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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPresident Obama Didn't Just Challenge Congress, He Threatened Them
Last edited Wed Jan 25, 2012, 08:20 AM - Edit history (1)
from the SOTU: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/24/remarks-president-state-union-address
I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now: Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.
Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?
The greatest blow to our confidence in our economy last year didnt come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?
Ive talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad -- and it seems to get worse every year.
Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, lets take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. Lets limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Lets make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress cant lobby Congress, and vice versa -- an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.
Some of whats broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything - even routine business - passed through the Senate. Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it.
full text of SOTU: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/24/remarks-president-state-union-address
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Obama was in the best form yet tonight. He had the gloves on, and it is about time. Congress needed a talking to.
And it's not just the Republicans in Congress who needed to be taken to the woodshed. They have been warned.
This is a big step forward.
I didn't agree with everything he said, but it was the best State of the Union speech in my lifetime. He was great. I think he likes campaigning.
Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)thelordofhell
(4,569 posts)emulatorloo
(44,120 posts)Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)At least now it's proven why some people come to congress as paupers and become millionaires within a few months. It's easy to invest in companies you know whose stocks are going to skyrocket because of bills you've drafted and/or voted for.
I LOVED it when the president made public note of it!
Obama is signaling he's going to war with Congress if they continue to block him from doing his job putting this country back on track - and I admire him for that.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)because I foolishly believed Congress would never do that. Now I've learned Rule No. 1:
Then I read about the late Ted Stevens in the same piece:
Real estate developer Jonathan Rubini arranged for Stevens to get into a deal in which he turned $50,000 into as much as $1.5 million and Stevens was the only investor not liable for any debts, the Times said. In the meantime, he muscled through a $450 million contract for Rubini from the military, despite the view of Air Force officials that Rubini "lacked capacity and adequate funding."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2004-12-27-forum-turley_x.htm
It's time they be exposed to the American people where their true loyalties lie.
Amonester
(11,541 posts)It is as clear as clean water and fresh air.
That's one of the basis of his upcoming campaign.
And it's a winning one.
joshcryer
(62,270 posts)...to the fire on progressive issues?
Amonester
(11,541 posts)Too much of anything-bad-can-happen time between now and then, yet.
Too early to foresee the outcome.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)worth having, and he'll have the American people behind him.
The insider trading is where congresscritters get their massive fortunes (read my comment just above yours to another poster) and their loyalties shift from civil servant to uncivil inside tra(itors)ders. This is the true reason why corporations own our Congress. Although I'm sure the campaign contributions help, there are limitations to those - they're not allowed to use the money for personal use. On the other hand, knowing what stocks are going to skyrocket is a sure fire way to make millions in a short period of time, isn't it?
Amonester
(11,541 posts)to win that fight, he will need a strong "left-leaning" majority (a lot stronger than in 2008) in Congress... and all that this entails... (You do - or must - know what it means.)
Otherwise, I am afraid that fight will be very difficult to win.
DLine
(397 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)They'd better get hopping.
BeHereNow
(17,162 posts)And that will matter, come election time.
He asked them to send the legislation to his desk.
Time will reveal that 'THEY' refuse to act in the interest of the people.
Well played, President Obama.
He is the classiest Prez we have had since JFK.
Articulate, well spoken, logical and the list goes on...
He made me proud to be an American tonight.
BHN