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State Of The Union Address

January 29, 2014 by · Comments Off on State Of The Union Address 

State Of The Union Address, “Lets make this a year of action. Thats what most Americans want, for all of us in this chamber to focus on their lives, their hopes, their aspirations.”
Immigration
2014 outlook: Mixed
If there is one legislative compromise that Mr. Obama just might reach with lawmakers this year, it could be over an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. But the president barely mentioned the issue on Tuesday, devoting just one short paragraph to what would be one of the biggest achievements of his second-term agenda ” if it can get done before he leaves office.

It is time to heed the call of business leaders, labor leaders, faith leaders and law enforcement ” and fix our broken immigration system, Mr. Obama said on Tuesday night. It was hardly a hard-edge demand.

The soft sell is the result of a calculation inside the White House that the president needs to give House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio some room to maneuver immigration legislation past conservative opponents in his own caucus. But though the House Republican leadership has signaled it could accept a path to legal status ” but not citizenship ” for many of the 11 million adult immigrants who are in the country illegally, some in the party are urging that the immigration push be abandoned, or delayed until next year, to avoid an internal party rupture before the midterm elections.

Minimum Wage
2014 outlook: Limited Impact
President Obama plans to sign an executive order raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for future federal contract workers using his own power to enact a more limited version of a policy that he has yet to push through Congress.

Mr. Obama also called on Congress to act on a proposal by congressional Democrats that would lift the minimum wage to $10.10 for all workers across the board. The president advocated a similar minimum wage increase during last years State of the Union address, only to watch the proposal languish on Capitol Hill, where opponents argued that it would hurt businesses and stifle job creation.

Climate Change
2014 outlook: Highly Likely
One area where President Obama could act aggressively and substantively is on climate change. That is because Congress “ with some help from the Supreme Court “ has already given the president the authority he needs to roll out aggressive regulations on coal-fired power plants, the nations largest source of carbon pollution.

Behind the scenes, hes directed the Environmental Protection Agency to create sweeping regulation that would shutter coal-fired power plants “ a plan that could also have a major impact on cutting carbon pollution but faces strong oppostion from the energy industry.

He has directed the agency to roll out a draft rule by June 1, with a final rule by June of next year.

America’s Withdrawl From Afghanistan
2014 outlook: Highly Likely
Underscoring a signature foreign policy initiative of his administration, Mr. Obama noted that the war in Afghanistan was almost over for Americans.

Together with our allies, we will complete our mission there by the end of this year, and Americas longest war will finally be over, Mr. Obama said.

If the Afghan government signs a security agreement, Mr. Obama said, the United States stands ready to deploy a small force of Americans to carry out two narrow missions “ training, advising and assisting Afghan security forces, and sustaining countert*rror*sm operations against Al Qaeda.

The Obama administration has expressed concern about the size and duration of an American-led allied force in Afghanistan after 2014 and how it could affect long-term American security interests in the region.

Retirement Savings
2014 outlook: Mixed
President Obama offered two proposals to address what experts call a retirement-savings crisis that has been exacerbated by the recession and the housing crisis. The president said he would direct the Treasury to create a new government-backed retirement account to encourage savings and also proposed automatic enrollment in retirement accounts.

Of the two proposals, the automatic I.R.A.s may be the more powerful policy tool. Right now, the government encourages retirement saving primarily through the tax code. But there is little evidence that advantageous tax rates help the Americans who need the most help “ like low-income workers ” by encouraging them to save more than they would otherwise. Asking workers to opt out of retirement-saving accounts, rather than having to opt in to them, has a proven track record of raising saving levels over all.

That proposal, however, would require congressional approval, whereas the president could create the new Treasury accounts on his own.

From Working With Congress to Going it Alone
“Im eager to work with all of you. But America does not stand still ” and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more Americans families, thats what Im going to do.”
President Obama pledged on Tuesday to use his executive authority to advance parts of his agenda without approval from a divided Congress. The approach reflects a gradual shift from his first term, when Democrats saw their majority shrink in the Senate and disappear in the House.

The Economy
2010
“Now, the House has passed a jobs bill that includes some of these steps. As the first order of business this year, I urge the Senate to do the same, and I know they will. They will. People are out of work. Theyre hurting. They need our help. And I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay.”
2012
“With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help.”
2014
“To every mayor, governor, and state legislator in America, I say, you dont have to wait for Congress to act; Americans will support you if you take this on. And as a chief executive, I intend to lead by example. ”
The Environment
2010
“But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives…. [That] means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”
2012
“The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But theres no reason why Congress shouldnt at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you havent acted. Well, tonight, I will.”
2014
“My administration will keep working with the industry to sustain production and job growth while strengthening protection of our air, our water, and our communities. And while were at it, Ill use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations. ”
Education
2010
“Now, this year, weve broken through the stalemate between left and right by launching a national competition to improve our schools….When we renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we will work with Congress to expand these reforms to all 50 states.”
2012
“Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, lets offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. ”
2014
“And as Congress decides what its going to do, Im going to pull together a coalition of elected officials, business leaders and philanthropists willing to help more kids access the high-quality pre-K they need.”
Which Moment Will Last?
“Cory is here tonight. And like the Army he loves, like the America he serves, Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg never gives up, and he does not quit. ”
President Obamas endnote was a heart-tugging tribute to the Army Ranger, Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg, who for the commander in chief has come to represent the tens of thousands of Americans injured in Afghanistan, as Sergeant Remsburg was, and in Iraq.

Men and women like Cory remind us that America has never come easy, Mr. Obama said. Our freedom, our democracy, has never been easy.

With some lawmakers near tears, Mr. Obama told of his unlikely three encounters with Sergeant Remsburg. The soldier was in his robust prime, part of an elite Ranger group re-enacting parachute drops, when he was introduced to the president in June 2009 at celebrations in France of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The next year Mr. Obama saw a photo of their introduction at a military hospital outside Washington ” above a bed where an unrecognizable Sergeant Remsburg, partially paralyzed and brain-damaged, lay after skull surgery for wounds suffered in a bomb blast.

State Of The Union Transcriptz 2011

January 26, 2011 by · Comments Off on State Of The Union Transcriptz 2011 

State Of The Union Transcriptz 2011, Barack Obama gave the annual “State of the Union” address to the American people. I must admit, I missed it, so I waited for a transcript get out. I searched for “autism”. I searched for “handicap”. I found nothing. I searched for “education”. There was a lot on education, but nothing special education. OK, there was nothing about autism, a disability or special education in 2010, the speech. I do not think it was in 2009 either.

In addition to my own interests, why should I look at these speeches to talk about autism or a disability or special education? That’s because I remember the promises made during the election campaign. I remember the disability plan that the Obama / Biden campaign had then.

I remember the promise to fully fund the federal commitment to special education:

Full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Barack Obama has been a consistent advocate and to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA). Congress promised to cover 40 percent of each state “additional cost” of educating children with disabilities, but he never lived to this obligation. Currently, the federal government provides less than half the promised funds (17 percent). Children are injured and their parents are forced to fight with the school districts short of money to get the free and appropriate education the IDEA promises their children. Full funding of IDEA to provide students with disabilities to public education, they have the right, and school districts will be able to provide services without cutting into their general education budgets. In addition to fully funding IDEA, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the Act.

IDEA is not fully funded. The stimulus fund has given a boost a year to IDEA funding (not 100% funded, but many more than usual). No long-term commitment to maintain higher levels crossed.

I remember autism is leading in the plan:

Supporting Americans Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders: More than one million Americans living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurobiological condition that has a complex range of impacts on thinking, emotions, and ability relationship with others. As diagnostic criteria broaden and awareness, more cases of EBA have been recognized throughout the country. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we need to research treatments and search for the causes of ASD. Obama has been a strong supporter of more than 1 billion dollars and federal funding for ASD research on the causes and treatments. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believes we must work to ensure that Americans with ASD can live independent lives and fully productive and ensure that their families understand and are capable of supporting a loved one with ASD. They will fully fund with Disabilities Education Act to ensure that no child with ASD or other disability is left behind. They will also fight to ensure that government and our communities work together to provide a helping hand to people with ASD and their families.

Obama has a long history of supporting people with ASD. In the state Senate, Obama sponsored legislation that became law to create the ASD program – an initiative to develop systems to promote the implementation of practices based on evidence. And the U.S. Senate, Obama is also a co-sponsor a measure that would expand federal funding for life-long services for people with ASD, authorizing approximately 350 million dollars in new federal funding for key programs related to treatments, interventions and services for children and adults with ASD.

More money went into research, including a big boost one year from the fund economic stimulus.

The Obama / Biden campaign was a document the specific agenda of autism, which included a person to oversee the efforts of the federal government’s autism:

Appoint Federal ASD Coordinator to oversee all federal efforts ASD: Barack Obama and Joe Biden will ensure all federal ASD occur in an efficient manner that prioritizes both research and support to families affected by ASD. They appoint a Federal ASD Coordinator to oversee federal ASD research and federal efforts to improve awareness of ASD and improve the training of health professionals to identify and treat ASD. By establishing a contact high level to coordinate the efforts of TSA in the White House, they will ensure that TSA receives the recognition and priority it deserves in the federal government. The Federal ASD Coordinator will also be tasked with eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that may be delaying implementation of important ASD measures and ensuring that all federal funds are spent ASD in a way that emphasizes results. The coordinator will work with working groups on ASD State to ensure effective communication and collaboration among federal, provincial and local agencies.

State Of The Union Time

January 25, 2011 by · Comments Off on State Of The Union Time 

State Of The Union Time, (AP) – At an economic demand response, President Barack Obama will try to convince the American people and a divided Congress that he has a vision to accelerate job creation, promotion expenditures on the basis of its agenda but promising to curb a growing, staggering debt. His State of the Union to reality: The economy trumps everything.

For a national television audience Tuesday night, Barack Obama will be at home employment, the issue of utmost public importance and his hopes for a second term.

Specifically, it will focus on improving education, innovation and infrastructure of the United States as a means to provide a sounder economic basis. He will marry only by calls to reduce government debt – it now exceeds $ 14 trillion – Government Reform and. These five areas form the frame of discourse, with sprinkling of new proposals.

Yet no matter how ambitious scope rhetoric of Obama’s speech at the midpoint of his term will be considered in the context of his new political reality.

The midterm elections gave Republicans control the House and vote strong minority in the Senate, which means it is not able to pass changes over GOP objections. The contrast between the visions of both parties is important, and which cut spending, and how, will lead much of the debate for the rest of the year 2011.

Obama’s speech will come just hours after the House must decide on the implementation costs for the remainder of the year to 2008 levels before the recession. The resolution, largely symbolic, would set the record Republican lawmakers in favor of cutting and $ 100 billion budget for Obama this year, as promised in the campaign last year.

“We have made historic progress toward more affordable, accessible health care for Americans when the Act on health care affordable was signed into law. Now, like many of the reforms are indeed the patients and seeing the benefits, the House of Representatives wants to repeal the new law. The new law health care reform brings significant improvements to our national health system. The passage of a bill to repeal would be a retrograde step and would be detrimental to millions of Americans’ -. Theresa Conejo, national advocacy representing American Heart Association, President of Bucks County Latino Alliance leadership
“Trying to look at things in an optimistic, overall, there is some good news: life expectancy continues to increase, infant mortality rates of all-time low, smoking is at its lowest rate ever, the age-adjusted death rates from heart disease, cancer and stroke are declining, and the overall mortality rate is falling, too. One thing I can say without reservation that the rate of obesity worsen across the United States, and cases of diabetes also continue to rise in association with weight. Unfortunately, we have easy access to more calories than ever before in history, and improved technology continues to make our lives less active. Our bodies are not yet adapted to these changes, since in the past, food was never a certainty, and our digestive system stored as many calories as possible. “- Dr. David Damski, Director, Bucks County Health Department
“Most people do not (care) important, but they should. Take care, for example, they want to get rid of him. Why? People will die. ”

– Ashley Harris, Falls

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