by Jack
The far left has accused President Trump of making a lot of promises absent any direction whatsoever how he intends to accomplish them. I challenge the liberals to find fault with any of the following excerpts from the President’s speech before Congress:
“One in 10 Americans still can’t find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. And for those who’d already known poverty, life has become that much harder….
So I know the anxieties that are out there right now. They’re not new. These struggles are the reason I ran for president. These struggles are what I’ve witnessed for years in places like Elkhart, Indiana, Galesburg, Illinois.”
“For these Americans and so many others, change has not come fast enough. Some are frustrated; some are angry. They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded, but hard work on Main Street isn’t, or why Washington has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems.”
“So we face big and difficult challenges. And what the American people hope — what they deserve — is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences, to overcome the numbing weight of our politics, for while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds, different stories, different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same, the aspirations they hold are shared: a job that pays the bills, a chance to get ahead, most of all, the ability to give their children a better life.
You know what else they share? They share a stubborn resilience in the face of adversity. After one of the most difficult years in our history, they remain busy building cars and teaching kids, starting businesses and going back to school. They’re coaching Little League and helping their neighbors.”
“It’s because of this spirit — this great decency and great strength — that I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight.”
“Despite — despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency, that embodies their strength.”
Tonight I would like to talk about how together we can deliver on that promise.
It begins with our economy.
When I ran for president, I promised I wouldn’t just do what was popular, I would do what was necessary. … I supported the last administration’s efforts to create the financial rescue program.”
I’ve proposed a fee on the biggest banks. Now I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea, but if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.
Now, we must stabilized the financial system, take steps to get our economy growing again, save as many jobs as possible, and help Americans who have become unemployed.
That’s why I am going to extend or increase unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans. We are going to make health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families who get their coverage through COBRA, and we are proposing 25 different tax cuts.
Now, let me repeat: We will cut taxes. We will cut taxes for 95 percent of working families. We cut taxes for small businesses.
We will cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college.
Millions of Americans will have more to spend on gas and food and other necessities, all of which can help businesses keep more workers. And we won’t raise income taxes by a single dime on a single person, not a single dime.
Now, because of these steps, there are about 2 million Americans who will soon be going to work who would otherwise be unemployed.
Two-hundred-thousand work in construction and clean energy. Three-hundred-thousand are teachers and other education workers. Tens of thousands are cops, firefighters, correctional officers, first responders.
And we’re on track to add another 1.5 million jobs to this total by the end of the year.
Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be America’s businesses…
… but government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers.
We should start where most new jobs do, in small businesses, companies that begin when…
… companies that begin when an entrepreneur — when an entrepreneur takes a chance on a dream or a worker decides it’s time she became her own boss.
Through sheer grit and determination, these companies have weathered the recession and are ready to grow. But when you talk to small-business owners in places like Allentown, Pennsylvania, or Elyria, Ohio, you find out that even though banks on Wall Street are lending again, they’re mostly lending to bigger companies. Financing remains difficult for small-business owners across the country, even though they’re making a profit.
So tonight, I’m proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat.
I’m also proposing a new small-business tax credit, one that will go to over 1 million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages.
While we’re at it, let’s also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small-business investment and provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment.
Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow.
From — from the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains or the new factories that manufacture clean-energy products.
We should put more Americans to work building clean-energy facilities and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient, which supports clean-energy jobs.
And to encourage these and other businesses to stay within our borders, it is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America.
People are out of work. They’re hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.
But — but the truth is, these steps won’t make up for the 7 million jobs that we’ve lost over the last two years. The only way to move to full employment is to lay a new foundation for long- term economic growth and finally address the problems that America’s families have confronted for years.
We can’t afford another so-called economic “expansion” like the one from last decade, what some call the “lost decade,” where jobs grew more slowly than during any prior expansion, where the income of the average American household declined while the cost of health care and tuition reached record highs, where prosperity was built on a housing bubble and financial speculation.
From the day I took office, I’ve been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious, such effort would be too contentious. I’ve been told that our political system is too gridlocked and that we should just put things on hold for a while.
You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China’s not waiting to revamp its economy; Germany’s not waiting; India’s not waiting.
These nations, they’re not standing still. These nations aren’t playing for second place. They’re putting more emphasis on math and science. They’re rebuilding their infrastructure. They’re making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.
Well, I do not accept second place for the United States of America.
As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may become, it’s time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.
Now, one place to start is serious financial reform. Look, I’m not interested in punishing banks. I’m interested in protecting our economy. A strong, healthy financial market makes it possible for businesses to access credit and create new jobs. It channels the savings of families into investments that raise incomes. But that can only happen if we guard against the same recklessness that nearly brought down our entire economy.
We need to make sure consumers and middle-class families have the information they need to make financial decisions. We can’t allow financial institutions, including those that take your deposits, to take risks that threaten the whole economy.
Next, we need to encourage American innovation. Last year, we made the largest investment in basic research funding in history, an investment — an investment that could lead to the world’s cheapest solar cells or treatment that kills cancer cells but leaves healthy ones untouched.
And no area is more ripe for such innovation than energy. You can see the results of last year’s investments in clean energy in the North Carolina company that will create 1,200 jobs nationwide, helping to make advanced batteries, or in the California business that will put 1,000 people to work making solar panels.
But to create more of these clean-energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives, and that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.
It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development.
It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean-coal technologies.
But realizing those benefits also means enforcing those agreements so our trading partners play by the rules. We need a trade agreement that opens global markets and why we will strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South Korea, and Panama, and Colombia.
Fourth, we need to invest in the skills and education of our people. Now, this year — this year, we’ve broken through the stalemate between left and right by launching a national competition to improve our schools.
And the idea here is simple: Instead of rewarding failure, we only reward success. Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform, reform that raises student achievement, inspires students to excel in math and science, and turns around failing schools that steal the future of too many young Americans, from rural communities to the inner city.
In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.
Jack, a direction is not a plan. The following is a direction:
“Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be America’s businesses … but government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers.”
This, below, is a plan … that proposes to cut, not create employment:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/03/02/heres-one-part-of-epa-that-the-agencys-new-leader-wants-to-protect/?utm_term=.8e5bd86834a2
A 25% reduction overall … that is a plan, which does not bode well for 25% of the people who work for or with the EPA. Eliminating community grant programs … that is a plan, which does not bode well for communities trying to deal with corporate polluters in their midst. Now, the “direction” of these plans is undeniably and unconscionably to retard efforts to clean up the mess we make.
And you are ok with this?
Maybe I’ll make this a regular feature: contrasting the Trump “direction” with the Trump “plan” (if any).
Actually, this is the Pruitt article I really wanted to cite. I had trouble finding it again, and it’s much more specific about what’s getting the ax and why.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/politics/epa-programs-donald-trump-budget/index.html
And I’d like to know why this has to be “leaked”. We are entitled to know this stuff.
Rand Paul understands this.
I mean, Ryan is a real dummy if he thinks he’s secreting a ACA repeal bill through the process. We are having debates and hearings about this, Mr. Ryan. And anything you propose is going to be picked to pieces. This is how the legislative process works.
Thus is how it works sooooo….
Why did you remain silent when the ACA was pushed through in meetings behind closed doors that involved only Democrats and included bribes?
You are such a phony!
Not sure what you’re up to Jack but it sure caused a fury of frustration in Libby.
Do you think she’s on to you?
Will withhold further comment for now.
The Written Speech was optics. Had more untrue facts than true, and was smoke and mirrors.
Seems the goal was to present a more professional optic. Nothing wrong with that. But let’s be clear that was an act.
I will say all that rehearsing paid off. 45 managed to stick to a script.
Trump also takes credit for business deals that were already in the works before he was in office.
The worst part of the speech was using a Dead mans widow. Yemen was a huge error on his part. He acted without intel and we lost a man. NO EXCUSE. That disgusted me.
But he did a good job reading the teleprompter.
BTW Americans are waking up and the Majority want to end this march deeper into fascism.
The 2 party System ran by the oligarchy. Pay to Play America.
If anyone believes these Politicians …… You are responsible
Dear folks, sorry for the little ruse, but this speech belonged to Barack Obama. It was his speech to Congress back in 2009. How did Obama’s words match his actions? lol
Haha, good one!
The Great One has something to say about Obama that includes a warning we need to pay attention to.
LISTEN: Mark Levin reveals the scandal that he says everyone is MISSING:
“This is crucially important. Everybody’s missing the point. The incredible scandal here is the Obama administration was investigating top officials in the Trump campaign, maybe even Trump himself during the course of the election!
Listen to this from the WSJ today. ‘U.S. investigators have examined contacts Attorney General Jeff Sessions had with Russian officials during the time he was advising Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, according to people familiar with the matter.’
They were investigating a sitting United States Senator who hadn’t done anything? They’re investigating a sitting Attorney General who hasn’t done anything? Based on what premise? The fact that he was advising Donald Trump? Is this not appalling and shocking to you? ”
http://therightscoop.com/listen-mark-levin-reveals-the-scandal-that-he-says-everyone-is-missing/
Under normal standards and with everyday citizens it would be a scandal. But we are dealing wit ruthless people that have no standards and will do anything to keep and hold power. Therefore, it isn’t shocking but it is expected.
In terms of the law it’s just another point on which to hold them accountable at the election box and apparently they continue to lose.
Well it is obvious that Obama was nothing more than a teleprompter reader, never a leader, and once more it just as obvious Libby’s corrosive tongue is fueled by a hateful vacuum.
Well done Jack!
Well said Harold!
I can’t believe Libby didn’t catch it. Makes me think she doesn’t read what we post.
Obama used all the great words to paint glowing pictures and delivered a world of hurt. His opening statement could have ben used in a speech at the end of his second term: “One in 10 Americans still can’t find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. And for those who’d already known poverty, life has become that much harder….”
Jack
Exactly these politicians work for the Banks and big Money interests. Nothing changes with either party.
truth to Power.
I judge a Politician not by the Letter that comes after their name but by their actions.
This Red and Blue game and the Media that drives it is 100% against the general welfare of We the People.
Obama continued down the GW path.
We are now bombing in all 7 countries in the written Pipeline War Plan.
Remember I am without a Party.
So all but one of Obama’s cabinet was from the list that the banks provided. Trump is no different. Looks like his list came from the Koch Network.
Also may I add these policies rear their result years down the road.
For instance Bill Clinton and GW Bush are responsible for the market crash. Bill signed the repeal of Glass Steagal that was written to correct a massive market crash, and GW doubled down on it. Now we have Trumps Goldman Sachs crew that will crash it maybe beyond a comeback.
We the people paid the banks for all this. Extraction of money and very profitable for the bigger than ever banks.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that Bill Clinton signed repealed some of the provisions of Glass-Steagal. The barrier that had existed between investment banking which issued securities and commercial banks which accepted deposit was removed. This change alone would never have caused the problems we encountered in 2008. The bad loans, bundled together and resold
as sound investments, made the crash inevitable.
Bill Clinton expanded Carter regulations forcing low banking standards on lenders to make it possible for the poor to own real estate. This set the floor for the entire housing market to become a ponsy scheme and ultimately led to the banking crash. The bad loans poisoned the well. Loans made under the previously tight lending standards would never have caused this problem. Good loans bundled together would not have caused this problem.
George Bush warned the nation in every State of the Union he gave that Congress needed to address this problem. Democrats were the ones in Congress that fought hard to keep the lowered standards and refused to change the regulations.
It doesn’t bother me that you hold both the red and the blue accountable. It bothers me when you paint moral equivalency and culpability with a broad brush. We need to hold individuals accountable for actual errors and frauds. We do not need to muddy the waters with conspiracy theories, bad attitudes and a bunch of militant poppycock!
Well played, sir. The hilarious part is that the dimwit responses have actually managed to hit the mark.
Very clever, Jack.
But my point still stands … doesn’t it?
Obama did not say one thing and do another. He meant it, about creating conditions for full employment, and tried. The Donald says the same thing, and then sets about to put people on the street.
He may have “meant it” but he certainly did not achieve it. And He, and all of you, refused to acknowledge your errors, much less make corrections. Instead you used statistics to try to game the people into thinking all was well on the economic front, at the border, and in the ME.
A bunch of pretenders.
We can do so much better.
By putting 25% of government employees out of work? We’ll see, won’t we.
Yes we will see.
The question is will you admit it when his policies work?
I’m not worried about those highly paid pencil pushers in DC. I’m certain there will be plenty of room for them in the job market. If nothing else they can always go to work for some leftist think tank or lobbying firm.
Off topic, but here’s some really good news.
A company unfairly attacked by the environmental group has sued it.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/445373/greenpeace-environmental-groups-sued-resolute-forest-products-ontario-quebec?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=garneau&utm_medium=social&utm_content=greenpeace-hyperbole
WOW! That is good news Peggy. It is solid evidence that the green radicals have been doing exactly what we’ve said they do. Love what went down in court:
Anyone whose been to Canada to witness their beautiful forests would find the accusations by Greenpeace absolutely loony!
Off topic (well, maybe too far off)
It’s been said that Mother Nature is a bitch. I don’t think so. I think she really just doesn’t care.
At the link below, you can click on a video shot from a DWR drone at the Oroville spillway on March 1st.
http://dailytimewaster.blogspot.com/2017/03/intense-efforts-to-clear-path-for.html
In the comments you will find some tongue-in-cheek “concerns”. Their obvious point is—do we want to address these “concerns”, or do we simply hire the most qualified people who can get the job done NOW?