The State of the Union

Yesterday, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address for 2011.  The speech was mostly about the role fostering innovation and improving education and infrastructure is going to have to take in America's recovery as a nation.  Essentially, it's what Obama goes on about in every public address he gives, it seems.

Obama is definitely inspired by the Kennedy's, using his opportunities to get up on the podium to try to inspire the people to pursue innovation.  The only difference is that, as Obama would admit if you heard his address, times have changed.  People are much more critical of politicians now than they were back in JFK's time, so attempts by the president to promote change will fall on many more deaf ears.

Well, hindsight is way more accurate than foresight, so let's take a look at what the first Congress under Obama actually did.  Before we get into that, I'd like to shake off a misconception that seemingly a lot of Americans have.  The Congress holds pretty much all the power for domestic legislation: that's why they're called the Legislative Branch, for crying out loud.  Obama just signs bills and runs the military.

I'm sick and tired of the attitude that a lot of us have, hanging the president in effigy for every one of our nation's shortcomings, whether they be the fault of the government or not.  Hell, it could be our fault as the American people, but what will we exchange for personal responsibility?  Blaming the President!! The Congress pretty much has the President by the balls if they have a large enough party majority.  If you have a beef about how our country's been doing over the past couple years, don't blame Obama, blame Congress.

So, getting back to what Obama and the last Congress did.  Quite a lot, actually!  They put through a reform of healthcare (It will probably end up being Obama's No Child Left Behind, but oh well), they launched a massive stimulus effort to stem the tide of the Great Recession, they ended the U.S. combat role in Iraq, and on their way out the door, they even repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Lame duck Congress my ass!

Overall, we've gotten a lot done over the last couple of years.  It isn't like we've done all this without a few growing pains.  The national budget has not looked any better, and Obama along with the Democratic party have made more than a few enemies along with it, some going so far as to form their own party.  Wherever we end up going as a nation, we'll have everyone, including ourselves, to thank for it.  After all, Obama isn't the dictator of the Socialist Republics of America yet.