State of the Union

[Apollo]

So who is watching. For those without television but internet here is the live youtube broadcast.

I missed a lot of it, but I am liking what he is saying so far. I wont have any meaningful things to say until I rewatch later or get the talking points.

[Rolyo85]

[Just_Believe18]

Every idea Obama's presented makes sense. It's just common sense. It really is? Invest in education, invest in clean energy, find a solution to immigration reform, reform the tax code, balance spending cuts with revenue. It all makes sense. Fix the voting system.

I loved how Obama put the entire Republican party on the spot by showing Congress and the nation the victims to the recent mass shootings that have gone into the country.

"They deserve a vote!"

[cgymike]

I tuned for a few minutes and he was saying: "Let's get it done" like 5 times....hasn't he had 4 years to "get it done"????

[Apollo]

Let's hope he hold true on that and everything else he said.

I am most interested in what he said about helping veterans with PTSD and the like. Having worked with these guys after deployment and dealing with it myself. What we are doing now is far from enough, especially once they get out. So many of them came to the end of their enlistment so close to getting back. I remember doing a final physical on a Marine and catching that he had some pretty bad PTSD and other issues still stemming from his FIRST deployment. Sadly he got out the next day, but our medical officer ensured he could be seen by the VA after he EASed. Thank God he didn;t attempt to lie to me when I was asking him the questions.

[Rolyo85]

I tuned for a few minutes and he was saying: "Let's get it done" like 5 times....hasn't he had 4 years to "get it done"????

With an entire branch of government incapacitated by filibustering and rabid partisanship? Nowhere near enough time.

[Just_Believe18]

Heard Rubio give his first big speech tonight to the nation. He sounds like a douchebag and his speech was so canned, it was as if he never heard Obama speak. His sweaty rubbing all over his face and stumbling was also disconcerting.

I also can't believe he just pushed the same old tired voucher argument about schools. It's laughable he said that special needs families especially need vouchers to send their children to schools of their choice. What a moron. Most private schools don't have the special ed. programs and support that public schools do.

ROFL What was that panicked water gulp!?

[cityboy-stl]

Other than the minimum wage most of his proposals are things both republicans and democrats have advocated. Yet I couldn't help notice a good number of republicans sitting on their hands while everyone else stood up and applauded. It makes no sense to me at all that they would be against these ideas. I can only conclude that republicans still intend to obstruct everything and prevent any progress from being made and they have no rational reason for doing so.

[AstareGod]

Nice to see you here, JB18!

Obama did mention about equal benefits for LGBT servicemembers and their spouses. Interestingly Obama didn't mention anything about same-sex marriage (unless I missed hearing something) but it seems like he supports striking down this aspect of DOMA. Though if I recall correctly, the supreme court is hearing cases regarding LGBT servicemembers and benefits for them.

I totally jive with the clean energy push. While I am generally against any burning or drilling for oil or coal, I realize that is what got us to this point and continues to run the country. We've made great strides in making the utilization of that energy source cleaner, but I envision a future of energy coming totally from clean sources.

Both of my parents are teachers, and I have taught before. I am all about the ability for parents to start their kids' education in the public school system early. I had the luxury of pre-K education; while I didn't really learn a lot in pre-K, it helped to put me in a classroom, get the idea of a social structure, and cooperate with peers. After all, isn't that what we really need for a beneficial society: cooperation?

[nycguydowntown]

marco rubio is a nothing---always has been---he looked like and sounded like a 9th grader--he thanked a bunch of gov programs for helping his family and then was like we don't need gov programs--he's a moron---Obama was amazing and the end of his speech was very moving--especially the gun victim part--and the 102 year old woman who waited 6 hours to vote in Florida---looked like Boner was holding back tears but his peons in the audience would have strung him up

[cityboy-stl]

The "rising republican star" shot himself down tonight in his total non-response to President Obama. Rubio offered nothing original and only parroted the same tired old failed talking points we've heard for years. What a joke.

[Just_Believe18]

In case you missed it:

http://www.businessinsider.com/video...ebuttal-2013-2

[GiancarloC]

Rubio failed completely to offer a rebuttal. That rising star is nothing more than a joke... and he shows the true colors of the reactionary republican. And as far as getting it done... yeah, cgy... he has tried. But with the reactionary politics of republicans it is very difficult. In his first term they wanted to make him a one term president the moment he entered the White House. The republicans failed miserably, they failed in November and they failed in a weak rebuttal to his State of the Union.

[T-Rexx]

I tuned for a few minutes and he was saying: "Let's get it done" like 5 times....hasn't he had 4 years to "get it done"????

The president had two years before the Republicans shut down the government. Nevertheless, he brought us health care, economic recovery, an end to the Iraq war, the capture of Osama Bin Laden, the salvation of the auto industry, gay marriage, and the end of DADT.

One of the most successful presidents in history - despite a fanatical opposition intent not on governing, but on the president's destruction at all costs.

Heard Rubio give his first big speech tonight to the nation. He sounds like a douchebag and his speech was so canned, it was as if he never heard Obama speak. His sweaty rubbing all over his face and stumbling was also disconcerting.

I also can't believe he just pushed the same old tired voucher argument about schools. It's laughable he said that special needs families especially need vouchers to send their children to schools of their choice. What a moron. Most private schools don't have the special ed. programs and support that public schools do.

ROFL What was that panicked water gulp!?

marco rubio is a nothing---always has been---he looked like and sounded like a 9th grader--he thanked a bunch of gov programs for helping his family and then was like we don't need gov programs--he's a moron---Obama was amazing and the end of his speech was very moving--especially the gun victim part--and the 102 year old woman who waited 6 hours to vote in Florida---looked like Boner was holding back tears but his peons in the audience would have strung him up

The "rising republican star" shot himself down tonight in his total non-response to President Obama. Rubio offered nothing original and only parroted the same tired old failed talking points we've heard for years. What a joke.

Agree with all of the above.

I was surprised at how bad Rubio's speech was. Not because the delivery was awkward, but because he had nothing to say. It was just the same old GOP talking points from the past four years - not a response to what the president had to say at all. Do the Republicans have an opinion on Obama"s SOTU? I'd like to hear it.

And, I have to say, that fake window in back of him made me laugh.

[tigerfan482]

Great speech. Good content. There were ideas that would help many people in the country. However, due to the lack of enthusiasm by the Republicans when any ideas were presented that would help anyone but the richest corporations and people, they sat there stoically with their asses clenched in unison. I don't see them providing much to anything this country needs to get done.

I did like how Rubio and Paul further made themselves look like idiots and out of touch with anyone who isn't rich and them.

[GiancarloC]

Yes, the republicans showed their scorn and hatred throughout... and did Bonehead blow his nose during the speech? That is what I thought I saw.

They have such utter disrespect for Obama... and they still refuse to work with him. Rubio and Paul are total idiots... that's definitely true. Rubio's speech was horrendously bad... the entire delivery was piss poor. Yeah, GOP good luck with that rich white guy.

[chrisrobin]

Other than the minimum wage most of his proposals are things both republicans and democrats have advocated. Yet I couldn't help notice a good number of republicans sitting on their hands while everyone else stood up and applauded. It makes no sense to me at all that they would be against these ideas. I can only conclude that republicans still intend to obstruct everything and prevent any progress from being made and they have no rational reason for doing so.

Game #1: Make Obama a one-term president. *epic fail*
Game #2: F*ck the N*gg*r Result: Congressional

I don't know what the record for filibusters is, but I think we're close.

If Saint Ronald were to return to be an honorary cabinet member, the current crop of Republicons would filibuster, just for spite. When the bill to help returning veterans and their families was defeated, that pretty much said it all. We're going to take care of ourselves. To hell with the country... sweet.

[itsmejeff]

The president had two years before the Republicans shut down the government. Nevertheless, he brought us health care, economic recovery, an end to the Iraq war, the capture of Osama Bin Laden, the salvation of the auto industry, gay marriage, and the end of DADT.

Health care: meaningless "reform" that does not do anything to address costs
economic recovery: minimal; US strength is based solely in European weakness right now.
Iraq war: that may have ended, but the
bin Laden: assassinated, not captured; body dragged around for campaign points
auto industry: salvation? how? dumping tens of billions into two companies that had terrible business practices and produced shitty products?
"gay marriage": nonexistent. marriage has nothing to do with sexuality (it deals in sex, where such restrictions exist). It was not even something that Obama wanted to do. He did it for political purposes. It was popular so he claimed to support it. Where is the support for polygamy or incestuous unions? Nowhere, because only truly liberal people support it and they do not matter in terms of elections.

stupid picture

That does not even make any sense. Pretty much everyone works hard. That does not mean that they should get ahead. Shoveling shit is hard work, but it has very little value.

And love? What the fuck? Love is bullshit. It does not matter (except when it does; polygamists and those in incestuous relationships are evil and deserve no recognition of their "love").

When did emotion become the prime motivator of American politics? Or have Americans always been this stupid?

Every idea Obama's presented makes sense. It's just common sense. It really is? Invest in education, invest in clean energy, find a solution to immigration reform, reform the tax code, balance spending cuts with revenue. It all makes sense. Fix the voting system.

I loved how Obama put the entire Republican party on the spot by showing Congress and the nation the victims to the recent mass shootings that have gone into the country.

"They deserve a vote!"

Child, life is more complicated than simple solutions.

The US already spends more on education that almost every other nation. That is true. Look it up. The results are pitiful. Americans are terrible when it comes to knowledge in math and science. And it is not like they are not being educated. You know what country has the highest rate of educational attainment at the tertiary level? Canada. You know what nation is second? the US. Only one nation sees more college graduates.

Immigration reform? Immigration should be open, but no one wants that. Americans are xenophobic nationalists. Nationality law will never be fixed either. Advanced nations do not have jus soli citizenship. It creates a potential for a abuse. It is an obsolete idea in the age of cheap air travel and visa waivers.

Deserve a vote? What does that even mean? And what of the people not killed? do the people incarcerated for years over victimless crimes like drugs or prostitution deserve a vote too? Do people killed by the scumbags in the US military deserve a vote?

[Rolyo85]

Another pile of offensive unpleasant...

[cgymike]

With an entire branch of government incapacitated by filibustering and rabid partisanship? Nowhere near enough time.

I understand the filibustering but "rabid" partisanship? Why the hell can't they meet in aisle and "get it done"....what the heck does it take? A boxing match?

[Rolyo85]

I don't understand this record level of filibustering... It is is far above anything before that.

[T-Rexx]

Health care: meaningless "reform" that does not do anything to address costs

"Meaningless reform" that has eluded most presidents since Teddy Roosevelt. "Meaningless" to you, perhaps, but not to America.

And you are quite mistaken. The whole idea of the Affordable Care Act is to cut costs, and it has already done that.

economic recovery: minimal

Still better than the depression the Republicans gave us.

US strength is based solely in European weakness right now.

Iraq war: that may have ended

No, it didn't "maybe" end. It ended.

bin Laden: assassinated, not captured; body dragged around for campaign points

The body was not "dragged around." In fact, it was buried at sea - precisely so no such activity could occur.

But why does it upset you that a nation celebrates the death of evil? Were you a Bin Laden supporter?

auto industry: salvation? how? dumping tens of billions into two companies that had terrible business practices and produced shitty products?

I am sorry you have such a dim view of American products and American companies. And, I'm sorry you care so little about American jobs. I've noticed that Republicans don't seem to like America very much.

No offense, but I'm kinda glad you're not the president.

"gay marriage": nonexistent.

The gay married couples in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, Washington, D.C. and two Native American tribes will be surprised to learn that they aren't married.

marriage has nothing to do with sexuality (it deals in sex, where such restrictions exist). It was not even something that Obama wanted to do. He did it for political purposes. It was popular so he claimed to support it. Where is the support for polygamy or incestuous unions? Nowhere, because only truly liberal people support it and they do not matter in terms of elections.

[tigerfan482]

Health care: meaningless "reform" that does not do anything to address costs
economic recovery: minimal; US strength is based solely in European weakness right now.
Iraq war: that may have ended, but the
bin Laden: assassinated, not captured; body dragged around for campaign points
auto industry: salvation? how? dumping tens of billions into two companies that had terrible business practices and produced shitty products?
"gay marriage": nonexistent. marriage has nothing to do with sexuality (it deals in sex, where such restrictions exist). It was not even something that Obama wanted to do. He did it for political purposes. It was popular so he claimed to support it. Where is the support for polygamy or incestuous unions? Nowhere, because only truly liberal people support it and they do not matter in terms of elections.

That does not even make any sense. Pretty much everyone works hard. That does not mean that they should get ahead. Shoveling shit is hard work, but it has very little value.

And love? What the fuck? Love is bullshit. It does not matter (except when it does; polygamists and those in incestuous relationships are evil and deserve no recognition of their "love").

When did emotion become the prime motivator of American politics? Or have Americans always been this stupid?
Child, life is more complicated than simple solutions.

The US already spends more on education that almost every other nation. That is true. Look it up. The results are pitiful. Americans are terrible when it comes to knowledge in math and science. And it is not like they are not being educated. You know what country has the highest rate of educational attainment at the tertiary level? Canada. You know what nation is second? the US. Only one nation sees more college graduates.

Immigration reform? Immigration should be open, but no one wants that. Americans are xenophobic nationalists. Nationality law will never be fixed either. Advanced nations do not have jus soli citizenship. It creates a potential for a abuse. It is an obsolete idea in the age of cheap air travel and visa waivers.

Deserve a vote? What does that even mean? And what of the people not killed? do the people incarcerated for years over victimless crimes like drugs or prostitution deserve a vote too? Do people killed by the scumbags in the US military deserve a vote?

Paraphrase: I hate everything that anyone is in favor of. In fact, I hate myself for being in favor of hating everything that anyone is in favor of.

If you hate America so much, why do you continue to live here? Is it so you can enjoy all of the benefits it affords you while you sit there an oppose anything and anyone who contributes to the system that allows you to do that? You are the worst type of person. You do nothing but complain about everything and contribute absolutely zero to trying to change anything.

[Rolyo85]

The funny thing is, the number of states with gay marriage when Obama became president was two. After four years of his administration, it is now 9, and within the first year of his second term, we are likely to have half as many again.

[itsmejeff]

whole idea of the Affordable Care Act is to cut costs, and it has already done that.

It cannot cut costs because it fails to address the issue of overtreatment. Americans receive too much care. It does not help them, but they still feel that they deserve it. You want to cut costs? Base decisions on objective metrics--something like QALY--instead of childish ideas that everyone "deserves" care.

The body was not "dragged around." In fact, it was buried at sea - precisely so no such activity could occur.

But why does it upset you that a nation celebrates the death of evil? Were you a Bin Laden supporter?

No one said "bin Laden is dead; General Motors is alive"? No one who was the vice president? Really? Disgusting savages did not cheer at the line and repeat it?

I really hope that you do not claim to be against the death penalty. Death of evil? As though "evil" can be killed. The US killed far more people post-9/11 than bin Laden managed to kill. Is that more good death?

I am sorry you have such a dim view of American products and American companies. And, I'm sorry you care so little about American jobs. I've noticed that Republicans don't seem to like America very much.

No offense, but I'm kinda glad you're not the president.

Dim view? I just do not subscribe to granfalloons. I am above them. I do not use false associations to feel better about myself. I do not care who makes a product.

The gay married couples in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, Washington, D.C. and two Native American tribes will be surprised to learn that they aren't married.:

Same sex marriage has nothing to do with sexuality. There is not "gay" test. There is no requirement for "gay" or homosexuality.

If you hate America so much, why do you continue to live here? Is it so you can enjoy all of the benefits it affords you while you sit there an oppose anything and anyone who contributes to the system that allows you to do that? You are the worst type of person. You do nothing but complain about everything and contribute absolutely zero to trying to change anything.

You act like it so easy to just move other places. Even if one can live elsewhere (I actually can; dual national), there are costs to address. And you assume that I want to live at all. My short term plans are suicide. I do not plan to live anywhere.

I am the worst type of person because I disagree with you? That is very American: "agree with me or get out!"

[tigerfan482]

I am the worst type of person because I disagree with you? That is very American: "agree with me or get out!"

No. You are the worst type of person because all you do is complain and offer no effort to attempt to change anything. You can disagree all you want, but do so in a productive way that could indicate an alternative to what you are railing against at the time. I liken you to those who complain about how terrible politicians are or how terrible the country is but then never go out and vote.

[Rolyo85]

I don't know why you are posting here, other than to drown us in nasty language and negative energy.

Also, suicide is never a good choice. Not that it's any of my business, or the business of this topic.

SOME Americans receive overpriced healthcare. MANY don't receive any at all... Just saying, in an attempt to be on topic...

[Just_Believe18]

It cannot cut costs because it fails to address the issue of overtreatment. Americans receive too much care. It does not help them, but they still feel that they deserve it. You want to cut costs? Base decisions on objective metrics--something like QALY--instead of childish ideas that everyone "deserves" care.

No one said "bin Laden is dead; General Motors is alive"? No one who was the vice president? Really? Disgusting savages did not cheer at the line and repeat it?

I really hope that you do not claim to be against the death penalty. Death of evil? As though "evil" can be killed. The US killed far more people post-9/11 than bin Laden managed to kill. Is that more good death?

Dim view? I just do not subscribe to granfalloons. I am above them. I do not use false associations to feel better about myself. I do not care who makes a product.

Same sex marriage has nothing to do with sexuality. There is not "gay" test. There is no requirement for "gay" or homosexuality.

You act like it so easy to just move other places. Even if one can live elsewhere (I actually can; dual national), there are costs to address. And you assume that I want to live at all. My short term plans are suicide. I do not plan to live anywhere.

I am the worst type of person because I disagree with you? That is very American: "agree with me or get out!"

Wow, what a horrible outlook you have on life. At first I was going to attempt to debate you, but after reading your suicidal post I'd rather recommend you getting help rather than trying to argue politics on this sub-forum. Whatever psychological condition you are dealing with right now, you need to seek help elsewhere through therapy or with the love and company of close friends and family.

[itsmejeff]

No. You are the worst type of person because all you do is complain and offer no effort to attempt to change anything. You can disagree all you want, but do so in a productive way that could indicate an alternative to what you are railing against at the time. I liken you to those who complain about how terrible politicians are or how terrible the country is but then never go out and vote.

I do not complain. I disagree with your team politics based fractured take on reality.

You base your views on granfalloons (nationality, political party, sexuality, and such). I do not. Enlightenment does that for a person (also, I think psychopathy helps; emotions hold people back). I seek a world where all can prosper. That makes it very difficult to justify the actions of anyone. I do not see an "us" because you and I both hold US passports. That does not make any sense.

I also question how things like voting are deemed to be effective solutions. What good does voting do? The stupid will decide the elections. Not the knowledgeable. Look at the results last election. The two candidates who actually held different views and sought change (Jill Stein and Gary Johnson) did not receive 5% of the vote combined. americans do not want real change. They want moral authoritarianism and people chanting "USA is the greetest!"

[evanrick]

its just a speech. not gonna change anything unless democrats gain more control in the next election cycle.

politicians dont have any incentive to challenge the status quo other than facing defeat.

[MystikWizard]

I tuned for a few minutes and he was saying: "Let's get it done" like 5 times....hasn't he had 4 years to "get it done"????

Until the President is granted the powers of the Legislative Branch, as well ... then, no. Blame Congress.

[chrisrobin]

Great speech. Good content. There were ideas that would help many people in the country. However, due to the lack of enthusiasm by the Republicans when any ideas were presented that would help anyone but the richest corporations and people, they sat there stoically with their asses clenched in unison. I don't see them providing much to anything this country needs to get done.

2014 is just around the corner!

did like how Rubio and Paul further made themselves look like idiots and out of touch with anyone who isn't rich and them.

Bobby Jindal redux.

[White Eagle]

And, I have to say, that fake window in back of him made me laugh.

Yeah, when did they build a house on what looks like the steps of the capital building, or on the steps of the Supreme Court?

[rareboy]

Oh dear lord.

The GOP has learned nothing since the Jindal embarrassment.

Did anyone see Rand Paul's rebuttal?

[loki81]

worth reading:

Fact Check on the SOTU -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...y.html?hpid=z3
Fact Check on the GOP Response -- http://www.politico.com/story/2013/0...565.html?hp=r3

[kevin23]

its just a speech. not gonna change anything unless democrats gain more control in the next election cycle.

politicians dont have any incentive to challenge the status quo other than facing defeat.

WOW !! I finally agree with something Evanrick says. His is the most sensible post in this thread. Well said my boy.

[MisterMajestic]

Obama gave a good speech...I'm guessing the only thing that'll get accomplished is Immigration reform....Gun Background checks and $9 dollar-Minimum wage ain't going anywhere...

Marco is a Good attack-Dog..But what was up with him last night? He was more together during the Rep. Convention...I wonder if the bottled-water move was planned? It just made his speech look more like a Video for Americas funniest Vids.....

Very odd...The Republicans have botched up their State of the union response 4 times in a row...

[vulgar_newcomer]

Shoveling shit is hard work, but it has very little value.

This is a pretty good summary of your entire post, you are self aware I see.

[CoolBlue71]

Two things I really liked about the president's State of the Union was: 1.) gun control; 2) raising minimum wage.

What I did not like was the use of the word bipartisan. That's been an escapist word by Democrats, in Washington, D.C., for when they allow Republicans to formulate the policy. (Think of the Affordable Health Care having the tenets of Republican ideas, like the mandate, from the 1990s. They had 59/60 senators, in 2009, and more than 230 members in the House. They were talking up bipartisanship while they could have come up, but chose not to, with a liberal healthcare bill. So, I'm not buying into that selling point. It's bullshit.)

As for the Republican Response: I found Marco Rubio trying to sound powerful, but his water-drinking moment was a laughing stock worthy of parody on Saturday Night Live. (I'm guessing SNL will come up with such a skit.) But that's not enough with me. He was utterly hypocritical and full of shit, even with what he copped to, when he did the usual Conservative Talk about how government isn't the solution ... yet he stated in his Response that he used the government to provide him with financial aid to get through college. And, now of course, Rubio has his job in the U.S. government as the junior senator from the state of Florida. (Don't forget: After Time named him the "Republican Savior," he voted against the violence against women bill which passed the Senate on Tuesday.) I notice not enough people take to task this Republican Talk about government being such a problem ... yet the party pols have no problem going after those U.S. government jobs as elected members of either house of Congress. (They're there for solutions? No, they're there for power and the financial profit and security, which includes health care and pensions, that are provided.)

[loki81]

ignoring the content of his speech (which was pretty bad), I feel bad that Rubio is getting raked over the whole water drinking thing.

giving an 11 minute speech with absolutely no break is hard on the mouth. with an audience in the room you can at least take a break during applauses, but the minority speech seems to just be a guy in an empty room speaking to a camera.

[chrisrobin]

Marco is a Good attack-Dog.

I wonder if the bottled-water move was planned?

I always knew Rubio sucks. Now I know he swallows too!

[Rolyo85]

It was comedy at its best. Whatever you are saying, the single most important thing is how you're presenting it. The Eager Student Who Got Thirsty approach is rarely best for politicians:

[GiancarloC]

ignoring the content of his speech (which was pretty bad), I feel bad that Rubio is getting raked over the whole water drinking thing.

giving an 11 minute speech with absolutely no break is hard on the mouth. with an audience in the room you can at least take a break during applauses, but the minority speech seems to just be a guy in an empty room speaking to a camera.

His speech was a total and complete disaster and the delivery was terrible. If he's the future of the GOP they are in serious trouble. In addition, there were major discrepancies in his speech.

[chrisrobin]

Two things I really liked about the president's State of the Union was: 1.) gun control; 2) raising minimum wage.

Tough shit:

Boehner Bashes Minimum Wage Hike

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articl...ike.aspx#page1



I showed that gutless, f------- n------- who's boss!

[loki81]

Tough shit:

Boehner Bashes Minimum Wage Hike

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articl...ike.aspx#page1



I showed that gutless, f------- n------- a thing or two!

do we think Obama will actually make a push for it, though?

in 2008, he called for the minimum wage to be raised to $9.50 by 2011 and then never mentioned it again.

now we're down to $9.00 by 2015... at this rate, he'll be endorsing lowering it by the end of his Presidency

tbh, I can't wrap my head around equating minimum wage with living wage when a huge share of people earning minimum wage aren't people who need to live off of it (eg: part-time student workers still being supported by their parents).

edit: unless you could introduce some kind of tiered system... maybe add a large tax on employees who are declared as a "dependent," but balance it out by giving a tax rebate to the employer... but then you find yourself in a situation where two people are potentially doing the same work for widely different pay.

[xbuzzerx]

tbh, I can't wrap my head around equating minimum wage with living wage when a huge share of people earning minimum wage aren't people who need to live off of it (eg: part-time student workers still being supported by their parents).

I sincerely question if this is an accurate assumption though. Given the number of people in minimum wage jobs who are there full-time and not just catching a year or two of it while studying. I don't know that your assumption is accurate outside of the areas immediately around college campuses, tbh. Every minimum wage job I worked in h.s. I was the only 'student' there, and usually half the age of the people I was working with.

[itsmejeff]

Minimum wage jobs not minimum wage jobs because of the people working them. They are paid little because the nature and economics of the jobs.

They tend to have more younger and older people because they require little in terms of skill. Inexperienced people can easily hold them.

The wages paid are more than fair in the majority of cases. No economy should waste resources by overpaying people to do jobs that are barely necessary and provide little benefit to society.

[loki81]

I sincerely question if this is an accurate assumption though. Given the number of people in minimum wage jobs who are there full-time and not just catching a year or two of it while studying. I don't know that your assumption is accurate outside of the areas immediately around college campuses, tbh. Every minimum wage job I worked in h.s. I was the only 'student' there, and usually half the age of the people I was working with.

yeah, "huge share" was overstating it.

it's about 50% 16-24 year-olds, and 50% older workers (http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2011.htm)

[HenryReardon]

Every idea Obama's presented makes sense. It's just common sense. It really is? Invest in education, invest in clean energy, find a solution to immigration reform, reform the tax code, balance spending cuts with revenue. It all makes sense. Fix the voting system.

"

The Emperor said all the things his sycophants want to hear, but he still isn't wearing any clothes.

And FYI, "invest" in government-speak means "Spend." Spend more money that we do not have.

Balance spending cuts with revenue. Surely you jest. This present has no desire to do anything of the kind.

[itsmejeff]

The Emperor said all the things his sycophants want to hear

Did you expect anything more?