SOTU Thoughts

Last night’s State of the Union indicated one thing: America still has her hands full.

Before last night’s address, I admit that cynicism and pessimistic sentiments started to creep in. Over this past year, President Obama and his administration have had to make some pretty unpopular and bold actions. Some moves have been received with pretty moderate support while others have been unwelcoming, especially from the Party of No. Some of the administration’s important first steps have alienated independent voters and frustrated a lot of the democrats along the way.

His speech served to reinforce the very idea that we know is true: this is America’s defining moment. Although in the past she has deprived the black race of some of the most basic and essential liberties, the acronym USA embodies a substantial buoyancy of hope and justice and freedom and democracy and independence.

President Obama’s tone in his first State of the Union compared to that of the 43rd President’s was noticeably different. Whereas former President Bush’s main priority was the War on Terror, there was a symbol of new wars headed our way: War of Fixing the Economy, War on Getting Americans Back to Work, War on Health Care, War on K-12 and Higher Education, and War on Putting American’s Needs in Front of Partisan Bickering. He shifted the nation’s top priorities. This is most needed.

Middle class Americans have it hard. It is a daily fight to prevent home foreclosures, work to make ends meet, taking out a student loan to gain access to a quality and affordable education, working to combat racial disparities, unfair gender or sexual discrimination – while those on the other side of the aisle live with insensible tax breaks and record bonuses.

Americans were often reminded last year that we needed to tighten our belts and that those on the Hill would be more committed than ever to ensure that our economy rebounds, people get back to work, and that reaching across the divided party line would become normal practices – all for the common purpose of creating a more perfect Union. But is it so? Our belts cannot get any tighter!

President Obama reminded me tonight that he gets it. He understands the hard times that everyday people are facing. He is in touch with those who wake up each day on a daily grind to find employment, and those who have to choose between feeding their children or provide adequate health care coverage.

When times get hard, people bail. What we cannot afford is the government turning its back on the people who need the resources the most. President Obama explained that it is not about winning another election, but it is about getting the people’s work done.

We elected them. We decide if they stay or go.

Rundown

• Fantasia's show comes on tonight.
• The US Supreme Court gave the okay for unlimited amount of monies to be donated to political figures from corporations (bad idea)
• First Lady Michelle Obama stopped by "The Wendy Williams Show"... well, a wax figure did.
• Super Bowl is February 7: Saints vs Colts (not worth watching)
• President Obama will deliver his first State of the Union speech on Wednesday.
• Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke term expires on 1/31/10 - will he be reconfirmed?
• President Obama told ABC: "I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president."
• Black History Month is just seven days away.

From the Projects to the Supreme Court

President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the nation’s highest court on yesterday. If elected, she will become the first Latina and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Her academic success and law records were enough reasons alone for her to be selected. In his revealing speech, Obama credited her background and her amazing story from the Bronx projects, to becoming a judge as highlights of her accomplishments.

Sotomayor, raised in the housing project, graduated from Princeton University and Yale Law School. She is a competent and smart judge - who inspires all, just like President Obama to "not despise the days of small beginnings".

Some are already labeling her a racist. However, she simply stated that because of her race, she has had different experiences than her counterparts. As a result, she would be able to have a broader picture of people from all walks of life (i.e. from people who lives in the projects to those who are stockbrokers and lawmakers) when making decisions from the bench. She may have poorly selected her words - perhaps she could have said "because of my humble experiences…” – nonetheless let’s get her confirmed. She's the business.