It was a speech
focused on boosting job creation and strengthening the middle class. The
president addressed the nation Tuesday night in his state of the union.
The President is
pushing for a lot in 2013. President Obama made clear that his second term
priority is increasing our employment not shrinking our debt. "Deficit
reduction alone is not an economic plan. A growing economy that creates good,
middle-class jobs - that must be the North star that guides our
efforts."
To cut the
deficit more, he'd reduce entitlement spending. But to open more preschools, fix
highways and bridges and fight climate change he demanded more tax hikes on the
wealthy. "A tax code that ensures billionaires with high-powered accountants
can't pay lower rate than their hard-working secretaries."
The Commander in
Chief announced he's pulling 34,000 troops out of Afghanistan
within a year. "And by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will
be over," he said.
On gun control,
Mr. Obama demanded Congress not dodge, and that the parents of Hadiya Pendleton,
killed in Chicago, deserve a vote. "Gabby Giffords
deserves a vote. The families of Newtown deserve a vote."
He also called
for immigration reform. So did Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican
response. However, the GOP demands smaller government. "That's why i hope the
President will abandon his obsession with raising taxes and instead work with us
to achieve real growth in our economy," said Rubio.
In two weeks
drastic spending cuts strike, sequestration, unless the two sides can cut a deal
on taxes and spending.
