LIVE BLOGGING PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Email10:30 pm ET: The response — to me at least — read better than it sounds so far.
10:27 pm ET: Gov. Jindal’s delivery — I’m not sure yet. Reminds me of a Kindergarten teacher.
10:04 pm ET: Overall — a typically strong Obama speech so far, it seems. I just keep thinking, it connects dots. But it also avoids the "tough choices" the president knows are ahead, doesn’t it?
10:02 pm ET: After the Democratic primaries, wonder what Hillary Clinton thinks of this line: "avoid the possibility of escalating protectionism…"
9:58 pm ET: Took a LONG while to get to foreign policy, no?
9:56 pm ET: FYI for those who are Twittering: The Twitter Box on ABCNews.com is experiencing technical difficulties – and has been temporarily removed. Keep Tweeting!! We hope to get the box back on ABCNews.com shortly.
9:53 pm ET: $2 trillion in savings over the next decade. And taking on the farm lobby…
9:52 pm ET: "deficits we inherited" = red meat. Very true, but how necessary is it?
9:48 pm ET: Poetry, in an homage: "tT encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country –- Senator Edward Kennedy."
9:45 pm ET: Newsy nugget: "I’m bringing together businesses and workers, doctors and health care providers, Democrats and Republicans to begin work on this issue next week."
Next week it is…
9:42 pm ET: "Health care reform" — a great phrase that can get lots of applause. As for legislation…
9:38 pm ET: Slipped this big one past the goalie: "cuts back on the programs we don’t need…"
9:36 pm ET: Intriguing two sentences: "My budget does not attempt to solve every problem or address every issue. It reflects the stark reality of what we’ve inherited – a trillion dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession."
And everyone gives up some priorities… Also reflects lessons learned from previous presidents, no?
9:32 pm ET: "I promise you, I get it." A major focus — if not THE major focus — is on why the banking system needs to be saved. Makes me wonder about what internal polling the White House is looking at on this.
"It’s not about helping banks — it’s about helping people," he said, twice.
9:31 pm ET: Interesting for him to warn more of the "cost of inaction." Isn’t that why he signed a stimulus?
9:30 pm ET: If you’re looking for "nationalization" alarm bells … "assure the continuity of a strong, viable institution that can serve our people and our economy."
9:27 pm ET: Nothing strikingly new in the discussion of credit markets — but he is doing an effective job connecting the messy dots, it seems.
9:25 pm ET: "Nobody messes with Joe." A nice funny line — but seriously — can the vice president be in charge of a truly empowered oversight effort?
9:24 pm ET: As you may notice — we’re getting overloaded with Tweets. Apologies and thanks for the persistence for you happy Twitterers.
9:22 pm ET: The president is still getting used to this wait-for-applause thing thing.
9:21 pm ET: Rather harsh words for President Bush, no? And for irresponsible individuals.
9:18 pm ET: "The United States of America will emerge stronger than before." Might that be the biggest applause line of the night?
We’re getting the optimism right off the bat — sorry Bobby Jindal, but you won’t be the only upbeat guy tonight, it appears.
9:17 pm ET: "Frankly and directly" — in the very first substantive line. And it’s direct acknowledgement of the problems – "real . . . and it is everywhere."
Rick Klein here — I’ll be live-blogging, starting at 9 pm ET — and follow our ABC NewsNOW coverage HERE.
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
The optimistic twist is a nice change, but people – and the markets – till want details. How are we actually going to get out of this mess?
http://political-buzz.com/2009/02/24/obamas-speech-live-twitter-feed/
Posted by: matt | February 24, 2009, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
Why is Scalia not there?
Posted by: Tfarley | February 24, 2009, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
Who is looking out for those in the retiree comunnity who worked all their lives, paid their bills and put their savings in the stock market? The government bailed out Wall Street, but not those of us who Wall Street killed (40% lost in 2008). THere is nothing in the Stimilus Package to help us. I am 60, don’t even get Social Security. What is there for me?
And where is the “CHANGE”? There is no one new working in Washington?
Is there anyone there who has any experience in problem solving and project management?
Posted by: Becky Willls | February 24, 2009, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me. I am a mom of a 6 month old, wanting to hear what the heck is going on in the US and I have to watch a bucket load of glad-handing – 15 minutes as a matter of fact – when I was told to be ready to hear the President at 9pm!!! My baby needs to go to bed.
I am terrified for my family and the money that we have earned for the last 5 years that has disappeared – and the first 1/2 hour of this ‘State of the Union’ is applause for a man that has done NOTHING. Stop talking. Look into the eyes of the children of the families that are doing RIGHT by there principles and the money they have worked so hard for. Tell them that if they work hard and be honest that they will succeed and will be able to feed and educate my grandchildren. Right now, we can barely feed my child. We are not a family that needs welfare. We are a family who’s taxes are paying for everyone who doesn’t pay their taxes. I can’t have a job because it will bring our ‘income’ to the ‘millionare’ level, so that we’ll be taxed more than I can make. So I stay at home with my baby and barely see my husband, who barely sees his baby boy.
What line do I get in to help MY family?
Posted by: jmo9 | February 24, 2009, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
my husband and i are average people and i feel the president is trying to blame us average people who are fighting just to servive. we pay our bills and all so whats he doing to help us? we have 2 children and one on the way, i don’t hear him saying anything but blame for people like us so whats up with that?
Posted by: Anntoinette Underwood | February 24, 2009, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
The bloom is off the rose. All he’s done so far is spend a trillion of our kids and grandkids money. Now he’s talking about raising taxes on businesses in the middle of a recession. I’ll bet most people didn’t realize this was the “change” they were voting for.
Posted by: Jim Hofstra | February 24, 2009, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Once again both parties spend more time grandstanding for the cameras instead of sticking to the facts. These addresses to the nation need to be taken off television and put back on the radio to ensure the sustance is there and not a lot of party clapping and constant show boating for the cameras!!!
Posted by: Dante Murray | February 24, 2009, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
What about the singles out there that want a home? We also want to be able to pay for our college degree we’ve earned without having to starve or forgo having anything for entertainment or shall I say a night out on the town. Who wants to work to live! I’d like to live to work and have time and money for some fun too! Our credit suffers because we can’t pay our college loans because we can’t get that career that we went to college for. Why? H1B Visas! Let’s do something about that program if you want to help Americans!
Posted by: David | February 24, 2009, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
Is he just going to ignore senior citizens and people on fixed income?
Posted by: Milford Light | February 24, 2009, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
The country that invented the car can’t walk away from it? How about getting your cabinet to buy American?!?
Posted by: Candi Thorne | February 24, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Ok so what I dont understand when they gave that 800 billion dollars to all the companies that were going under, they just gave that money to those companies with no plane to repay that money. Ok so now the president wants the banks to lend money to the people who are having trouble with with credit. Why didnt they give that 800 billion dollars to the people. I think that would have really started the economy in an upswing.
Posted by: Rob | February 24, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Can you say, Special Interest? Wowsers!
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
nothing new here, just playing to the democrat crowd
Posted by: DOH-bama Cabinet of Corruption | February 24, 2009, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
What was in the note, passed to Pelosi, that caused such pain in her face.
It could not have been good news.
Someone find out.
Posted by: becky | February 24, 2009, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Hello. I am a middle class person with a new job change in the last three months. I currently work for a struggling industry, but I feel my company is the leader in the industry, therefore it will survive. My family moved to Sioux Falls, SD. We are trying to sell a house and it won’t move unless we take a huge loss on the house becasue of the economy. Luckily, we have family to live with in town, but with a wife and one child, it will be tough. What has the President done for the people like me who pays their debt on time everyday and is conservative with our money. All I want is our house to sell without losing a lot of money, so we can buy another house to live in Sioux Falls, SD! President Obama, please help families that are in our situations who haven’t made bad decisions, but suffer from everyone else’s poor decisions… Please have some incentive to move houses, then the economy will start to come back!!
Posted by: Jeff from midwest | February 24, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
This is first time in my 52 yrs.I am so proud of my My PRESIDENT.we are truely blessed.
Posted by: JoAnna Palacio | February 24, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
Interesting, the country who invented the automobile can not walk away from it. Why is he talking about the Germans, they invented the first auto
Posted by: Jamie | February 24, 2009, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
So far, I have heard nothing about the senior citizen not able to sell their home b/c they have lost their life- long-savings. The nursing home would get it anyway. Should have spent it all and then go on Medicaid like most people.
Posted by: Jan O'Hara | February 24, 2009, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Is someone keeping track of how many times they’re standing up? “Obama Says, Stand Up when they say Education or Health Care!!”
PS>..senior citizens come in where here? I’ve been wondering that same thing. Older people’s voices are not as loud and it appears that the squeaky wheel gets the grease here…
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Seeing them all clap for eachother reminds me of Nero fiddling away…
Posted by: Greggg | February 24, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Deficit he inherited and just doubled!!
Posted by: Stimulus Bill | February 24, 2009, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
Wow, the pointed gleeful faces when he says, “…debt that we inherited.” Really pounding that, ignoring the trillions gotten and the new debt pushing it’s way through…wow wow wow…
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
Nancy Pelosi has a fake smile, like she is smirking, plastered to her face. Joe Biden who is sitting next to her does not
Posted by: lc | February 24, 2009, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
Can we talk about Health Care Reform without talking of Lawsuit reform? More preventive care…isn’t that what happened when we went from Major Medical Insurance to HMO’s with doctor appointments being made affordable.
Posted by: Nancy | February 24, 2009, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
How about eliminating lucrative tax breaks for Star-Kist Tuna, Nancy???
Posted by: Seymour | February 24, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Tax cuts for all, what is it, a whole $13 a week? Yeah, let’s tax the employers, that’ll show em!
Posted by: Teddy | February 24, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
“…restoring accountability and trust…” “…no longer will we hide it’s price…” These are DIVISIVE comments, as many of the previous were. You can’t say that out of one side, then out of the other side say you’re ‘reaching across the aisle’…
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
Can educational reform happen prior to fixing the illegal immigrant proble? Don’t most teachers complain that it is difficult to teach when the median is so low because of the non-English speaking students and the money drain that these illegile immigrants cause in the school system?
Posted by: Nancy | February 24, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Yea, tell that to a soldiers family who child gave thier life in Iraq that it was a waste of money!! Shame on you Mr Obama for using this broadcast to insult yet another soldier!!
However, suddenly it is not a waste to send soldiers to die in another country that you decided to send us too!
Posted by: Dante | February 24, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
I have a great way to cut at minimum a Billion Dollars in one year…. Since these elected politicians helped put the American Public into this situation, they can help by getting us out of it as well… ALL of Congress, Senate, President and Vice President can go with out pay & not receive anything from companies paying Lobbyist to conform to their way of thinking!!! They will receive no pay for the next year and IF they can cut the cost of the Federal Budget in half this year then they can get half of the Salary they normally get next year. Until they get us out of the jam they placed us, they shouldn’t get anything!!!
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi DOESN’T need her own personal airplane to fly all over the country on our dime! Barack Obama has already cost us more money in less than his first 100 days…HE spent more money on 4 brand new Cars which we really didn’t need, extra Air Force One’s, he’s only one person….He can’t fly on more than one plane at a time!!!! Why do we need additional Airplanes???? All of this costs the tax payer money that we don’t have!!!
We are screwed with this President!!!! People too many of you thought that BUSH was the one that put us in the position that we are in….WRONG!!!! The Senate and Congress was heavy Democratic Officials….Where do you think all of this came from? The Democrats have cause this to happen to us~!!! Yet there are people that think it was BUSH that did it….. Get real!!!
Posted by: IT_Gal | February 24, 2009, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
We need new signs at our borders. “Welcome to Sherwood Forest”
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm
Is this a circus act? Maybe if Nancy Pelosi would just stay sitting & quit clapping we could get some answers. I keep waiting for someone to run out & give Obama an Oscar.
Posted by: Joseph R Tovo Sr | February 24, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
rofl Joseph R
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
What is that shade of green Pelosi is wearing???
Posted by: colors | February 24, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
Why does he talk about waste when the speaker of the house flies on a private jet, some members of congress fly with their spouses first class at a cost of 14,000 per ticket on a fact finding mission, when was the last time one of you flew for 14,000. Or why is anyone there aplaudding when they talk about the deficit they inherited weren’t most of them there when it was created?
Posted by: Ken | February 24, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
what has us,those with secure paychecks, from spending is the
uncertainty the price of gas is going. That combined with the significant increase in credit card interest rates will keep us from spending as usual.As long as oil speculation and interst rate gouging is not addressed the economy will have a hard time recovering.
t
Posted by: jrsus cerda | February 24, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
jmo9:”Tell them that if they work hard and be honest that they will succeed and will be able to feed and educate my grandchildren. Right now, we can barely feed my child.”
If you can barely feed your child, you need welfare (actually foodstamps, perhaps the WIC program) and as a father I’m a little appalled that you would place your pride above your child’s well being. Children are an asset to our nation and it is an amazingly good investment to see to it that they are well fed. The stunting effects of poor nutrition are very well known – did you know that the subsidized lunch program was started after a large number of WWII recruits were found unfit for service due to poor nutrition growing up?
Posted by: jhw539 | February 24, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Dropping out of high school is quitting on yourself? I was in the gifted-student program in my high school and dropped out because of being bored and a low self-esteem. Until teachers learn to encourage and the brightess go into teaching…the schools are quitting on us. FYI: The day my class graduating I registered for to take the GED and went on to college to earn a Bachlors and a Masters Degrees. I am not a quitter but cannot but up with complencency.
Posted by: Nancy | February 24, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Is this a circus act? Maybe if Nancy Pelosi would just stay sitting & quit clapping we could get some answers. I keep waiting for someone to run out & give Obama an Oscar.
Posted by: Joe sr | February 24, 2009, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
After 8 years of ineptitude, it is so refreshing to hear real ideas and plans to help ordinary people.
Posted by: ppowers | February 24, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
I’m at a loss he talks about fixing the credit from banks (isn’t that what started this BAD CREDIT) I pay my bills but who needs credit if you can’t get a job to pay it back and who can get credit with out a job
Posted by: dc | February 24, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
quote from someone my husband is listening too on a cd…your life proves what you are NOT your MOUTH…funny !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Pam | February 24, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
It’s kinda nice to see mccain showing his support during the speech. If Obama were a golfer he would be coming down the final fairway with a chance to shoot “59″. What a GREAT Speech!!!
Posted by: pt | February 24, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
Bring it on, Bobby!
Posted by: Seymour | February 24, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
I think it’s puke green…at least that’s what I feel like doing when I look at it…
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
He sickens me…
Posted by: kellymc | February 24, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
How about giving the 92% of Americans who played by the rules a restructure of their mortgage to 2% interest for 5 years or so. We are the true strength of the economy
Posted by: Vince Mantuano | February 24, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
Here’s some common ground, how about Congress going on the same medical and social security plan the rest of us are on. Then maybe you could fix it. That would only be fair, right!
Posted by: Dante | February 24, 2009, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
solar energy? whats going to happen to my husbands job, hes a coal miner in southern Illinois thats one of the best jobs you can get so whats going to happen then if all this soal stuff comes into play? i do not think it fair at all to have to worry bout it, insurance for all kids huh? well we have ok insurance threw my husbands work and they say we can’t get help with the other half of the bill so i find that wrong a lie what ever you want to call it dropping out of high school most kids feel they have to to help there family pay the bills i mean come on get your head out of your butt and relize not everyone is rich enough to make sure there kids don’t see them stuggling come on smell the coffee would ya…….be realistick…………finally something good…….finally something really good ending the war!!!!……..i feel like im at a catholic service to a certain point instead of praying its clapping and no kneeling…….i’m sure the president makes over the amount he stated so is his taxes going to go up just as everyone else’s and the senetor’s to?wants it to sucseed yes but they have no clue till they live in peoples shoes like ours…..we’re not really poor but we’re not rich either we are inbetween….so what will help us?
Posted by: Anntoinette Underwood | February 24, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Dante:”Here’s some common ground, how about Congress going on the same medical and social security plan the rest of us are on. ”
Same medical plan? That’s actually the EXACT proposal Obama has already floated – making every American eligible to buy into the same healtcare provided to legislators. There is, of course, heavy Republican resistance to such ‘socialized healthcare’ however.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 24, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Dante: You are 100% right
Posted by: MIlford | February 24, 2009, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
jrsus cerda,
I agree that intrest rates are soaring, but didn’t Obama say that it is now the time to re-finance? I don’t want more credt freed up for me. My credit rating is “great” and I can still get more credit cards and haven’t completely tapped my home-equity line of credit. I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO START PAYING OFF MY DEBT!!!!
Posted by: Nancy | February 24, 2009, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
The President does not want to reward the “Bankers”, but isn’t that what he tried do with the members of our government who did not or “forgot” to pay their taxes? Oops, my bad!
Posted by: lc | February 24, 2009, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
Ic: “The President does not want to reward the “Bankers”, but isn’t that what he tried do with the members of our government who did not or “forgot” to pay their taxes?”
What? They weren’t bankers, they didn’t make hundreds of millions of dollars by taking obscene risks with other people’s money, they have no connection to causing the recession… I’ve heard of false equivalency propaganda approaches, but you’re stretching so far it’s more humorous than slanderous.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 24, 2009, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
Nancy:”I agree that intrest rates are soaring, but didn’t Obama say that it is now the time to re-finance? I don’t want more credt freed up for me.”
Re-financing doesn’t mean taking on more debt. It means lowering the interest payment you have to make on your existing debt. It’s always a good financial move if you are going to hold the debt (ie, not move) for long enough to make back the closing costs (paper work and lawyer fees).
Posted by: jhw539 | February 24, 2009, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
Geez, I will never watch this on ABC again, any hope I had after the speech was negated from these very pesimistic newsmen
Posted by: michael williams | February 24, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
That wasn’t a speach, it was 45 minutes of clapping, 5 minutes of standing up and sitting down, 5 minutes of blaming somebody else and 5 minutes of campaining for 2012. Nothing new here just same old politics. And no, I am not a member of either BS party. Time for a new one I think though.
Posted by: Dante | February 24, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Those who think the President is blaming the middle class or giving a handout to the bankers weren’t listening. He explained the trickle- down effect, which is how FDR rescued the country. By getting money circulating through mortgages and jobs, the whole country will recover.
I think he was brilliant.
Posted by: Molly Staub | February 24, 2009, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
Screw all you people who make so much that you are at here… “‘I can’t have a job because it will bring our ‘income’ to the ‘millionare’ level,’” Get real!
Try being in your 20′s making less than 20k a year and trying to go to college, or just making 20k a year period! I pay my tuition out of pocket because the State, and Federal government don’t give enough (in loans btw) to help pay for the average college tuition.
I was an average student in High School, and worked while I was in High school to help pay the bills in my parents house, which kept me from Extra Curricular Activities and things of that nature, so in return I don’t qualify for grants…
Lets get real, some of us don’t get a chance to better ourselves, instead we have to get screwed every which way, until we are 50 or so and then maybe we can afford to go and get educated, if the average college tuition hasn’t sky rocketed to 50k-100k a year.
What about us, we don’t make enough to approved for private loans. As for the address, no one should be allowed to applaud until the end, that was a waste of an extra 30 minutes of my life towards applause.
Posted by: Eddie | February 24, 2009, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
I am a Small Business Owner. I keep hearing there is funding available for Biofuels through the 2008 Farm Bill. So far, I have been unable to get any funding either in the form of a USDA guaranteed Business & Industry (B&I) loan or a grant. I understand from the new bill which President Obama has signed into law there is funding for Biofuel research and production. Again, I have been unable to find out who I need to contact about getting any of this funding.
When I contact my state representatives and congressmen (Alabama), I am referred to the SBA who is more interested in getting finder’s fees for referring small businesses to people who are offering services (i.e. grant writers, business plan writers, etc.) than they are in actually helping a small business. It has gotten so bad, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has started its own department to help minority owned small businesses get the help they need since the SBA was not helping. I think President Obama should cut the SBA from the budget as they are not helping small businesses, especially when the SBA says a small business is a company with $350 million in profits. This is not a small business.
I want to create jobs, yet no one has shown they are willing to help with moving my project ahead!
Posted by: Jim Pittman | February 24, 2009, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
People just COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN AND COMPLAIN!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest | February 24, 2009, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm
Good, positive response so far
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
applause applause applause
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
A star just fell.
Posted by: doug | February 24, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
jmo9, if your husband is earning so much close to a million dollars a year that you can’t get a job because that would put you into the ‘millionaire’ tax bracket, why in god’s name can’t you feed your child? If you are blowing that much money every year, there’s something seriously wrong.
Posted by: windrider | February 24, 2009, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm
are the announcers supposed to wear blue ties?
It makes them look biased.
Posted by: stefanie k | February 24, 2009, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
Jindal sounds like he’s reading a bedtime story to his children…sheesh
Posted by: Liz in Texas | February 24, 2009, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
You know what further more, if some previous presidents, decades ago… didn’t forgive A-hole countries of their debt they owed us we wouldn’t be in as bad a position, or did people forget about that, or maybe were not educated enough to have that knowledge!
As for “People just, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN AND COMPLAIN!!!!” I am pretty sure that is all you did with the last president too, get off your high horse, and realize that neither of them, current or previous, were that great!
Posted by: Eddie | February 24, 2009, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
A LOT of Republican applause….
Posted by: Levi | February 24, 2009, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
Govenor Jindal talks about regaining trust…he needs to think back and realize who got us into this mess…..oh, the Republicans. So should we, the American people trust him and the Republicans. He talks about the Republicans wanting to cut taxes and create jobs…for 8 years under the Republicans, our deficit grew and grew and our jobs went overseas because of the Republicans. People…we all need to give the man (Obama) a chance. He inherited this 200 lb. gorilla while Bush slithered out of office and no one wants to put the blame on him…the man that created it all. So we, can’t blame Obama for another man’s (Bush)trangressions at least he’s trying. I take my hat off and give him much respect for wanting to take on this crisis. That says a lot for his character and his determination to bring this country back to its feet.
Posted by: E | February 24, 2009, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
Those who claim he has done NOTHING must have beensleeping the last 8 years. He has done more in his first few weeks in office than Bush did in 8 years. Get Real!!!!
We inherited this mess which has caused this recession. And for those who were so caught up in how times there was an applause truly has some issues. It’s great to hear a President that truly cares about the Veterans that have served for their Country and also as a Mother of a small child it’s good to hear someone care about a child’s education.
All that have said he has done NOTHING must not be optomistic. I’m happy to have an optomistic President. Hey, he can’t do any worse than the last 8 years did to us.
Posted by: sj | February 24, 2009, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
I think the governor of Louisiana is just a total moron!! Instead of backing up a well-delivered speech, he come on after-the-fact, behind the President’s back and just degrades everything. Such a negative attitude towards you Leader in Chief!! What have you done to put New Orleans back on the map Governor Jindal?? It looks like a ghetto. Families are style homeless and you rather not accept the help of your government but rather leave the homeless and helpless without any opportunity. What have you don?? Nada!!
Posted by: Eli | February 24, 2009, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
What line do I get in to help MY family?
Posted by: jmo9 | Feb 24, 2009 9:34:21 PM
Posted by: sisterdearest | February 24, 2009, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm
Loved the no earmarks comments…..I swear they think we are all stupid!!
Posted by: Sue | February 24, 2009, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm
I thought President Obama gave a Great address to Congress. For those that are on here complaining, Blame Bush!!!…Obama is doing what needs to be done to help all of us, for all those skeptics out there, If you do not have a better idea then SHUT UP!!!!!…you probaly got yourself in your situation via self infliction!!!!!!! I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC, HE IS THE BEST PRESIDENT WE’VE HAD SO FAR………people now is not the time for skepticism but now is the time for unity!!!
Posted by: Taunya | February 24, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
Gov.Bobby Jindal talks a good game about the republicans but was he telling president bush and the rest of the republican party these ideas. My answer is no because the nation wouldn’t be in the situation its in.
Posted by: ro | February 24, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
Has Mr. Obama become a compulsive liar? He said America must build from the bottom up. It looked like he’s building it from the top down.
Posted by: young_voter | February 24, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
Eddie:
First of all, I never voted for Bush!!! I never complain because I put my faith in Jehovah not man!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest | February 24, 2009, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
What is going to happen to people like me who only gets 900.00 a month disibility and medicare.we need help
Posted by: lois | February 24, 2009, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
All of you make me sick. Would you like some cheese with that wine?????
Bush got us into this mess and I don’t care what any of you say that he didn’t because he did. Yes, it is up to us to make that change. What happen to the American worker????
Posted by: jm | February 24, 2009, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
jmo9 – Give us a break. You’re whining about not going over a million dollar tax bracket. Come down to life with the rest of the middle class and low income population. Maybe you can work and your husband can spend some time with your child by working less hours. You sound like you’re blaming the President for your spouse not being at home.
I’m a single parent and work just as many hours as your husband, but my priority is my daughter. So I work while she’s at school and at night on the computer in order to be there for her for after school programs. It’s called work-life balance and knowing where your priorities are. Your child will miss those days and they grow up really fast.
Stop blaming Obama and realize his actions are beign taken because of the Bush administration.
God Bless our President.
Posted by: sj | February 24, 2009, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
sisterdearest:
Apparently you are one of the misguided, not because of your faith, but because you take all things out of context, I never said you voted for Bush, you are implying that I said that. That is taking what someone says out of context!!!
Secondly stating the facts is not complaining, and while yes a lot of people on here are complaining, which I agree with you on, a lot of them are stating true facts as well, 2+2=4, that truth can not change and neither can the truth that both the previous president made mistakes, and so will this one.
Posted by: Eddie | February 24, 2009, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
for once it seems like we actually have a president who has a plan. And we the American people can criticize him, because thats what American’s do best, or we can stand by our president, and help make our country a better place. The choice is ours.
Posted by: Noah-Drake | February 24, 2009, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm
Obama continues to pave the way for America to become a socialist country. Obama, continues to be the JOKE he always was. I hope the next 4 years goes by quickly so we can get a President that is not stuck up Pelosi’s behind!
Posted by: dk | February 24, 2009, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
What in the world are senior citizens going to do?
Does “more charter schools” mean “no more homeschooling”?
Does government “offered” education from cradle to adulthood mean government “mandated” education from cradle to adulthood?
Schools can’t compete now because they are saddled with NEA garbage. Throw off the politically correct mumbo jumbo and teach the subjects practically. Disband NEA and teach Miquon Math or Singapore Math ™ in order to compete internationally. Teach each child on his/her level. Enforce dress codes and codes of behavior. Include and elevate parents both in the school and in the minds of students. Get rid of this idea that “the educator knows best”. The educator does not know best. The educator knows education and is a resource for the parents, not an all knowing sage sent to direct every aspect of a students’ lives.
Obama’s speech was, in a word, boring – the most boring attempt at inspiration I have heard in a long, long time. Obama repeatedly took lines from different speeches over the years and mashed them together. The result was a stilted, disconnected, difficult to follow lecture. This speech left me wondering how Barack Obama ever inspired masses of people to do anything. Perhaps he did not. Perhaps it was a group of people who wanted him in office that effectively inspired the masses, and Obama was the unwitting beneficiary.
Posted by: NPage | February 24, 2009, 11:07 pm 11:07 pm
I’m at a loss he talks about fixing the credit from banks (isn’t that what started this BAD CREDIT) I pay my bills but who needs credit if you can’t get a job to pay it back and who can get credit with out a job can someone tell me how bailing out dumb bank lenders who gave loans beyond the barrows means and restoring thier ability to give more credit helps Americans GET US MORE JOBS NOT CREDIT
Posted by: dc | February 24, 2009, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
I also get a kick out of the president telling private companies that they can’t and won’t fly or buy private jets. Maybe he ought to publish what the House and Senate spend to fly on private jets around this world on tax payers money. I bet it is in the billions.
Posted by: drodgers | February 24, 2009, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Jindal sounded like my 7th grader. I know that the Repugs have someone better then this clown and if they don’t. Well it’s time to take that trip to Disney Land…
Posted by: Big AL | February 24, 2009, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
Where did the Republicans find all of the token African Americans (new head of party) and brown skin (Indian – Jindal). Where are all of the old white fat cats that runs the Republican show. So they think by putting a brown face before the public we are supposed to forget who really run the show. Get real. You must really think we are stupid! Well of course you do.
Posted by: MsMilAnn | February 24, 2009, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
Why do we let these 500+ old people lead us by the nose. All of these problems exist because we allow them to put us in this mess. This mess would not exist if THEY really didn’t want it to exist. WE, the voters,are the real problem. We keep re-electing them and they know it. All of the spending by the last administration/Congress was done because they, Congress, make it happen. SEND THEM HOME!
Posted by: Nick | February 24, 2009, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
Obama continues to make promises that he can’t deliver. He continues to lie to Americans and all his Koolaid drinkers are now seeing him for what he has always been…..
“Empty suit with NO substance!” What a joke Obama is!
Posted by: dk | February 24, 2009, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
President Barack Obama is a single man who BELIEVES in America and It’s peoples. Candidly he is doing his best to set a good example as a man, a citizen and a parent. He clearly has set goals and expectations for this country, the administration which governs it, and it’s citizens …each and every one, as detailed in the plea that each adult take a continuing aducational course…. and that no young person give up on himself and quit school as he/she each has an indivual gift to offer. Quitting school would not only let them down as an indivual but the country as a whole.
All People need to help one another. We as Americans, also must be open and supportive of the President. We all have a responsibilty to make this country, our country, strong, safe and lucrative.
OUR President (Obama) should be praised and Respected for trying his best to solve the situation we are in. He personally did not create this mess. And yes, I think the people who did create this mess SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for their part and participation. A regualr citizen involved in the same mess would, at the very least, have to pay back their debt.
I recently paid a student loan which was over 26 years old and ACTUALLY, I DID NOT Owe the $$$$ (thousands of dollars in interest..unfounded) I was unemployed ….and, still I had to come up with the funds or be tormented in many ways financially. Ironically, some 26 years ago I withdrew from the school for legitimate reasons of accreditaion; but, somehow I still owed the government. So…in essence let the President do his job….he knows right from wrong. And, I believe the fat cats will be leaned; as it should be.
Posted by: Sher | February 24, 2009, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm
MsMilAnn: Your Republican party voted for Jintal and he is Indian and not African American. Get Real – there is a difference in the brown skin….. The Republicans will have a chance in 4-years. Maybe Sarah can come back strong…NOT!
Posted by: sj | February 24, 2009, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
WAKE UP ARE YOU ALL BLIND SHEEP OR WHAT I’m at a loss he talks about fixing the credit from banks (isn’t that what started this BAD CREDIT) I pay my bills but who needs credit if you can’t get a job to pay it back and who can get credit with out a job can someone tell me how bailing out dumb bank lenders who gave loans beyond the barrows means and restoring thier ability to give more credit helps Americans GET US MORE JOBS NOT CREDIT
Posted by: dc | February 24, 2009, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
I see the haters out tonight, look if you don’t love this country then it time for you to leave. This Pres. is the one we have been looking for in decades. Someone who is telling it like it is. It’s time for this country to look for the future and become “GREAT” again. The problem that I have with these clowns that believe in this free trade BS. Look Obama make the best point of them all. How can America, the country that created “CARS” stop making them. If we let GM and FORD the creator of the Auto go under and just let other country come in and sell there cars. We will know longer have control of our business. If you believe in that BS you are on the wrong soil….
Posted by: Big AL | February 24, 2009, 11:33 pm 11:33 pm
this guy walks on water in your mind
don’t worry, if something happens he will rise in 3 days
Obama cannot fix the problem, you guys are in a world of hurt
$13 a month in tax cuts won’t help
3.5 million jobs SAVED OR CREATED are all government jobs or a factor of
thank god i never pay for doctors, hospitals of prescriptions
good luck
thank god i live in canada
you guys deserve to pay for greed and sloth, good times are over and i you deserve no sympathy
Posted by: tyno | February 24, 2009, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
While I was impressed with Obama’s speech, I did not see where he is completely on the money. How can you have health care reform by only looking at medicare and not medicaid ( where most of the fraud is happening, In addition, if you dont take on the drug companies and doctors. It is more complex then you think, I have called medicare when I saw charges for things that were never done( i.e., xrays that were never taken at a hospital) My response was that they furnished copies of xrays that they did do that. I the patient was treated as the lier while the hospital was the victim. also the same thing has happened with doctors billing for services never recieved. Go to any hospital and you will see medicaid patients useing the hospitals as a private doctor instead of going to a clinic where it would cost less. In addition medicaid is given out too easily without really checking if they are really elegiable.
food stamp abuse is rampant , go to a supermarket and see what people are really buying with them. I seriously doubt that responsable people will apply for credit so easily with the high cost of payback when they do not have faith that they will have a job next month to be able to pay back the debt. I do not believe that the people who caused this disaster will sacrifice profit to do the right thing. While I like what he said about helping people who were responsible and went into forcloser for reasons other then that they kept refinancing to buy mre stuff , and lived like it was christmas all year long. As a senior living on a fixed income, 5 years ago I took out a mortage to buy a home and have never been late with a payment even thought property taxes, insurances and utilities have consistantly increased and it has become more difficult to meet my obligations. I no longer go out to eat as I did in the past, I also no longer take vacations 3-4 times a year. Believe me, that is not what a lot of the people who are into forclosure doing. Now we bail them out and next year or the year after that will repeat the same thing again, do we bail them out again?
Posted by: ann giord | February 24, 2009, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
big AL go back to history class and see who invented the auto it wasnt the U.S.A
Posted by: dc | February 24, 2009, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
We’re going to have health care, cap and trade, save people losing their homes, just passed an 800 billion stimulus and tomorrow passing a 400 billion budget bill and we haven’t dealt with the banking problem yet. I can see business leaving this country in droves to escape higher cost of unions, cap and trade, health plans and strangling enviromental restraints. Who is going to employ us and who is going to pay the taxes to support those wonderful plans? Come down to earth. Just tonight union bosses are urging a strike against Boeing in Kansas. Unions are empowered and are going to kill the few businesses we have left. Great move in the middle of a crippling recession.
Posted by: Gary | February 24, 2009, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
wait till you give the government total control over everything (The Democrats & Obama)! Especially Health care you thing you are paying a lot now! Government deciding if you are too old for surgery, not worth the expense! I’, 66 years old, 42 years selling health insurance, four and 1/2 years Vietnam Era veteran1 I rather the private sector be left owning business & not the government, they have never ran anything to make money, only spend the middle class hard earned money! Obama & his group will destroy this country!
Posted by: John A Bell | February 24, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
WOW, it was interesting and appreciated to see a President delivering a Presidential Speech who can actually speak English and put two sentences together, unlike the goober that just left the office leaving the country in a complete mess.
Posted by: Congolezza Rice Patty | February 25, 2009, 12:13 am 12:13 am
Well put John A Bell.
Posted by: IT_Gal | February 25, 2009, 12:21 am 12:21 am
So much for bipartmanship. Dems. voted for bushes 3/4 trillion bailout, but where were the Republicans when Obama’s plan came out. Seems like in the last year I heard one or two suggestions from Bush about our problem. Now it seems that every day Obama has a plan. Wake up America, a nation that neglects its poorest, its uninsured, etc. is not what I call a Christian nation.
Posted by: Lowell Worthington | February 25, 2009, 12:23 am 12:23 am
Congolezza Rice Patty… you need to revisit who was really making a lot of things happen while the last President was in office. DEMOCRATS!!! You need to figure out that the President doesn’t do all the work here. Congress and Senators do the majority of the work of destruction for this Country!!! That is why we need to get rid of the life long politicians and get fresh blood in there!!! But then the Media would have their say that they don’t like who is trying to run for office as they may not be able to get there way….
Posted by: IT_Gal | February 25, 2009, 12:25 am 12:25 am
Over and over I hear ABC news personalities state that the government shouldn’t help people who got loans they couldn’t afford. Tonight I heard Obama state the same. I think its sad that poeple would be so callous. At the time these people got their loans they could afford them. They had no idea they would lose their jobs. Shame on you ABC News! Have you lost your sensitivity to people losing everything they worked hard for and dreamed about?
Posted by: Sylvia Woodard | February 25, 2009, 12:32 am 12:32 am
I was a fan of ABC news in the good old days of Koppel and Jennings, real news men who reported the news and didn’t inflect their own opinion’s on the story. But when I heard how George Stephanopoulos cried to his wife when the “chosen one” was anointed to the presidency, all credibility to me was lost and I can’t bear to watch anymore.
When your ratings sink to the level of the New York Times circulation due to your lack of honest reporting and credibility and you find yourself out of work like so many of the rest of us, I here Hannity may be looking for a new co host.
Posted by: Steve wagner | February 25, 2009, 12:35 am 12:35 am
PiYush [[Bobby]] Jindal actually Believes he is the Next Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Rush Limbaugh has touted PiYush Jindal as the…
“Next Ronald Wilson Reagan”
Now PiYush Jindal appears to Believe him.
Bland & Boring [[PiYush Bobby Jindal]]
PiYush Jindal: A Few Weeks Ago said..
“I will take the Money, from this Stimulus Package, but if I were still in Congress, I would’ve Voted Against it”
So Contradicting & Hypocritical
Note: If YOU are Against the Money being Allocated to YOUR STATE, Don’t Accept It…Period.
Or Close Your Mouth, Take the Money and take it with a…
BIG SMILE !!!
But Never, Ever Double Talk.
You will still be Accepting the BULK of the MONEY, so what Principle have You Displayed, when you Speak of..
[[Conservative Republican Principles]]
Borderline-Bull Spit and Political Ambition Above the State and the People, Jindal is suppose to place..
FIRST
——————
PS: Mr. Jindal, Once the Government sends YOU the MONEY…
YOU will be Responsible for the STATE’S ALLOCATED …BILLIONS.
Posted by: O. | February 25, 2009, 12:36 am 12:36 am
PiYush [Bobby] Jindal…
1. The Cheap Republican Answer to [[Barack Obama]]
2. The Louisiana Governor with one of the Highest Unemployment Rates. One of the Lowest Scoring States in the Nation, when it comes to Education or lack thereof ?
One of the highest Crime Rates in the Nation, based on population. One of the Highest Doling States in the Nation, yet Jindal wants to Deny Money being given to his State, for Unemployment Recipients.
3. Jindal is trying to Follow Our Commander In Chief, after he addresses the American People.
You Remember how McCain looked the Night of Obama’s Acceptence Speech, with that Green Screen behind him ..Hmmm
4. Jindal is not a Great, Charismatic Speaker, Jindal is the Cheap Republican Knock Off of [[President Barack Obama]]
5. PiYush [[Bobby]] Jindal is looking like a Train Wreck, before the Train actually…. Wrecks !!!
Did you see PiYush [Bobby] Jindal on Meet The Press, this past Sunday….
In 2 Words [[Bland & Boring]]
No Charisma, No True Reason for his Opposition, just Oppose Obama’s Plan and the Money being sent to his State…
PiYush Jindal is a Pure 100 % Hypocrite, who wants the Federal Stimulus Money, but he wanted to Minus the Unemployment Money, in Obama’s Plan, which would HELP his [[State's Unemployed]]
What a Pumpous A!!
Posted by: O. | February 25, 2009, 12:39 am 12:39 am
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THE REPUBLICANS FIGHT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PACKAGE ,WHEN THEY GAVE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF BLANK CHECKS TO THEIR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUCH.WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO . THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO ASK HIM .IT CERTIANTLY DID NOT HELP OUR TROOPS FIGHTING STILL IN IRIQ , THE HOMEOWNERS KEEP THEIR HOMES , OR THE BUSINESSES THAT HAD TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS, OR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF IT ECT.YET THEY HAVE THE ORDACITY TO QUESTION PRESIDENTS OBAMA’S PALN THAT HE HAS SO EQUELANTLY LAID OUT TO START TO TURN THIS COUNTRY AROUND. BUSH HAD EIGHT YEARS TO ALMOST DESTROY THIS COUNTRY, AND THE REPUBLICANS GLADLY GAVE HIM THE MONEY TO DO IT WHILE TURNING A DEFT EAR, OR EYES THAT COULD NOT SEE THIS COUNTRY GOING DOWN HILL.HOWEVER IT TOOK A LITTLE OVER A MONTH , AND PRESIDENT OBAMA’S TEAM GUIDED BY VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO FIND TWO TRILLION DOLLARS IN WASTFUL PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE USED TO HELP THE ECONOMY ECT. THEY HAVE JUST BEGAN WE CAN BE HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL CERTAINLY FIND MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MAY GOD BLESS YOU , AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA. BY THE WAY IT SEEMS AS THOUGH HE ALREADY HAS.
Posted by: CECELIA | February 25, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
Did you see and hear the President’s speech. I thought it was great even though I thought he is going to need a magic wand to accomplish all that he promises to do.
The first place he needs to wave the wand is all those **** Republicans who keep dragging their feet, pulling him down and repeating the same old rhetoric and untruths about what he stands for – like saying he is going to raise taxes – despite the fact that he says he is going to to cut the taxes on all but those who make over $250,000 per year ( that means a lot of people who actually make a lot more than $250,000 but hide a large portion of their income through tax loopholes and just plain lying about their true income and resources). Republicans also keep saying there is a lot of pork in the stimulus package but he states there is no earmarks in the bill. Governor Jindal stated in his response that Republicans were asked to sign a bill they had not even read. Well whose fault is that? Surely if they can not read through the bill (Are they so busy going to parties and socializing with lobbyists to read important legislation?) they could have at least had some of those many staff added on since Republicans took over, to read and go over it with them. Republicans gave a standing applause when he said we all have in common that we love our country. Well if you do, then act like it. Act like you are more interested in getting America out of this mess than getting yourselves elected at the next election. Get behind Obama, he has been holding out a hand to you. Engage in problem solving rather than in name calling and criticizing. Start a dialogue with Democrats rather than a monologue with yourselves and other Republicans about what is wrong with Obama and Democrats.
Governor Jindal obviously had his speech all written before he even heard the President speak. He did not comment on anything the President even said. It was all about himself and what he had done. I would like to know if the things he said he had done for the people of his State were true. The last I heard New Orleans was still in a lot of trouble but I have not researched that yet. I know they have received a lot of help from people all over the nation and that is very good. Governor Jindal is obviously to be a chosen one for a Republican presidential candidate in 2012. He is their answer to Barack Obama but I think he would serve the party well if he could say to the nation that he did everything he could to join in with Democrats to get this country moving again. He needs to stop his cohorts from creating fear and distrust and repeating untruths and lies about what Obama stands for.
After it is mostly fear that has created this financial crisis. Our country is just as rich as it has ever been. We still have the same means of production, resources, talent, ingenuity, etc. that we have ever had. It was fear that caused banks to fail so quickly and the stock market to crash. If we could have had confidence that the problem of bad assets at the bank could be recognized and the problem solved, we would not be in this mess today.
I think our problem has been caused by the poor distribution of wealth during the Republican years. Too much of the rewards of production were siphoned off to the very wealthy and powerful at the top of the economic pyramid and not enough went to the producers who did the jist of the work. The wealthy spent their money on very expensive commodities which did not require as many workers to produce and therefore did not allow the money to circulate into the economy. The wealthy also put much of their money into the stock market which allowed an inflationary bubble in stock much beyond the value of ownership in these industries. Alas, when the bubble broke in the housing industry which was caused by banks lending more to people than the relative value of the property, the whole system came crashing down. Not enough people in the economy could afford the houses especially after the interest rates began to rise. The real investors (not speculators on capital gains) wanted more income for their money, can we blame them? Republicans grovel about the govenment not becoming so powerful and controlling. Is it not the governments job to regulate and protect the people from such economic
Posted by: Clark | February 25, 2009, 12:55 am 12:55 am
Where was the white student? shouldn’t there have been equal representation of all students???
How is a Mediciad or medicARE PERSON GOING TO OADMINISTER THEIR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT WHEN THEY CAN NOT READ , WRITE AND EXPECT THE GOVEERNMENT OT COVER EVERYTHING?
Posted by: DB | February 25, 2009, 1:43 am 1:43 am
Maybe you wouldn’t have students dropping out of school,do to complacency and boredom if the teachers didn’t have to “dumb down” their classes to teach to the lower and middle acievers in their classes.Many high achievers get bored because they aren’t challenged.They should be encouraged to take advantage of dual/enrollment opportunities for juniors and seniors in high school who can enroll in community college and/or college courses,thereby jumpstarting their college degrees and saving money.We DO NOT need to throw more money into early childhood education.Parents should take responsibility for what they choose to do with their children.
Posted by: kim | February 25, 2009, 1:53 am 1:53 am
MEDICARE AND MANY INSURANCE COMPANIES DO PAY AND CHASE, THIS LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN FOR FRAUD BUT IT ALSO TICKS OFF THE PROVIDERS. iT IS HARD ENOUGH TO GET THE md’S TO SEE mEDICAID NOW. WE GIVE THEM PAYMENTS , THEN TAKE IT BACK, wHY PUNISH ALL FOR THE ACTS OF A FEW? wANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY, STOP THE EXPENSIVE ADS BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, THEY ARE CREATING MORE PRBLEMS THAN THEY HELP WIHT ALL THE NEW MEDS THAT THEY ADVERTISE. IT SHOUDL B AGAINST THE LAW FOR THEM TO ADVERTISE ON tv. mANY OF THE DRUGS ARE NOT FOR EVERYOEN AND THEN THE COST OF THE ADS… HAS TO BE IN THE BILLIONS!! tEH FEDERAL REGS FOR mEDICAID NEED TO BE OVERHAULED. tEHY ARE CUMBERSOME AND ARE WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT THEY LEAVE A LOT OF ROOOM FOR INTERPRETATION AND BELIEVE ME THE FEDS INTERPRET THEM ANY WAY THEY WANT!!!tHE bba CSOT STATES MILLIONS IN QUALITY FUNCTIONS AND FORCED CONTRACTS WITH INADEQUATE COMPANIES WHAN ALL THEY NEEDED TO DO IS REQUIRE THE HMO’s to be JCAHO and/or URAC accreditted/ If MedicAID AND mEDICARE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BECOEM jCAHO/URAC accredited, we would have better organizations. hOWEVER, THEY WOULD NEVER MEET THE REQUIREMETNS I NTHE PRESENT FORMAT.
Posted by: DB | February 25, 2009, 1:54 am 1:54 am
Poor Bobby who is a bright guy himself But misguided..was WAY out of his league, Was like watching a major league hitter VS double A hitter,
Which just reminds all the big mouth talking heads/critics who thinks being President is as easy as it looks.
I hope its a palin/ jindal ticket it would make for great COMEDY and reality TV.
Posted by: mas | February 25, 2009, 4:15 am 4:15 am
The storyteller will go on making fun of all his voters. amazing!The fools haven’t yet located him of course!
Posted by: Silver | February 25, 2009, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
See, here’s the problem…everyone expects whomever is stepping into that office to be able to “wave a magic wand” and make all the US’ problems (self-imposed problems I might add) go away. If Senator McCain had gotten in, he would be on the receiving end of just as much bitterness as President Obama is. The first year of any President’s office is spent cleaning up the mess of the prior President. I’m going to wait until the end of his first term to actually judge him (seems to me a person ought to be given a chance to perform before being judged). (Of course, my idea of the end of the term is based on about 2.5 – 3 years (since the last 1-1.5 years is spent campaigning for the next term)).
Here’s a thought…Grow up people…we, the US citizens, allowed this entire country to become the mess it has. We allowed our politicians too much free reign to do what they wanted in D.C. We didn’t want to get involved in politics, we would much rather sit on our butts and have the sterilized news fed to us from our media outlets (instead of doing our own research). We would much rather worry about who’s in the Super-Bowl, World Series, getting an Oscar or Emmy, than pay attention to how our representatives are voting (or to simplify it, how our representatives are *representing* our interests).
If we, the American people, want change then we need to get off our collective bottoms and let our representatives know what we want done, how we want them to vote on which bills. These people work for us. Turning these people loose in the political arena without our watch is tantamount to turning a child loose in a candy store.
This political hoo-ha should no longer be about Dem versus Repub…it should be about what is the best for this country.
As for how much money President Obama has spent, at least he has been upfront about most of his plans (more so than previous Presidents). I have no doubt that a majority of the money can be recouped simply by removing a lot of wasteful spending from the budget.
As for tax breaks and/or capping the salaries of CEO, etc. I don’t think those salaries should be capped…if a person was talented (or in most cases lucky enough (or skilled enough at brown nosing)) to get into a position like that, I think they should get the big fat salary…here’s my idea… everyone pays a percentage (the same percentage)… for the sake of argument, I’m going to pull 20% out of the air. So, if a person is making $35k a year, that would be $7000 paid (35000 * 7%). If another person is making $150k a year, they would pay $10500 (150000 * 7%). If a person is a CEO that is making $5M then they would pay $350000. Seems fair to me. The more you make, the more you pay, but everyone pays the same percentage.
I’m posting this at approximately 14:07MST on 2/25/09…I give it about 2 hours before I get inundated with flames. :)
Posted by: Steven... | February 25, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Way to go Steve. Congratulate yourself for being an intelligent American. For those who oppose our President and are so critical here, perhaps you should have scrutinized former President Bush and his cohorts to this same degree. Bush was not forthcoming, couldn’t communicate in english, lied and got away with it all. Many thanks Steve for being a consciensious citizen.
Posted by: Sher | February 25, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Thank you Sher…
and before anyone realizes it…let me point out the mistake I made in my math above (hey, we all make mistakes)
The correct figures should be:
$35k * 20% = $7k
$150k * 20% = $30k
$5M * 20% = $1M
Posted by: Steven... | February 25, 2009, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm