Blogging the President's Speech

Hmmm, healthcare in the USA costs more than other developed countries for the same or worse outcomes because it does not have sensible universal healthcare system.

Absolutly Right ON!!!!!!

Bert, our 31 yr old son keeps encouraging us to buy guns NOW. He even took us to the shooting range last month to get us familiar with them (I must admit it was a blast!). Not only is our free speech at serious risk (my son is an engineer for a radio station and hears the talk about reenacting the Fairness Doctrine) but our right to bear arms as well. He also told me the cost of guns are on the rise and they're selling out fast. Guess that's the good news....

My wife watch only a portion of the "speech" last night and came to the conclusion that it was like watching the "Seinfield" show in the meaning it was a lot of talk with nothing being said and you look at each other and wonder "what was all that he was talking about"? I had no response.

WATCH OUT AMERICA - we may be coming to front door of the 2nd civil war in this country. WATCH OUT. . . .

Wasn't this just another example of a campaign speach "I'll say ANYTHING" to get what I want. His version of working with Republicans is "buying" 3 of them to do ANYTHING he wants. Holding parents accountable for education... does this mean that if your child skips school that the parent is subject to jail time? Won't that give "power" to the child? "Buy me an iPod or I will skip school and YOU go to jail" will be the next line from your school aged child. In his version of tax cuts; I guess he "forgot" that if you tax business more; and people purchase those goods; your taxes just went UP. Then business will hold off on hiring new employees because the government is taking any surplus income from the business that would have paid an employee. Does anyone remember that joke about the new IRS TAX code? The one that is only a single page and says "How much did you earn last year?" --- "Send it in." How true this is becoming!

Gimme, Gimme President - I'm Entitled. He's going to cause a 'Depression'!

I don't care what side of the aisle you sit on; but, the economy really does suck. I do think you, and many other journalists, need to honestly evaluate our current economical state and do two (2) things. First, fess up to what and who caused this dilemma and second, if you all don't like what Obama presents then come up with a better plan. Lets be a little more objective. A little more appreciative of the efforts being made and a little less argumentative. If you or any of us don't like the pork that is part of this package then don't vote for the guy who put it in. I didn't vote for Obama either; but, wholly s_ _ _ , he's all we have. Try to be a little more objective. You all devise a better plan. Think about this one. There aren't many lower income people that can find loopholes to pay less taxes. But, just about all those in the upper financial brackets probably do. Lets eliminate the loopholes!

Brian, about Bill's comment, I have to agree with you and Marsh. I'll also note that there quite a few people in this country who make a good deal less than 250k (try $40k or less) and are relatively comfortable financially (due to low cost of living and rational money management ), own a good home, don't want anything from the Govt. and don't take handouts, and disagree completely with Obama. I'm one of them. My doctor asked me the other day if I had any allergies. I told her it used to be just cats, but that I've acquired a new one since Nov. - every time Obama opens his pie hole my blood pressure spikes.

I think Bill's comment, "I just read that over 70% of those polled after the speech reacted very positively, over 90% total positive reaction"! expresses a significant part of the problem. Don't ask me to think and analyze the issues. Just promise me something for free. Don't expect me to be paid a fair wage for a fair days work. I want what the "Rich people" have. We are living in a time when a significant number of people are defined by their possessions or 15 seconds of fame in a video. Thoughts of others or what is best for the country are not part of their mindset. We are definitely not in Kansas anymore!

Did anyone notice that Mr. Obama mentioned the name of the Miami CEO who dished out his earnings and he mentioned the name of the school girl from a challenged school district, BUT NEVER MENTIONED THE NAME OF THE SOLDIER WHO DEFENDED OUR NATION IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM??? ____Check the feed. What a slap in the face to our military!!____

Brian, thanks for your thoughts. I didn't watch the speech and am glad I missed it. It's better for my blood pressure. We reduced our household contribution to the economy by one worker because it isn't worth it. Taxes and childcare are too expensive and it's just not worth it to have both myself and my wife work. Because of it, we get stimulus and we won't get an increase in taxes. It really pays not to work.

Bill - This is not a political discussion, it's economic. As you (hopefully) know from reading my previous blog posts, my frustration with the plan is that calling every family in America that makes more than $250,000 per year "rich" is disingenuous. A set number doesn't work ... it need to be based on a cost of living index. The median income in my state - NJ - is nearly double that of those in yours....and the cost of living is as well. The average home price in the New York metro area (NJ/CT) is around $600,000. And that's for a small home with no land. I have friends who are teachers and accountants and they make more than $250,000 combined but they are certainly not rich. Look at this home listing: http://www.prudentialrand.com/propertydetails.asp... 2,500 sq ft, 4bd, 3 baths on 2/10ths of an acre for $999,0000. Note it says "low" taxes when talking about the $20,000/year in property taxes (which are sure to go up, up, up). This house would probably be looked at by a couple with a young child or two who got priced out of living in Manhattan after living in a 1,000 sq ft rental for $5,000/month. Its a nice house, but one Im willing to bet would cost around $200,000 in many parts of the country. And to meet income/loan guidelines, that family would have to make more than $300,000/year to be able to make that payment. On a And if both are working, don't even get us started on child care costs in this area. The point: to define "wealth" by a fixed number is ridiculous. And to put people who make an INCOME of $250,000 per year into the same group as guys like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, etc (who pay themselves at the lower rate of 15%, by the way because its all capital gains from equity) is sad for the hard working families who have lives that happen to be in expensive areas. This is going to hurt a lot of people, all so those making $150,000 per year in lower cost areas can get a tax break.

L&G, It isn't those making over $250K that will get taxed, it is everyone. This "stimulus/spending" package phases out the tax breaks at $75K for single or $150K for couples. The rich is all of us who work AND pay taxes.

One more thing (I just finished submitting my last comment)....Obama wants to ensure that all kids have access to higher education. Sounds great but they'd better not do too well in college and earn a degree that would land them a job making over $250,000 per year or they will be classified as the evil wealthy in this country and they will be punished with higher taxes! What kind of message does that send to our kids?!! Don't be "too successful"?! We've always taught our kids to shoot for the moon, the sky is the limit, but according to Obama, you're BAD if you make a lot of money! Stop me before I have a stroke thinking about it!

Is it just me or does he talk out of both sides of his mouth? He creates trillions in spending, then vows to cut the deficit. He commits to pulling out of Iraq yet we are sending troops to Afghanistan. He demands responsibility yet plans to bail out irresponsible people. He encourages banks to start lending again so people can get back into mortgages and loans they can't pay for 'again' (because they don't have jobs or fear they won't have one). Shades of why we're in this mess....so if I go out and max out my credit cards, buy a new car I can't afford and then swear I'll pay it all off in six months I guess that makes me super smart and I deserve a standing ovation? Give me a break! The speech was just that, a speech, not reality and certainly not possible. And another thing. I don't make close to $250,000 per year but I am offended that those who do will have to shoulder the burden for his "plan". Many of those who do make upwards of that figure EMPLOY people like me so can I expect to lose my job when my boss gets punished for being successful? You can bet there will be more layoffs! And guess what, Mr. Obama (I still can't call him President), WALL STREET IS MAIN STREET!!! There are a LOT of middle class people who invest in it FOR THEIR FUTURE! I am one of them!!!! It's clear you have a distaste for anyone associated with Wall Street or the market so therefore you really DON'T care at all about the middle class! His plans and his cheering squad make me ill.

Brian, I just read that over 70% of those polled after the speech reacted very positively, over 90% total positive reaction, but your 'overall' thoughts are with the unfortunates who make over $250k. I hope you and the other Fox / Republican die hards enjoy the ride to oblivion...

Typical double speak. Obama will still be a super liberal, taxes will go up, savings will dwendle, foreclosures will increase, bankrutices will skyrocket. Does anyone belive for a minute that a small business owner who just had his taxes increased is really going to hire someone and pay them a salary large enough to by a home, put his kid through college buy a new car and save money for a rainey day. These lying politicans have no idea what they are doing. Hang on folks, this is going to be a wild ride.

This all sounds great, but how do we pay for it? Oh thats right just charge it on the taxpayer credit card, aka bailout,TARP.