Dang it's great to be inspired by a Presidential address again!
President Obama's speech was off the charts. This country hasn't had a dose of vision this large since JFK looked at the moon and refused to blink.
We are in capable hands...and the polls show that people know it...
There's not a Republican alive who could give the speech that my president gave last night. They couldn't come near it...no matter how many Limbaughs, Hannitys and Coulters they had egging them on.
And didn't it tickle me to see the Republican side of the aisle keep jumping up for all those standing ovations...about 40 of them I heard...probably 'bout killed 'em. But they didn't fool me, it was all a big show for their moderate and Independent constituents back home.
From CNN: "In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, President Obama outlined the three priorities of the budget he will present later this week: energy, health care, and education. "Now is the time to act boldly and wisely to not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity," Obama said.[..]"
Overall, President Obama's speech was fantastic...what a breath of fresh air to hear our president set goals that will improve our country.
Some of my favorite lines: When he called on Americans to get another year of education and when he told parents to monitor their kids and turn off the TV and the video games and read to their kids.
And "Dropping out of high school is quitting on your country." Good one.
And tax cuts if you make less than $250,000 a year.
Remember the spittle-flecked rant that CNBC's Rick Santelli gave last week? "This is America! How many of you people want to pay for your neighbors' mortgage that has an extra bathroom and can't pay their bills?" Well, President Obama addressed it last night, "We have launched a housing plan that will help responsible families facing the threat of foreclosure lower their monthly payments and re-finance their mortgages. It's a plan that won't help speculators or that neighbor down the street who bought a house he could never hope to afford..."
And I loved this part: "I intend to hold these banks fully accountable for the assistance they receive, and this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over."
Hooray Obama! It has only been a few months ago that the Republicans were running the show. And what happened when it was Bush and Paulson at the wheel? What did they do? They gave all this money to the banks...no stress tests, no regulation, no strings. They let the foxes guard the hen house...then the foxes ate the hens...then the Citibank foxes lost 10 billion dollars in a quarter and took that as a green light to buy a private jet. That's how arrogant they are...that's how impervious they've become under a Republican administration.
I’ve been waiting a long while to hear talk like this - "I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders -- and I know you don't either. It is time for America to lead again." He also said he would eliminate tax cuts for companies who take root beyond our borders.
And this - "We'll eliminate the no-bid contracts that have wasted billions in Iraq." Boo hoo, Halliburton.
I loved how he looked over at the Republicans as he commented on how 'we inherited this trillion' dollar deficit'...and smiled as he slide that dagger in...
Obama's speech was passionate, graceful, warm, charming, earnest and brilliant. Now that is what real leadership looks like.
Republicans can't figure out why Obama is popular, so they figure it must be skin tone. Probably why they chose Michael Steele for RNC and Gov. Jindal for the rebuttal. They just don't Get It - that Americans were so enraged about the last eight years that they threw away centuries of prejudice to make a drastic change!
Jindal's response was pretty weak...he didn't sound like the star he's supposed to be. Is it just me or does he sound like TV's Mr. Rogers? You know, that voice you use when talking to 5-year-olds?
Why didn't Gov. Palin deliver the rebuttal? I thought she was the GOP's savior. Oh...maybe too many headlines about her tax cheating...
Jindal's rebuttal was the same old tired Republican talking points...tax cuts, aka investment cuts...yada yada. Imagine a major highway wreck in the fog with 120 cars piled up. Obama wants to bring in ambulances and emergency vehicles...Jindal thinks we should step aside and let the problem fix itself.
He had a story about bureaucrats interfering with the rescue efforts after Katrina. They were probably Bush's FEMA guys. And I'm still trying to wrap my head around Jindal using Katrina as an example of how the GOP will lead us out of an economic morass.
He accused Obama of wanting to cut military pay? Did he even listen to Obama's speech?
Of course, he's still not happy with the stimulus package...will probably ask for his cut in unmarked bills. Wonder if he knows the bill has a provision that it has to be announced publicly if you take the money...
And didn't it look like Jindal was auditioning for something? Maybe SNL...
