The President Senses Discord
Obama’s pretty sure that something is wrong. . . . “There is a sense that something is different now, that something’s broken, that those of us in Washington are not serving the people as well as we should. At times it seems like we’re unable to listen to one another, to have at once a serious and civil debate.”
Yeah. We’ve noticed. Who hasn’t noticed? The Democrats are so giddy with their congressional majority that they haven’t stopped arguing amongst themselves long enough to do any good for our nation.
Speaking at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. the president said this “erosion of civility” sows division and distrust.
I say that the Democrats need to get over their favorable party position and remember the millions of Americans they serve. Watching on the news as our government functions shouldn’t be so scandalous an experience; the republic aspect of our government requires them to vote as their constituents would vote.
The argument would become a lull if congressional representatives would apply this principle in their practice. Who knows what would happen if Washington’s leaders could stop arguing long enough to speak nicely about something important?
What's not to argue with?
President Held Accountable by the People to the People
During the past six days, 55,340 people asked 11,695 questions to President Barack Obama on YouTube. Voters then cast 643,507 votes to determine the top questions YouTube asked Obama Monday at the White House in an unprecedented live interview streamed on YouTube.com/CitizenTube.
President Obama had no idea what he’ll be asked (well, sort of. Obviously we all had a long list of unanswered questions after last week). I imagine that had he addressed real issues during last week’s State of the Union Address, he wouldn’t have had reason to be nervous.
- “Why are the health care meetings, procedures, etc not on CSPAN as promised?” – Mr. Anderson, Texas
- “How do you expect the people of this country to trust you when you have repeatedly broken promises that were made on the campaign trail. Most recently, the promise to have a transparent healthcare debate…” – Warren Hunter, Brooklyn
Sure, there were a few frivolous and personal questions, but YouTube viewers, like the rest of America, had a few questions for our commander in chief. Steve Grove, who heads News and Politics on YouTube, notes that new mediums like the online video site promise to improve the “transparency and direct access” to politics.
The “pulse” of the nation can be revealed in this type of open question-answer session– we can now respond directly to the President’s televised speech of last week. This development in communication between the President and the People cannot be anything but beneficial.
New mediums seek to keep the government for the people by the people.
The Crotch Salute Returns
Really!? I believe that saluting the flag kind of goes with being a President of the United States of America. It is ridiculous and appalling that he could not muster the energy to salute for the servicemen that have died.
Actions talk louder than words, Obama. Yes, you do a swell job with speeches but I would be much more confident in the man representing me if his actions were just as, if not more, dependable than his words.
Late Night Commentary
“How many of you watched President Obama’s State of the Ruin – I mean State of the Union?” –Jay Leno
“A year into Obama’s first term in office, unemployment is higher, the national debt is higher and there are more soldiers serving in Afghanistan. When asked about it, Obama was like, “Well, technically that is change.” – Jimmy Fallon
“President Barack Obama told his Cabinet yesterday to insure that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. But there was one embarrassing moment when he had to explain to the Cabinet what a taxpayer was.” –Jay Leno
“Obama said the No. 1 priority is saving jobs. His job, Joe Biden’s, Harry Reid’s, Nancy Pelosi’s . . .” –Jay Leno
The Disappointment of the State of the Union
Who would have guessed that we would walk away from President Obama’s State of the Union Speech with nothing but more empty promises? Oh wait…I would have guessed exactly that!
Our nation has some extremely important issues that need to be tacked, we have discussed what should have been talked about. It seems like he would have no time for inconsequential items of business considering he was faced with a whole war, a failing economy, a huge national deficit and a health care plan that is spiraling out of control.
But, avoiding the most important facts was just something that Obama had to do. He needs to deliver those emotion ladden speeches and address issues that he believes will make him popular, not the ones that show how little he has done.
So, he addresses the don’t ask don’t tell policy?! I am so glad that the representation from our armed forces refused to stand an applaud this ridiculous statement.
In the middle of a controversial war that is causing a lot of grief in the branch of the armed services, it is very audacious that he believes he is going to overturn this policy.
How about instead of focusing on the gay community being able to be openly gay in the armed services, we focus on saving the lives of thsoe that are already fighting?
But, this is a typical Obama move. He knows the populations that he has to target, he knows who he will most likely be able to get votes from and he is going to appeal to them all that he can.
2010 State of the Union Address is Fast Coming… and Predictable?
It is easy to guess the things that President Obama will address in his State of the Union Address tonight. They are those same things he has failed to communicate with us since he started acting as president in 2009. The first of these being the economy.
He will certainly talk about the middle class and the strain that they are under. He will reassert his efforts to champion those down-trodden victims of the economic downturn. The subject matter will definitely include his support of social programs that benefit the suffering middle class, i.e. student grants, job creation, and 401Ks.
Fiscal responsibility will surely be addressed. America is tired of the government’s capricious financial decisions. We want stability. And not just the promise of stability, but a legitimate and attainable plan for regaining the sturdy and sure financial situation of our founding fathers.
Recollecting the fervor that Obama brought with him from his campaign into the infancy of his presidency, I note that little fire remains. This speech either needs to wow America, or Obama’s presidency will be considered now and remembered later as an undefined flop. There are many promises yet to be fulfilled.
