State of the Union: 10 highlights from Obama's speech
In his third State of the Union address, President Obama outlined a handful economic proposals, as well as an "economic blueprint" for the country grounded in giving all Americans a "fair shot." Below are ten of the speech's key highlights and proposals.
Call to impose the so-called "Buffett rule"
Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you're earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn't get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn't go up. You're the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You're the ones who need relief." (Click on the player above to watch Obama's remarks on the "Buffet Rule"
Call for extension of mandatory school attendance age
"When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better. So tonight, I am proposing that every state -- every state -- requires that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18."
"Tonight, I'm announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -- America will always win."
Commitment to increase job training
"Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. My administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, and Orlando, and Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers -- places that teach people skills that businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing."
Urge for immigration overhaul
"I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That's why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That's why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now.
But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let's at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away."
"Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them. We'll also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people's investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there's no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That's bad for consumers, and it's bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count."
Creation of prosecutorial unit to protect homeowners from abusive lending
"Tonight, I'm asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans."
Proposal to help homeowners save on their mortgages
"I'm sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won't add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust."
Push for increase in student aid
"At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July. Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves millions of middle-class families thousands of dollars, and give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years."
Announcement of Defense Department's clean energy initiative
"I'm directing my administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes. And I'm proud to announce that the Department of Defense, working with us, the world's largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history -- with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year."
The most stark absence from President Obama's SOTU address was the fact that he totally ignored the massive debt we have accumulated under his administration. It grew under most Presidents, but it accelerated dramatically under him. He talked about making major cuts to defense - but did he indicate that he would use those savings to bring down the debt? NO. He talked about spending that money on other federal projects. He has NO PLAN to deal with our racing toward national bankruptcy. He has ZERO plans to stop this reckless and irresponsible nonsense.
I listened to the President Obama's third State of the Union Address, and I have come to the conclusion that he is a schizophrenic. He talked about everyone playing by the same rules, after giving out $100s of billions of taxpayer dollars to corporations of his choice while allowing other businesses to fend for themselves. He talked about reducing federal regulations on business, after burying American businesses under increased regulations contained in his disastrous health care law, He talked about national unity, after he has divided Americans and pitted one group of Americans against another for three years. He announced that "America is back", after burying the nation under deficit spending like no other President in American history. He announced "no more bailouts", after being the king of bailouts. He talked about energy independence, after stopping a oil pipeline that would have made American less dependent on middle-eastern oil and would have created more than 20,000 jobs. I have never heard a more twisted, muddled, and conflicted speech in all my life.
I wrote a comment 3 hours ago, rebutting RobAl's comment, and it is deleted off of this website. I plead for the Administrators to re-post my comment. What kind of a democratic process is this that even on a blog comment can be delete if the host of the website does not agree with it. I assure you, there was no offensive comment in the post. Please re-post my comments today.
It's just so simple: Obama with his makes so much sense for the economic future of America and for the future of our children. His ideas are for the prosperity of the 99% not just the Top 1%.
By contrast the Republicons have been (and still are) pushing policies that pushed America off a cliff and have been exposed for their obstructionism and generally lack of concern for America.
What planet has Obama been on, apparently not earth! He must really be delusional if he believes his Disney World approach is going to work! "Lets all hold hands and play fair, and the world will be a better place!!" That is never going to happen. Wake up and get a grip on what is really happening here in the "good ole U.S.A.!!!! We need to restructure our government first, and remind them that it's the people of the U.S. that they represent, not their pocket books and not themselves.
Get used to another 5 years of Obama and after that, progressive and liberal leaders for a long, long time after that. Maybe forever. We have to evolve sometime. Even conservatives and Republicons. And Tea Bagging Bozos.
We don't have a broken system, the system is FIXED! Fixed by the Top 1% by the incredible scam of the "free-market". The fake free market is free for the elite of the giant corporations to rape and pillage the entire earth for profits. Free for them to take and not give anything back.
I think it is pretty obvious that this scam has been exposed for everyone to see the insidious, damaging effects.
Another highlight: calling the Republicons out on their record number of filibusters. Calling them out on their obstruction of job creation ideas and tax cuts for the 99% (Obama actually said 98%).
This should put to bed that the Democrats have ever controlled the Congress for any length of time since before Bushoccio.
Obama's "fairness" doctrine will do nothing but drive more wealth and jobs out of the country. Then who will pay for the 46 million on food stamps? Maybe the middle class will pay for it all.
Another highlight: Americans want to know why the rich in this country, LIKE ME, don't want to pay their fair share. People who make more than $1,000,000 a year should pay at least 30% in taxes.
Sounds reasonable to me. And maybe 75 to 80% of Americans agree with this.
Another highlight: We have subsidized the oil industry for over 100 years, an industry that has massive profits. We need to start subsidizing winds, solar and other alternative energy. So Republicons, pass a bill and I will sign it.
The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
Reply to Comment The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
I listened to the President Obama's third State of the Union Address, and I have come to the conclusion that he is a schizophrenic. He talked about everyone playing by the same rules, after giving out $100s of billions of taxpayer dollars to corporations of his choice while allowing other businesses to fend for themselves. He talked about reducing federal regulations on business, after burying American businesses under increased regulations contained in his disastrous health care law, He talked about national unity, after he has divided Americans and pitted one group of Americans against another for three years. He announced that "America is back", after burying the nation under deficit spending like no other President in American history. He announced "no more bailouts", after being the king of bailouts. He talked about energy independence, after stopping a oil pipeline that would have made American less dependent on middle-eastern oil and would have created more than 20,000 jobs. I have never heard a more twisted, muddled, and conflicted speech in all my life.
Please re-post my comments today.
Massive-Attack
By contrast the Republicons have been (and still are) pushing policies that pushed America off a cliff and have been exposed for their obstructionism and generally lack of concern for America.
60% think Obama did and EXCELLENT job on the speech
14% think Obama did a Good job on the speech
All of you who think Obama is unelectable can think long and hard about that 74%
OBAMA 2012 : )
I think it is pretty obvious that this scam has been exposed for everyone to see the insidious, damaging effects.
This should put to bed that the Democrats have ever controlled the Congress for any length of time since before Bushoccio.
Sounds reasonable to me. And maybe 75 to 80% of Americans agree with this.