I just finished watching Obama’s second State of the Union address, along with the GOP’s response by Rep. Paul Ryan and Rep. Michele Bachmann’s response to the Tea Party Express. Of the three, Paul Ryan was clearly the best because it seemed like the one speech that addressed the true reality of the state of our union. In short, we are broke and we need to address it now.
Obama’s speech
Obama’s speech sounded like it was best suited for the Clinton era when the nation was running surpluses. Obama’s call for investments seems so bizarre given that we are currently borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we are spending. Furthermore, I found so much of Obama’s rhetoric not credible given his actions over the last two years.
For example, 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
Since the Shellacking, Obama has been pulling out all the smoke and mirrors he can to cloak himself in centrist clothing. This SOTU speech seems like it undid a lot of the cloaking. All that talk of “investment” (i.e. spending) with little next to no realistic ideas on cutting spending, seems to have exposed big spending liberal Obama once again.
By the way, did you catch Obama’s TSA joke?
Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail. (Applause.) This could allow you to 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. (Laughter and applause.) As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.
I think this would have been a real knee slapper had the groping rule not have been passed under his administration. However, seeing that it was, the joke came off like a real disconnect.
Paul Ryan’s Speech
Once again, I have to ask, are there any Republicans who know how to speak without that ding dong Happy Voice? So much of Ryan’s word would have been far more effective without the Happy Voice and the smile.
A few years ago, reducing spending was important. Today, it’s imperative. Here’s why.
We face a crushing burden of debt. The debt will soon eclipse our entire economy, and grow to catastrophic levels in the years ahead.
On this current path, when my three children – who are now 6, 7, and 8 years old – are raising their own children, the Federal government will double in size, and so will the taxes they pay.
No economy can sustain such high levels of debt and taxation. The next generation will inherit a stagnant economy and a diminished country.
Frankly, it’s one of my greatest concerns as a parent – and I know many of you feel the same way.
Most people would be sad or angry at the thought of passing on a diminished America to their children, yet Ryan delivers this very serious line with his Happy Voice. Memo to Republicans: forget all this foolishness about toned down rhetoric and let the emotions fly.
Happy Voice aside, Ryan’s speech captured the true state and concerns of the nation. The previous Congress spent like drunken sailors and now the nation is perilously close to going over the edge. These are the words that Obama should have spoken.
Speaking candidly, as one citizen to another: We still have time… but not much time. If we continue down our current path, we know what our future will be.
Just take a look at what’s happening to Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom and other nations in Europe. They didn’t act soon enough; and now their governments have been forced to impose painful austerity measures: large benefit cuts to seniors and huge tax increases on everybody.
Their day of reckoning has arrived. Ours is around the corner. That is why we must act now.
Michele Bachmann’s Speech
Much media noise has been made about how Michele Bachmann was stepping on Paul Ryan and the GOP’s toes with her Tea Party response. After viewing it, that clearly was not the case. Bachmann’s speech seems more like a pep rally for Tea Party Americans than a rebuttal to Obama’s speech or a competing response to the GOP.
Bachmann does dovetail some of Ryan’s words with her recounting of the massive spending under Obama and the Democrats as well as the foolishness of ObamaCare.
The perilous battle that was fought in the pacific, at Iwo Jima, was a battle against all odds, and yet the image of the young G.I.s in the incursion against the Japanese immortalizes their victory. These six young men raising the flag came to symbolize all of America coming together to beat back a totalitarian aggressor.
Our current debt crisis we face today is different, but we still need all of us to pull together. We can do this.
This kind of appeal is how you rouse the America spirit. If Bachmann take a stab at running in 2012, talk like this will get her very far.
