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State of the Union
After watching the State of the Union speech I was curious about the history of the event and looked it up.
It is a communication between the incoming President and Congress. It can be given orally or in writting. It should state the economic stability of the nation. It will outline the administrations goals and what he will be expecting as support for the programs from Congress.
I encourage everyone to read the history and purpose of the speech.
The question is:
1. Did you watch the State of the Union address?
2. Did the speech meet the defination?
3. Did you fact check any of the claims?
4. If you did NOT watch ... why?
Gail . 50+
2. n/a
3. n/a
4. It's only theater and I don't enjoy the feeling of outrage that would accompany my watching -- especially when there is nothing I can do to fix what is so wrong in Washington. I invested my time in something more uplifting.
edward long 100+
2) NA
3)Yes. My findings: A: "If congress doesn't act on climate change I will!" Fact- He had control of both houses of Congress in 2010 and did not do anything about "CC". B: "Illegals who gain "provisional legal status" will go to the end of the line." Fact- That is just another way of saying "no cuts". So what? Why even mention it? C: "We have created 6.1 million non-government jobs since Feb. of 2010." Fact- He took office in Jan. of 2009. Between then and Feb of 2010 approx. 5 million jobs were lost on his watch. Actual gain since Jan 2009 = 1.2 million jobs. D: "Obamacare has reduced health care costs." Fact- There is no available data to support such a statement. People are spending less on everything. E: "We have doubled the mileage people get from a gallon of gas." Fact- Current number is 27 mpg. IF pending measures succeed that number will increase to 54 mpg. . . IN 2025!
4) I prefer transcripts. They are more sanitary.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I don't think political actors particularly follow through on what they say they are going to do, so that part of the presentation doesn't seem reliable. I also don't like people to blame all sorts of other people for things, and I always expect that in political speeches.
There are plenty of data about that one could study to form an impression of the state of the union. I don't tend to trust any politicians' characterizations.
pat gilbert 50+
The president does not have the faintest idea about economic matters.
I heard the new stating that he wanted to raise the minimum wage. We have discussed that on TED ad nauseum, which of course will make the economy worse.
I also heard a sound byte wallowing in the emotion of gun control, rater ironic coming from a Chicago Senator, a place with one of the highest homicide rates in the Country and some of the toughest gun control laws.
The only thing he has a chance of passing is immigration reform. But even that will circle the drain if he does not make any concessions regarding spending.
I did not watch for obvious reasons.
greg dahlen 20+
Robert Winner 50+
It would be great if the rules on employment rates were standardized. Without that all figures are suspect ... for both sides. Political hot air while people suffer.
Thanks for your reply. Bob.