Guest Editorial: State of the Union Analysis by Jonn Mack
By Jonn Mack, ertjmack@gmail.com
Most people expected this speech to reflect a “new”, more conciliatory President. While to the contrary the President did acknowledge some “political setbacks”, he remained positive - continuing to express his hope for bipartisan support, for middleclass tax cuts, small business tax cuts, tax cuts for families, and increased Pell grants for those in or going to college.
Now a lot of republicans have found it hard to be in the minority (All American Senatoria… I mean Basketball Alliance; that column is coming later); they could and have said no to a lot of proposals without a reason. So, tonight the President put them on notice by saying “[If republicans are]going to insist that sixty votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town, then the responsibility to govern is now yours as well. Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. So let's show the American people that we can do it together.” Initially the republicans celebrated Scott Brown’s win, but now the facts set in: If no legislation moves forward over the next year you will see more frustration with government, and you will see more independents elected, and then both parties lose. The President's evincible warning I’m sure did not fall on deaf ears.
The President also addressed one of the big issues facing our country: Jobs. The President is insisting that the Senate pass a jobs bill in the coming days. This bill could put millions to work in facilities making building supplies. The President also reminded the Congress that programs that encourage home improvement help to create new jobs. By making note of this item it is sure to bring national attention on this bill and it will make it much harder for the bill to fail.
The final item I am applauding the President for discussing is 'pork reform' otherwise known as 'earmark reform'. One of the main reasons that the healthcare legislation failed is because of the earmarks placed into the legislation. Congress has to understand that people are getting fed up with the misappropriations, earmarks, and the influence of special interest groups as they relate to the way America is run.
Overall, “kudos” to our President for a well delivered State of the Union. He has provided Congress a strong foundation from which to begin this bipartisan effort to strengthen our country. The time for teamwork has come. No longer can democrats move forward without including republicans and vice versa. We must be prepared to cast off labels and work together and only then may we all move forward.
Jonn Mack is a full-service political and business consultant located in Prince George’s County, Maryland - a stone's throw from the District of Columbia, Baltimore City, and Annapolis, Maryland.
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