It’s Time For America To Lead Again!
This is America. We don’t do what is easy, we do what is necessary!
–Barack Obama
Was the President wonderful last night or what! He was his usual graceful, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, hopeful self! To me, he left no stone unturned when it came to giving us an understanding of what is really going on and how he plans to make things better and take our country to the next level. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing what he had to say, and although I was sitting down for most of it, I too felt like standing on occasion and applauding! Wasn’t that a long procession of people coming in and visiting with friends and colleagues along the way? Could we find anybody as excited as The Speaker of the House? And didn’t it just pull on your heart strings when he recognized his wife, the First Lady and she mouthed the words, I love you and blew him a kiss? I must admit, I teared up a bit at that moment. All those things were good but what he said/declared/promised was even better!
One of my favorites was, “We will rebuild, We will recover, and the United States will emerge stronger than before”! Whew! That is saying a lot! I tell you, during parts of his speech, I actually became nervous. I do not want him to fail! Not just because I like him so very much but because he is the gentleman that is taking us along with him these four years; so if he fails we fail! I feel as if his openness and honesty, and conscious effort to involve the country, gives us all a piece of the pie but also a share of the responsibility. Did you hear him when he said, he has already found 2 trillion dollars in savings!
Of course his main focus was on energy, healthcare and education. Here are some things he said that resonated with me and made an impact on me and my growing belief in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• Over the next 2 years this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs, 90% in the private sector
• Healthcare reform will not wait another year, it is weighing down the economy
• He vowed to make college affordable to a million more students and by the year 2020 we will have the highest proportion of college graduates. He also asked that every American commit to at least one year of higher education
• He vowed to end education programs that don’t work and come up with new incentive for teachers
• He vowed to hold his cabinet accountable for every dollar they spend and launch a website so WE can see what they spend (Wow)
• He vowed to end tax breaks for the top 2% of the rich and for companies that send jobs overseas and give tax breaks to 95% of working families
But even as optimistic as he is, he talked about the hurdles we will have to get over. What he told us was:
• Even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that is severely weakening our financial system
• The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation
• Cost of action is great but cost of inaction is even greater
He even scolded us and challenged us by telling Americans:
• What got us here is many people buying houses they couldn’t afford
• When it comes to education, it is the parent’s responsibility. It is not a democrat issue or a republican issue but an American issue
• Not to pass the debt we can’t pay down to our children. (That one statement got one of the biggest stand ovations and Barack jokingly said, “I knew we could get some consensus in here!”)
He elegantly kept it real! How do you feel about the direction our country is headed and what did you think of his speech? You know what to do…holla back!
Obama is looking like he is not playing around. I just hope to God that he’s able to back up most of his words. Some of the things he says make me a little nervous too, but maybe a good and bad nervous. Bad obviously because he may not be able to back his words up, but good because if he can back his words up.. there will truly be a change!
Unfortunately, I did not watch the speech last night, but thanks for the re-cap. I’m very hopeful about the plans that he has for this country, but I’m surrounded at work by people that are not nearly as positive as we seem to be. He’s got a monumental burden to bare as our leader and we must be willing to do our part to implement the best of the plans for change as they come down the pike to us individually. I love his seeming transparency. It’s refreshing after his predecessors lack of it. I hope he can keep it up.
I agree with Monique, I love his transparency. I love the fact that he’s holding his cabinet members accountable for their spending. I’m like a kid anxiously waiting to see how this will all work out. The spirit of expectancy is all over me. We all need to continue to have faith. Faith without works is dead so….we have to continually work at supporting him and his efforts.
He sure knows how to talk. I just wish he was purely black and not half and half. It would be nice to see a real chocolate brother in office. Someone like Wesley Snipes’ or Seal’s color.
Why can’t we just have a black black Presdient?
Half and Half seriously? What is a black black person, why do you say that, and tell me what difference that would make to the country? I think he is a great great guy, just like he is but I am interested in hearing what you have to say.
You see that girl next to Michelle last night. Now she looks black. You think she could get elected dog catcher of Mayberry?
Half and Half I can see why you did not leave your name, making a comment like that. It took us 200 years just to get to half and half, be satisfied for the man. The Country does not care what you think, THEY LOVE HIM! check yourself. He has enough color in him ,that makes me proud of him. Just like Kathy said you are intitled to your opinion.
I’m a black lady from Mississippi and I know how it is if you are dark skinned. I’m what you’d call HIGH yella and I know that I’m treated differently by whites, and sometimes, but not as much as in the past, by blacks.
I was sitting with some family last night and they were commenting about how “ugly” that black child was, sitting next to Michelle. My cousin even said that she felt the girl was “making us look bad.”
If Obama looked like Vig Rhames he would still be chucking pineapples in Hawaii.
All I’m trying to do is to point out that looks got Obama past the “smell test.”
Oh and thanks to D for the invite.
I’ll check back. I need to get dinner fixed for my baby.
I just heard a news Man give the President a complaiment. He said the president had the whole room eating out of his hands last night. The little girl can not help it because she was so dark, but look where she was. she was sitting at the White while the rest of us were sitting in our living rooms.
Yes she was there Delores, but she wasn’t the President and a person with her color/looks would never have been elected. ( My opinion if you will allow)
Are you always so hostle? @delores goodson -
I am not hostle, you just can handle the truth. By the way, are you ready to give your name?
But it does not matter how yellow you are, she was still at the White House.
Hey Yellow, you are doing just what the white race has done to us all along, Judged us by the color of our skin. You never know what the little black girl will grow up to be, someone far more intelligent than the people judging her.
I’m not sure what your problem is Delores< You seem to have missed my entire point. I’m trying to bring out the fact that if Obama was dark he would not have been elected.
For some reason you seem to be in an attack mode. I don’t even know you so I think you should put your claws back in your paws.
I think he did an excellent job it was very though provoking. The President is in an envious position after following George W, he can pretty much ask America for anything and they will follow him. After his speech they administered a poll and the questions were, do you believe him, and do you think he can get it done? His poll approval rating was 91% in favor of the President. I believe he has so much support because we’ve never heard a president talk like this and deliver it so eloquently.
I am not attacking. That is what is wrong with the Black race today, they can not stick together. I have seen some very very beautiful black women, the writer of this article is one. Thank
God beauty is in the eyes of the beholder because I thought the little girl was cute. No matter how High Yella you are, the white man is going to group you right in there with the rest of us black people and even you would not get elected Dog Catcher. And as for Wesley, he would not be elected either because right now he is doing time or has to do time for not paying his taxes. I get the feeling you have rode that High Yella a long way, you know, too good for the rest of us that are not that yella. I may not be yella but I am not blue black either. Bobby I agree with you, his delivery was wonderful.
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Ok Delores. I understand your point. That’s your right. I also have the same right. Your approval or disapproval, agreement or disagreement doesn’t matter. This is a discussion. All good discussions will contain varied opinions.
I like being YELLA and I know it’s an advantage. Especially because I’m 5′ 9″ with kinda of a Hallie Berry beauty. I’ve always had my pick of men and I married a doctor and live a very blessed life. That was all by choice. I’d be a fool not to take advantage of my God given attributes.
I’m not saying I’m better than anyone. I know better than that, but I know that looks matter. Is is right? No, but it’s a REAL fact of life.
Obama is a good looking man who happens to have great oratory skills. I believe he needed all those atributes in order to ascend to the Presidency.
I bet you know people who have gotten positions just because of the way they look. I know it has happened for me. When I was in college I got a job as a secretary and I could only type 35 wpm. Every last one of the other 6 girls were in the 60-70 wpm range, but the guy doing the interview flirted with me during the entire process and I kind of giggled and smiled and answered his silly questions about was I dating, did I have kids, etc.
I’m just a very honest person Delores. I’m not saying it’s fair, because it’s not. I’m just telling the truth about how it really is. If you thank that makes me a bad person so be it. All I’ve done is to try and make it as best I can. I think the most important decision I made was to get asved and the second was to pick the right husband.
Your opinions are based upon your experiences. So are mine. Obviously we’ve had very different ones. There is no need for you to get mad at me because I don’t see things the way you do. I’m sure there are many things you and I would see eye to eye on.
Mary , the little balck child is getting her 15 minutes of fame, she was on the internet this morning, walking across gymnasium of the school she attends, that will no doubt get help and fixed up because she was smart enough to write a letter to the president and be invited to the White House.
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I’m glad she did….
If you think about it when’s the last time you’ve seen someone black black blackkkkkkkkkk, with so much obvious african heritage sitting next to a President/wife etc?
Typically it’s the college kind of nice looking person. You know like one of the Cosby kids type. We know this isn’t the only kid to write a letter to the White House. Obama chose her on purpose in order to open the doors to what america really looks like. I’ve watched him and have seen some of the things he’s done. Michelle as well.
Speaking of Michelle In my opinion her dress was NOT appropriate for the occasion. She should have had on a jacket. How do you feel about that Delores???
Half and Half/Mary let me weigh in on this one. I have heard it said that Michelle’s dress was inappropriate. Just like you stated above, we all see things differently. If that is the dress that Michelle wanted to wear, felt comfortable wearing, thought it spoke to the occasion, and was representative of the impression she chose to project, really, why does that kind of thing matter so much to us? The bottom line is there is always going to be something to be criticized for when you are in the lime light. Literally everything she has worn has been critiqued differently by different people. Let’s just be proud of her! Just like you said you used your attributes to your advantage, Michelle has nice arms! Why not show them off!
H&H, while your points may very well be valid, the fact that you speak/type it makes you look like you are better than anyone else. Let me say, as a man of substance, someone who acts like you – no matter how attractive you may be – makes you ugly. Your husband might not see it because…well, you want to hang on to your doctor. But we see it and feel sorry for him.
We can group you in a category with others like Shaq’s wife who could be considered “Gold Diggers.” Sure, you probably love your husband, but let him lose that Doctor’s salary and deep down your love might decrease a little.
Lol. The nice arms part was cute Kathy, but there is a dress code of etiquette. I’ve hosted our local senator, Thad Cochran, and the proper dress code called for dinner jackets for the men and gowns for the women. Did you notice what Nancy wore as she sat behind the President?
I’m wondering if she deliberately doing this or if she is unaware of the position. I think she needs to reconsider confornming….
Conforming to what? And what book of etiquette? Did you see any other women with gowns on? Why can’t we (you know who we is) support each other!
@Brian Jones – LOL..Dear Mr. Jones..I love him. I just decided that I wasn’t going to marry someone who wasn’t wealthy. We’re not going broke so that isn’t an issue. I’m the money manager and have a degree from Columbia in business. I was actually doing well before I met him.
Many professional educated women are making life choices similar to mine. Being married is sometimes not easy and my feelings are if I’m going to put up with the headaches at least I want to be able to go to the spa, get my nails, hair, pedicure, massage and shop at will.
You don’t realize what being a women is like. Having to take orders from someone when they are wrong and too proud to admit it, rubbing his scratchy old feet cause he’s been on them all day. (lol) I run his bath water, get his dry cleaning, pay the bills, cook, listen to him snore and talk in his sleep. Any woman who has the opportunity to marry a successful should do so.
Some of my girlfriends married for love and they sure aren’t in love today. I did well. I love him, even though he’s irrating at times.
@Kathy – It’s the office/position she holds Kathy. I’m not sure you really understand what I’m trying to say honey. My mother was the wife of a small towm baptist preacher and one sunday she showed up at the church without a hat on. I can still remember how much trouble she caused…lol
And my father is a pastor and my mother was a first lady, so I know. But just because society has come up with these dos and don’ts doesn’t make your opinion or my opinion right or wrong. Simply just our opinion. I think the “dress code of etiquette” book is outdated, dry rotted and done. Because Michelle Obama wears a sleeveless dress doesn’t mean she is anything less than classy.
@Kathy –
I sense you are a rebel maybe? I know I was/am.
We have something in common I see. “PK” was my nickname in grade school.
Being that Michelle is the “first” I feel that she needs to be mindful of some of the traditions. Why make it harder for herself? Plus what I really wanted to say was that the dress didn’t fit that well. She’s kind of….Well I thought her upper body looked kind of small v/s her big behind. A jacket would even her out. Plus the dress was sagging in the bossom. I know my clothes Kathy.
Do you remember how Barbara Bush looked?
How about letting Michelle set precedents and start new traditions!
Ok so we differ. Let me ask you this, what is your opinion of David Ogden. He’s someone I’m very familar with and dispise. After you’ve googled him maybe you might consider opening a discussion. I certainly have a lot to say about this maggot.
Hey Yella, it is obvious that you must think you are better than a lot of people. There was nothing written down in blood that says she had to wear a jacket each time she was in public. And as for your degree. The woman is so smart she could probably buy and sell you everyday. At one point in their life she was even the president’s boss. You don’t know, she may have some sort of medical problem that will not allow her to cover her arms. That is her God given right to wear whatever she wants to. Couple more things I want you to know, we too are saved. Kathy’s father was the president of the Sunday School in our organization and his wife, my sister, was a first class lady all the way, in every way. As for Kathy, she may not be married to a Dr. but her Military Husband has done all right for her and she really really knows her clothes. They may not be millionaires, but she dresses like one and so does her husband. She is a very beautiful black woman and she has personality to go along with it. I am not the only one that thought you were a little uppty. Brian I loved your comments. By the way, you are not the only one educated either. You should take the time to get to know Kathy. Not yella, has a degree and is beautiful; and she has been a PK all of her life. Her grandparents were preachers. Me, not yella and I am an Investigator. You listed a few of your husbands faults, you might be surprised if he was able to list a few of yours.
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Gee Delores I like you. You sure have a way with words. Especially when it comes to spelling.
Ok let’s examine some of your comments. I don’t think I’m better. I just know that I’m different and that I fit into man made catagories that are defined by looks.
The Bible says this: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)
I believe this describes every one of us. Including you…
I suspect that you have some self esteem issues. You should be able to talk about your good points. I know mine as well as my bad ones. I can describe a few if it makes you feel better. And maybe I should. I’m not afraid to put it all out there.
I ran up my credit card to $25,000 last year and tried to hide it. John found out when our score dropped from 840 to 699. Needless to say he wasn’t happy with me. He took the card, paid it off and now I have a one with a $1500.00 limit and our score is back up.
I’m a road rager. I hate people who drive in the left lane and it’s all I can do to keep from pounding the steering wheel. I love to debate, but I’m learning to back down and it has helped our marriage a lot. Men don’t like being proved wrong. I’m extremely neat and John is a slob so we’ve had a few heated moments during our 20 years over than issue.
Being YELLA hasn’t exempted me from the everyday problems of life, nor will it get me into heaven, but it did get me ahead in life. That’s what I call being balanced Delores. You should look at yourself and maybe see why you are so bitter. You make me feel sorry for you and I don’t even know you. Maybe you should investigate you. I’m willing to talk about it if you want….
No, I am finished. I know who I am and who I am in Christ and that alone makes me special. I do not have a problem with self esteem. I do not have to go out and buy a lot of things and run up bills to prove I am better then other people. I wonder if we could see you are you all that and a bag of chips or do you just think you are. It has been nice talking with goodby.
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We all have short comings…… You could learn to love me if you tried… Maybe that’s why I here….
Guess what, I agree, we all have short comings. You would keep me saved because I would be praying and fasting so much, I would not have time for any thing else. This is a good thing.
You spell pray, pray not prey. Love Ya
I can see you must pray a lot…a whole lot.
Hey Mary/Half and Half, since we have had many comments here, let’s move on. What do you think about the Barnes and Noble situation? I think we have exhausted this one, I’d like to hear your comments about the Monkey book.