You should be able to listen live to the 2010 State of the Union Address on C-SPAN at 8:00 tonight (Wednesday). If that time is not convenient for you, you should be able to find the address in the C-Span library. Add a brief comment here summarizing your impressions. What was upbeat about the address? What was not so positive? Anything that particularly surprised you in the address?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
State of the Union (Extra Credit)
You should be able to listen live to the 2010 State of the Union Address on C-SPAN at 8:00 tonight (Wednesday). If that time is not convenient for you, you should be able to find the address in the C-Span library. Add a brief comment here summarizing your impressions. What was upbeat about the address? What was not so positive? Anything that particularly surprised you in the address?
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A very positive statement President Obama said was, “I have never been more hopeful about Americas future as I am tonight.” My family owns a small business so a small business bill would benefit my family, as well as numerous others. President Obama said, “How long should American put its future on hold?” I agree with this statement and believe we should keep moving forward in all aspects; however, President Obama said he does not accept second place for the United States of America, and I do not agree with this. Nobody has to be the best at everything. Yes, it is nice when you are on the top, but we are America and are here to help unify this globe. We should not be trying to beat every other country at everything. As a college student, it was comforting to hear his plan of paying back student loans after graduation. Having all the troops home from Afghanistan by July 2011 and all combat troops out of Iraq by the end of this August is great! Something not so upbeat was the talk of our government spending and how much debt America is in.
ReplyDeleteNichole Anderson
Education: Obama talked about an education program for student loan in his plan he stated that after schooling a student aquires a job and pays 10% of that loan for 10 years. After the 10 years any exsisting unpaid loan would be written off. My problem with that is who is going to make up the diffence. Will i pay a tax along with the 10% or does magic really exsist.
ReplyDeleteEthan Heck
As someone who is a big supporter of personal rights I thought that President Obama's idea to get rid of the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI also really like the "All student loan debt forgiven after 20 years, after 10 years if they choose a career in public service". I think this is a good idea. As a student who has had to take out loans I think this would be a good idea and possibly encourage people to go onto grad school!
Carly Johnson
I too am excited about the upcoming changes for education in the US. It was great to hear that improvements are needed regarding an issue that so directly effects us. Knowing that President Obama feels that college should be more affordable is something I fully agree with. To make such a statement possible Obama proposed a $10,000 tax credit for a four year program as well as intends to increase the Pell Grants. I also was glad to hear that my student loans will be 'forgotten' after 20 years or possibly ten for careers in public service. (I hope my major is covered!!) I thought it was interesting how the discussion about education tied into the discussion about the workforece. I really think that if college was more affordable more individuals would be continue thier education, which in turn, those graduates are able to more fully contribute to society. Thus, a healthier economy. “Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010, and that is why I am calling for a new jobs bill tonight,” Obama said. Hopefully these promises, amongst the others, will soon be inforced.
ReplyDelete-Brittany Lewno
I think the best part about the speech was hearing about the college loans. People have such a hard time paying back the loans they get for college, and hopefully people will be able to start making some money. One thing I didn't like about the speech was when President talked about having the best high speed railroads. I think the ones we have now are working just fine. A positive idea was when he said he wanted to award success to schools that are doing well, but not help the schools that are failing. This could be good and bad. Schools might try harder and not let themselves fail so they can receive the awards also. Another positive thing he mentioned was to stop the war and bring home the troops. I think everyone was happy about this. He mentioned that he wanted gay people to be allowed in military. I think this is a good idea because they have rights to. However, I think some men won't like the idea and shot the people that are gay and say it was an accident. When he said this none of the military men looked happy about the idea. I think the thing people liked the most was when he said he knows he can't do it alone, and he wants other people's opinions if they have good ideas about something. Overall, I think he had good points in the speech, and if he sticks with what he wants to do there will be some positive outcomes.
ReplyDeleteThomasina Rohrbach
I believe the positives in his speech for me are that he addressed education, identified jobs as a #1 focus in 2010 and that the troops would be home during his term in office. I also am impressed the addressing of small businesses. I can see where big financial institutions would be negative on Obama’s proposed fees. His comments on change being messy and hard could also be interpreted as negative. I found it a little surprising and somewhat humorous when he addressed both parties and told them to “get along” as a parent would tell 2 children. Personally I liked the spirit of the speech especially reflected in his words towards the end “We don’t quit. I don’t quit.”
ReplyDeleteDarcy Mammenga
I thought President Obama did a pretty good job giving the speech. He really focused on proposing more jobs, which I think is a good thing, and reducing the federal deficit.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't know that much about politics, but I think that Obama made some good points in his speech, and hopefully the changes he wants to see happen will help America gain strength and become a better nation.
I too don't know alot about current politics. I did manage to catch parts of his speech and was impressed to hear about his desire to make higher education more affordable. I am allowing myself to be in debt so I can better provide for my family in the future. Anything to make college more affordable is great. I really hope he can get more Pell grant money for us, because I know the loans are going to kill me once I get working. I did like how he tied the education and workforce together. That's why I'm back in school after an 18 year break. I wasn't able to find work that would make me self-sufficient for my family. I hope his plan and my plan work out in the end.
ReplyDelete'Let's make it about the family, the economy, the lowering of taxes, blah blah blah'. Every State of the Union address we hear these SAME promises of reform and change. Well, as I watched Obama's State of the Union address, I put my brain on autopilot for the portions regarding lower taxes and bettering the economy. We as Americans have heard these promises for far too long, with little to show for them. The only portion of his speech that caught my ear was Obama's promise to make higher education more affordable! Automatically I had hope for my future and the future of this country, until I realized that even if Obama makes higher education more affordable, these reforms may not affect me, I may be out of school (heck, my KIDS may be out of school) before this reform takes effect.
ReplyDelete--Anne Tingley
I have always been a strong believer that raising the moral of a group of people will help improve whatever situation they are in. I cannot say, however, that I still believe this philosophy. Telling us that "There will be difficult days ahead. But I am confident we will succeed" (in referance to the war in the Middle East) without actually giving us an exit plan, or a timeline does not make those of us who actually follow politics believe him blindly.
ReplyDelete"just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership" in referance to the republican party's lack of support of Obama's policies is also an incredible slap in the face and a blatent attempt to discredit seat holders as simply saying no because they are republican. The way the government is divided right now is hardly a bi-partisan system and "saying no to everything" does not mean those representing the opposing view are petulant children stomping their foot and not hearing reason, it means that there IS another view, and it WILL BE represented in the voice of the people.
Writing this review a short time after the speech was given is also interesting in referance to Obama's attitude and attempted moral boost about the Health Reform "Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people". The Health bill is not going through. Its dead in the water. He said that to Time Magazine last week. Too bad empty adjectives dont push faulty bills through. Anyone who has lived in a country with that policy can tell you free health care is a bad deal.
Dear Obama,
I am glad you have "More hope for America than ever before" but you need to choose if you are going to be a figure head feeding us empty promises or the kind of preside who "pushes it through with executive power" if you "have to" because I am slightly sick of pretending to be both. The bank bail outs were as "painful as a root canal" and they did little good (except for the executive families that got the bonuses because you did not follow the money). Please do better in the future. I would like the adjectives I use to describe my country to have a little more meaning then when I hear you use them.
Rebecca M. Bartels
ps - http://videos.nymag.com/video/Michelle-Obama-Explains-How-She#c=DL4C7Q2G7RY4CXK7&t=Michelle%20Obama%20Explains%20How%20She%20Picks%20Out%20Her%20Clothes really? this is what the world is worried about when given a chance to talk to the first lady of the United States of America?
Rebecca M. Bartels
I believed the best part was about the college loans. A lot of people do not go to school cuz they dont believe they can afford it. Or never going to be able to pay everything back. But with this hopefully it helps encourage people to go to college and believe they can do this. And not put so many people into debt afterwards and helps our economy.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama mentioned some matters in his remarks are very positive. He highlighted job creation, college tuition loan, the economy etc. President Obama said: “That is why jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010, and that's why I'm calling for a new jobs bill tonight.” I agree with this statement and believe President Obama is working hard for change. Employment is really a big issue during the financial crisis. Moreover, it’s still very serious so far, one in 10 Americans still cannot find work, many businesses have shuttered, home values have declined, so it is the most important thing we need to solve at present time I think. In addition, President Obama said “And by the way, it's time for colleges and universities to get serious about cutting their own costs” I think this policy has a positive on college students like us. It will facilitate our financial burden and provides more education opportunities for people. Something not so upbeat is the process with this project is too slow. I remember I heard some similar words and promises before, but it has not come true yet. Also, American is deeply involved in debt which is necessary to be improved.
ReplyDeleteRan Zhou