I don't believe we are safer or less safe. I believe we are where we were when Obama took over, so we are where we were when Bush was in office. Again, it seems like another rivalry trying to be based against Obama.
Whether it was a long time ago or not, Titanic is awesome and such a great movie! I haven't made it to Avatar, yet, but it will have to be great to be be better than Titanic. Avatar may have sold more tickets than Titanic but Titanic was #1 for months, so Avatar has a way to go.
The Republicans will go back to a majority because Americans are tired of the same things year after year, election after election. Republicans AND Democrats just won't listen and make necessary changes. Everything that our country has gone thru in the past few years and still our politicians can't seem to agree on anything. I know...let's continue fighting against each party and not achieve anything that could really get achieved, if all worked togther. Part of the blame is on us citizens. we continue to vote some people back into office and thos politicians seem to think they should be a politician for life. That's not how our government was set up. They should serve their country, put in their ideas, achieve what needs achieved and then move back to civilian life and let the next group repeat the same process. That would give us fresh ideas and a better chance at getting things done. Instead, politicians are always worried about their next election and worry about that instead of what our great country needs. BIG problem with our government. Even the incompetent ones can end up staying in office for a long time.
Until I heard the speech I was hopeful that Obama may have finally heard the American people speaking (after losing Ted Kennedy's seat) but the speech was just more of the same. He actually seemed more determined to push the health care bill through than he did before. When Massachusetts sends a message like they just did it is political suicide to ignore it. I just see business as usual going on in DC. I think they are getting nervous but they still aren't listening.
I believe the republicans will regain control but they had better start cleaning up their acts or they won't stay in control. The Republicans are as guilty as the Democrats for the mess we have now. It's not like they are the solution to the problems just because they aren't democrats. Democrats are always more radical which creates an escalation of problems very quickly. Republicans who get elected (or re elected) will have to change their ways or we're going to continue on a downward spiral. My hope is that more Independents will run for office and start filtering in to our government system. Democrats have no one to blame but themselves for losing control. They acted like 3 year olds in a candy shop with no supervision. We MUST demand fiscal and moral responsibility from our leaders in the future.
The truth of the matter is that I want to be more optimistic about our future as a nation, and after last night I am more hopeful. The one thing that President Obama kept reiterating during the whole speech that I felt could not have been more true was the fact that our government would not accomplish anything so long as they allowed partisan politics to rule the day. I'm so sick and tired of the way democrats try to do whatever they can to foil republican policies and vice versa. So long as our elected officials keep dancing the Washington Two-Step NOTHING will ever get done. It is high time our government stop bickering over party lines and reach across the aisle to help not just one another, but to help those who elected them in the first place. As constituents we should expect our elected officials to do whatever it takes to get the job done in a time like we are currently experiencing. If that means making compromises in order to do good for the whole of America then so be it. Make no mistake that we are just as responsible for the way things have become in this country where our politicians are concerned. The non-partisan politics that have taken over our country and strangled the life out of the effectiveness of both bodies of Congress are a direct result of the men and women who put them their in the first place. As we continue to remain defiant against the other parties policies we elect officials who never budge and simply vote "No" to spite the other party only to oppose their position. This is NOT responsible leadership, and certainly not responsible politics. True politics allows for compromise. If we truly expect to get anything done in Washington we are ALL going to have to make compromises. Which means voicing your dissatisfaction with your own party and their ability to get the job done. We need to let our senators, our representatives, and yes, our President know that real change will only ever happen so long as we stand up and say "Enough is enough!" WORK TOGETHER and help the American people. Do whatever it takes. No matter the sacrifice. No matter the compromise. Regardless of popular opinion. You can not satisfy the whole of the general public or every single one of your constituents, but never forget your base line obligation to those you serve. Make the hard decisions. Not because it will get you re-elected, but because it will benefit the American people. Time is of the essence. As voters we too have a responsibility to our officials and one another. You can not demand your officials be so rigid on every single talking point and issue you believe in. We too must compromise in order to get things done. Voice your opinions and dissatisfaction to your senators, representatives, and other elected officials. Let them know that it is time to lay partisan politics aside for the better of the American people. As long as we continue to accept the status quo of "politics as usual", it is just as much our fault as theirs that nothing gets done. Stand up, speak volumes, and be heard. If you say nothing at all then don't expect the change we so desperately need in this country. If you want to blame someone for the ineffectiveness of our current body of Congress then stand in front of the mirror and point away. We are just as responsible, but as American citizens, we are just as capable. Hope is not a bad thing, but it cannot foster change on its own. The real question is "What will YOU do?" Will you remain silent? Or will you be heard?
Obama’s own words – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akVkzm0YPAc&NR=1
Pelosi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxUud3yOsSk&feature=fvw
CNN on Obama - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIDQKEq_F9U
Kind of hard to grab a mop when they’re compiling the 1900+ page bills behind closed doors - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7qqXn2JYM
In the simplest terms, when Obama says he’s sick of the partisan politics, It’s a lot like a fat guy handing out advice on dieting.