Did anyone else find it strange that the President fervently praised his stimulus plan at the onset of the SOTU tonight? I guess it should not have come as too much of a shock since he was desperate to get that post-speech bump that would bring him out of an approval rating in the 40s. I do not know if he achieved that goal, but I do know that he deceived the American people.
Despite package of the American "Recovery" Act, 2.5 million jobs have been lost and we hover at a 10 percent unemployment rate. Right now, more than 15 millions are unemployed and 43 states lost jobs just last month. What's worse is that the President wants to propose another federal spending bill before half of the stimulus funds have been spent!
In tonight's speech, the President proposed a temporary freeze in discretionary spending, but did you know the "stimulus" led to a 66 percent increase in non-defense discretionary funding last year? Spending cuts are great, but this enables him to simultaneously lock in the exorbitant increases. Not so great.
Furthermore, the President should not be encouraging a $1.9 trillion debt limit increase and deficit commission guaranteed to raise taxes if he is serious about fiscal responsibility.
"Families across the country are tightening their belts and making tough decisions. The federal government should do the same." We agree! But, now, it's time to back up that promise and you can rest assured that taxpayers will keep him accountable.
