Last night television was monopolized by the yearly State of the Union Address. What was to be expected was delivered. A crafted speech, excellently and powerfully delivered to standing ovations of about 58% of the audience. Lofty notions and vague promises, broken campaign pledges and scathing rebukes. Private (yet caught on camera) dissent from the peanut gallery (S.C. Justice Alito), and cheers from the left of the aisle. My opinion is the State of the Union is just another campaign stump. Maybe 10% of what was promised will be actualized. Here are some of my thoughts:
Bank Fees: He has proposed a fee on banks who make over $50 billion, to recoup the TARP bail out money. However, the fee applies to all banks, whether or not they have paid back the loans with interest, and even those who didn't get any bail out. This is ridiculous. How is this going to benefit the tax payer? Possibly pay off some of the massive taxes we will be facing with the federal governments excessive spending? I doubt it! They will do as governments in the past and funnel the money made there into other spending programs.
Stimulus: He did credit where credit was due, the COBRA extension and assistance. I believe that out of the entire stimulus package this was the best well spent money. I personally know individuals who were laid off (some expecting a baby) and didn't go in the financial crapper because of this benefit.
Jobs: Unemployment is still around 10%, and he claimed to have saved/created 2 million jobs through the stimulus plan. Yet, in adding up all of the monthly job losses from February 2009 to December 2009, it climbs very close to 2 million. And is he using his trusty Recovery.org numbers, which had non-existent congressional districts and fabricated numbers according to many representatives. What is the point of 'transparency' if it is fabricated?
Clean Jobs: Apparently, Washington has been telling the US to wait on creating clean jobs. It hasn't been heard in Oklahoma, who has been rated one of the "recession proof states" because it's economy is thriving on clean energy production. Without federal government assistance! Mr. President, look at the products and companies who are already making advances without the governments help! Instead of the claim for "clean coal"!
Health Care Reform: "I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people." No Mr. President, you don't need to use smaller words or more diagrams or simplified equations (i.e. no reform = R.I.P) to get the American people on board. We don't want it. "But if anyone from either party has a better approach...let me know." You mean when the Republican's wanted to be apart of the House and Senate negotiations, they should have just knocked on your door and you would have granted them access to the private, closed-door negotiations that were supposed to be broadcast on C-SPAN? We are not that stupid.
Spending Freeze: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years." Give us a year to spend ourselves drunk, then we'll cut back. And honestly Mr. President, the spending freeze would have come after the 2010 mid-term elections with or without your help, because more fiscal conservatives will be voted into office, replacing spending junkies like Sen. Reid. And the concept of "spending freeze" sounds vaguely familiar, possibly from Sen. McCain's campaign promises that you unapologetically shot down? Anyway, "the anticipated savings from this proposal would amount to less than 1 percent of the deficit".
Lobbyists: "We've excluded lobbyists from policy making jobs, or seats on federal boards and commissions." Not true. The Obama administration has made seven "waivers", such as U.S. Trade Representative Kirk, who was a lobbyist for Merrill Lynch.
Supreme Court: "With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests..." With the disclaimer regarding separation of powers, I will still slam the Supreme Court for their recent decision. If it was appropriate for him to make that comment, then it was absolutely appropriate for S.C. Justice Alito to shake his head, saying "that's not true".
Earmarks/Bi-Partisan Support: If you really want to send a message, promise to veto any bill that has excessive earmarks (i.e. health care bill) and veto any bill that has support drawn down party lines. The reason Republican's did not give any support for cap-and-tax and the health care bills is because they were kept out of any of the negotiations. If you claim to want our support, include our input!
Blame Game: Throughout the speech, he credits people's doubts to those on Wall Street, bank's CEOs, lobbyists, selfish TV pundits, and even continues to blame the 'previous administration'. Mr. President, the American people voted you in on change. They voted for transparency. They voted for a new type of politics. Yet, business was not just conducted as usual, it was done behind locked doors, promising hand-picked states (crucial votes) millions-billions of aid, spending trillions of dollars while in a deep recession, while slandering those who disagree. The American people are smarter than you give us credit for, and although appreciate your grand rhetoric, are waiting for your actions to match your speeches.
