Obama, The State of the Union, and Bihar

Let me put this in context. I listened to President Obama's speech over the BBC in Bihar, India - where two politicians, not known for either their honesty or integrity have held the state to ransom with a 'bandh' - a shut-down to 'protest' rising prices - thereby creating a loss in income and productivity for one of the poorest provinces in India. 'When, oh when,' I thought, 'would the people in regional India get to hear a politician deal with real issues like this man?"

One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression. So we acted immediately and aggressively. And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.
President Barack Obama stood before Uncle Sam today to deliver the first State of the Union address of his presidency.


He set the stage for his message, reminding Congress that for more than 200 years, presidents have delivered the State of the Union in the midst of vastly differing circumstances. He said he was aware that the American people were struggling.

"These struggles are the reason I ran for president," Obama said. Obama said he was optimistic about the American spirit. "I've never been more hopeful about our nation's future than I am tonight," Obama said.

Obama said no one liked the recent spree of bailouts for banks nationwide, but that they were a "necessary evil."

Defending his actions in the previous year, Obama said he had lowered taxes for several different constituencies.

Obama defended his administration's stance on the economic recovery. He said jobs would be the top priority in 2010 and later addressed the need to create new jobs in new markets.

He proposed $30 billion be given to small banks, to help small businesses gain credit. "I will not accept second place for the United States of America," Obama said
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You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy; Germany's not waiting; India's not waiting. These nations aren't standing still. These nations aren't playing for second place. They're putting more emphasis on math and science. They're rebuilding their infrastructure. They are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.



Well I do not accept second place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it's time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.

On to the heavily debated issue of healthcare reform. The president urged Congress not to shy away, and said he was willing to hear alternative solutions - so long as they met certain criteria.

He said he planned to bring 44 nations to the Capitol to discuss nuclear containment with the goal of controlling all nuclear materials in a timespan of four years.As to his policy of containment and the security of these weapons, Obama likened his stance to the ideals of former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

The president solidified his commitment to winning the war in Afghanistan, while promising to bring American forces home from Iraq by August.

We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient, which supports clean energy jobs. And to encourage these and other businesses to stay within our borders, it's time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs in the United States of America.


Finally, a bit that describes politics in India as well:

But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is election day. We cannot wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about their opponent -- a belief that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can.
 

Ah, but the good citizens of the USA, and Obama don't know just how shortsighted and stupid our own 'goonda -chhap' netas are, and it's so sad that the good citizens of India haven't got up and thrown these people out with the trash... so more shutowns, lockouts, bandhs... jai Hind! 
Report on the Bihar Bandh -just click here!