Our initial plan today was to do as we have done here for several years now. In the day before and the day after the President's address, outlining the state of our nation, we have first previewed, and then reviewed the words of the President, along with the ideas outlined in the address.
We will do some of that today. Then we will let the President's words speak for themselves.
In short, President Obama made it clear; We can accomplish the challenges that face our country by working TOGETHER. If there are those who wish to fight against what is best for everyone to retain an unequal advantage or stay locked in a rigid ideology, that is their choice. But the rest of us will fight against them - and we will win, as we have already been doing.
Yes - this speech was very aspirational, more poetry than prose, more ideals than details. Obama didn't shy away from accepting responsibility, however. He made clear that he, and the Executive Branch, have work to do to fix the problems of the branch of government he directs - and that Congress MUST do the same thing.
He made it very clear, that we can accomplish anything, TOGETHER, specifically noting the actions of those who took down Osama Bin Laden. He made it even more clear, noting that the auto company Americans rescued - General Motors - is now the number one automaker in the world, again.
President Obama also called on corporations to do what is best for their country, as corporate citizens. He called on American companies and corporations to insource jobs - to bring them back to America - and to pay their fair share of taxes, no matter where in the world they may bank their profits.
The President also made clear that the days of severe economic inequality are over - and that it is high time that the laws on financial fraud have REAL teeth. "We will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt and phony financial profits,” Mr. Obama said. "I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules.”
He hit on the poisonous effects of money in politics, of judicial appointments being held hostage, and even the issue of insider trading among members of Congress. He tackled the fact that we have already dealt with debt and the deficit, and that we have more work to do - including a desperate need to invest in our own nation.
As one commentator said after the speech, President Obama hit those in Congress, who would rather have ignored him, right where they lived.
By the looks on the faces of those in the chamber, some extremist members of Congress appeared VERY worried indeed, that they will no longer have a place to hide, and still be able to be to be considered ethical and honest, if they choose to work AGAINST the President and the nation.
The President finished with these words:
"Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes. No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong."
