10 points to take away from Barack Obama's State of the Union address
President Barack Obama sounded a bit like Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder at certain points in Tuesday's State of the Union address, calling for a new era of innovation and reinvention.
Urging a politically divided Congress to work together to solve America's problems, Obama called for continued investments in education, public infrastructure, renewable energy and new technology to help make the U.S. competitive in a growing global economy.
"We will move forward together, or not at all — for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics," Obama said.
In no particular order, here's a quick look at 10 moments that defined the speech.
1. Roads, Bridges and High-Speed Rail
"Over the last two years, we have begun rebuilding for the 21st century, a project that has meant thousands of good jobs for the hard-hit construction industry. And tonight, I’m proposing that we redouble those efforts. We'll put more Americans to work repairing crumbling roads and bridges. We'll make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and pick projects based on what’s best for the economy, not politicians. Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail. This could allow you go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying — without the pat-down. As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway."
Barack Obama
"Now, clean energy breakthroughs will only translate into clean energy jobs if businesses know there will be a market for what they’re selling. So tonight, I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal: By 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas. To meet this goal, we will need them all — and I urge Democrats and Republicans to work together to make it happen."
3. Encouraging American Innovation
"The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation. None of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be, or where the new jobs will come from. Thirty years ago, we couldn’t know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do — what America does better than anyone — is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We are the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook.
"In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It’s how we make a living. Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because it’s not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout history our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need. That’s what planted the seeds for the Internet. That’s what helped make possible things like computer chips and GPS."
4. Investing in Education
"If we want to win the future — if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas — then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.
"Think about it. Over the next 10 years, nearly half of all new jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school degree. And yet, as many as a quarter of our students aren’t even finishing high school. The quality of our math and science education lags behind many other nations. America has fallen to ninth in the proportion of young people with a college degree. And so the question is whether all of us — as citizens, and as parents — are willing to do what’s necessary to give every child a chance to succeed."
5. Moving Further into the Digital Age
"Within the next five years, we'll make it possible for business to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans. This isn’t just about a faster Internet or fewer dropped calls. It’s about connecting every part of America to the digital age. It’s about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world. It’s about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device; a student who can take classes with a digital textbook; or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor."
6. Leveling the Playing Field
"To help our companies compete, we also have to knock down barriers that stand in the way of their success. Over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries. Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change. So tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years — without adding to our deficit. It can be done."
7. Review of Regulations
"To reduce barriers to growth and investment, I’ve ordered a review of government regulations. When we find rules that put an unnecessary burden on businesses, we will fix them. But I will not hesitate to create or enforce commonsense safeguards to protect the American people. That’s what we’ve done in this country for more than a century. It’s why our food is safe to eat, our water is safe to drink, and our air is safe to breathe. It’s why we have speed limits and child labor laws. It’s why last year we put in place consumer protections against hidden fees and penalties by credit card companies, and new rules to prevent another financial crisis. And it’s why we passed reform that finally prevents the health insurance industry from exploiting patients."
8. Health Care Reform
"If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you. We can start right now by correcting a flaw in the legislation that has placed an unnecessary bookkeeping burden on small businesses. What I’m not willing to do is go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition. I’m not willing to tell James Howard, a brain cancer patient from Texas, that his treatment might not be covered. I’m not willing to tell Jim Houser, a small businessman from Oregon, that he has to go back to paying $5,000 more to cover his employees. As we speak, this law is making prescription drugs cheaper for seniors and giving uninsured students a chance to stay on their parents’ coverage. So I say to this chamber tonight, instead of re-fighting the battles of the last two years, let’s fix what needs fixing and let's move forward."
9. Freeze on Spending
"We are living with a legacy of deficit-spending that began almost a decade ago. And in the wake of the financial crisis, some of that was necessary to keep credit flowing, save jobs, and put money in people’s pockets. Now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in. That is not sustainable. Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same. So tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. This would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, and will bring discretionary spending to the lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president. This freeze will require painful cuts. Already, we have frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years."
10. Social Security and Tax Breaks
"To put us on solid ground, we should also find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security for future generations. And we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market. And if we truly care about our deficit, we simply cannot afford a permanent extension of the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Before we take money away from our schools, or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break. It’s not a matter of punishing their success. It’s about promoting America’s success."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Charles Stevens
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:13 a.m.
For those that wish to listen to this man, or for that matter any other politician, beware, he says what he thinks the people want to hear not what they should hear. Politicians are not straight forward they will say anything that they think will get them elected next time. It is all Smoke and Mirrors. The poem that follows is very appropriate: Smoke and Mirrors It is all SMOKE AND MIRRORS - When listening to their lies Its all SMOKE AND MIRRORS - Because the truth they do disguise !! They need to devise a way to get their "PORK FILLED BILLS" to pass With hopes the mass of voters Will not see through their SMOKY GLASS !! Behind closed doors they will explore The way to hide the truth So they will be sure to get your vote When in the voting booth !! But when they come out from closed doors And speak with their forked tongue We know there is ONE who has the final stage When their day on earth is done !! ©Alice I Stevens 7/23/10 Due to the unnecessary spending for the bailouts at the end of the Bush administration and the accelerated spending during the first 2years of the Obama administration this country is into such a hole that our great-grandchildren will never it pay off. Companies that make poor decisions so go out of business not be bailed out. These same companies should not receive monies from the government at the expense of the bond holders (taxpayers all)and to suport Obama's friends, the unions. We need fiscal restraint in spending not more taxes to cover Obama's grandiose ideas.
bedrog
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
a fine speech from a good president...as your online poll seems to confirm, although this thread ( typically) doesn't.
tommy_t
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
The ship done already sunk for millions and many more are being hefted over the side. "Vision" always seems to be in hindsight with the Captain looking for the Carpathia . Until the system is really fixed this is the new "new" - throw them overboard and see how much longer the rest of us can stay dry. Won't work , never has. It will take real leadership and governmental responsibility in addition to the most important, personal responsibility and nonmagical critical thinking. It is very questionable whether the world or the US can pull it off - and I'm an optimist at heart.
breadman
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
Both Obama and Snyder in there speeches what I listened to, sounded Wishy-Washy on what had to be offered. What a waste of time!!!!!!! Anything to cover up errors on both ends.
Peter
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.
I love his point about simplifying the tax system. Unfortunately, Obamas staff hired a new wave of number crunchers for the IRS to plan for when Obamacare goes into effect. The longer he can push the tax hikes off for, the higher his chances for reelection.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.
quote: "The war in Afghanistan highballs to nowhere." Who says? Someone who's expert in counter insurgency warfare, no doubt. ;-) Just pointing out: the war in Afghanistan is the legitimate war, started in response to the Taliban regime's refusal to hand over bin Ladin. The war in Iraq was started "just because" w/o provocation (except for that made up by White House "inventors"). It's cost us over 2.3 Trillion dollars! Quite a staggering sum for something we needn't have done in the first place. The Iraq War Debt is cause enough to ban Republicans from "practicing government" for the next century. Whereas, continuing the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda is just a matter of finishing the war that Bush should have finished - but didn't. If Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld hadn't diverted the needed resources to Iraq, it WOULD be finished and we wouldn't be debating the issue now.
RayA2
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
Why didn't John Boehner and his fellow Republicans clap when President Obama said he would pay for research in clean energy technologies by taking away tax breaks for oil companies? How could anyone possibly argue with that proposal unless they were bought and paid for by the oil industry?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
quote: "Now I can say he is like any other politician..." Yes, Obama is a politician like all the others. But consider that "the other side" spent 8 years (1) starting a war without provocation, (2) sustaining war funding at $83 billion per quarter, (3) outing one of our own CIA secret agents, (4) then exonerating their own scapegoat in that affair to save some butts in the White House, (5) removing the key securities regulation which would have saved us from the biggest recession since the 1930s,(6) claiming a war victory which still doesn't exist, (7) giving the top 2% wealthiest a virtual free ride while pacifying the rest with a $300 / year "tax break, (8) trying to privatize social security - thus leaving us all vulnerable to future corporate crimes, (9) prohibiting the sick from getting needed prescription drugs from the least expensive source and (10) using White House staff to actively work in the campaign of 2004- a KNOWN illegal act. Now which should we prefer, vague promises from Obama or Certain Disaster from the Republicans? (With a Republican Bonus of continued propaganda like the "Birther Movement" fiasco)?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
Have heard a few small business owners talking over the years, in each case the conversation centered on their bills for their own health care insurance: the cost for individual insurance is staggering. "Group insurance" is a scam: We are all in the SAME GROUP - those needing health care insurance. Why this insurance scam is "overlooked" is beyond me.
FreedomOfSpeech
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
. Ron Paul Attacks State Of The Union Theater Paul Joseph Watson - January 26, 2011 Congressman Ron Paul dismissed last night's State of the Union political theater of making Republicans and Democrats sit together as part of a tenuous symbolic gesture in connection with the Tucson shootings as nothing more than "a bunch of fluff". Full Article: <a href="http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-attacks-state-of-the-union-theater/" rel='nofollow'>www.infowars.com/ron-paul-attacks-state-of-the-union-theater/</a> Ron Paul's statement: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-pBkO9MRq8" rel='nofollow'>www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-pBkO9MRq8</a>
Silly Sally
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
Obama made a great speech, its just too bad that even he does not believe it. HE showed his true colors during the past 2 years. I do sincerely hope that he does pull a "Slick Willie" Clinton and drastically shifts his positions and actions, especially on reducing business taxes so more will choose to invest in America instead of elsewhere. Ditto for tort reform and nuclear power. The Ann Arbor.com poll is flawed since it has no category for liking the speech but doubting the will and believability of the Obamanation.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
I wouldn't be too critical of the 17% who "haven't watch it yet" if it weren't for knowing that they'll never watch it or even read a transcript of the SotU. Citizen detachment has a number of causes, one of the primary ones it that we too readily grant the "right to opt out." Beyond that, it's nice to see (at this time) 57% of respondents at least like much of what President Obama had to say. Obama's call for unity between Democrats and Republicans for the purpose of positive change is "old hat" but it's an old hat that needs to finally be put on the heads of politicians and their respective parties. A lot of the damage done to our country has to be laid in the laps of the parties themselves. They are run like drug cartels where "get into power no matter what" translates in to deceiving the American people about important issues. If some corporations are "too big to fail" then the American Electorate are certainly too big to be manipulated and lied to without some serious consequences. Space limits my specific response to Obama's speech: I'll only say that each of the 10 points published here are worth supporting.
Top Cat
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
The record hyper deficits continue. The war in Afghanistan highballs to nowhere. And now, thanks to Governor Aberchrombie, more evidence that the long form of Mr. Obama's birth certificate does not exist. It feels like we are going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
FreedomOfSpeech
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
. I believe that both Aaron Dykes & Kurt Nimmo offer perspective that should concern thinking Americans of any political leaning: Including sources- <a href="http://www.infowars.com/sotu-obama-mocks-pat-downs-as-police-state-economy-cripples-nation/" rel='nofollow'>www.infowars.com/sotu-obama-mocks-pat-downs-as-police-state-economy-cripples-nation/</a> <a href="http://www.infowars.com/obama-makes-fun-of-tsa-sexual-molestation-during-state-of-the-union/" rel='nofollow'>www.infowars.com/obama-makes-fun-of-tsa-sexual-molestation-during-state-of-the-union/</a> .
Stephen Landes
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
I'm sorry, Semper Fi, but I believe you are wrong on this one. No herculean effort has been made to "create jobs". A herculean effort has been made to grow government and to increase government control over our lives -- right down to mandating school lunch content. Government does not create jobs that produce the wealth that grows economies -- only the private sector and largely small business can do that. To the degree that strategic investments by government in something like the space program spins off technology that private enterprise can use that investment can facilitate productive job creation. We haven't been doing that. We have borrowed 3 TRILLION DOLLARS in less than 2 years and we haven't made those investments. What we need to do is reduce spending, reduce business taxes, and free business of regulatory burdens. The President said some of those words, but the proof will be in his budget and actions. Frankly, I don't trust him to change direction 180 degrees from what he believes so he can do these things. He is the same person that was elected 2 years ago and that person has given us about 10,000 pages of legislation and untold thousands of pages of new regulations. That isn't the way to prosperity.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
I believe the President will stay on the track he has been on for the past 10 years -- more government, more spending, more taxes, more control over our lives. What he talked about last night SOUNDS good, but the devil is in the details. For example, he can say he wants to review government regulations to remove barriers to business, but his administration is making rapid progress in creating those barriers through new regulation and controls. He can say he wants to freeze spending beginning this year, but that means maintaining the current high spending levels for the next five years. I think this speech was all "sounds good", but "means nothing".
Peacemaker
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
"SemperFi" has got it right! Listen up, cry-babies and defeatists. The Marines lead, as always!
jcj
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
These addresses have become a contest to see how many standing ovations they can get. Ignorance is shown by those that believe anything will come of the "visions" expressed at these shows! @SemperFi "I'd say that an Herculean effort has been made to save the ship from sinking." Really? I always figured if I was in a boat that was sinking I would probably start getting rid of ballast. Not take on more water( debt)!
Hot Sam
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
If all these "investments" are so important, then why weren't they the cornerstone of the first "stimulus" boondoggle. Instead we saw bailouts of his buddies, and we have the bill... Watch what he does, not what he says...
julieswhimsies
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
Reminder: The bailouts were introduced by the Bush Administration for HIS corporate buddies.
SemperFi
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
I am continuously astounded by the number of commenters that think their posts are funny, but really only show their ignorance and disrespect for content of articles. "Small & tepid proposals." Come on now. the man has a vision of clean energy and mass transit for 80% of Americans and that's small? What's the problem? He doesn't want to start another war that we can't pay for. It's easy to pick on nameless "hardworking" federal employees. So, you're more hardworkiing than the guy who delivers your mail or a statistics analyst for the FBI? "The JOB switch"? Now, wouldn't that be nice? You same folks decry the stimulus package, but don't offer realistic alternatives. Given the train wreck of an economy that this administration inherited, I'd say that an Herculean effort has been made to save the ship from sinking.
stunhsif
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
Freeze spending but don't cut benefits to retirees,disabled,and don't slash benefits for future retirees. Also, invest ( meaning--increase gov't spending) on high speed rail,bridges,roads,education,healthcare etc. How do you freeze spending for two years and get the money to pay for all these other increases. Obama is moving to the middle ( only in words) because he knows that is his only chance to get another four years in office. These yearly "State of the Union" by our Presdients our a bunch of hot air and pie in the sky baloney.
xmo
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
1) I am glad the Democrats caved by sitting with the Republicans after they got their butts beat in November. 2) President Obama is the President of UNCERTAINTY 3) When is the President going to go into the White House basement and turn on the JOB switch?
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
"Already, we have frozen the salaries of *hardworking* federal employees for the next two years." .........and both of those people are not too happy about it.
jcj
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Another option on the poll should have been: It was no different from other State of the Union addresses. They all say we need to work together! When what they mean is if you see things my way we can work together!
Diagenes
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
Small and tepid proposals. Within 25 years we will have high speed rail and green energy reminds me of the pledges about energy independance from the 1970's. Its an easy proposal to make because he will not be in office in 2036. I hope he is serious about reducing corporate taxes and regulation. For the last two years we have been rebuilding our infrastructure with "stimulus money" and we still have 9.5% unemployment. More of the same will produce more of the same.
DagnyJ
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
I liked that legislators did not sit as a party block. They should do that every time.
actionjackson
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
Agree, let's get rid of the disfunctional family of politics.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.
unfortunately #9 "Freeze on Spending" is pretty incompatible with several of the other points. I voted for Obama with delusions of change. Now I can say he is like any other politician, if his lips are moving he's probably making false promises and fudging the truth.