Your Take On The State of the State Speech?

[gimmethesimplelife]

I ask this as I am interested in other people's take on this speech. I find myself liking Obama more once again. This President has this ability for me - I can dislike something he has done and then turn around and regain faith in him once again. That for me is remarkable - not even Clinton did that for me. Highlights of the speech for me were women deserve equal pay for equal work - recognition that everyday people have been going to work for some time just praying that they don't get sick - and the mention of marriage equality in his speech. Parts of the speech really moved me too and I'm not one easily moved. Rob

PS Should have been State of the Union Speech, sorry.....

[Tradd]

You really don't want to know. Trust me on that.

[pcooley]

I didn't hear his speech, though I tend to like them more than George Bush's. However, I have to admit that I see him as an ineffectual president. The compromises he has to make dilute everything he has tried to do. I've decided that I consider myself a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal. I think we need to crack down on the budget, address climate change, and get the nation to stop behaving like a bunch of isolated, privileged, (I can't think of a nice word).

I would have liked to have seen a true national health care system along the lines of Canada's or Great Britain's. Are we so self-involved that we couldn't make that work? That's the one thing I'm angry at him about, though it's more the fault of the tea party. As it is, the health care law seems to play into the hands of the private insurers. I do think we need a little more nationalization and a little less privatization.

I also think we need to heavily invest in rail transport, bicycle infrastructure, and livable cities. I would be happy to see the end of the private automobile in my lifetime. (Bring back the trolley systems). People can get prescriptions for private automobiles if they're that impaired. That's the other thing I would like to see a president take a stand on. Instead, Obama plays up the importance of the automobile industry. That is not the man I voted for.

So I didn't listen. I'll read his speech tomorrow. I am glad that he's making a stand for marriage equality. It's important, but not as important as aggressively addressing climate change. The mountains here are almost bare of snow.

[Alan]

Other than a reference to MY-RA, which nobody seems to have any details on, there wasn't anything new there and many of the facts and statistics were non-factual and mis-represented. I did appreciate the fact that Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg got the longest standing ovation of the night.

I think he's got a lot of style, but I didn't see much substance.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Other than a reference to MY-RA, which nobody seems to have any details on, there wasn't anything new there and many of the facts and statistics were non-factual and mis-represented. I did appreciate the fact that Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg got the longest standing ovation of the night.

I think he's got a lot of style, but I didn't see much substance.I liked the standing ovation for Cory Remsburg, too. And I also like the idea of the MY IRA but I'm hoping to go the self employed route and that would mean a SEP-IRA for me so if I can pull it off, this MY IRA won't apply for me. Rob

[redfox]

I'm happy that he will be using his authority to get something done, since Congress isn't. I look forward to immigration reform legislation -- if it is forthcoming -- again, helllloooooo Congress! Boehner looked seasick most of the time, and the GOP response was pathetic. The Rep., from my state, was clearly put out front as a token woman, and that is shameful of the leadership. I was ecstatic to hear him reference gender based wage inequality too, hoping that will move the idjits I Congress. Oh, and fer gawd's sake, get unemployment insurance funded! Sheesh. The miserable reasoning put forth to not renew of 'it will make it easier for people to get jobs' is disgusting. I used to have respect for the GOP, and I fervently hope for at least two or three solid, viable parties to emerge. It's important to our country to have competition of ideas. Sadly, the dudes representing the GOP are really stuck in some strange, rigid stance.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I don't listen to the speech for about the same reason I don't take meth - destroys brain cells (and really I don't know for sure if meth does but State of the Union Speeches I'm sure do. I don't like Obama for a speech because I KNOW what his polices are. State of the State I might actually listen to, it would be more substantial, and with a major drought now that state has issues).

I'll skim the State of Union text to find out what the issues are. My disgust is so far from partisan there are not even words ... a completely illegitimate system that fails at address anything (yes of course it fails to address climate change, we're ruled by short sighted morons that put profit over human survival!) Anger, disgust, yes, yes, but at a certain point I just ask what I can do instead.


I've decided that I consider myself a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal. I think we need to crack down on the budget, address climate change, and get the nation to stop behaving like a bunch of isolated, privileged, (I can't think of a nice word).

if environmental issues were addressed, I'd vote for you! :) I think addressing environmental issues works better with fiscal liberalism, but at this point I'd vote for anything that wasn't continued insanity ...

[ApatheticNoMore]

I'm happy that he will be using his authority to get something done, since Congress isn't. I look forward to immigration reform legislation -- if it is forthcoming

Thank you for insourcing my job for a H1B etc.. You think we don't know that bill was written by big tech companies to lower wages? Well at least if unemployment was funded. I'd actually be perfectly ok being paid not to work as condition for insourcing my job.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I don't listen to the speech for about the same reason I don't take meth - destroys brain cells (and really I don't know for sure if meth does but State of the Union Speeches I'm sure do. I don't like Obama for a speech because I KNOW what his polices are. State of the State I might actually listen to, it would be more substantial, and with a major drought now that state has issues).

I'll skim the State of Union text to find out what the issues are. My disgust is so far from partisan there are not even words ... a completely illegitimate system that fails at address anything (yes of course it fails to address climate change, we're ruled by short sighted morons that put profit over human survival!) Anger, disgust, yes, yes, but at a certain point I just ask what I can do instead.



if environmental issues were addressed, I'd vote for you! :) I think addressing environmental issues works better with fiscal liberalism, but at this point I'd vote for anything that wasn't continued insanity ...I would agree that a lot of issues are not being addressed and that Congress need to grow a pair and get some things done BUT.....pushing four years after the ACA was signed, I finally have been approved for Medicaid. So have several people I know that are still serving part time as they can't find other work or even full time serving work. At least this is something, and when it's life and death, this is something that matters. Rob

[Teacher Terry]

For decades both parties worked together to get things done. Then when Obama got elected the Rep's said they were going to stop everything and that is what they have done. I wonder if it would have been different if Hillary had gotten elected-they probably could have stomached a woman better then a black man.

[redfox]

For decades both parties worked together to get things done. Then when Obama got elected the Rep's said they were going to stop everything and that is what they have done. I wonder if it would have been different if Hillary had gotten elected-they probably could have stomached a woman better then a black man.

Let's find out. Hillary in 2016!

[iris lilies]

For decades both parties worked together to get things done. Then when Obama got elected the Rep's said they were going to stop everything and that is what they have done. I wonder if it would have been different if Hillary had gotten elected-they probably could have stomached a woman better then a black man.

ah the race card. why is it that the President's supporters always seem to be playing it?

As for "do nothing Congress" I am always happy when they are doing nothing but holding their hearings and committee meetings, making their speeches,and politicking their way around Capital Hill. It is exactly what I want them to do: look busy and be ineffective. It keeps government from advancing (i.e. growing) and yay! for that.

[redfox]

ah the race card. why is it that the President's supporters always seem to be playing it?

As for "do nothing Congress" I am always happy when they are doing nothing but holding their hearings and committee meetings, making their speeches,and politicking their way around Capital Hill. It is exactly what I want them to do: look busy and be ineffective. It keeps government from advancing (i.e. growing) and yay! for that.

Why us calling out race prejudice "playing a card?"

[Teacher Terry]

I actually have spent a lot of time thinking about why past presidents and opposite parties manage to work through the issues and actually make something happen. Then I also remember when the rep's promised to be the party of obstruction which is what they have done. No other reason that I can see.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Why assume they are motivated by irrational motives with little personal gain (racism), when they can earn big money for taking certain positions. Even if they happen to be horrible racists in their personal lives (use racial slurs whatever), it would still make little sense - business is business.

[goldensmom]

President Obama has charisma and is an excellent orator so I didn’t feel a need to watch the State of the Union address because substance or no substance the end result would be the same. I don’t need a pep talk. I am looking forward to watching the Super Bowl.

[catherine]

ah the race card. why is it that the President's supporters always seem to be playing it? Then when Obama got elected the Rep's said they were going to stop everything and that is what they have done. I wonder if it would have been different if Hillary had gotten elected-they probably could have stomached a woman better then a black man.


And frankly, Shirley Chisholm once said that she was much more discriminated against because of her gender than her race, but that was decades ago--maybe things have changed, but I doubt they've changed much. Just last week the Republican senator from Mississippi, a white male, referenced Hoboken mayor Dawn Zimmer as a "lady mayor." ???

So, I'm quite sure Hillary and Obama are not going to be tolerated much differently if you're just going by racial and gender discrimination.

As for the State of the Union, I thought it was a standard political pep rally. Obama did no better or worse, in my mind than his predecessors. He pushed "opportunity" which I think was a good buzzword of the night, since so many people feel we've lost it. I liked his closing bit.

As for his initiatives, I was pretty much on board with most of them--even my Republican DIL said it was hard to disagree with most of what he said. And I do believe that his start in healthcare change, as flawed as it is, is a much-needed start. Better than doing nothing. Now if we could only cut out 2/3rds of the middlemen we'd be in good shape.

[Alan]

Why us calling out race prejudice "playing a card?"


I actually have spent a lot of time thinking about why past presidents and opposite parties manage to work through the issues and actually make something happen. Then I also remember when the rep's promised to be the party of obstruction which is what they have done. No other reason that I can see.
I'm reminded of the old adage that if your only tool is a hammer, every obstacle looks like a nail. I look forward to the time when Democrats add a few additional tools to their belt.

Redfox, I know you've shown a great deal of enthusiasm for Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant, although it appears that she's not terribly enthused with President Obama or his State of the Union speech. Does that make her a racist too?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh7LBtrBq1g

[catherine]

I don't think Councilmember Sawant is a racist, but she sure gave a great response!

[redfox]

I've never understood what "playing the race card" means (Or "the cancer card", which I've also heard. As a cancer survivor, what is this card??)

Alan & IL, what can you tell me about this phrase? Perhaps if I understand what is meant, I can engage in a convo about it. Thanks!

[Alan]

I've never understood what "playing the race card" means (Or "the cancer card", which I've also heard. As a cancer survivor, what is this card??)

Alan & IL, what can you tell me about this phrase? Perhaps if I understand what is meant, I can engage in a convo about it. Thanks!I didn't use the term, but I can tell you what it means to me.

In the context of this particular thread, if a person or group opposes a policy or particular ideology based upon reasons as varied as the 52 cards comprising a standard deck of playing cards, and their ideological opponent overlooks all the Kings, Queens, Jacks and Ace's because their focus is on the only card they can imagine winning a complex hand, with that card being based upon race, they're playing the race card.

I've noticed that many people automatically default to the race & gender complaint, seemingly because they simply can't imagine any other response. To me, it shows a lack of imagination.

[catherine]

In my mind, it means "playing the card" that is likely to get you to win the hand, so to speak. Sometimes, to Alan's point, playing that card is meant to be a trump card, trumping all other arguments. It's often seen to be an unfair or irrelevant defense/argument.

But calling out race or gender inequalities is not always irrelevant or an unfair argument. Sometimes it's very relevant, and doesn't mean that people are automatically defaulting to it. I think some people automatically default to "you're playing the race card" instead of examining the argument. So lack of imagination can cut both ways.

[Alan]

Again, in the context of this thread, if someone says "I wonder if it would have been different if Hillary had gotten elected-they probably could have stomached a woman better then a black man." and further admits that they just can't see any other reason to oppose a particular person or ideology, I'd say that the race card was indeed played.

Or, in the context of another current thread, if some people have valid fears regarding the dumbing down of higher education through the type of classes being offered and the only response someone else can give is that they suspect racism is the root of those fears, without considering any other alternatives, I'd say the race card was in play again.

[Gregg]

RE: The SOTU. Same speech, different day. Several "facts" were inaccurate. Several promises were made. The speech, as with most from this accomplished orator, was long on style. At this point I'm relying on the history of his 4 previous SOTU speeches and expecting it to be short on substance. Time will tell.