What will we see in tonight's Presidential State of the Union address ? You know, the annual 'dog and pony' show.
What gets me is that Nobama never tells it like it is. He just cheer leads what he has done (with vague/exaggerated examples) and showcases what he wants to do. Campaign rhetoric bull zhit. How would you describe the state of our union ?
My first thought is that it is polarized. I have never before seen it so bitterly divided. Not just politically divided but largely so. Class and income divisions abound.Which leads to my second thought of the union being in trouble. I suppose every area of gooberment policy must be considered.
Do you trust the government ? Not me. Adding insult to injury they don't trust me either. The NSA spying on citizens is deeply troubling to me. The political usage of the IRS is also. The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, lying to Congress, . Do you trust politicians ?
The economy ? Our regime proclaims (see my 'trust the gooberment' thoughts) the economy is recovering and touts the jobs it has created. Bullzhit. The economy was gonna improve as a matter of ... umm ... the nature of it. Just as a burned out field or forest rejuvinates. Again with the issue of trust, the numbers we get from the government are bullzhit. Such as the unemployment figures and the inflation figures. The economy sucks and there are no programs in place to improve it other than spending borrowed money, . Don't get me started on 'regulation nation'.
Foreign policy and our standing in the world ? Pitiful pitiful pitiful.
Domestic policy ? We have gone from "we the people" to being a ruled class. Second class citizens below special interest politicians.
Your thoughts ?
Here is a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll about the state of the union.

quote [b]Pessimism defines the state of the union Yet perhaps Obama’s biggest challenge will be addressing a public that remains sour about the economy and the state of American politics. Politico's Manu Raju, NBC's Kasie Hunt, and the Rothenberg Political Report's Nathan Gonzales join Chuck Todd to discuss the upcoming State of the Union and the RNC's winter meeting. Only 28 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction, while 63 percent say it’s on the wrong track. What’s more, 71 percent are dissatisfied with the state of the economy (although more than 60 percent say they’re satisfied with their own financial situation). Advertise | AdChoices And when respondents were asked which one or two words best describe the current state of the nation, the top answers were all negative: “divided” (37 percent), “troubled” (23 percent), and “deteriorating” (21 percent). Those answers were followed by “recovering” (19 percent), “broken” (14 percent), and “hopeful” (13 percent). And just 3 percent of all respondents picked “strong.”

I have heard it opined that this State of the Union will be a rally cry to the Dumbocrtaic base, to help the 2014 elections. I believe this to be true. I heard that he is gonna replace the 'income inequality" mantra with 'ladders of opportunity' for his class warfare approach to getting votes. Ladders of opportunity ? Really ? Only political donors get ladders of opportunity from government.

I am going to skip it and do something useful, which is about anything but listen to him.

Latest slice piled on top of this sh*t sandwich.
How do you feel about thisstuff

Transparent government
State of the Public Education System
Race Relations

America being knocked down to size. Torn apart.

What gets me is that I believe this guy doesn't believe America is the best, and even if that is true, you are supposed to boost up your damn team! Not everybody gets a trophy, and not everyone can be "at the top", but if you don't encourage folks to keep looking up, they're just gonna aim lower and lower...but to some, that's alright.
At least half of the country is perfectly OK with this.

Funny, I spent a little time today arguing with someone who said Nasa and all this science research has been pointless, that we sould fix the problems down here first, but I believe that the majority of the problems down here are unfixable because they are, deep down HUMAN problems. You could say too many are 'lazy' (no matter their background, their upbringing, deep down, they are too lazy to do even the bare minimum to rasie themselves up, because then the teat would go away...but it's not that simple, because those that DO try to rise up, and the teat gets removed, are left in a state where if/when they fall, there is no parachute to help them, because that aid was removed, now that they no longer need that help. So yeah, they are stuck.

Just tired of the victm mentality, though.

If there was a free course which would help you to "better yourself", how many would sign up? Even if it meant you didn't need to go to work, but would get paid for your time.

I just keep thinking about those doves from, the other day.... that whenever you let down your guard, you will be eaten by those who kept their talons.

Plants evolved thorns. How/why? Because even with their limited intelligence, they realized a need for defense. Becuase without them, they would not survive.

But this political stuff is nothing new. I'll miss this crap tonight, I'll be at a meeting discussing how we can raise at least a few of our offspring with more logic and common sense than the majority of the herd of mediocrity.

When we continue casually accept mediocrity, we sink lower. I 'get' the need to do this ocassionally, but it's like when people on a diet "cheat" a little here and there, throughout the day, a nibble of this, of that, and end up nibbling on over 1,000 of CRAP.

I'm no angel.
I'm filled with falsehoods, false beliefs, what's in my head(right or wrong) gets me through the day. But I'll be damned to pollute the next generation with it just because it was done to me. That's effed up.

Tomorrow, I'm sure I'll catch the "colorful" crap which emenates from this guy's pie hole tonight tomorrow, whether I want to or not.
Lunchtime rant over, hmmm, maybe I should have eaten somethin' (other then my own bile)

My counter speech....

Fellow Americans, the state of the nation sucks at this time, as much as it did 5 years ago, and for the next 3 years. Thank you and have a good evening.

I just saw that as part of the State of the Union address there is also going to be several anti-Canada / Keystone XL ads running trying to tie our Conservative Government to China. Well, fark you guys. We are not the ones going down a road to Communism.

If nothing else, I hope his executive decision to force a minimum wage increase on businesses has such an adverse affect as to finally bankrupt your country. Your government is already morally bankrupt, might as well be financially as well. At least then it would stop your country from committing acts of industrial espionage and spying on the rest of the free world.

Enjoy your slide to mediocrity. I remember back when the US had dreams, put men on the moon, and did great things. If there was a bar fight, he was the guy you wanted on your side. Now he is the untrustworthy guy you have to keep an eye on, for fear he will stab you in the back or steal your wallet when your not looking.

[This message has been edited by loafer87gt (edited 01-28-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: I am going to skip it and do something useful, which is about anything but listen to him.

If you like college hoops, Michigan State is playing at Iowa tonight, that's what I am watching

I'd be willing to bet that he's going to say that everything is getting better (because of his policies) and will continue to get better over time (because of his policies) despite the other side refusing to work with him on ____________.

Add something about Obamacare saving X number of lives.

Brad

I doubt that he will mention how his policies have helped increase the wealth of the investor class while reducing income for those who work or why big business and government are becoming more cozy.

I didn't like it. I thought it was vague and vapid.

Sometimes, I'm REALLY glad I don't have TV.

And this week, he will be speaking from my old high school. Not open to the public, of course.

Zero ****s given.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs...the-union-proposals/

Now that the annual ritualistic State of the Union address is here again, it's worth taking a look at what the Union has managed to accomplish in the last year, according to the blueprint President Obama laid out in his 2013 address.

Spoiler alert: not very much.

Even Obama acknowledges that 2013 wasn't particularly productive. Even before the final quarter of the year was effectively nullified by a combination of a government shutdown and the flawed roll-out of his own health care law, little had been accomplished.

There is the obvious: gun control, entitlement reform, and immigration, all of which ultimately went nowhere. But many may not even remember a slew of proposals that briefly had their day in the sun during the State of the Union Address circa February 2013.

RELATED: State of the Union Designated Survivor Demystified

The White House created this handy info graphic to explain the president's proposal to use oil and gas revenue to create energy security trust.

A few months later, however, that plan began collecting dust.

To be sure, much of Obama's agenda as outlined in last year's speech was at the mercy of Congress' whims, which explains why this year, the White House has signaled that Obama will propose sidestepping Congress altogether.

But more critically, the long list of unfinished business in last year's state of the union is a cautionary tale against putting too much stock in a single speech-particularly while government is still divided between the two parties.

Much of Obama's agenda made its way partly through the political system- passing through the Democratic Senate with the executive's endorsement- but stalled the Republican House of Representatives.

Here's the full scorecard of Obama's last State of the Union Address. All quotes are taken from the president's address, as delivered:

Entitlement reform
"On Medicare, I'm prepared to enact reforms that will achieve the same amount of health care savings by the beginning of the next decade as the reforms proposed by the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission."

Progress: none

Tax reform
"Now is our best chance for bipartisan, comprehensive tax reform that encourages job creation and helps bring down the deficit. We can get this done."

Progress: none

Manufacturing hubs
"So tonight I'm announcing the launch of three more of these manufacturing hubs, where businesses will partner with the Department of Defense and Energy to turn regions left behind by globalization into global centers of high-tech jobs. And I ask this Congress to help create a network of 15 of these hubs and guarantee that the next revolution in manufacturing is made right here in America. We can get that done."

Progress: promise kept ( just in time)

Boosted research and development
Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation, now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the space race. We need to make those investments.

Progress: little

Climate change legislation
"I urge this Congress to get together, pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change, like the one John McCain and Joe Lieberman worked on together a few years ago. But if Congress won't act soon to protect future generations, I will. I will direct my Cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy."

Progress: party kept.

Security trust funded by oil and gas revenue
"So tonight I propose we use some of our oil and gas revenues to fund an energy security trust that will drive new research and technology to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good. If a nonpartisan coalition of CEOs and retired generals and admirals can get behind this idea, then so can we."

Progress: none

Fixing schools and bridges
"So tonight I propose a Fix-It-First program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country. And to make sure taxpayers don't shoulder the whole burden, I'm also proposing a partnership to rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most: modern ports to move our goods, modern pipelines to withstand a storm, modern schools worthy of our children. Let's prove there's no better place to do business than here in the United States of America, and let's start right away. We can get this done."

Progress: none

Homeowner refinancing
"Right now there's a bill in this Congress that would give every responsible homeowner in America the chance to save $3,000 a year by refinancing at today's rates."

Progress: ( Not completed by Congress)

Universal preschool
"So tonight I propose working with States to make high-quality preschool available to every single child in America. That's something we should be able to do."

Progress: none

Science and technology education
"Tonight I'm announcing a new challenge to redesign America's high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy. And we'll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math: the skills today's employers are looking for to fill the jobs that are there right now and will be there in the future."

Progress: Promise kept

College affordability
"So tonight I ask Congress to change the Higher Education Act so that affordability and value are included in determining which colleges receive certain types of Federal aid."

Progress: Promise kept

Comprehensive immigration reform
"Our economy is stronger when we harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants. And right now leaders from the business, labor, law enforcement, faith communities, they all agree that the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Now is the time to do it. Now is the time to get it done. [Applause] Now is the time to get it done."

Progress: some (not completed by Congress)

'Violence Against Women Act'
"Today the Senate passed the "Violence Against Women's Act" that Joe Biden originally wrote almost 20 years ago. And I now urge the House to do the same. Good job, Joe."

Progress: Promise Kept

'Paycheck Fairness Act'
"And I ask this Congress to declare that women should earn a living equal to their efforts, and finally pass the "Paycheck Fairness Act" this year."

Progress: some ( not completed by Congress)

Raising the minimum wage
"So here's an idea that Governor 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."

Progress: none (Obama plans to address it in his speech tonight.)

Economic redevelopment for "hardest hit towns"
"Let's offer incentives to companies that hire Americans who've got what it takes to fill that job opening, but have been out of work so long that no one will give them a chance anymore. Let's put people back to work rebuilding vacant homes in rundown neighborhoods. And this year, my administration will begin to partner with 20 of the hardest hit towns in America to get these communities back on their feet. Now, we'll work with local leaders to target resources at public safety and education and housing.

We'll give new tax credits to businesses that hire and invest. And we'll work to strengthen families by removing the financial deterrents to marriage for low-income couples and do more to encourage fatherhood, because what makes you a man isn't the ability to conceive a child, it's having the courage to raise one. And we want to encourage that. We want to help that."

Progress: Promise kept

Afghanistan drawdown
"This spring, our forces will move into a support role, while Afghan security forces take the lead. Tonight I can announce that over the next year, another 34,000 American troops will come home from Afghanistan. This drawdown will continue, and by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over."

Progress: in progress

International trade
"To boost American exports, support American jobs and level the playing field in the growing markets of Asia, we intend to complete negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership. And tonight I'm announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive transatlantic trade and investment partnership with the European Union, because trade that is fair and free across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs."

Progress: Promise kept

Voting experience
"So tonight I'm announcing a nonpartisan commission to improve the voting experience in America. And it definitely needs improvement."

Progress: Promise kept

Gun control
"Overwhelming majorities of Americans-Americans who believe in the Second Amendment-have come together around commonsense reform, like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun. Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals."

Progress: some ( not completed by Congress

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: I am going to skip it and do something useful, which is about anything but listen to him.

I understand. I watch him speak every time I can. I can't stand it. Asked why I do I reply there is already enough ignorant people not paying attention to what he does.

I'll sum up his speech in less than 5 seconds.

My fellow [legal] Americans. Bend over!!!

Sorry, every time I hear this clown talk he starts to make my blood boil. All that I hear is, blah, blah, blah, blah.

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: I am going to skip it and do something useful, which is about anything but listen to him.

Everything I do is useful to me because I'm in it.
I am always learning, and am by no means limited to what the teacher thinks is being taught.

This just in:

quote President Barack Obama plans to announce that he will issue an executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers with new contracts to $10.10 an hour, the White House said Tuesday. In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Obama will call on Congress to pass a bill that would apply the raise to existing workers, and peg future increases to inflation. The raise – up from $7.25 - would benefit employees including janitors and construction workers. "Boosting wages will lower turnover and increase morale, and will lead to higher productivity overall," the White House statement said. "Raising wages for those at the bottom will improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the government." Around 60 percent of workers benefiting from a higher minimum wage are women, the statement said. The statement came as an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 68 percent of Americans say the country is either stagnant or worse off since Obama took office.

I'm sure that we can expect total transparency. Cliff keeps telling me that I have to listen to him but he sometimes doesn't do what he says. edited I meant that Obama sometimes doesn't do what he says, not Cliff.

[This message has been edited by dratts (edited 01-28-2014).]

quote Originally posted by dratts: Cliff keeps telling me that I have to listen to him ...

You make me out to sound cruel, . I would never tell anyone to do that, .
I would rather hear it myself than to hear what other people think they thought he said.

Im going to watch the Count build a custom Eldorado pimpmobile. Thank God for cable/satelite.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Why is it that when minimum wage goes up the guy's making a little more never get an increase, thus get poorer ?

Don't worry your pretty little head about it, cliff. It will all work out, just wait and see.

Obama is going to tell us how well off we are and how we are headed in the right direction. He also is going to pull the wool over our eyes with some employment numbers that don't reflect reality. Hope you all are ready for all the koolaid you can drink.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Why is it that when minimum wage goes up the guy's making a little more never get an increase, thus get poorer ?

This is what pizzes me off the most about the whole "minimum wage" discussion. I've worked hard to get where I am in the pay scale and I'm not getting a $3 raise. But some worthless POS is now $3 closer to my wage for no reason whatsoever.

frack this country, I'm moving to the Yukon, see ya never.

Oh and I will not be watching tonight, I have an overwhelming urge to vomit whenever I hear Obama's voice or see his face and I would rather not clean that up tonight.

Will his lips be movin'?
If so, the mo fo be lyin'...

Kevin

Says it all, Boondawg. The man fancies himself a god, or at least a king. He isn't. What else does anyone need to know to find him objectionable? Not suggesting by any measure you are a supporter of the President politically, Boondawg.

quote Originally posted by fastblack: This is what pizzes me off the most about the whole "minimum wage" discussion. I've worked hard to get where I am in the pay scale and I'm not getting a $3 raise. But some worthless POS is now $3 closer to my wage for no reason whatsoever. frack this country, I'm moving to the Yukon, see ya never. Oh and I will not be watching tonight, I have an overwhelming urge to vomit whenever I hear Obama's voice or see his face and I would rather not clean that up tonight.

I feel same way. My first job I was paid $4.25 an hour and did it with pride. now years later and a whole lotta work later I have earned my keep and make a proper wage. I hate seeing everything handed to the lazy!

Here's a big shocker... I think Obama is going to support (or at least mention) the legalization of marijuana.

It seems to be a big issue with younger voters, and I really think Obama is going to try to capitalize on that. Obama is hurting BAD... and although I know that Democrats LOVE regulation, I think he's going to talk about it so that he can attempt to drum up support for the 2014 election.


Just making the call right now. All my Democrat and Republican friends think I'm nuts for thinking this, but I really think he's going to talk about it. It'll be like 5% of what he talks about (most will be immigration and "income inequality"), but he'll still talk about it.

quote Originally posted by jetsnvettes2000: I feel same way. My first job I was paid $4.25 an hour and did it with pride. now years later and a whole lotta work later I have earned my keep and make a proper wage. I hate seeing everything handed to the lazy!

My first "on the books" job paid 50 cents per hour. Three or four cents of that rate were withheld for Social Security. Minimum wage at the time was one dollar per hour but teens could be hired for less (1958).

Well?

Someone needs to post cliff notes for those of us that don't have network television.

Brad

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Here's a big shocker... I think Obama is going to support (or at least mention) the legalization of marijuana.

A stoned populace is a passive populace.

quote Originally posted by Fats: Well? Someone needs to post cliff notes for those of us that don't have network television. Brad

http://www.breakingnews.com...union-address-2014/

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 01-28-2014).]

Allen West: State of the Union response

I know that many of you hate the President, for reasons that I won't go into AGAIN.
Like most political speeches, there was a lot of shoe polish.
But the president said one word that will be forever remembered:
'ZERO'"
That one word will go down in history as a defining moment of his presidency.

ZERO
Americans who cannot get health insurance because of age, sex, or a pre existing medical condition.
ZERO Americans who have to lose everything they have worked for because they get sick.
Sure, the ACA has flaws (which can be fixed) but that is a major milestone in the progress of American civilization.
And he said some other cool stuff. too.

------------------

I speak English. Sue me.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 01-28-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Allen West: State of the Union response

He's clairvoyant.

quote Originally posted by Fats: Well? Someone needs to post cliff notes for those of us that don't have network television. Brad

He plans to raise minimum wage for federally contracted employees and develop a new retirement savings plan called myRA. Everything else has more or less been fluff about healthcare and how he thinks Congress is a bunch of jackasses. Support troops. The stuff most people just clap to and say yay.

[This message has been edited by theBDub (edited 01-29-2014).]

quote Originally posted by spark1: http://www.breakingnews.com...union-address-2014/l

"Breaking news
Sorry, that page doesn't exist"

Brad

quote Originally posted by TK: He's clairvoyant.

You do know the text of the speech was released to media at 6:30PM EDT?

quote Originally posted by Fats: "Breaking news Sorry, that page doesn't exist" Brad

Fixed it.

I sure hope you guys make it through the next 3 years. He's a train wreck in slow motion..