General thoughts on State of the Union address

[bigbadberry3]

Things I liked:

1) Calling out the Supreme Court. I am a solid supporter of first amendment rights but this last decision over corporations being people, complete bs.2) Don't ask don't tell ending soon. Any person willing to defend their country while risking their life should be allowed to serve honorably. 3) Deficit oversight committee. It'd be nice to see the deficit not get any bigger. (Yes I know this will cost money but how much more debt would you like to see the US gain).4) A general shift towards improving the economy.

Things I didn't like:

1) Let Obamacare go. It's dead, get the economy going if you want to start a real bipartisanship Congress. 2) Blaming Bush. Ok we know you didn't come in with everything A-OK but your grace period of Bush blaming should be coming to an end.

[themadscientist]

I enjoyed seeing whether the Republicans stood up or not. The calling out the supreme court thing, wow. I don't know how I feel about that. In one way I agree that the decision they made was bad, and I like that Barry stepped to them on it, but when he did it I puckered up a bit. I give him some points for talking about the deep-seated distrust the American people have for politicians, he's spot on with that observation.

[UpStar]

Perfect speech.

Best part was watching the republicans get talked at like a bunch of minors.

The worst part was watching the republican response after the speech with that fake crowd in the back with one black woman, one Asian man, one white women & one white man. Can anyone say staged!?! This was another weak attemp to not look one sided.

The sad part was it was my neighbors 7th grade daughter who came in a quickly noticed this Props to the camera man for making this so damn odvious


Modified by UpStar at 2:50 AM 1/29/2010

[themadscientist]

So you think you have struck upon something unknown? Every speech is staged guy. If Obamalamadingdong was giving a speech at a venue he could stage better than having that botox bandit and the wicked witch of the west in the backdrop, he would. Well, someone would, he has his two brain cells working overtime to keep up with the teleprompter.

You realize wrestling is fake too, right?

[BusyBadger]

Perfect speech.

Best part was watching the republicans get talked at like a bunch of minors.

Keep Drinking it!

Just a couple of points...

Discretionary Spending Savings

Saving $15 billion in FY ’11 by limiting discretionary spending sounds good until you run some numbers from last year.

In FY ‘09 Obama raised the discretionary domestic spending by $40 billion and then in FY ‘10 he raised it again, this time by $100 billion. So after a $140 billion dollar baseline increase he’s applauded for a planned $15 billion dollar savings.

I suppose though it will be much like other promises, if he follows through and actually makes it happen it’s great and if it doesn’t it will just be forgotten. Remember the promise of keeping unemployment under 8% and yet now 1 in 10 Americans are unemployed?

Losing Touch

“We were so busy just getting stuff done and dealing with the immediate crises that were in front of us, that I think we lost some of that sense of, of, you know, speaking directly to the American people”

If 158 interviews and 411 speeches by the administration indicates “out of touch” I’m a little curious (and frightened) at what “open communication” might mean. Just do you job and stop deciding what needs to be communicated to the American populace with your propaganda machine.

Flippant Attitude

Obama decided to begin the SOTU by quoting the Constitution for America, but I don’t recall any portion requiring a humour segment in the SOTU. If I wanted to watch some self-indulgent, unfunny comedian I’ll check out some Dane Cook clips on YouTube. Cut the jokes and smirks as it only serves to reinforce the fact that you're in over his head and know it.

And while this wasn’t in the SOTU it’s close enough in time to be addressed here too…

Blame Game

News Flash! It's still Bush's fault. Obama started during an interview with George Stephanopoulos by blaming the voter anger in Massachusetts on George W. Bush. So, the people are mad at Bush and they voted for a Republican? Great insight!

[UpStar]

I could care less about your opinions. The original post asked a question, so I answered it accordingly, now deal with it and move on

[themadscientist]

answered it with no supporting information. Your opinion may enjoy similar weight.

[audtatious]

Things I liked:

1) Calling out the Supreme Court. I am a solid supporter of first amendment rights but this last decision over corporations being people, complete bs.

Realize this only effects them being able to run ads within 30 days of an election. Has nothing to do with changing the law concerning campaign contributions.

"Although the First Amendment provides that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech," §441b's prohibition on corporate independent expenditures is an outright ban on speech, backed by criminal sanctions. It is a ban notwithstanding the fact that a PAC created by a corporation can still speak, for a PAC is a separate association from the corporation. Because speech is an essential mechanism of democracy--it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people--political speech must prevail against laws that would suppress it by design or inadvertence."

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/...8-205

2) Don't ask don't tell ending soon. Any person willing to defend their country while risking their life should be allowed to serve honorably.

Where does sexuality come into service? Are there different expectations for gays in the military? Why does it matter? What does this really solve? Do you think those in the military are too stupid to know when someone they work with daily are straight or gay?

I don't get it.......a soldier is supposed to be a soldier and that's it.

3) Deficit oversight committee. It'd be nice to see the deficit not get any bigger. (Yes I know this will cost money but how much more debt would you like to see the US gain).

Another oversight committee that will have no power to force Congress to make any changes. Sounds like fluff.

4) A general shift towards improving the economy.

Improve it to meet who's viewpoint? Stimulus was supposed to improve the economy, bailouts were supposed to improve the economy, etc etc etc. A "general" shift towards working on economical issues should turn into a bit U-turn to fix the economy. I do agree with removing tax cuts from companies who are moving jobs overseas....would have to go along with incentives to bring them back.

Things I didn't like:

1) Let Obamacare go. It's dead, get the economy going if you want to start a real bipartisanship Congress.

I believe jobs and economy should be #1. Still work on the HC bill but do it right. This will require pissing off some people and will require some hard decisions that I don't think anyone in Congress today is planned to make. It's a shame but at least killing the current fiasco won't make things worse.

2) Blaming Bush. Ok we know you didn't come in with everything A-OK but your grace period of Bush blaming should be coming to an end.

Bush and the Repubs did stupid things. So did the Dems during the last 8 years. Each side blames the other yet the truth lies more in the middle.

[audtatious]

Best part was watching the republicans get talked at like a bunch of minors.

Yes, because the Dems in charge are all elitists who preach but don't follow their own rules they try and shove down everyone's throats. Only Democrats know what is best for you and me and we simply need to let them dictate our lives.

Obama is today talking down to the GOP like they are 10 year old's. Really shows his stance on bipartisanship and proves how much BS his words are. You can follow them like sheep, I'm not.

[audtatious]

I could care less about your opinions. The original post asked a question, so I answered it accordingly, now deal with it and move on

I suggest you not continue these style replies.

[bigbadberry3]

1)A large percentage of political campaigns is spent on buying political ad space. Now, campaigns do not have to worry about spending money in these areas because corporations backing them will be able to do so. Also, ads (especially attack ads) are effective at stripping votes from candidates. Now that these can be run close to the election, their effectiveness will only increase. Not only are there more ads backed by corporations, they now can be even closer to the actual election. And i think that the breaking of a 100 year precedent of the supreme court down party lines deserves a call out.

2) I'm not sure how it's not discrimination if you don't employ and also fire individuals based on a sexual orientation.

3) Anything that has to do with regulation of the government's money and any large body having to do with financial always seems like a good idea, but has no teeth, partially why the US is in a mess. But still, I like to see at least a start.

4) You think big businesses will really bring back jobs if we give them more tax breaks? I think they might just like the extra profit.

1) Yes one of those pissed off people is me because of how Congress has failed to address anything for the past 9 months because it's been clogged by the HC plan. There's bigger fish to fry.

2) It's always easier to point fingers at someone than to find a solution.

[audtatious]

1)A large percentage of political campaigns is spent on buying political ad space. Now, campaigns do not have to worry about spending money in these areas because corporations backing them will be able to do so. Also, ads (especially attack ads) are effective at stripping votes from candidates. Now that these can be run close to the election, their effectiveness will only increase. Not only are there more ads backed by corporations, they now can be even closer to the actual election. And i think that the breaking of a 100 year precedent of the supreme court down party lines deserves a call out.

Ahhh, the 1907 Tillman act. The Tillman Act states corporations could not "make a money contribution in connection with any election to any political office." This is in regards to direct contributions and has nothing to do with campaign ads. The SCOTUS decision did nothing to overrule the Tillman Act.

2) I'm not sure how it's not discrimination if you don't employ and also fire individuals based on a sexual orientation.

Guess it's all POV. Straight guys probably won't want to shower with gay guys just as female soldiers are not expected to shower with male soldiers, etc etc etc. I agree it's a touchy subject.

3) Anything that has to do with regulation of the government's money and any large body having to do with financial always seems like a good idea, but has no teeth, partially why the US is in a mess. But still, I like to see at least a start.

Without power it's just more smoke and mirrors. Congress itself needs to buckle down.

4) You think big businesses will really bring back jobs if we give them more tax breaks? I think they might just like the extra profit.

How can they use it for extra profit if they never receive it for not creating jobs in the US? I never implied they should simply be given breaks without expectations being met. I'm also not for punishing them for making profits either. Dems demonize corporations way too much.

1) Yes one of those pissed off people is me because of how Congress has failed to address anything for the past 9 months because it's been clogged by the HC plan. There's bigger fish to fry.

2) It's always easier to point fingers at someone than to find a solution.

Yep, agreed.

[Empty V]

Perfect speech.

Seriously?

Yeah it was a brilliant decision to insult the supreme court in front of the entire world who you desperately need on your side. Never in history has a president insulted the supreme court and then stated that they made the wrong decision in such a public manor. Then to go off and state that he wants a unified congress while telling the republicans that they've screwed everything up is just idiotic.

Not to mention the fact that he said that the banks were 100% at fault and the bailout was necessary after forcing all the dems to clap and boo something that he bullied through was just insane. He neglected to mention all of the loans that were pushed through for unqualified buyers that the fed demanded be approved. They are a big part of why the housing market crashed and created this massive inflation of property value.

I was also amused when he brought up transparency in govt, Obama's 8 Open Policy Promises His short track record proves otherwise.

If he accomplished anything it was creating a bigger divide between the two parties.

I gotta say it was funny watching the democrats in their multi-colored apparel shouting a screaming like little kids at a barney concert while the republicans sat like statues in their black suits.

All in all it was your typical SOTUA filled with empty promises and threats, just like all of the other ones I've watched. I still don't think Obama is down with OPP.

[WDRacing]

This was the first SOTU address I've skipped in the last...atleast 14 years. The dude has nothing of value to say. I have zero respect for the man.

I'm no Conservative nutswinger either, the entire Bush family could off themselves and I'd lose no sleep.

But Obama is different. I don't quite know why, but every time I listen to him speak it's like listening to a con artist describe how he uses your money to help sick orphans. It's like...glaringly obvious...like a dent in the drivers side door of your new car. He speaks and I wanna throw the F up.

Does everyone that voted for him not remember all the s*** he said he was going to bring to the table? All the change? I would welcome some bi-partisanfvkingship. We tied up Congress for a F'n year and have accomplished N A D A. We're signing side deals with States in order to swing votes!!!! How are you people not crawling out of your F'n skin?

Now he's talkiing economy? NOW??

"We were busy"...the mother F'ker comes back with..."we were busy"...!

Failure to perform your assigned duties....GTFO.

[AZhitman]

Failure to perform your assigned duties....GTFO.

'Nuff said.

"Bipartisanship" is an excuse and a crutch. Other presidents got stuff accomplished without the other party's help.

Don't blame your weakness and lack of leadership on the GOP, Barry. You're a clown and a charlatan.

His flippant attitude, and attempts to be funny (now of all times) were totally inappropriate and dissolved what tiny bit of respect I had for him.

Since WHEN does the POTUS call out the Supreme Court? Does anyone not realize that he's a mental midget compared to them? Totally uncalled for, and he was wrong, to boot.

Time to storm the gates - He's shown his true colors.

[Jesda]

Only one I watched in full was after 9/11.

These speeches typically say "ITS SO GOOD THANKS TO ME!" while blaming others and taking zero responsibility for mistakes. Every president seems to do it this way.

[srellim234]

This was the first one I've intentionally skipped, but not because of Obama. I skipped it because it's become a worthless partisan display no matter what is said.

Obama could have said that he was going to cut corporate taxes, fight to outlaw abortion, ban gay marriage and read the rest of the Republican platform and the Democrats would have given him a standing ovation while the Republicans sat there like bumps on a log only because Obama has a (D) for his party affiliation.

It's all about the political parties and has nothing to do with the actual state of the Union or ideology any more. Only one or two people in the entire Congress are capable of an independent thought or action. The party tells them what to say and do.

[smockers83]

The worst part was watching the republican response after the speech with that fake crowd in the back with one black woman, one Asian man, one white women & one white man. Can anyone say staged!?! This was another weak attemp to not look one sided.

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation depending on how you look at it. However, you just looked at it with a racist view whether you just realized it or not. How else do you display that you have backing from many different backgrounds with limited space? Get everyone behind the camera? That's not possible. If the president gave a speech claiming non-partisanship with a Dem and GOP member on either side to display the backing of both groups, would that be staged as well?

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it because work got in the way.

The calling out of the Supreme Court was uncalled for for two reasons. The President does not do it and his claims are simply not true (as noticed by the response of a Justice, also unprecedented). This points out to me the underlying chaos in DC and that the administration doesn't know what it's doing.

To help an economy grow, you cannot impose stricter regulations on it. When you do so, you suppress growth. Obama and his speech doesn't make sense as he/it's filled with hypocrisies.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

My big eyeroll: when he said he wasn't for the bank bailouts.

Bulls***, sir, bulls***.

[JustinStrife]

Great style points, but like everything else about Obama, no substance.

Calling out the Surpreme Court, really? I mean, are you fecking serious? For someone who was suppose to be brilliant, Obama is showing himself to be an utter moron.

[audtatious]

Would be comical if the SC didn't bother showing up at next years address......