Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, meanwhile, accused Obama of talking down to people, pushing down those who have different views and elevating his own viewpoint “in a way that makes it look like the only intelligent position”.
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What the president did not call for specifically, and given the gridlocked reality of a divided Congress with a Republican majority will not be legislatively possible the rest of his second term, is a carbon fee and dividend, something that climate scientist Dr. James Hansen says is the most effective way to bring down emissions as rapidly as possible in order to prevent catastrophic climate change.
The president of the United States delivered a speech last night that was both sweeping and relaxed.
“[TPP] cuts 18,000 taxes on products Made in America, which will then supports more good jobs in America”.
“Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control”.
Obama asked the audience to consider how to improve fairness in the economy, use technology to combat climate change and keep America safe and lead the world “without becoming its policeman”. “We must resist that temptation”.
“Why would we want to pass up the chance for American businesses to produce and sell the energy of the future?”
Obama did not mention any of the GOP candidates by name but appeared to single out front-runner Donald Trump for his claims that America was in decline. “Period. It’s not even close”, he said.
With Americans soon to begin choosing his successor, President Barack Obama is casting his seven divisive years as a time of positive change, implicitly asking voters to replace him with a Democrat who would continue his hard-won policies on health care, climate change and Iran.
“Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks and twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages pose an enormous danger and must be stopped”, he said. “It will only happen if we fix our politics”. “The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith”.
But he emphasizsd: “They do not threaten our national existence”.
An analysis of Yik Yak posts that specifically discussed Tuesday’s speech, showed that 47 percent of millennials – defined as those aged between 23-35 – approved of Obama’s address, while 23 percent disapproved and 30 percent were neutral. “It was sadly, less a State of the Union than it was a state of denial”, Cruz said.
As expected, Obama did not come with a list of promises for his past year in office – and did not even mention important initiatives that are already in the works, such as new rules for plugging methane leaks from oil and gas wells. “It says America will always act, alone if necessary, to protect our people and our allies; but on issues of global concern, we will mobilize the world to work with us, and make sure other countries pull their own weight”.
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You would think this sentiment would be greeted with applause, but, of course, the Republicans in the House chamber sat on their hands.
