State of The Union 2012

[Gaspar]

I'm very interested to hear this year's State of The Union speech.  Will the president focus on restoring hope in America as a innovation and enterprise superpower.  Will he focus on American exceptionalism and individuality, or will he focus on a push towards collectivism?

We can be assured that this will be a campaign speech. In the economy that we have realized by dismissing the private sector in favor of public works, public assistance, and entitlement, I anticipate that he will focus on courting and motivating his union base.  This means that he will spend a great deal of time discussing manufacturing and economic equality.

Because he has no triumphant examples of policy that produced positive change, he will meander through descriptions of how future initiatives will create 600,000,000,0000 new imaginary manufacturing jobs.  He will avoid any discussion of solar, wind, or green energy, instead, he will talk about "clean air" and "clean water" and use those code words to be critical of any energy initiative or job initiative that he may have an opportunity to embrace but will not for political reasons.

I anticipate that he will probably offer half a dozen personal stories of "_____ from Detroit" who lost her medical insurance, or "_____ from Michigan" who without extended unemployment, would be homeless today.  I think he will also take this opportunity to mention "_____ from Nebraska" who is finally home with his family after 3 tours in Iraq.  All good stories, and positive, but not focused on any record of economic growth.

As his formula typically includes, there will be a surprise offering of some actual initiative that both Democrats and Republicans will cheer, because it will be a positive jobs initiative based on reducing uncertainty and proven historical performance in creating economic growth.  But then of course he will attach a hand grenade to it to ensure it cannot be passed.

I think, of course, that the resonating mantra will be "There is more work to do," and/or "Permanent change takes time."  Perhaps we could create an unfortunate drinking game of some sort?  I think the primary focus though will be on manufacturing and union labor jobs.  Perhaps if all of his plans come to fruition, we can once again be the manufacturing hub of the world, making key chains, cell phones, cars, and clothes for the Chinese.

[RecycleMichael]

All the other Presidents say the same things.

I do disagree that he "has no triumphant examples of policy that produced positive change."

He has done a great job on world issues. He brought our troops home from Iraq and was able to kill Osama bin Laden and most of the Al Quaeda network. He worked hard on improving veteran's benefits and ended don't ask, don't tell.

That is just one of his accomplishments that all Americans should appreciate.

[Conan71]

All the other Presidents say the same things.

I do disagree that he "has no triumphant examples of policy that produced positive change."

He has done a great job on world issues. He brought our troops home from Iraq and was able to kill Osama bin Laden and most of the Al Quaeda network. He worked hard on improving veteran's benefits and ended don't ask, don't tell.

That is just one of his accomplishments that all Americans should appreciate.

He fulfilled the Bush timeline on Iraq and did what any prudent president would have done once they had Bin Laden cornered.  To hear some of you tell it, it's as if he leapt from the helicopter and did the double tap.  The libs didn't get single-payer so that's about the only thing you guys have to cling to as positive policy moves.  IMO, he did a great job restraining our troop activity on Libya.  That's a far better example to cling to of his world relations.

Word around the campfire is that the speech will talk about income equality and economic justice. 

Big question is how many times will he blame President Bush directly or indirectly for the continued malaise?  I suspect he will at least make the excuse of: "What I walked into three years ago..." at least a few times.

[RecycleMichael]

Of course, had President Obama actually pulled the trigger on Bin Laden you would have given credit to Bush for saying "mission accomplished".

There is nothing I could say that will convince you of anything else. I give up.

[Conan71]

Of course, had President Obama actually pulled the trigger on Bin Laden you would have given credit to Bush for saying "mission accomplished".

There is nothing I could say that will convince you of anything else. I give up.

No, I think giving any president credit for what thousands of people who worked their tails off and risked or gave their lives to bring Bin Laden to justice is a complete disservice.  Getting Bin Laden was an obvious goal, and giving the go ahead for that mission was a no-brainer that any president would have authorized.

[Townsend]

No, I think giving any president credit for what thousands of people who worked their tails off and risked or gave their lives to bring Bin Laden to justice is a complete disservice.  Getting Bin Laden was an obvious goal, and giving the go ahead for that mission was a no-brainer that any president would have authorized.

We tend to blame presidents for everything others have done.  What should we credit them with?

[Conan71]

We tend to blame presidents for everything others have done.  What should we credit them with?

Sending an asshat home to Allah is a whole lot different than millions of jobs being created by business-friendly policies proposed by a president and sold to Congress for approval.

[Townsend]

Sending an asshat home to Allah is a whole lot different than millions of jobs being created by business-friendly policies proposed by a president and sold to Congress for approval.

Even if those policies worked do you really believe they were originally his or did others come up with them?

[Townsend]

"State of the Union to offer a 'blueprint' for the economy"

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/politics/state-of-the-union/index.html

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama will lay out a "blueprint for an economy that's built to last" in Tuesday's State of the Union address -- the third of his presidency.

That blueprint will focus on manufacturing, energy, education and middle-class values, according to a video released on the Obama's campaign website and Democratic sources who have been briefed on the address.

Tuesday night's speech will continue a theme the president began in Kansas last month -- that in today's economy the game has been rigged against the nation's middle class. He will say he wants to return to the "values" that define America, where hard work pays off and where responsibility -- not recklessness -- is rewarded.

In a December 6 address in Osawatomie, Kansas, Obama described stark differences between a Republican ideology he described as leaving people to fend for themselves and his vision of government that helps provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of where they begin in life.

"It's not a view that we should somehow turn back technology or put up walls around America," Obama said. "It's not a view that says we should punish profit or success or pretend that government knows how to fix all society's problems.

"It's a view that says in America, we are greater together -- when everyone engages in fair play, everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share."

Democratic sources told CNN Sunday that the bullet points of Obama's blueprint will focus on American manufacturing, including "insourcing" -- or bringing back jobs from overseas. The sources say he'll argue that during his term, the United States has seen the manufacturing industry grow for the first time in 15 years -- especially in the auto industry that he helped with bailout funds.

Under the topic of energy, the president will stress alternative energy and energy independence from unfriendly nations. He'll also tout his record of doubling fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.

The address will include new proposals to prepare American workers and students for the jobs of the the future. Obama will also suggest job training for the long-term unemployed and veterans, the sources said. He'll also highlight his record of expanding Pell grants for college students.

Throughout his speech, the president will weave in an emphasis on middle-class values and that this is make-or-break moment for that segment of American society, likely putting it into stark terms, according to the sources. He'll suggest that the United States has a choice to either become a place where only the wealthy succeed, or it can level the playing field and give everyone an opportunity.

"They're big ideas, because we've got to meet the moment, and this speech is going to be about how we do it," the president's preview video released over the weekend said.

"We can go in two directions," Obama said. "One is toward less opportunity and less fairness. Or we can fight for where I think we need to go -- building an economy that works for everyone."

[Gaspar]

Here's a game Professor Query used to have us play in Communications Theory 20 years ago at TU. Pick out the strong thematic words and imagry from an article or speech.  What does it communicate?


Themes from that article:

"Blueprint"
"Rigged Economy"
"Responsibility"
"Recklessness"
"leaving people to fend for themselves"
"Equal opportunity"
"Greater together"
"fair play"
"fair shot"
"fair share"
"Focus on manufacturing"
"prepare American workers and students for the jobs of the the future - i.e. manufacturing jobs"
"middle class values"
"make-or-break moment"
"level the playing field"
"big ideas"
ONLY "two directions. . .One is toward less opportunity and less fairness. Or we can fight for where I think we need to go"

Now that we have that, I think we have all we need to make educated assumptions on the theme of his address.

[Townsend]

US On Track To Meet Obama's Export-Doubling Goal

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/01/21/us_on_track_to_meet_obama_s_export_doubling_goal.html

Two years ago during his State of the Union address, Barack Obama issued a promise to double American exports over five years. Many found it unrealistic at the time, but Annie Lowrey points out that we're on pace to meet the target so far, in part because Obama picked a low point for exporting when launching the goal.

In general, I think the global case of export envy that everyone has these days is fascinating. If it turned out that Germany's export-driven low unemployment was really a mirage and all those manufactured goods are being dumped into the middle of the Pacific Ocean rather than consumed in Asia, everyone would be shocked and appalled. But the social and economic benefits of obtaining full employment by dumping manufactured goods into the Pacific would be similar to the benefits of obtaining full employment by running a large permanent trade surplus.

I imagine this might come up.

[heironymouspasparagus]

He fulfilled the Bush timeline on Iraq and did what any prudent president would have done once they had Bin Laden cornered.  To hear some of you tell it, it's as if he leapt from the helicopter and did the double tap. 

And yet, under his direction, it was done in under 2 1/2 years - something that Bush couldn't get done in over 7 years.  But then, when so much of the family fortune is based on 'consulting fees' from Bin Laden's family, I guess it is pretty obvious what the hold up was.

[Teatownclown]

Hopefully, POTUS OBAMA will turn the Nation's attention to the fact that deadlock and inflexibility is not the way forward for the country and emphasize the need to install democrats in both houses come the next election to gain a mjority. Time to move this country outward and upward.

Conan, it's not just Bin Laden....he got the entire 6 heads sans 1....they've been totally declawed. And it did not cost a trillion or two to accomplish.
Why do you not trust his abilities?

[AquaMan]

Here's a game Professor Query used to have us play in Communications Theory 20 years ago at TU. Pick out the strong thematic words and imagry from an article or speech.  What does it communicate?


Themes from that article:

"Blueprint"
"Rigged Economy"
"Responsibility"
"Recklessness"
"leaving people to fend for themselves"
"Equal opportunity"
"Greater together"
"fair play"
"fair shot"
"fair share"
"Focus on manufacturing"
"prepare American workers and students for the jobs of the the future - i.e. manufacturing jobs"
"middle class values"
"make-or-break moment"
"level the playing field"
"big ideas"
ONLY "two directions. . .One is toward less opportunity and less fairness. Or we can fight for where I think we need to go"

Now that we have that, I think we have all we need to make educated assumptions on the theme of his address.

!!!?
Fairness? Values? Responsibility? Focus? Preparation? Equality? Synergy?
You mean those themes and images? How dare the man! What is he doing to our country?!!

[Conan71]

And yet, under his direction, it was done in under 2 1/2 years - something that Bush couldn't get done in over 7 years.  But then, when so much of the family fortune is based on 'consulting fees' from Bin Laden's family, I guess it is pretty obvious what the hold up was.

Hello?  This is reality calling.  What about he observed Bush timelines do you not understand?  Would have been 2 1/2 years no matter who was president if they observed the Bush time lines.