What did you think of that speech?

Lol

That's awfully big of you. He laid out a number of real ideas to help people and all you picked up was what you thought was a gaffe? There was nothing at all you liked?

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@USMCGUY:

That's not a gaff. It's just a hilarious demonstration of his incredible lack of self-awareness.
Even people who voted for him based on his policies are ashamed of the way he is representing america

@UnparalleledMonster: Wow. You live in a parallel universe lol.

@Jackjjacksonjr:

Hahahahahaha!

@USMCGUY: What ideas? When all the fluffy language and fear-mongering was done, name a simple plan that's going to realistically take effect mentioned in last night's speech. "I'm gonna" does not policy make. "This is how" is what creates change.

Did you watch the address? I'm not going to take time to spell it out if you haven't even bothered to watch it and you are just being antagonistic. If you respond that you have I will list them out for you so we can discuss.

I am guessing you didn't bother to hear what he said.

@USMCGUY: Watched every word. Watched before and after the address. Listened to the rebuttal. Read accounts this morning. Looked over three separate fact-checking pieces.

Name a single concise plan with specific steps mentioned last night.

@OC that's a little unfair. There has has not been a SOTU address in our lifetimes that have done that.

@Jackjjacksonjr: Okay, then. Name a single instance in which Trump has outlined any single concrete plan with steps, timelines and explanations for anything he's promised to do.

@Oconnor: the administration submitted a budget. Personally I think you "demand" is somewhat unfair. Again, not something President do especially within five weeks of taking office. However this is pretty darned detailed:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases

Here is another one:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions

@Oconnor: Ok, Thanks for getting back to me.

1st I will concede that there was a bit of me, me, me in his speech. It was his opportunity to formally brief congress and the citizens of the US who were watching his address in a mode that was completely unfiltered by the media on what actions he has taken thus far.

That IS what the address is for. You could take it as it was about his ego however, he is obliged to inform members of both parties and the citizenry of his actions. You may choose to internalize this as ego. I can't fault you for that. I think people would be used to it considering the last 8 years were with a president who claimed everything in the world that went right was his doing and everything that went wrong was the fault of President Bush. Hopefully you are aware enough to believe that isn't the case.

That being said, the specifics that I liked from his speech included:

* "My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class"

I this this is a welcome change and having the right tax structure in place can stimulate growth and entrepreneurship.

* "Nations around the world, like Canada, Australia and many others –- have a merit-based immigration system. It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially. Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon. According to the National Academy of Sciences, our current immigration system costs America's taxpayers many billions of dollars a year.

Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits: it will save countless dollars, raise workers' wages, and help struggling families –- including immigrant families –- enter the middle class."

A merit based immigration system with requirements to be self sustaining will be a welcome change. It will reduce the burden on citizens and still open the borders up to the best and brightest.

Of course he isn't going to right the immigration standards nor will he right the process by which people are admitted but this is part of his plan to address the immigration problem.

On health care:

* "Here are the principles that should guide the Congress as we move to create a better healthcare system for all Americans:

First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.

Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts –- but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.

Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.

Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance – and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.

Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines –- creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care."

5 specific points that he want to see in legislation. I am sure you are aware of this but the President doesn't create legislation. That must come from the house. These are the tenants of his agenda. The house must work out the details.

I am particularly enamored with the second point and the last point. Both are ideas that have a high chance of working without costing the taxpayer significantly. I like and always have thought using market forces to bare would drive down costs. Insurance companies have used state law to mark out their territory and to stave off competition. Surely you can't be against any of these points.

On Regulation:

* "But our slow and burdensome approval process at the Food and Drug Administration keeps too many advances, like the one that saved Megan's life, from reaching those in need.

If we slash the restraints, not just at the FDA but across our Government, then we will be blessed with far more miracles like Megan."

The bureaucracy has become stifling and works to the advantage of big pharma which can weather a lengthy approval process. This prevents smaller companies with good ideas and new medications and treatments from ever becoming players which would further drive down healthcare costs. It will require movement on the part of congress to trim back some of these regulations."

On Education:

* "I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them."

I love the idea of choice. Teacher's unions will freak out about this but they will have to get over it. If too many students leave a particular school or district the school will close. This drives accountability to the school to perform and gives a needed option to families who are stuck in an area with no real option.

There, lets debate the merits of these ideas.

You or anyone on the left can call him names but I'd be shocked if you stood against any of these ideas. If you don't like them what would you do differently to address the challenge?

Thanks for your consideration.

@USMCGUY: Well done sir!

@Jackjjacksonjr: Cheers Jack!

@Oconnor: what scares me, is fear mongering does WORK.

That's what propelled W. into his second term in office.
Selling fear to the American people.

@CassandraFemale17: Who is the fear monger you referred to? Are you talking about President Trump? I think the only people that are afraid of him right now are the folks that are in ISIS. If they're not, they soon will be. General Mattis will put the fear of their God in them.

I was speaking about Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell and that Admin.

They scared the American people into thinking W. and his lot were the ones keeping the USA safe.

Gotcha, Thanks!

@USMCGUY: this is an excellent post. Well thought out plans.
I am not a fan of Trump, but I think his speech was good, very good. He sounded like I wished he had sounded at the Inauguration.

Even though I don't particular like him, I do wish him well. Even I am hoping the whole Russia thing is a tempest in a teapot, and if it's a witch hunt, I hope he is cleared soon should it be indeed, that. . Because that would be disgusting.

I hope he finds his footing, and we don't have to constantly think his White House is like a circus. I want the country to do well, thus we all need him to do well, in spite of our prejudices, nand personal judgments.

Power in the White House changes back and forth over time like a tennis match. We have to accept that, and we need to embrace it. Over time it gives both sides opportunity to present and perhaps succeed here and there with passing SOME of their agenda. This is healthy.

What isn't healthy is people's inability to grasp a loss, and to see that loss as an opportunity down the road.



In the meantime, you should Run for office! I'd vote for you.

@CassandraFemale17: what a lovely thing to say. Thank you for the compliments and the feedback.

I'm sure we will have many revealing conversations in the future.

Thanks again!

@USMCGUY: most welcome. I meant it.

@USMCGUY: @CassandraFemale17:

You two love birds are a great example for Americans to follow. Imagine the fantastic synergy and energy if all Americans worked in the same direction.

@Jackjjacksonjr: this is correct. But what he submits are budget proposals. He doesn't set the budget. He needs collaboration to get what he wants passed.

From his speech to Congress, I think he made a lot of good statements. I hope both sides can find those things they can both support and work hard implementing them on behalf of the people.

I hope he turns out to be the fiscally responsible President we want him to be.

I have major issues with many other things re Trump, but where there's opportunity to bridge those divides, we should support him.