WASHINGTON — Uncompromising and politically emboldened, President Barack Obama urged a deeply divided Congress Tuesday night to embrace his plans to use government money to create jobs and strengthen the nation's middle class. He declared Republican ideas for reducing the deficit "even worse" than the unpalatable deals Washington had to stomach during his first term.
In his first State of the Union address since winning re-election, Obama conceded economic revival is an "unfinished task," but he claimed clear progress and said he was seeking to build on it as he embarks on four more years in office.
"We have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and we can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is strong," Obama said, speaking before a joint session of Congress and a television audience of millions.
In specific proposals for his second term, an assertive Obama called for increased federal spending to fix the nation's roads and bridges, the first increase in the minimum wage in six years and expansion of early education to every American 4-year-old. Seeking to appeal for support from Republicans, he promised that none of his proposals would increase the deficit "by a single dime."
In the Republican response to Obama's address, rising GOP star Marco Rubio of Florida came right back at the president, saying his solution "to virtually every problem we face is for Washington to tax more, borrow more and spend more."
Sen. Rubio, in prepared remarks, said presidents of both parties have recognized that the free enterprise system brings middle-class prosperity.
"But President Obama?" Rubio said. "He believes it's the cause of our problems."
Obama also announced new steps to reduce the U.S. military footprint abroad, with 34,000 American troops withdrawing from Afghanistan within a year. And he had a sharp rebuke for North Korea, which launched a nuclear test just hours before his remarks, saying, "Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only isolate them further."
Despite the pressing foreign policy concerns, jobs and growth dominated Obama's prime-time address, underscoring the degree to which the economy remains a vulnerability for the president and could disrupt his plans for pursuing a broader agenda, including immigration overhaul, stricter gun laws and climate change legislation.
Standing in Obama's way is a Congress that remains nearly as divided as it was during the final years of his first term, when Washington lurched from one crisis to another.
The president implored lawmakers to break through partisan logjams, asserting that "the greatest nation on Earth cannot keep conducting its business by drifting from one manufactured crisis to the next."
"Americans don't expect government to solve every problem," he said. "They do expect us to forge reasonable compromise where we can."
Yet Obama offered few signs of being willing to compromise himself, instead doubling down on his calls to create jobs by spending more government money and insisting that lawmakers pay down the deficit through a combination of targeted spending cuts and tax increases. But he offered few specifics on what he wanted to see cut, focusing instead on the need to protect programs that help the middle class, elderly and poor.
He did reiterate his willingness to tackle entitlement changes, particularly on Medicare, though he has ruled out increasing the eligibility age for the popular benefit program for seniors.
Republicans are ardently opposed to Obama's calls for legislating more tax revenue to reduce the deficit and offset broad the automatic spending cuts — known as the sequester — that are to take effect March 1.
Obama broke little new ground on two agenda items he has pushed vigorously since winning re-election: overhauling the nation's fractured immigration laws and enacting tougher gun control measures in the wake of the horrific massacre of school children in Newtown, Conn. Yet he pressed for urgency on both, calling on Congress to send him an immigration bill "in the next few months" and insisting lawmakers hold votes on his gun proposals.
"Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress," he said. "If you want to vote no, that's your choice."
Numerous lawmakers wore green lapel ribbons in memory of those killed in the December shootings in Connecticut. Among those watching in the House gallery: the parents of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, shot and killed recently in a park just a mile from the president's home in Chicago, as well as other victims of gun violence.
On the economy, Obama called for raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 by 2015. The minimum wage has been stagnant since 2007, and administration officials said the increase would strengthen purchasing power. The president also wants Congress to approve automatic increases in the wage to keep pace with inflation.
Looking for common ground anywhere he could find it, Obama framed his proposal to boost the minimum wage by pointing out that even his GOP presidential rival liked the idea. He said, "Here's an idea that Gov. Romney and I actually agreed on last year: Let's tie the minimum wage to the cost of living, so that it finally becomes a wage you can live on."
Obama also renewed his calls for infrastructure spending, investments he sought repeatedly during his first term with little support from Republicans. He pressed lawmakers to approve a $50 billion "fix it first" program that would address the most urgent infrastructure needs.
Education also figures in Obama's plans to boost American competitiveness in the global economy. Under his proposal, the federal government would help states provide pre-school for all 4-year-olds. Officials did not provide a cost for the pre-school programs but said the government would provide financial incentives to help states.
Among the other initiatives Obama is proposing:
■ A $1 billion plan to create 15 "manufacturing institutes" that would bring together businesses, universities and the government. If Congress opposes the initiative, Obama plans to use his presidential powers to create three institutes on his own.
■ Creation of an "energy security trust" that would use revenue from federal oil and gas leases to support development of clean energy technologies such as biofuels and natural gas
■ Doubling of renewable energy in the U.S. from wind, solar and geothermal sources by 2020.
Tuesday night's address marked Obama's most expansive remarks on the economy since the November election. Since securing a second term, the president has focused more heavily on new domestic policy proposals, including immigration changes and preventing gun violence following the horrific shooting of schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn.
Obama also called on Congress to tackle the threat of climate change, another issue that eluded him in his first term. The president pledged to work with lawmakers to seek bipartisan solutions but said if Capitol Hill doesn't act, he'll order his Cabinet to seek steps he can take using his presidential powers.
Taking a swipe at those who question the threat of global warming, Obama said, "We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science — and act before it's too late."
Marco Island Code Compliance Board
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 37
marcotime writes:
Come on KLAUS.... where is your love for the Great President... I just can't wait to read your nonsense rhetoric, just like the "Great President" words, words, words, rhetoric, words, words, words, more rhetoric
26yearsonmarco writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
KlausStoertebeker writes:
President Barack Obama takes over leadership!
There was an emotional and provocative appearance: in his speech. President Barack Obama on the state of the nation is committed to a left-liberal course. He wants to toughen the weapons law, combat climate change, the national debt crisis.
Fact by fact. Totally new for uncritical Americans. But an enlightenment for responsible and intelligent people very seldom on this blog.
A great moment as he joined Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old girl who was still end of January's on his inauguration in Washington on a dance show - and a week later was shot in Chicago, Illinois. In the public gallery. Hadiyas parents sit up now.
"You deserve a vote," Obama said.
Or of Gabby Gifford's, the former Congressman, who was shot in an assassination attempt in Arizona in the head and just barely survived:
"Gabby Gifford's deserves a vote," President Barack Obama says.
Or the relatives of the victims of the shooting of Connecticut just before Christmas:
"The families of Newtown deserve a vote," President Barack Obama says.
Or the relatives of the victims of the cinema opens from Colorado:
"The families of Aurora deserve a vote," President Barack Obama says.
His goal is very simple but very clear and very necessary. He wants to banish the Republicans in the corner where they belong. Dishonored irresponsible people with no answers to the questions real time asked. Yesterday misfits. Thats all.
The most powerful moment comes to the conclusion. There is completely clear that President Barack Obama is not delivered his speech "State of the Union". But he is speaking to the nation. It is Tuesday night, the President faces the members of Congress. And over 50 million Americans now live watch as he learns the lessons from all the mass-killers, calls for stricter gun laws - and to declare war on the restive Republicans. Of course, with their majority in the House of representatives they can block him. But President Barack Obama clearly now with his speech on the State of the nation once again said, that he finds somewhere else: If necessary with public opinion against the Parliament, or better: the unruly part of the Parliament. In an interview with the magazine "the new Republic" reminded President Barack Obama recently on his great role model, the civil war President, Abraham Lincoln: "I read always much of Lincoln, and I like to remember his saying that there is nothing you can not achieve with public opinion in the back and without getting close."
The great majority of America stays behind this great leader. There is no doubt for me, HE will do it. Republicans are done. Thanks GOD!
But I have a lot of doubts whether this two idiots above understand one word I wrote.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
How shall you by your education level?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
President Barack Obama wants free trade with the European Union. That would promote profitable jobs, the US President said in his State of the nation speech. "I announce that we initiate talks with the European Union with regard to a comprehensive trans-Atlantic trade and investment partnership in the way. "For a free and fair trade across the Atlantic supports millions of well-paying American jobs."
A free trade agreement will affect, for example, protective tariffs, about for vehicles, food and computers. These issues could fall away as a result.
And much better. The protected American industries have to invest in better products, more innovation, better education, strategic marketing and cheaper production lines.
More competition = more competitiveness !
The President will be better and better. From day to day!
marcotime writes:
KLAUS..... yes.... RHETORIC!! My day is now complete to see you speak jargon.. I knew you would show up at some point and keep believing in the words BHO says!! Do yourself a favor... get off the blogs and enjoy what is left of you life. Your opinions and rebuttals just keep waisting your own time!!! Run for Mayor, City Council, anything..but don't push your viewpoints on deaf ears!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"....enjoy what is left of your life"
Of course I enjoy what is left of my life.
Great President Barack Obama for example. He is the guarantor for me and my family that we will do good.
And he is for a better future of America. The best, I am living in this wonderful times. No right wings idiots dominated my future anymore and make my life miserable. Like "W" Bush! Better lifestyle, more income, perfect health-care, safer environment.
What else? And the number of idiots on this blog are decreasing.
marcotime writes:
I'm Glad your personal Scoreboard Says "Me-1, Everyone Else- 0"
RayPray writes:
"A great moment Hadiya Pendleton, was shot in Chicago"
"You deserve a vote," Obama said.
"Gabby Gifford's deserves a vote," President Barack Obama says.
"The families of Newtown deserve a vote," President Barack Obama says.
"The families of Aurora deserve a vote," President Barack Obama says.
How about the people on the OBAMA Kill list, including American citizens exercising the right to criticize....
Before this Nobel Peace Laureate obliterates them from the sky, do they deserve a vote too?
"His goal is very simple but very clear and very necessary. He wants to banish the Republicans in the corner where they belong. Dishonored irresponsible people with no answers to the questions real time asked. Yesterday misfits. Thats all."
>>> Adolph or Uncle Joe would have had no problems agreeing with the Great OBAMA here....
1Paradiselost writes:
To those who want to silence Klaus..
You're the first ones to point out the constitution when it fits your needs. Like you he is exercising his first amendment rights.
Now I will exercise mine... Your a bunch of dumb uneducated red neck racist! You're being lead buy clowns like FOX news and that fat shock jock Rush Limbaugh destroying this country.
It's going to be a long four years for you clowns. I hope you live to see it thru!
Genuine writes:
Perhaps you Obamabots should read the Fact Check report on the SOTU. BS CON 10!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
>>> Adolph or Uncle Joe would have had no problems agreeing with the Great OBAMA here....
.....and Congressman Joseph McCarthy and Governor Wallace too.
PS I guess you mean Adolf!
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Klaus,
we can agree on this..."Republicans are done". What we will never agree on is that government provides better schools, or more efficient business methods. Solyndra comes to mind.
The Republican party is done, toast. The time is now for young conservative politicians to flee the party for the good of the nation and form a Constitution party. Time to throw out the old rotting corpses in DC there for only their own benefit. The constitution got us this far. It can bring us back.
Sadly that won't happen. Obumer and his cronies will just continue to pile more and more debt on our children and grandchildren. Continue taking freedoms from us in the name of "the war on terror" all while the 99% of this country continue to believe that the government is here to help. Nothing could be further from the truth. The FOX news crowd (Republican baby boomers) can't see beyond the Republican party that is now burning to the ground and appears little different from the Obumer party.
If you are in high school or college and reading this, this is your future. A minimum of $50k in student loans, a 50% chance of finding employment, falling incomes, rising interest rates, rising energy prices (gas, electric bills), higher health care cost, higher food cost, no social security, no medicare, no employer pension plan. The real fun begins for you when the realization that social programs need to be cut like disability ins, food stamps, and unemployment. That coupled with a reduction in state, city and county government, police, ems, and fire services should make for interesting times.
But...23% of the nation is illiterate so who cares? Survivor is on!
26yearsonmarco writes:
To WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot:
You hit the nail on the head and I, for one, could not agree more with you comments.
Thank you for speaking up for "We the People".
26yearsonmarco writes:
Now Hear This:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/...
1Paradiselost writes:
Oh no the dumb rednecks educated by FOX news and Rush Limbaugh have spoken!
I would believe this Forbes article below before I would take anything a Fox news watchers writes...
"Who Is The Smallest Government Spender Since Eisenhower? Would You Believe It's Barack Obama"?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar...
KlausStoertebeker writes:
He is. But this small thinking people will never believe. It will not fit THEIR truth.
How stupid they are is, they give Whiskey,Tango..
a big hand. And what did he say. President Barack Obama did good. What a great example of dummy 26yearstolongonmarco how stupid he is.
26yearsonmarco writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
1Paradiselost writes:
26....
You believe in the tooth fairy and leprechauns. That's why you keep posting links to right wing commie sites.
There is are reason why FOX news and the "National Review" are not considered "Main Stream" news outlets.
Unfortunately your part of the 23% in this county which is Illiterate.
BTW that 23% is called the "Republican Base" voter!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
...... illiterat!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
A quick confirmation of the designated Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has failed for the time being hail in the Senate. The Democrats could reach not the necessary 60 votes Thursday in Washington, to the blockage of the Republicans by speeches of duration of, to ending the so-called filibuster. They came in matching only 58 of the 100 votes.
The reaction of perennial losers!
From today on I will call Republicans unpatriotic. They will serve themselves! Never their country.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
To Klaus and 1PL,
I will issue a challenge. We go to the SSA office in Naples. We observe for 1 hour. If 51% of the people that enter are under 50 years old, you buy me a 12 pack of the beverage of my choice. If 51% of the people are 50+ I buy a 12 pack of your choice. Note that I'm issuing this challenge at the peak of season here. I know I will win!
Let me know what day you are available.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
I forgot one other point. The 23% of illiterates will be found entering the SSA office that day. And they all voted for Obumer. I guarantee it! Nobody with half a brain watched the SOTU by Obumer and believed that crap. The lies were blatant. The story nothing more than unicorns shi!!ing skittles!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Great idea! But I bet you 87% of them are black. The results of the politics of "W" Bush. The biggest discrimination politics
ever. No chances for minorities.
24 bottle of Yuenglings.OK?
1Paradiselost writes:
FACT: Red (Republican) states have the most Illiterate Americans!
FACT: Blue (Democrat) States have the most educated Americans!
The link below is from FOX BUSINESS.. Your news source.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-f...
I don't have time to educate you, It would take years, & your to stubborn to learn.
So let me repeat..... Unfortunately your part of the 23% in this county which is Illiterate.
BTW.. that 23% is called the "Republican Base" voter!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
BTW.. that 23% is called the "Republican Base" voter!
Because they can not understand the Republican BS.
They believed Mitt the loser Romney takes care of them:
''I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there.'' —Mitt Romney, following his Florida primary victory
Some questions why he loss by a landslide?
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
By the way. Obumer is killing it!! The economy that is. Walmart gives us confirmation. http://www.businessinsider.com/walmar...
Walmart is. In my opinion. A bellwether.
BI, is, by the way, a liberal rag. But it has pretty pictures and is easy to read for the semi illiterate.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"It doesn't matter what color you are! Hasn't Obumer taught you anything? This is America! The land of Equality. No matter of color, race, or creed!"
Do you really believe this nonsense?
Did you never read all the blogs here called me Nazi just because believing I am German?
Did you never read islandeye called President Barack Obama BOY? Or racist rolokot. Used the n-word several times!
America is the land of small thinking bourgeois believing they are the center of the world. The center of the world is in the meantime more in China or in Germany than in America. By your own words: 27% illiterate.
.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"You and Klaus should go live on the West side of Chicago with the rest of your "Blue State" homies!"
NO! I love a NO CRIME destination because the Sheriff takes care of me. And the weather in Chicago is terrible.
ajm3s writes:
Wow! You are now referencing FOX as a source to support facts!...while condemning its viewership in a past post.
I believe with enough time, I could convince you that FOX is a good source irregardless of viewership makeup.
Welcome to the family!!! But I am more of a South Park type.
http://www.omg-facts.com/Celebs/Fox-T...
KlausStoertebeker writes:
I like number 3. License plates as information source. Big brother is watching you. A real American invention.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Klaus,
It doesn't matter what color you are! Hasn't Obumer taught you anything? This is America! The land of Equality. No matter of color, race, or creed!"
Look how naive you are. It needed a President UKAS to make everybody equal:
The President Barack Obama administration’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says it should be a federal crime to refuse to hire ex-convicts — and threatens to sue businesses that don’t employ criminals.
Read Latest Breaking News from
Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/eeoc...
ajm3s writes:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index....
KlausStoertebeker writes:
ajm3 - I can and will not believe that a man with your thoughts will support the subjects of this article.
Even the facts are NO facts:
"While these might not be on board with the “fundamental transformation” as referenced by candidate Obama in 2008 (his being a dedicated Marxist and all), they are indeed working in concert with Democrats to bring about a monolithic socialist state."
I have no idea HOW somebody can come even close to the conclusion that President Barack Obama is a dedicated Marxist!
I never read a program of President Barack Obama or the democratic party that is even close to the communist manifesto of Marx and Engels. Have you a lack of history knowledges?
And the wording of this article is terrible and an insult to the American people:
"Like the decision of Ohio Governor John Kasich to accept Obamacare funding to expand his state’s Medicaid program. There are few acts that could be viewed more readily as capitulation to the Obama regime than this. Informed conservatives and libertarians have been aware that Obamacare is the death knell for liberty in America since before it was passed into law.:
Obama REGIME! Like Hitler REGIME! Pinochet REGIME! Stalin REGIME! Castro Regime?
Give me a break. This wording is deepest NAZI propaganda and even for Canada undeservingly!!!
"Death knell for liberty in America?????"
President Barack Obama has 4 successful years in office behind. Where is Americas liberty in danger? Can you not express your opinion anymore? Is somebody telling you you can not travel the world anymore? Have you a censorship at TV?
Maybe MICA did not allowed you to build a mini golf facility on Marco Island. But has that something to do with your liberty?
This entire article is lowest level. I have no idea, WHY you promote it.
And please tell me, that you are not agree!
ajm3s writes:
I do not believe I would consider myself as extreme as expressed by the author, but I support the author's and WTF's comment that the Republican Party may be dying as supported by the author's listing of staunch conservative Republicans that now support programs they originally deemed as liberal to Marxist. Consider:
"Like the decision of Ohio Governor John Kasich to accept Obamacare funding to expand his state’s Medicaid program. There are few acts that could be viewed more readily as capitulation to the Obama regime than this."
This was the extent of my rationale for posting this article in which the author makes a good case pointing out the Republican Party as a subset of the Democratic party rather than an alternate and opposing view of the government's role in our lives.
As you know, I disagree with 95% of Obama's policies, because I believe in diversity of opportunity NOT government programs to direct opportunity where it seems fit under the banner of social justice or government "investment".
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Over all my feelings calming down by your above statements. Of course we are disagree about real time politics designed by irresponsible politicians.. But I am not sure whether you can blame President Barack Obama for this unless you consider the past of America.
Take the major downfall of Detroit. Will you really tell me that a Republican President did different decisions like President Barack Obama? Of course not. And if I take your arguments about believing in diversity, you will not tell me that you support a bankruptcy
of GM, Chrysler and Ford with all consequences.
The November result is not the landslide win of President Barack Obama, it is the ongoing imaginativeness of Republican politicians.
Be fair. President Barack Obama is light years away to be a Marxist. But it is anytime interesting share opinions with you.
Have a nice Sunday.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.