SOTU 2014:
Posted by Michelle Moquin on January 29th, 2014
Good morning!
Did you watch Obama’s SOTU speech last night? Did you love it? I did. I thought he was so inspiring, passionate and positive….and dare I say that there was such a confidence in his voice and a spring in his step, that he was darn sexy! It’s that winning smile and when he bites on his lip that gets to me. Sigh… C’mon girls, I know I’m not the only one who thinks so :)
Ok…let’s get serious. There was so much juicy good stuff, but here are some of my fave parts of his speech – with some short comments in ( )
- In reference to job growth: “…what I offer tonight is a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class. Some require Congressional action, and I’m eager to work with all of you. But America does not stand still – and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.” (Use your power, baby!)
- Yay FLOTUS!: “As usual, our First Lady sets a good example. Michelle’s Let’s Move partnership with schools, businesses, and local leaders has helped bring down childhood obesity rates for the first time in thirty years – an achievement that will improve lives and reduce health care costs for decades to come.”
- Raise minimum wage: “In the year since I asked this Congress to raise the minimum wage, five states have passed laws to raise theirs. Many businesses have done it on their own. Nick Chute is here tonight with his boss, John Soranno. John’s an owner of Punch Pizza in Minneapolis, and Nick helps make the dough. Only now he makes more of it: John just gave his employees a raise, to ten bucks an hour – a decision that eased their financial stress and boosted their morale.Tonight, I ask more of America’s business leaders to follow John’s lead and do what you can to raise your employees’ wages. To every mayor, governor, and state legislator in America, I say, you don’t have to wait for Congress to act…”
- Obama – a true supporter of women!: “Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. A mother deserves a day off to care for a sick child or sick parent without running into hardship – and you know what, a father does, too. It’s time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a “Mad Men” episode. This year, let’s all come together – Congress, the White House, and businesses from Wall Street to Main Street – to give every woman the opportunity she deserves. Because I firmly believe when women succeed, America succeeds.” (Woo hoo…soo true!)
- The Affordable Care Act – Obamacare: “Already, because of the Affordable Care Act, more than three million Americans under age 26 have gained coverage under their parents’ plans.More than nine million Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage.And here’s another number: zero. Because of this law, no American can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a preexisting condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer. No woman can ever be charged more just because she’s a woman.” (Love this last line especially!)
- Couldn’t resist this addition!: “Now, I don’t expect to convince my Republican friends on the merits of this law. (No kidding) But I know that the American people aren’t interested in refighting old battles. So again, if you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people, and increase choice – tell America what you’d do differently. (Yes, he need to keep saying this!) Let’s see if the numbers add up. But let’s not have another forty-something votes to repeal a law that’s already helping millions of Americans like Amanda. The first forty were plenty. We got it. We all owe it to the American people to say what we’re for, not just what we’re against.
I could go on as there were so many good things, but I will end with Obama’s recognition of Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg. – A man who was nearly killed during his 10th deployment…a man who never gave up and doesn’t quit. ”My recovery has not been easy,” he says. “Nothing in life that’s worth anything is easy.” It was a moving moment.
Obama’s response: “My fellow Americans, men and women like Cory remind us that America has never come easy. Our freedom, our democracy, has never been easy…” “…But if we work together; if we summon what is best in us, with our feet planted firmly in today but our eyes cast towards tomorrow – I know it’s within our reach.”
What was your fave part? Blog me.
In case you didn’t see it click here for the full transcript and video of Obama’s speech – it is a must watch.
“Let’s make this a year of action. That’s what most Americans want, for all of us in this chamber to focus on their lives, their hopes, their aspirations.” – Obama
I second that.
Peace & Love…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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January 30th, 2014 at 6:53 am
Hmm no comments?
January 30th, 2014 at 10:33 am
I personally liked the speech. I noticed it was as bold as previous hopes Obama believed he could accomplish. But in light of the fact that he has a republican obstructionist House to deal with I can certainly understand that.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:07 am
Zen Lill, I think I know why some people think you are not real. I have been trying to post to this blog all day and I can’t. Yet there you are posting.
All I wanted to say was YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY for Obama. Love that man.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:50 am
Jessica, I had the same thought. After trying to get in I just wondered how Zen Lill is always so damn lucky with her post.
Then it occurred to me that if she were Michelle, pretending to be a different person, then she could get it. But I changed my mind when she threw her under the bus. I don’t think Michelle would have trashed herself that way.
February 1st, 2014 at 5:50 am
Obama is just caught in a very bad place. He would like to turn this fucked up system on its head. But the people fucking up the system are in control of the House.
February 1st, 2014 at 7:30 am
Obama’s SOTU address was as good as the rebuttal by all the different republicans was bad.
He offered specific goals and specific plans to accomplish those goals. The republican rebuttals were series of negatives against Obama and claims of having republican solutions without contributing one specific plan to accomplish anything they were against.
February 1st, 2014 at 7:39 am
I, too have wondered what is so special about Zen Lill that she gets in so easily. Many times I get this when I attempt to get in: Bad Request
Your browser sent a request that this server could not understand.
Additionally, a 403 Forbidden error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
Call it jealousy or envy, I just hate it when I see Zen Lill’s post when I can’t get in. Well that’s usually my first reaction. After reading her comments I usually settle down and realize that if she couldn’t get in either, I wouldn’t have the pleasure of her commentary.
So all the luck to you Zen Lill. I just wish I had your connections.