Thread: The State Of The Union

Maybe I am naive but I liked a lot of what the President said tonight. It would be encouraging if it weren't for the opposition party sitting on their hands when the democrats were applauding.

As the President said, this is no time for running for reelection. He said he was speaking to both parties. We the people are in serious trouble and if they cannot work together what hope do we have to get out of it ?

Fighting the same battles of oneupmanship is a sad state of affairs. Let us hope that the next year can show some unity which has been sadly lacking in the past. Working together they might just be able to get something done.

Well said. Benjamin Franklin said the constitution was not perfect but admitted that neither was he. He allowed room for the possibility that those he opposed may have wiser than he. If we spent more time trying to capitalize on our opponents' stranghs than pointing out their differences, we would probably accomplish a lot more.

I'll take what 'positive' things that he said with more than a grain of salt just as soon as he delivers on the 'transparency' promise made over a year ago for starters.

I work evenings so was not able to watch the speech. I had heard about the Republican response and, considering the fact that they had been shut out of so much in this last year, I think it was a sign of protest rather than "sitting on thier hands". I heard stories of Democrats hiding in rooms, pretending they were not "home", sneaking out the back when others knocked??? What kind of nonsense is this for our elected leaders to be engaging in? The utter failure of this president to follow through on promises like transparency, televising debates, being more nonpartisan, etc. is, I am sure, very frustrating to a party that finds itself in the minority (at the moment). I don't like to get into much political arguing but I have yet to see a more devisive figure as President Obama has turned out to be.

Having said that, I will add that there is always hope. I pray for him regularly and hope that as he matures, he will abandon some of his devisive ideology and become what he promised...a President for everyone.

Originally Posted by pstrjp

I think it was a sign of protest rather than "sitting on thier hands".

My reference was to their total lack of enthusiasm during the President's address. The behavior of the democratic congress toward the republicans since they gained a majority is as disgraceful as the republicans towards the democrats when they were in the majority. If neither party can never even attempt to find common ground to solve problems we the people are screwed. Both parties are guilty of engaging in partisanship. Too bad it will probably never change.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

My reference was to their total lack of enthusiasm during the President's address. The behavior of the democratic congress toward the republicans since they gained a majority is as disgraceful as the republicans towards the democrats when they were in the majority. If neither party can never even attempt to find common ground to solve problems we the people are screwed. Both parties are guilty of engaging in partisanship. Too bad it will probably never change.

I seem to recall that the Republicans, when in power, allowed the Democrats a say at least Jimmy.

I didn't hear the speech Jimmy but I dont think you are naive necessarily, as I always feel a little raised by Obama's speeches. It is something that he does do well. It is the keeping and following through on his promises that he is not so good at. So, while his speeches lift my heart a little it is always dropped by twice the amount it has been raised when I peek behind the curtain.

i think he's gotten a teleprompter upgrade. he scored some major populist points, definitely been learning from the scott brown phenomenon.
mark, you should make sure to check the speech out, it's definitely not like his old ones, even though there was a lot of recycling in it.

You people sound ridiculous. Since when does any politician ever keep his promises?

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

You people sound ridiculous. Since when does any politician ever keep his promises?

Are you suggesting that we shouldn't hold them to their word? Shouldn't someones word mean something?