The State of the Union in my State of Mind
"Freedom is a notion sweeping the nation, freedom is a state - - of mind." -- song lyric
"Yes, I'm wise, but it's wisdom born of pain." --another song lyric
It was a tough first year for President Obama, one I might call baptism by fire. He inherited a nation in turmoil, an economic collapse, a massive deficit and national debt, and a hurting minority party that wanted nothing less than to see him fail.
President Obama articulately expressed these challenges Wednesday night. He addressed the need for jobs, for employment for all. He talked about health care, despite the controversy attached to the pending bills. He discussed Afghanistan and Iraq and more.
You can read the entire speech here. I don't need to repeat it verbatim. It was long, but listening to an articulate and personable president made the length more than bearable - it kept my attention. I missed my local OFA State of the Union party in favor of a live chat with the Momocrats as the speech was on.
I found that the Barack Obama we elected, the feisty, energetic, hopeful president, came through best at the end.
"if the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town -- a supermajority -- then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together."
Together. He put the challenge straight to the opposite side of the Congressional aisle. He challenged his naysayers not to beat him, but to join him. By stating clearly that real progress must be bipartisan, President Obama made his agenda clear: No more finger-pointing! Cooperate, cooperate, cooperate.
In parent-teacher talk, it might be "We both want the same thing; we want your child to be successful. Let's work together."
And together, we don't quit. We won't quit. If the leader of the free world can work with his opposition, the rest of us can learn to work together, too.
Now where did I stash the emails of my senators and congressional rep? Here goes the letter-writing campaign!
Stumble It!
"Yes, I'm wise, but it's wisdom born of pain." --another song lyric
It was a tough first year for President Obama, one I might call baptism by fire. He inherited a nation in turmoil, an economic collapse, a massive deficit and national debt, and a hurting minority party that wanted nothing less than to see him fail.
President Obama articulately expressed these challenges Wednesday night. He addressed the need for jobs, for employment for all. He talked about health care, despite the controversy attached to the pending bills. He discussed Afghanistan and Iraq and more.
You can read the entire speech here. I don't need to repeat it verbatim. It was long, but listening to an articulate and personable president made the length more than bearable - it kept my attention. I missed my local OFA State of the Union party in favor of a live chat with the Momocrats as the speech was on.
I found that the Barack Obama we elected, the feisty, energetic, hopeful president, came through best at the end.
"if the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town -- a supermajority -- then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together."
Together. He put the challenge straight to the opposite side of the Congressional aisle. He challenged his naysayers not to beat him, but to join him. By stating clearly that real progress must be bipartisan, President Obama made his agenda clear: No more finger-pointing! Cooperate, cooperate, cooperate.
In parent-teacher talk, it might be "We both want the same thing; we want your child to be successful. Let's work together."
And together, we don't quit. We won't quit. If the leader of the free world can work with his opposition, the rest of us can learn to work together, too.
Now where did I stash the emails of my senators and congressional rep? Here goes the letter-writing campaign!
Labels: all politics are local, it's the economy, Yes we can
Stumble It!
posted @6:22 AM
2 Comments:
I just wish they'd make political parties and allegiances illegal. Think of what would get hammered out in the process!
I agree with you. I'm still proud of the job he's doing and frustrated beyond belief that he's being blamed for the crap heap of junk left on his doorstep by the previous administration. You're a voice of reason and I thank you. Maybe it's because you are, like me, a teacher.
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