By: Keli Goff

Your Thoughts: Does the State of the Union Address Really Matter?

Jen Fad · Tuesday, January 25th 2011 at 3:31PM · 294 views

There are a lot of things we must do in life, not because they are really necessary, but because we are expected to. Increasingly, watching the State of the Union Address appears to fall in this category. out from Rasmussen, 44 percent of likely voters think the State of the Union Address is important in setting the nation's political agenda for the upcoming year, but more likely voters -- 47 percent to be exact -- believe the speech is just for show. Yet that same survey also shows that 79 percent say they are at least somewhat likely to watch or follow news reports about this year's address with 53 percent claiming they are VERY likely to do so.

So which is it? Is the State of the Union Address truly important or is it -- as a plurality of survey respondents believe -- "just for show?"

Well, in a recent column for Politico, veteran DC reporter Roger Simon noted that very rarely does anyone remember a single sentence, reference, phrase or idea from the State of the Union Address one month after it takes place, let alone a year or years later. The lone exception may be George W. Bush's reference to a so-called "axis of evil." ...

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Your Thoughts: Does the State of the Union Address Really Matter?

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Jen Fad Central Jersey, NJ

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Comments (12)

Jen Fad Tuesday, January 25th 2011 at 9:31PM

It sounds like kids playing musical chairs; the American people are interested in the economy and jobs, eh.

Steve Williams Wednesday, January 26th 2011 at 10:35AM

I chose alternative viewing. See the video here.

http://www.computerclubhouse.org/content/c...

Steve Williams Wednesday, January 26th 2011 at 11:34AM

I think race is ideological. I can hardly think of a more offensive word.

Siebra Muhammad Wednesday, January 26th 2011 at 2:16PM

I believe President Obama's State Of The Union address last night was excellent, it was a solid presentation. He spoke well and I was listening to something WORTH WATCHING. Over two years in office and Obama has accomplished a lot and is a great man no doubt. You have to give the brother credit.

He said nothing wrong, and he's still an example of the way unity is taught it is taught with L-O-V-E. To me thats what separates him from some of these former presidents and fake wanna be leaders.

I'm so glad he said that our troops will return home by mid-July. I just got through private messaging someone on this board and telling them that it shouldn't be any more wars. The troops HAVE to get out of Afghanistan!!! Nothing will be gained there. Much like Vietnam.

It's time to PLAN, ORGANIZE, and MOVE out on instructions!

Jen Fad Wednesday, January 26th 2011 at 11:35PM

@ Sister Siebra,
Indeed it was an excellent address and we know that President Obama is a great orator, but more than that he presented his vision for forging ahead. He really impressed me with his philosophy of how we need to move forward as a globaal force in the world...

WASHINGTON � President Obama challenged Americans on Tuesday night to unleash their creative spirit, set aside their partisan differences and come together around a common goal of outcompeting other nations in a rapidly shifting global economy.

In a State of the Union address to a newly divided Congress, Mr. Obama outlined what he called a plan to �win the future� � a blueprint for spending in critical areas like education, high-speed rail, clean-energy technology and high-speed Internet to help the United States weather the unsettling impact of globalization and the challenge from emerging powers like China and India. �The rules have changed,� he said.

But at the same time he proposed budget-cutting measures, including a five-year freeze in spending on some domestic programs that he said would reduce the deficit by $400 billion over 10 years. Drawing a stark contrast between himself and Republicans, who are advocating immediate and deep cuts in spending, Mr. Obama laid out a philosophy of a government that could be more efficient but would still be necessary if the nation was to address fundamental challenges at home and abroad.

�We need to out-innovate, outeducate and outbuild the rest of the world,� he said. �We have to make America the best place on earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our government. That�s how our people will prosper.�

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/us/polit...

Jen Fad Thursday, January 27th 2011 at 12:47AM

@ Sister Irma,
With all the jobless people here, I think we all could use a good pep rally to get us going, don't you!

Jen Fad Thursday, January 27th 2011 at 2:40PM

@ Sister Irma,
I really fail to see your point. All I was saying is that we all could use a bit of hope in order to trudge forward in these dreary days. Yes Rev. Father Mark ( a Filipino man) does give pep rallies to all of us multiethnic parishners each time he encourages us regarding the Holy Spirit and that we should place our trust in the affirming power of Christ. I leave each mass with much hope and pep. Does that answer your question... I digress. Back to the topic.

@ Brother Clark,
...clean-energy technology...

I believe that in one hour it is impossible to cover everything, but on the area of jobs--- no one seems to be interested in creating Green Jobs anymore except Al Core. Going green is definitely something will help us. Planting more trees, gardens, ridding ourselves of plastics, recycling, ect... There is always room for those Blue Collar workers, but we still fail to talk about that effort.