Despite Economic Hardships, State of the Union Remains Strong

In just over 70 minutes, with 86 breaks for applause, President Barack Obama used his first State of the Union to reassure Americans that things are not as bad as they seem, and that he is hopeful for the country’s future.

The main theme of the speech was the lack of trust in government. Numerous times, Obama mentioned the “deficit of trust” citizens have in the government. The president cited the media and partisan bickering in Washington as the reason there is “so much cynicism…so much disappointment” amongst the people.

The president started his speech by addressing the economic hardships facing the nation. He said that most of the money given as bailouts to banks had been recovered, and that to recover the rest, he would call for increased payments from the largest banks. If they can afford to give out bonuses, Obama said, they can afford to give more money back.
Later, he proposed a three-year spending freeze on government spending starting in 2011. Medicare, Medicaid, social security, and national defense spending would not be affected.

He also announced his main initiative for 2010: jobs. He called for a jobs initiative package to be on his desk “soon.” “I do not accept second place for the United States” when it comes to job creation, he said.

The most obvious partisan divides came during the section on energy. Republicans stood when Obama mentioned searching for new sources of oil, and offshore drilling. Democrats jumped up when Obama mentioned a clean energy bill. The president also mentioned increasing US exports, and engaging in new global trade agreements.

Education was another key issue for the president. He said that no person could be forever in debt because they chose to go to college. Therefore, he proposed a $10,000 tax credit for four years of college, and an increase in Pell grants. He also proposed capping student loan payments at 10% of a person’s income, and forgiving debt after 20 years. That time would be cut in half if a student chose to go into government work.

Obama did not forget the pressing issue of health care reform. He said he did not choose to tackle the issue because it was politically popular, but because it was necessary. He says he welcomes other ideas for reform, but “will not walk away” from Americans who do not have health care.

He also did not abandon his promise of transparence, calling for a new requirement that would force lobbyists to post online any contacts they make with members of congress, or his administration.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of his speech was during his section on equality. Obama mentioned his fight for equal employment and pay, and then called on congress to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a policy that prevents gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military.

He also addressed security in the wake of the Christmas Day attempted plane bombing, saying his administration had filled holes found by the even. He also said Iran would face increasing “consequences” for pursuing nuclear weapons.

“America must always stand on the side of freedom and human dignity,” Obama said. He called on Americans to continue forward, despite a difficult year, and carry on the ideas of America ending, as presidents always do, “God bless America.”

Tired of the System

I am tired of the system.

In 2010 and 2012, I am voting for anyone without an i next to their name.

Im tired of rich folk and career politicians deciding what is best for me.

Remember that whole "By the People For the People" thing? Well, you're not living up to your end of the bargain Washington.

I am tired of Republicans not fighting anything. Just letting everything go so in 2010 and 2012 they can just say "pfshh it wasnt us" and get re-elected.

This isnt a game Washington. This is our lives. You treat this country and the people in it like pawns in your own selfish game. You seek only to further your own self and agenda, not do the job to which you were elected: to represent the interests and feelings of those who elected you.

But the tide is changing. People are standing up and demanding actions. They are demanding to see the change that was promised to them.

Because that "politics as usual" you promised to get rid of is still alive and strong.

Thank goodness there is Glenn Beck. Someone who feels the same anger as the people and has the ability to be heard. He's not afraid to be locked up for what he says, because it is the truth as he sees it. His montra: Question with boldness. Hold to the truth. Speak without fear. It is one I have tried to adopt as my own, the best that I can.

I want to fight the system, to point out its wrongs, to help enact change that will better the country I love. But I'm getting tired and discouraged. I don't have the ability to do it all, and I want so badly to be able to. I don't know how people like Beck do it everyday AND deal with all of the hate and threats that come their way.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this. I know I'm not cut out for politics, but I thought I could fight the system- report on it and expose its corruption. Maybe not. Maybe I need a break from it for a while.

So if you don't hear from me for a while, I am not gone forever. I am just recharging. I may not be fighting the battles, but I am preparing for the war.

A Woman Without A Party

Like many Americans, I have recently been reevaluating my political stance.

No, my views are not changing.

But my party is.

I am now a woman without a party.

Ronald Reagan famously said, "I didn't leave the democratic party. The democratic party left me." And I'm feeling the same way, but about the republican party.

I was under the impression that the republican party was for limited government. I guess I was wrong. They are for limited government...except when it comes to personal issues. The party is staunchly against gay marriage and abortion. Personally, I have absolutely no problem with gay rights. How does it affect me if two people of the same gender love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together? it doesn't. So why not allow it?

When it comes to abortion, I think it should be left up to the states, like the constitution says (the same with gay marriage). I don't like the idea of killing babies, but I don't like the idea of the government controlling people's bodies either.

However, fiscally and foreign policy, I am right with the republicans. Maybe I'm not "religious" enough for them. I dunno. For now, I'm in search of a party. I don't know if I want to continue going to College Republican meetings. They're so gung-ho for republican ideals and principles, when I no longer am.

So I am posting this note as a classified ad: Desperately Seeking Political Party. Must accept my views, even if you don't agree with them.

Spreading the Wealth One Thread At A Time

The first thread I will write about involves President Obama and his spreading the wealth. Let me refresh you on the first instance of this concept with then-Senator Obama and a guy by the name of Joe the Plumber:

Obama: Because my attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody. If you've got a plumbing business, you're gonna be better off if you've got a whole bunch of customers who can afford to hire you. And right now, everybody's so pinched that business is bad for everybody. And I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.

Many have argued that this is a fluke or a misstatement, or a non-issue. But I'm taking the president at his word when he says to look to those he surrounds himself with to figure out his ideals and policies. Thus, I bring to you President Obama and Social Justice!

The concept of social justice is one used mainly by the left. it is used in reference to a society that has a large gap between economic classes. The idea of social justice is to bring the lowest class closer to the highest by taking from the highest and giving to the lowest.

Sound like spreading the wealth around?

This term shows up in the mission statements of several groups the president has associated himself with, or have associated themselves with him. The Service Employees International Union, commonly known as SEIU,states in its code of ethics that it is "committed to pursuing justice for all, and in particular to bringing economic and social justice to the most exploited."

Obama has spoken at the last SEIU convention, and they openly are working with the administration and were vocal supporters of the president during the campaign.

The ever popular Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has similar goals. It says on its website that it is made up primarily of low to middle income people and says it is a non-profit, non-partisan "social justice organization."

And both ACORN and SEIU receive funding from the complex organization called the TIDES Foundation. TIDES is basically a middle-man. People give money to TIDES so it is anonymously given to other organizations. That way, people can fund whatever cause they want, but it is not known. On its site, the organizations says it aims to promote "economic justice" TIDES also believes in funding from "bottom to top and from side-to-side." That policy sounds a lot like what the president proposed, doesn't it?


So, if we do as the president says, we have learned that the president has been associated with groups that have set out to take from the rich and give to the poor. To create a more equal economic society by punishing success.This information isn't hidden. Quite the opposite, it is readily available on all these organizations websites. Their ties to the president are no secret either. Which makes it even more puzzling why no one has picked up on it yet.

The other threads are just as obvious. More on those in due time.

These Are the Times That Try Men's Souls

Things have taken an interesting turn in America.

The public that was so enamored by President Obama from around October to March has started to wake up.

They notice that the change they voted for is not the change they are getting.

They see out-of-control spending and a health care bill that is 1000 pages, that no one has read, and could potentially lead to rationing of medicine.

And they don't seem to want to take it anymore.

I've taken a cue from a fellow broadcaster and am pulling the threads. Some are threads I have gotten from him, others I have found on my own, and some are the same, I'm just pulling a little harder.

Very soon, hopefully, the entire sweater will unravel.

I have for several years now identified myself as a republican. I believed that my party was the one that would keep America safe, would shrink government, and would uphold the Constitution and defend liberty at all costs.

These days, I feel an awful lot like Ronal Reagan when he said he didn't leave the Democrat party, the party left him.

Democrats and liberals are putting our nation on a jet plain to socialism. Republicans are just sitting back, so that in two years they can say "I told you so!" in hopes that they will get reelected or claim spots from the other party.

The president is holding himself up on vacation or in the White House, surrounded by yes men, self-proclaimed communists, and schemers who seek to enact their own vision of what America should be, and seek to create and use crises to make that change happen.

I sound very much like that broadcaster I mentioned earlier, and that is intended. It is not plagiarism, copying, or imitating. It is purely the same motivation and need to bring these things to people's attentions in order to preserve the country we both hold dear.

A very wise man one said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is a natural manure." It is not a violent war to which he spoke. No muskets or bayonets need be used to shed this blood. No, the weapons to be used are pens and paper, cell phones and video cameras, words and ideas.

The blood that shall be spilt will not be the blood of anyone, merely the flock of politicians ripped from the jobs to which they so desperately cling. It will be the men and women who disposed of their morals, values, principles, and ideals in order to obtain what little power they perceive to have.

Unfortunately, they fail to realize that they are merely puppets attached to the strings of special interests, major companies, and the men behind the curtain. What few realize it, and did not sell their souls are few and far between, and their cries cannot be heard above the roar of the majority.

If I am right in what I believe, i cannot win. America will sink into a socialistic state where capitalism, free market, free speech, and dissent are gone. All of the ideal and work the founding fathers put into making this country the great nation it has become will have been for naught, in vain. If I am wrong? I loose credibility at age 21 and will be outcast from the journalistic world I am studying to become a part of. Oh well. I doubt anyone gave any credibility to me to begin with. And I was planning to go to law school anyway, so a change in career is not that difficult.

But you know what? It's ok. I have no problem loosing what little I have by speaking up for what I believe. For seeking the truth where no one else wants to look. For questioning the government and those in it, and for trying to preserve this nation and its founding ideals.

So, it is up to us. People like me and my fellow broadcaster. People like you and your friends. We have nothing to loose, and everything to gain. Please seek the truth on your own. Look for answers. Ask questions. Do not sit back while decisions that affect your life are made for you.

And if we all go down, it won't have been without a fight.

Town Hall Sparks Debate, Discussion

The Democratic National Party's statement that the "angry mobs" at town hall events were all taking orders from the Republican Party was proved wrong Monday night.

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Mcallister meeting rooms of the Tippecanoe County Library's downtown branch Monday night for a town hall meeting on the proposed health care bill.

Most in attendance were against the bill, sparking up conversations with those around them before the meeting began. Those who came ranged from toddlers to the elderly.

The man speaker of the even was Donn Brown, a member of the group Citizens in Action. Brown discussed how he sees the bill as not a health care bill, but a taking away of freedoms.

He started the meeting with the Pledge of Alligance, then launched into hand-raising questions such as if those in attendance believed in the constitution and if they supported the bill.

Isabel Hogue, an insurance agent, also spoke. She gave the croud a history of the insurance industry and explained how it functions. She told the crowd that a large reason for the rise in health care costs is because no one knows how much it actually costs, as all they pay are copays, saying a government-run system would just cause more hassle and higher costs.

Before the question and answer session could begin, an audience member shouted out "Do you have insurance?" to Brown, who replied that he did. The person then began yelling back, which caused Brown to tell the crowd that the meeting would end if there was disruptive behavior "like you see on tv."

The warning did not stop anyone. During the question and answer session, many who support President Obama took to yelling at those who oppose him, and at Brown. One man walked out after Brown said someone else's health care was not his responsibility and did not allow the man to continue interrupting the questions.

Near the meeting's end, Brown had Ashley Freije speak to the crowd. Freije, 21, said she had read the entire health care bill, and told the crowd some items she found of interest, such as tax hikes and information gathering techniques, that were not in the group's meeting notes.

Brown ended the meeting by asking everyone to contact their congressmen and tell them to oppose the bill. He also encouraged people to call state officials and congressmen from other states and districts.

Citizens in Action will hold another town hall meeting Tuesday night at the Klondike branch of the Tippecanoe County Public Library.