't touch 8%???? Dignity isn't something he has in spades.

Exactly. Also, not requiring the labor unions that supported him in the campaign to pay taxes. Sounds kinda shady.

 

[Omar Gooding]

I won't engage in a debate with you in this forum. I saw the same speech you did. My guess is the only difference between our viewings is that you watched it on Fox News.

Suffice to say, I won't participate in pointless banter. I respect your opinion, even though I wholeheartedly do not agree with it.

That is what's great about this country. Was it Voltaire who said "I wholeheartedly disagree with your opinion, but I will fight to the death your right to say it."

 

[JaggerPlate]

Suffice to say, I won't participate in pointless banter. I respect your opinion, even though I wholeheartedly do not agree with it.

I respect that.

 

[SketchsaurusRex]

So...how do you kids feel about repealing "don't ask, don't tell?"

 

[GoSpursGo]

I won't engage in a debate with you in this forum. I saw the same speech you did. My guess is the only difference between our viewings is that you watched it on Fox News.

Suffice to say, I won't participate in pointless banter. I respect your opinion, even though I wholeheartedly do not agree with it.

Dude, cmon. I'm not a staunch Republican by any means, and I still thought insulting the Supreme Court to their face was beyond tacky.

I think it's interesting that they started calling it "health insurance reform" tonight instead of "healthcare reform." Even the pundits on CNN say that's telling that he probably understands that healthcare in the form of the bill he originally wanted probably is dead in the water. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here.

In some respects, even though I do not agree with all of Obama's ideas--not by a long shot--I do respect that he's sticking to his guns and pushing for what he believes in rather than what's popular. I'd rather see a politician stay the course and continue fighting for what they truly believe is best for the country than cave in when faced with opposition. So again, I don't agree with him, but I do respect him.

Other than that, I'm not sure how much you can take away from tonight; these speeches are always a lot of interesting rhetoric, but we'll see what actually comes to pass over the next year.

 

[dudechiefboss]

Exactly. Also, not requiring the labor unions that supported him in the campaign to pay taxes. Sounds kinda shady.

Most of the government is one big labor union!

Anyways, tort reform should follow a "swiss-cheese" model-like modality; autonomous and accurate self reporting of physicians errors is crucial in decreasing maloccurrence.

/end rant

 

[Omar Gooding]

In some respects, even though I do not agree with all of Obama's ideas--not by a long shot--I do respect that he's sticking to his guns and pushing for what he believes in rather than what's popular. I'd rather see a politician stay the course and continue fighting for what they truly believe is best for the country than cave in when faced with opposition. So again, I don't agree with him, but I do respect him.

Other than that, I'm not sure how much you can take away from tonight; these speeches are always a lot of interesting rhetoric, but we'll see what actually comes to pass over the next year.

I do agree with you. However, I hate the double standard. Bush stuck to his policies and everyone said that he was being too inflexible.

 

[JaggerPlate]

So...how do you kids feel about repealing "don't ask, don't tell?"

I can't really comment. I would never want anyone to feel forced to hide their sexual preference, but I also wouldn't want soldiers being persecuted by their own troops. It probably just shouldn't be an issue asked ... dunno. As a heterosexual man not in the armed forces, it's hard to comment either way.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I do agree with you. However, I hate the double standard. Bush stuck to his policies and everyone said that he was being too inflexible.

See, people wanted to hang me for saying the same thing when Bush was in office 🙂 You're right, it's gotta go both ways.

 

[mbh11]

Judgment should be passed after the totality of his time in office. To sum it all up, I am very pleased with President Obama.

If judgement should be passed after the entirety of his term, then how can you even sum anything up let alone be pleased with he president's performance? I base my approval of the president by how he's done so far, and so far, he has done nothing good. Losing the Senate seat in Mass. is a pretty good indicator that I'm not the only person in America getting fed up with the Democratic party..

It's pretty plain to see that you are just an Obama lover. No matter what he does or says, you love him.

 

[oaklandguy]

I was expecting a much more watered down speech. I always hate when the President gets interrupted a trillion times by the supporters clapping. It happens every year, but I feel as though it was slightly more ridiculous than ever this year. This SOU felt like a PR boost for Obama more so than an actual State of the Union. Someone needs to come out and give a real SOU, "If China wants to it can completely #@%! us and we'll all be hobos and our dollar will be worth less than debris in Haiti." I just wish they would call it like it is and try to save our money instead of spending money that we do not have.

 

[Bernoull]

Great speech, comprehensive and bold. I'm surprised at the bipartisan tone at this point in the game, but we'll see if it bears any fruit. I liked his proposals on redirecting repaid TARP, student loan affordability/forgiveness, tax credits for middleclass, clean energy investments, goal to fight for health reform passage, don't ask don't tell repeal etc etc.

I didn't think his statement that he disagreed with the supreme court ruling was inappropriate. It's clearly an egregious decision and he disagrees on principle with it. Even if it's out of protocol, which i don't think it is, in the shadow of "YOU LIE" his comment is supremely trivial...

 

[phillies09]

i still have yet to see any healthcare conferences streamed on c-span which he promised so many times during the campaign..

and i can't comprehend how someone believes he is doing an excellent job when he has done absolutely nothing..yet he still tried to implement policies americans clearly do not want

 

[J1515]

yet he still tried to implement policies americans clearly do not want

And here I thought we lived in a democracy...Well I suppose we still do since the country elected him and brought this upon themselves.

 

[JaggerPlate]

And here I thought we lived in a democracy...Well I suppose we still do since the country elected him and brought this upon themselves.

We're probably going to have to disagree on something, someday J ... and I'm not looking forward to whatever that is.

 

[metalgearHMN]

Let me repeat: we cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95% of working families. We cut taxes for small businesses. We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college. As a result, millions of Americans had more to spend on gas, and food, and other necessities, all of which helped businesses keep more workers. And we haven't raised income taxes by a single dime on a single person. Not a single dime.

You fiscal conservatives should have enjoyed that one.

To anyone upset with the stimulus bill, name an industrialized, western nation which was contrarian and didn't stimulate their economy during the recession. I don't think Obama is getting enough credit for preventing us from falling into a depression, the steps taken were in line with the global consensus on how to deal with a recession and most economists agree with Obama. Even fiscally conservative newspapers like the Economist support his decision.

That being said, it would be ideal if Obama decided that government should shrink and become more efficient during this recession. That's what the private sector, and private homes have been forced to do. However, I think he would have risked upsetting a lot of his base if he decided to decrease salaries for government employees, and it would seem hypocritical to say we need jobs and then say we need to shrink the government jobs. An awkward situation.

As for healthcare, I think the failure of the current monstrosity of a bill, as well as the election of Brown in Mass has paved the way for a more bipartisan healthcare bill because the Democrats will be forced to include things that appeal to the Republicans in order to bring them on board. This should lead to a more centrist bill, but I'm hesitant to think it will lower healthcare costs to the extent required because the physician fee for service model also contributes a lot to healthcare costs as shown in that Dartmouth report comparing medical costs across the country

Hopefully, Republicans stop being obstructionist and come to the table with an honest effort at implementing reform, as opposed to just saying "no" in hopes of derailing Obama, and possibly this country as well.

Got a bit off topic, sorry for the rant. Anyone think it was really awkward when he pointed out his wife for doing something obese kids, and everyone was clapping for her and she just sat there?

 

[Practitioner]

I don't care about his policies so much as I do about his apparently honest attempt to change the way politics works in the USA now.

This "democrat" vs "republican" gets tiring to follow, and is tedious. I'm not very active politically, but I see how politics degenerates into a middle-school fight of what the republican candidate wrote in a sexist college paper 30 years ago. How is that at all informative to what the opponent has to offer.

I want to take that back, I cared enough to write it. Politics in the USA doesn't warrant that much care. I'll go back to my apathy until Obama, or someone, can change the way we play a dirty game.

 

[DrYoda]

Man, Obama was firing shots left and right...no one was safe! It made me laugh.

Tactical withdrawal
A withdrawal may be anticipated, as when a defending force is outmatched or on disadvantageous ground, but must cause as much damage to an enemy as possible.

.

 

[teenmachinery1]

Did you not see when he insulted the freaking Supreme Court with them in the room and the nation watching??? Respect? Dignity? Taunting the Republicans to their face with 'that's budgeting,' comments after they giggled because he complete fumbled around with his comments? When he campaigns for Coakley by bashing Scott Brown's ad campaign saying 'Anyone can buy a truck,' when our unemployment rate has reached 10%, something he said wouldn't touch 8%???? Dignity isn't something he has in spades.

 

[7starmantis]

I don't care about his policies so much as I do about his apparently honest attempt to change the way politics works in the USA now.

😆

 

[FIREitUP]

😆

for once I share your sentiments!

 

[Gigantron]

I was happy when he stated that you only have to pay 10% of whatever loans you owe, and after 20 years it's forgiven...unless there is some sort of loophole that I didn't catch wind of, in which case, I would be happy if somebody could explain this to me a little bit more.

 

[Birdsbeak]

I was happy when he stated that you only have to pay 10% of whatever loans you owe, and after 20 years it's forgiven...unless there is some sort of loophole that I didn't catch wind of, in which case, I would be happy if somebody could explain this to me a little bit more.

I think that only applies to undergrad loans.

 

[ShinyDome19]

I thought that while it may have been kinda tacky, it was great that Obama took a shot at the Supreme Court members. I rarely hear of them getting called out for their actions... Hell, I still dont understand why they repealed that law.

Secondly, Obama has been criticized greatly, even before he took office and he always just brushed it off.. I thought it was a nice change to see him take a few shots back at his opposition...especially the climate change remark. And, if its because he's not expecting to get re-elected. I think that might be a good thing...maybe he'll do things he believes to be right for the United States, and not just what will get him re-elected.

Third, the Republican party response to the State of the Union was horrible IMO...Seriously, WTF was up with his opening joke - "I have 10 minutes before my kids leave to go watch sports center"- so he's saying that his kids dont even think what he's saying is important...

 

[DrYoda]

I was happy when he stated that you only have to pay 10% of whatever loans you owe, and after 20 years it's forgiven...unless there is some sort of loophole that I didn't catch wind of, in which case, I would be happy if somebody could explain this to me a little bit more.

Not 10% of what loans you owe. 10% of your income towards loans for 20 years and then it can be forgiven.

 

[yearn4ivy]

POTUS:
"With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections. (Applause.) I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. (Applause.) They should be decided by the American people. And I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems."

Earlier in his address, POTUS:
"Now, let me repeat: We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families. (Applause.) We cut taxes for small businesses. We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college. (Applause.)
I thought I'd get some applause on that one. (Laughter and applause.)"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/27/state-of-the-union-2010-full-text-transcript_n_439459.html
I do not think those remarks were inappropriate.