State of the Union

Many people, including myself, are becoming increasingly frustrated with President Obama. But, hey, the man is an excellent orator, you have to give him that. I was in DC January-May 2009 and was there at the Lincoln Memorial for the pre-inauguration celebration, was on the lawn of the Capitol when he was sworn in, and saw him speak in person on multiple occasions. He is a very powerful and moving speaker. He makes you want to be a better American. The 2011 State of the Union address was no different.

"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. They are tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness. They know we can't afford it. Not now."

Sounds like something I would say.

What stood out to me most about this year's State of the Union is much of that same feeling I got in DC. His goals are worthwhile, and he wants America to continue to be the greatest nation in the world. What he needs to realize, however, is that Republicans don't necessarily disagree with him on goals. But I don't think Republicans realize that either. We all want this country to be the best in the world, to continue to have the most prosperous economy, to develop alternative energies and not have to rely on foreign oil, to not be at war, etc... But all I heard during this speech was a bunch of lofty rhetoric and goals with no concrete deadlines and definitely no plan of action.

He wants to work together in a spirit of bipartisanship. Great! I'll believe that when I see it.
He wants to double exports thus creating 2 million jobs by 2015. Great! How?
Make our primary education system the best in the world. Great! How?
$30 billion of bank bailout repayments should be reinvested in community banks for small business loans. Cool. How? When?
Invest in clean and alternative energy to spur job growth and decrease dependence on foreign oil. Nice. What about all that federally owned land in Utah full of natural resources that we're not allowed to do anything on, except pay the government to walk on it?
If anyone has a better idea for health care reform, Obama claimed to want to hear it. OK. What about Mitt Romney's state-level reform that was proven to work pretty dang well?

All I heard during that whole speech were a bunch of things that would be pretty great accomplishments for our country, but not once did I hear a plan with a deadline.

 "A goal without a plan is just a wish" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Arizona Aftermath

I found this gem from an ESPN columnist - click here then scroll about halfway down (unless you want to read about the NFL post-season first). I'm not exactly sure why this was in the middle of his column, but I thought he made some valid points. 

"800 Americans Killed by Guns Since the Arizona Shootings: 

 It is a sign of the state of U.S. discourse that the Arizona tragedy led immediately to political finger-pointing. Perhaps Jared Loughner was influenced in some way by Tea Party commentary, but there's no proof of this; diseased minds are hard to understand. Yet left-wing commentators jumped to the assumption that Loughner was somehow acting on the orders of people such as Glenn Beck, and that Beck and his ilk condone murder: absurd contentions. On the right, Sarah Plain -- referring to herself as "we" -- denied that her rifle-crosshairs-graphic showing the congressional district of Rep. Gabriella Giffords was reckless, then declared that "journalists and pundits" who call attention to her crosshairs graphic cause "hatred and violence." So Palin need not apologize for using a bull's-eye graphic, but anyone who points out Palin's own action is inciting violence. This is incoherent even by the low standards of contemporary politics.

More important is that Loughner, with a record of mental instability, legally purchased not just a concealed weapon but a high-rate-of-fire Glock -- same gun used in the Virginia Tech massacre -- plus a 33-round combat magazine. Combat magazines have no relevance to hunting, marksmanship or self-defense. In what self-defense situation would a law-abiding person fire 33 times? Combat magazines are useful for two purposes, infantry battle and mass murder. In Arizona, anyone can buy them."

 What a sad state of affairs we live in when a tragedy like this gets politicized. Shame on all those politicians on both sides of the aisle who are trying to "never let a good tragedy go to waste." It's also sad that our laws regulate children's toys more than guns. While it is true that pens don't write letters, cars don't drive themselves, and guns don't kill people, it really should not be so easy to buy massacre-ready guns.

I'm all for the Right to Bear Arms, but it needs to be better regulated. And having an on-duty police officer present at all public appearances of nationally elected public officials is not a half-bad idea either. 

President Huntsman?

We've heard it before, but it looks like there is chatter that ex-Governor/ Ambassador Hunstman might run for President in 2012.

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/04/the-manchurian-candidate.html

 “You know, I’m really focused on what we’re doing in our current position, but we won’t do this forever, and I think we may have one final run left in our bones.” - Ambassador Huntsman

This thought makes me a little giddy! I'm from Utah and I'm a moderate Republican... oops! gave it away. That's the first time I've ever stated outright on here where I fall along the political spectrum. Anyway ... I know of very few politicians that match up to my political views as well as Huntsman does. I'm a big fan. He's pro-business, Utah's economy was the 2nd fastest growing in the nation during his term,  he now has a great relationship with China a.k.a America's credit card, and he's a bridge-builder. Even as a moderate, he left office with a near 80% approval rating in one of the reddest states in America. His "get stuff done" approach is one that's sorely lacking in Republican politics these days.

“He’s an inclusive person, which, without getting into personalities within our party, unfortunately is a rare commodity,” says Weaver, who has advised Huntsman on his political career in the past. “I’m a firm believer that our next great Republican president will be a conservative problem-solver. And to be a problem-solver you have to be inclusive about getting things done.”

 Here's to hoping that Huntsman returns from exile and makes a big run for office!