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Obama Balances Economic Optimism and Realism in First Address to Congress

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Well, it would appear that the capitalist system that has worked so well, even with the up-and-down swings is under serious attack. And I do mean attack.
The President has stated that only government can get us out of the present situation and, with his plans in place that will be a self-fulfilling prophesy.
By taking capital out of the system and putting it into government, the system will be unable to recover by itself. Further, he is attacking the people who run businesses and threatening massive tax increases on anyone who manages to prosper outside the government.
As a person who is approaching retirement, I have seen dramatic decreases in my investments which may not be recovered in my lifetime, certainly not within the next 4 years.
I sincerely hope Mr. Obama's plan works but I figure his chances are about as good as my chances of winning the next Powerball.

Charles Miller of FL 3:45PM February 27, 2009

If that was realism, I am going to Benden Weyr to impress a golden dragon--I always wanted one. There was so much oration, propaganda and general hype that I was nauseated by the sappiness. Not to mention the promises to everyone from veterans to workers to small business owners to subprime mortgage holders. What a load of baloney.
We need to recognize one great truth--there is a major shift of power about to occur and we are being distracted so that the public doesn't notice. Hope only comes from within, not from your government. When the government starts talking about inspiring the public they are really distracting the public. When they are truly inspiring the public, then they are too busy doing things right to tell us about it.
The real meat of the speech was that Obama gave Joe Biden a major amount of power and authority and it was passed off as the position of "overseeing the stimulus package" Where the money is, the power is, and he who has control of the money has the power. I said before the election that Joe Biden had spotted Barack Obama in the Foreign Relations Committee and seen a way to the power he had always wanted. It's always easier to be the power behind the throne.
So let's remember some other fantasy--and the power behind the throne of Rohan and the control of the king. But wasn't a major problem in the last administration the power of the VP and his lack of responsiveness to the public? So now we have a VP with control of the money--and a President who can't be criticized--we are in MAJOR trouble! Watch out for the threat to the voice of the people---

MontanaMountainWoman of MT 12:09AM February 26, 2009

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Peter Rabcevics of NJ 4:53PM February 25, 2009

You're taking Bobby JIndal's comments out of context. The "strings" he's talking about is the mandated reduction in eligibility requirements for all public assistance programs. In other words, if states take the stimulus money, they are required to dramatically increase their public assistance rolls. Jindal is concerned that once the Federal money runs out, the state-level spending problem that created the need for Federal money will be even larger. Not an unreasonable viewpoint.
There is too much "manufactured" partisan hysteria around the stimulus bill. Anyone who objects to any part of the bill, no matter how reasoned the argument, is attacked. Everything is liberal vs conservative, Democrats vs Republicans, us vs them. We've been corralled into two opposing camps, which is what the politicians / elites want. If we're fighting amongst ourselves, it means they've succeeded in diverting our attention to what they're really doing. And what they're really doing is NOT in our best interests.
The press is a big part of the problem as they're now operating as a propaganda machine, shouting down any and all opposition. Whether it's talk radio on the right or MSNBC / Kenneth T. Walsh on the left, their goal is the same. Keep us at each others throats. Propaganda doesn't have to be logical or true, only repetitive and widespread. My point in this ramble is - think for yourself, not for "your" party. Your party is not your friend.

Bill of NJ 2:47PM February 25, 2009

Interesting.
The Republicans pick the gov. of Louisiana to be their guiding light for the rest of the country - Another fine decision from the conservatives.

BillInSTL of MO 2:03PM February 25, 2009

The Republican Party obviously hasn't learned anything from its defeats at the polls. They are living in the past -- way long past -- and "money we do not have on things we do not need" -- well, George Bush never met a spending bill he wouldn't sign or veto. How do they think we got from a surplus (by a Democrat) to a deficit (by a Republican. They rather conveniently forget the 8 years they were in charge of both Houses of Congress and the Presidency. While Democrats were elected in 2007, conservative Democratic senators and congressmen are DINOs -- Democrat In Name Only -- who caucus and vote with Republicans. Like Lieberman. So although there was a Democratic majority elected, the composition of the Congress was still Republican. Actually, they were in charge of Congress 12 years -- Newt Gingrich was Speaker in 1996. Bobby Jindal has said he may refuse stimulus money because 'there are TOO MANY STRINGS ATTACHED.' Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? It's our money, so isn't there supposed to be an accounting? If he doesn't want stimulus money for Louisiana, maybe we still can send some to New Orleans -- it would be used in the proper manner.

Marsha McCroden of OH 1:27PM February 25, 2009