It is never too late to start making a difference, and I for one would like to thank President Obama for making a speech on jobs. I think overall it was a good speech and that he consistently pounded the point: pass this jobs bill! Over and over, like a hammer on the anvil, he used this phrase. This was a fundamentally Democratic speech and it took the fight to the Republicans. I can honestly say this is what I have wanted all along and that I felt proud of our President, something that I have not been able to say for a long time.
Mr. Obama is on the attack, he has the momentum. We need to reach deep down and help the Democrats and Mr. Obama to continue this momentum and wash over the Do Nothing Republicans in Congress. This wasn't a "Change you can believe in" or "Win the Future" BS speech, is was one that espoused Democratic values that everyone can believe in and support.
Granted, it is not a perfect proposal. I can't say I really care for this bill to be revenue neutral by tax cuts, but he did say that we need to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations. He even called out the Republicans on their vows to Norquist! But there are many good things in here:
- Tax cuts for the middle class. These are important to me and all of my family and friends living paycheck to paycheck.
- Rebuilding our infrastructure - this is obviously important. I will note that the most pressing infrastructure need in the nation is to have a gold standard subway or light rail system in the Triangle, NC (one can wish ...)
- Rebuilding our schools! This investment is also obvious. Hard to argue against building new schools! We just gotta make sure that Republicans don't close them down after they are rebuilt!
- Hiring new teachers! This will pay huge dividends to our country and really benefit our economy in the short, medium, and long term.
Over the jump, I've pasted my favorite part of the speech. I invite you all to do the same.
Ask yourselves – where would we be right now if the people who sat here before us decided not to build our highways and our bridges; our dams and our airports? What would this country be like if we had chosen not to spend money on public high schools, or research universities, or community colleges? Millions of returning heroes, including my grandfather, had the opportunity to go to school because of the GI Bill. Where would we be if they hadn’t had that chance?
How many jobs would it have cost us if past Congresses decided not to support the basic research that led to the Internet and the computer chip? What kind of country would this be if this Chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do? How many Americans would have suffered as a result?
I applaud you Mr. Obama, for stepping up to the plate and defending Democratic values! Onward Democratic soldiers!