He’s Back: President Barack Obama Excoriates the Current Administration During Speech at UI
Speaking at the University of Illinois, President Barack Obama brought sanity back to the country. In his refreshing and very welcome address to the future leaders, President Obama broke down the meaning of democracy and opportunity and let them know what they see going on in the current administration is not normal.
I am really happy to have him come back and explain that the “economic miracle” the current administration talks about is not a miracle after all. For whatever reason none of the Democrats will tout the horn for President Obama pulling the economy out of crisis. Since taking office the national unemployment rate is less that 1 % lower than it was when President Obama left. Since President Obama left the leaders in office should be working to increase salaries. Instead, they fought to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and give tax cuts to the rich (increasing debt). I digress.
President Obama also talked about the politics of fear, hate and the appeal to racial nationalism.
Some quotes from the speech:
“It’s the protection of our power and those who back us is all that matters even if it hurts the country.”
“None of this is conservative…. Republicans in the White House, with no checks and balances whatsoever, they’ve provided another 1.5 trillion dollars in tax cuts to people like me who I promise don’t need it. And, they don’t even pretend to pay for it. This is suppose to be the party of fiscal conservatism; suddenly deficits do not matter.”
“Even though just two years ago when the deficit was lower they said that I couldn’t afford to help working families or seniors on Medicare because the deficit was an existential crisis. What changed? What changed?
“What happened to the Republican Party?”
“These are extraordinary times. They are dangerous times.”
“Even if you don’t agree with… Restoration of honesty, decency, lawfulness in government.”
“We’re suppose to stand up to bullies, not follow them. We’re suppose to stand up to discrimination. We’re suppose to stand up, clearly and unequivocally, to Nazi sympathizers. How hard can that be? Saying Nazi’s are bad?”
“Common ground exists. I have seen it. I have lived it.”
“There are white people who care deeply about black people being treated unfairly… And, I know there are black people who care deeply about the struggles of white rural America. I’m one of them and I have a track record. There are evangelicals who are deeply committed to doing something about climate change. I’ve seen them do the work.”
“I know there are conservatives who think there is nothing compassionate about separating immigrant children from their mothers. I know there are Republicans who believe government should only perform a few minimal functions, but one of those functions should be making sure 3000 Americans don’t die in a hurricane and its aftermath.
“Common ground is out there.”
“This moment is too important to sit out.”
“Don’t tell me your vote doesn’t matter.”
“If you thought elections don’t matter I hope these past two years have corrected that impression.”