It's an amusing -- and informative -- part of any State of the Union Address, watching which party's people stand, or don't, for what statements. In the case of last night's episode, I only wish the president had spent some time pointing it out, because it's such a clear demonstration of what the Republican Party has been during his presidency, and of what will happen were the next president to be one of them. So here's a partial list of those things that kept Rs glued to their seats:
- Nearly 15 million new jobs and the unemployment rate being cut in half.
- Equality for all Americans.
- Cutting pollution levels.
- A good education for our children.
- Fighting terrorism.
- The idea that America is the strongest nation on earth.
- Avoiding war.
- Making it easier to vote.
And—drumroll, please—saving the best for last …
- Curing cancer!
[Image from the linked article]
I wish that he had paused near his close to look over at the silent, seated Republicans, and said something like:
ReplyDelete"Will you not stand with the American people?"
And then, given virtually no movement from that obstructionist group, slowly polling and challenging them to remain seated (or remain standing) for:
"...Nearly 15 million new jobs and the unemployment rate being cut in half???
...Equality for all Americans???
...Cutting pollution levels???
... etc."
Or something more eloquent and persuasive to shame or them into standing.
That'd have been perfect!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but notice all of that during the speech and at one point, I turned to my wife and told her that a Democrat could make a great campaign ad out of it all. They could show Obama saying one of the good things that has happened during his Presidency, then cut to the Republican sitting there glumly and then just go through a short list of the accomplishments, each time cutting to the glum Republicans. Watching it the other night just sums it all up for me; the Republicans have no interest in the things that matter to me.
ReplyDeleteSince when did curing cancer become a partisan issue?
"Curing cancer!"
ReplyDeleteI'll go to my grave knowing 110% in my heart Obama put curing cancer in there on purpose. Just to fuck with em'. I know he did, because that's how he rolls...and I like it.