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The Spectacle Blog
I just sat through President Obama’s SOTU address. Aside from the fact that the Democrats didn’t seem to enjoy being there any more than the Republicans, the address begged a number of different questions. If I had an audience with President Obama here are twelve questions I might pose to him.
1. If the Taliban has been defeated in Afghanistan then why is your Administration seeking to negotiate with them?
2. If our economy is tied to unstable parts of the world then why reject the Keystone XL Pipeline? Is Canada an unfriendly nation?
3. If the policies of the Bush Administration left us saddled with debt how come your policies have nearly doubled the debt in just over three years?
4. You decry obstructionism by Republicans in the House of Representatives. Yet why haven’t you criticized the Democrat controlled Senate for not having passed a budget in over 1,000 days?
5. If you want the states to assume greater responsibility for education then why not abolish the Department of Education?
6. You claim that your administration has put more boots on the ground on our border with Mexico resulting in fewer illegal crossings. Isn’t it true that illegal immigration has declined primarily because of the recession?
7. Why do you want to put U.S. Navy in charge of supplying clean energy?
8. You declared there were to be “no bailouts, handouts or cop outs.” Wasn’t the stimulus little more than series of bailouts, handouts and cop outs?
9. You stated you wanted new regulations to prevent people who bundle campaign contributions to lobby Congress. Will they also be prevented from lobbying the White House?
10. You stated you wanted to lower the temperature in Washington. How does telling people Republicans want sicker people and dirtier air lower the temperature in Washington or anywhere else?
11. You claim your administration has united the world against Iran. If you have united the world againt Iran then how do you explain the continued opposition of Russia and China to tougher sanctions against the Iranian regime?
12. You claim your administration has closer military co-operation with Israel than ever before. So why did you cancel a joint military exercise with Israel after Iran threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz?
Bulbul| 1.24.12 @ 10:55PM
Barack Obama vowed to launch $1 billion campaign against GOP for his re-election bid and the SOU address was part of his campaign. He provided no solutions, except his class warfare rhetoric, antagonizing the American people and pondering to his liberal base.
Obama is a liar and is doomed.
Clint| 1.24.12 @ 11:12PM
Follow Obama's Money Trail.
" Obama has brought in more money from employees of banks, hedge funds and other financial service companies than all of the GOP candidates combined, according to a Washington Post analysis of contribution data. The numbers show that Obama retains a persistent reservoir of support among Democratic financiers."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In Florida.
Kingofthenet| 1.24.12 @ 11:14PM
The 30% MINIMUM tax rate for the Rich is going to resonate...
BTW: Who say's you can't structure Tax Rates for the RICH, without raising Capital Gains on the Middle Class or the Poor? Why Not? And Here we go....IF you make over One million in Capital Gains your tax rate is 30%,less it is 15% why wouldn't that be legal and Moral?
Mike 3/505| 1.24.12 @ 11:59PM
"why wouldn't that be legal and Moral?"
Because it violates equal protection. Actually the progressive tax rate we have right now are immoral. If you really want to get down to brass tacks...paying a percentage of anything as income tax is immoral. I don't pay a different price for a loaf of bread than Buffet does. Why do I have to pay more or less for the same government service?
JoSCh| 1.25.12 @ 12:02PM
"Why do I have to pay more or less for the same government service?"
Roads enable the poor person to catch a bus to work, a middle class person to drive to work, and a Sam Walton's family to distribute product nationwide. You really think that they're all getting the same service?
A flat tax is naturally regressive due to the utility value of a dollar. It's not a difficult concept.
ayrnieu| 1.24.12 @ 11:14PM
My questions:
1.This is a campaign speech; where's the State of the Union?
2. Why can't the Republicans walk out? "Sorry, we thought this was the President's State of the Union address."
fckewe| 1.25.12 @ 3:08AM
The Sate of the Union SI that the President is still asking Congress to DO their JOB!
It would be an abdication in front of the voters. They would get creamed in November.
Clint| 1.24.12 @ 11:28PM
" With Alito missing, and with Justices Scalia and Thomas having not attended in recent years (Scalia even going as far as calling the whole event a “juvenile spectacle”), all eyes then turn to Justices Roberts and Kennedy. To heighten the intrigue about whether Roberts will attend, last March he said, “to the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I’m not sure why we’re there.”
I Believe Only Five Supremes Even Bothered To Attend This Shuck & Jive Bloviation By Obama.
Lesser Weevil| 1.24.12 @ 11:30PM
I'm amazed that you could bear to watch, Aaron, and even paid attention. I'd be strongly inclined to vote for any candidate who promised to go back to sending it to Congress in writing.
Kingofthenet| 1.24.12 @ 11:54PM
Why can't we make the JUST the rich pay more in various taxes INCLUDING Capital Gains, I thought that was our Progressive Tax System was all about?
George S| 1.25.12 @ 12:14AM
Why do you care... how would that make your life better?
SCPOret| 1.25.12 @ 2:09AM
Why don't those "rich" people who don't think they pay enough simply stroke a check for what they think would be their fair share? Besides if Obama took 100% of what the "rich" make it wouldn't keep the government operating for a week. Who do you think he will come after then?
Why should the rich pay more? Why not have a flat 10% income tax with no deductions. And while you're at it, eliminate withholding all together. Now when you get paid you look at your check and pay 10% to the government. It will be fair so will satisfy the presidents need for fairness. It will be progressive because the more you earn the more you pay. Simplified tax form, simplified tax laws, no more going to a tax preparer because you can figure your own taxes. No more waiting on your tax return check because thre won't be one. And no more refunds to those who didn't pay in, in the first place
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 2:33AM
this 10% which will PAY for the Fed. is I imagine pulled out of your ass?
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 2:39AM
Not to mention with no withholding, you would need to hire a MONSTER number of IRS Enforcers to collect even that? Do you live in the real world? Or is it ALWAYS Make-Believe where you are?
fckewe| 1.25.12 @ 3:06AM
withholding is a regular cashflow that keeps the Government payments going out on time. I like a 10% tax, with support for those making less than full time minimum wage. When companies like Walmart only hire part timers to save on benefits... they are paying poverty wages.
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 3:37AM
OK, I get the part timer issue, but how is that going to pay the bills in ANY reality? Without gutting ALL the Govt close to 70%?
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 12:16AM
Why can't we charge JUST the wealthy a hefty tax on Capital Gains? Isn't that the Basis of the Progressive Tax System?
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 12:23AM
How does making money on stock(Capital Gains) create jobs? (More than investing in LOCAL businesses)
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 12:36AM
How is it that Capital Gains,(Buying stock and making a profit) helps AMERICA Create Jobs...But investing in local businesses (i.e spending money) apparently does nothing?
WMPenn| 1.25.12 @ 2:09AM
Can't argue with most of the author's points, except:
6. Technically yes the weaker economy has "scared away" some illegals but not only has the Prez added more troops to the border, his administration has deported more illegals in 3+ years than Bush's 2 terms. Overall tho, Prez's performance on immigration is still mixed.
12. According to the Pentagon, the administration did not ask for the exercise to be cancelled. There are conflicting reports coming out of Israel about why it was cancelled or by whom. Therefore it isn't fair to accuse the administration of doing so when there is no solid evidence to back it up.
fckewe| 1.25.12 @ 3:03AM
Should Mitt Romney get another tax cut?
fckewe| 1.25.12 @ 3:02AM
1. If the Taliban has been defeated in Afghanistan then why is your Administration seeking to negotiate with them? WE ARE NOT. THAT'S FOXCRAP.
2. If our economy is tied to unstable parts of the world then why reject the Keystone XL Pipeline? Is Canada an unfriendly nation? BECAUSE IT IS AN OBSOLETE PLAN THAT NEEDS MODERNIZATION TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY UPGRADED.
3. If the policies of the Bush Administration left us saddled with debt how come your policies have nearly doubled the debt in just over three years? INTEREST ON THE BUSH 10 TRILLION IS ABOUT 1.75 TRILLION.
4. You decry obstructionism by Republicans in the House of Representatives. Yet why haven't you criticized the Democrat controlled Senate for not having passed a budget in over 1,000 days? HAHAHAHAHAHA HOW DOES GOVERNMENT FUNCTION WITHOUT A BUDGET TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENTS? YOU ARE SOOO FULL OF SHIT.
5. If you want the states to assume greater responsibility for education then why not abolish the Department of Education? TO KEEP PLACES LIKE ARIZONA FROM SEGREGATION.
6. You claim that your administration has put more boots on the ground on our border with Mexico resulting in fewer illegal crossings. Isn't it true that illegal immigration has declined primarily because of the recession? MORE LIKELY BECAUSE THEIR IS MORE THAN A WALL NOW PROTECTING US.
7. Why do you want to put U.S. Navy in charge of supplying clean energy? WHAT GARBAGE IS THIS?
8. You declared there were to be "no bailouts, handouts or cop outs." Wasn't the stimulus little more than series of bailouts, handouts and cop outs? THE STIMULUS WAS 1/3 TAX CUTS, BUT MOSTLY CONSTRUCTION AND BRIDGE LOANS.
9. You stated you wanted new regulations to prevent people who bundle campaign contributions to lobby Congress. Will they also be prevented from lobbying the White House? SPENDING ORIGINATES AND IS DIRECTED FROM THE HOUSE. CORRUPTION IS WHERE THE MONEY IS. IT EXPLAINS JOHN BOENHERS NEW FOUND WEALTH.
10. You stated you wanted to lower the temperature in Washington. How does telling people Republicans want sicker people and dirtier air lower the temperature in Washington or anywhere else? REPUBLICANS ADMITTING THEY ARE THE PROBLEM WILL LOWER THE TEMPERATURE.
11. You claim your administration has united the world against Iran. If you have united the world againt Iran then how do you explain the continued opposition of Russia and China to tougher sanctions against the Iranian regime? BECAUSE R & C ARE IRANS ONLY TRADING PARTNER AND THE MAJOR SUPPLIER OF OIL.
12. You claim your administration has closer military co-operation with Israel than ever before. So why did you cancel a joint military exercise with Israel after Iran threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz? TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE.
Question for you: If RED party stagnation cost America it's AAA credit rating, how far into the B's do you want it to sink before you admit a RED party solution of obstructionism is a mistake?
Kingofthenet| 1.25.12 @ 3:49AM
A speech like this exemplifies why the President IS the President. Can you imagine Mitt or Newt EVER doing better?
JimH| 1.25.12 @ 7:38AM
Problem is, the union the One is working for is the SEIU.
1ConservativeUSA| 1.25.12 @ 10:09AM
Here is one more:
You claim that Warren Buffet's secretary pays a higher tax rate than Warren Buffet. Yet, unless you are that ignorant of our current tax laws, which double tax dividends and the capital used to produce long term capital gains, each at 35% + 15%, you know this is false.
Why do you continue to lie to the American people?