Not one comment/post on the State of the Union Address?
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:44 pm
C'mon folks, are we getting soft? What did you all think?
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x2Westy78 wrote:Didn't watch it. I've pretty much given up on our federal government as far as making any changes that would benefit the majority of this country. Cynical and callused? Yep.
I watched it. I enjoyed the "theatre". I was moved by that 102 year-old woman who had sat six hours in line to vote with all of those fellow Floridians giving her water. Here she was . . . an honored guest at the State Of The Union Address, a recipient of applause. What other country would have this moment? Come on folks, rouse from your torpor!glasseye wrote:It's theatre. It's good theatre and it's good television. But not much more.
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/14523 ... an-theater
Like ours, American politics is frequently entertaining but endlessly disappointing.
If, as Obama says "We can do better", one has to ask "Then why the $#*! aren't we?"
Sure that's all good, but it's words. Words mean nothing to me. Show me action if you want to impress me. I can spout all kinds of empty promises of unicorns and rainbows but without an effective congress that's all they are, empty promises. The increase in wage is also a false hope if nothing is done to reign in the corporate greed that plagues this country. Without a change in thinking, that hike in minimum wage will be passed right to the consumer and those minimum wage earners are right back where they started. No one wins in a push to use a gambling term.Amskeptic wrote:
I was happy, Westy78, to see our President call for a hike in the minimum wage, even if $9.00/hr seems pathetic.
Colin
The fact that he uttered those words in the State Of The Union Address *does* mean something. Go back and find the last time it was even brought up. Look at how words brought our nation to war with Iraq, and triggered a race to the moon.Westy78 wrote:Sure that's all good, but it's words. Words mean nothing to me.Amskeptic wrote: I was happy, Westy78, to see our President call for a hike in the minimum wage, even if $9.00/hr seems pathetic.
Colin
Not here to impress you, Mr. American Voter. I am here to impress *upon you* that we cannot be a passive "show me" Nation. We have to be participants in order to get action. (p.s. it is hard work that requires sustained effort)Westy78 wrote: Show me action if you want to impress me.
So what shall we do?Westy78 wrote: without an effective congress that's all they are, empty promises.
That has been said before. Actual evidence points to a decent stimulative effect on the economy, particularly in those municipalities that enacted living wages, the sky did not fall on small businesses, the social safety net costs were relieved somewhat, and who wouldn't want you to know that?Westy78 wrote: The increase in wage is also a false hope if nothing is done to reign in the corporate greed that plagues this country. Without a change in thinking, that hike in minimum wage will be passed right to the consumer and those minimum wage earners are right back where they started.
I don't do this often...i.e. gratuitous "me too" posts...but well said Colin. If "we" want a change, then "we" must work for it. The most immediate example of this is how the Republicans took a "shellacking" from the Hispanic vote during the 2012 election...legislation hasn't passed yet, but they have changed their tune.Amskeptic wrote: I watched it. I enjoyed the "theatre". I was moved by that 102 year-old woman who had sat six hours in line to vote with all of those fellow Floridians giving her water. Here she was . . . an honored guest at the State Of The Union Address, a recipient of applause. What other country would have this moment? Come on folks, rouse from your torpor!
I was moved by Obama's roll call to "bring it to a vote" as he addressed some of the victims of gun violence, it was the most electric audience/crowd response I have ever seen at a State Of The Union Address.
I was happy, Westy78, to see our President call for a hike in the minimum wage, even if $9.00/hr seems pathetic.
Obama cannot wish these policies into being. We have to demand them. The dulled response to the State Of The Union Address does not bode well for our future. Nobody can do the leg work for us. We have to. Look at the Civil Rights marches of the '60s. Did they sit in the back of the bus and complain that "nothing is going to change anyway?"
Colin
Right on, and YOU GUYS/GALS are at the front line of what we are allegedly all about! I would think that the cynicism rife in our comfortable stateside lifestyles would make your blood boil.Sylvester wrote:We are discussing all this in Afghanistan. Not a lot of us, but a few and we agree on a few things, like term limits, corperations out of politics, audit the Fed, take the Wall Street banks to court, no settlements. I want a revolution, and no not a overthrown government, but something like the late 50's and 60's revolution.
Sounds like you are discussing real, pragmatic, 'make the country a better place' issues.Sylvester wrote:We are discussing all this in Afghanistan. Not a lot of us, but a few and we agree on a few things, like term limits, corperations out of politics, audit the Fed, take the Wall Street banks to court, no setlements. I want a revolution, and no not a overthown government, but something like the late 50's and 60's revolution.
denjohn wrote: Sounds like you are discussing real, pragmatic, 'make the country a better place' issues.
I didn't listen, but doubt your Commander in Chief even paid lip service to any of them.
They are not percieved as being in the best interest of the powers that be.
All this work depends on the courage and sacrifice of those who serve in dangerous places at great personal risk ā our diplomats, our intelligence officers, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. As long as Iām Commander-in-Chief, we will do whatever we must to protect those who serve their country abroad, and we will maintain the best military in the world. We will invest in new capabilities, even as we reduce waste and wartime spending. We will ensure equal treatment for all service members, and equal benefits for their families ā gay and straight. We will draw upon the courage and skills of our sisters and daughters, because women have proven under fire that they are ready for combat. We will keep faith with our veterans ā investing in world-class care, including mental health care, for our wounded warriors; supporting our military families; and giving our veterans the benefits, education, and job opportunities they have earned. And I want to thank my wife Michelle and Dr. Jill Biden for their continued dedication to serving our military families as well as they serve us.