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