Pasta Origins #9- New Nominating Process

The Last one of these posts. I hope someone out there enjoyed these. Just in time too, because now this crap won't eat up any BEDA posts. *mutters curse words to himself*

I promised more about the nominating process earlier and here is that post. This was near the end of the messy Hillary/Obama primary season that proved how horribly convoluted/not representational the nominating process is, especially in the Democratic Party.

There sure are a lot of spelling errors in this one. Again, no edits, because of ethics, not laziness xD

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Original Post Date: May 31, 2008

New Nominating Process

Current mood:rockin

This primary season for the Democrats this year has clearly shown that the DNC needs to change it's nominating process. It has become clear that the process as it was created allows the elected officials and party insiders to override the elected delegates. Which is fine as long as the process is over in Feb. as it usually is, but makes the party look 'elitist' in the contest that has dragged on this year and can only be decided by the Super Delegates. So here's my proposal for a new nominating process for 2012 and beyond.

1)No More Super Delegates- Get rid of the unpledged delegates and make it so who wins the elected delegates gets the nomination. I don't have any problems with apportioning process that is currently used so I would want to keep it. I believe it allows the voters will in states be better represented than the winner take all model. In the Democratic Party it is essential for it to go with the people and not have a nominee choosn in a back room as will be an eventuality if the current Super Delegate system isn't gotten rid of.

2)Rotate the Calendar- I believe that Iowa and New Hampshire shouldn't be guaranteed first in the nation status any longer. Those states are certainly not reflective of the party at all. These two states as Carl Levin put it today think they have a god given right to the first in the nation spots and I believe it's time for the party to stand up to them and remove them from those guaranteed spots. I think that the general model created this year of 4 contests in January and no other before the first Tuesday in February is a good one. My proposal is that the four states choosen in January should choosen randomly with two conditions to assure that regional fairness and assure first in the nation status will be allowed to all states. First once a state is choosen no state bordering that state shall be choosen for the first for contests that year which should allow for at least somewhat regional equality. Second the states choosen for the first 4 primary spots will have their names removed for the next 3 election cycles, so for instance a state choosen in 2012 wouldn't be eligable again until 2028.

3)Timing Rules- I believe the DNC should strength it's timing rules so that what happened this year in Florida and Michigan will not happen again. The DNC charter should be amended so any state that is in non compliance will be penalized 100% of it's delegates. It should be made clear that it is the state party's resposibility to make sure they are in compliance with DNC timing rules. If there state is not compliance has until 1 week after all contests are over to propose a new contest that the DNC will provide upto 1 million dollars for a new contest providing that it follows DNC regulations and state party opposed the contest being moved into non compliance publicly. That will allow for states where Democrats hands are tied by the Republicans to still have a way to have there delegates elected.

I believe that these changes will prevent another process like the one currently going on. I hope it'll remove the smoke filled room from our party once and for all.

I think Obama will be at 2118 Tuesday night once Montana closes. I think Obama will get 20 or so Super Delegates tommorow, Monday and in the day Tuesday so that he'll be able to claim the nomination and the networks will call it. thats just a bit of a side note.

Thanks for reading and for a final time

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #8- SotU Rebuttall 2008

The final State of the Union Rebuttal to follow the second. I didn't really post to often in 2007. At that point in 2008, the primaries had started and Bush was becoming a forgotten man. I will say that I think this is probably the best thing I ever put on Myspace.

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Original Post Date: January 29, 2008

SotU Rebuttal 2008

Current mood:forgotten

Mr. President, in the 7 horrible years since you've taken office this country has changed dramtically for the worse. Before you're first year was out America suffered a major Terrorist attack on it's own soil. In the days and months following the events of September 11th, this nation saw unprecedented unity and the leaders of both parties put partisianship aside and looked to the President for the leadership to move this united America foward. Instead, Mr. President you have moved America backward. Offering nothing but fear and lies, you took the country into a pointless war. Using fear and lies again, you began and continue to deconstruct the protections of the Constitution.

Our economy and the global economy aswell are headed for a severe down turn. The sub-prime mortgage crisis has become almost the equivalent to buying on margin during the 20's. This crisis has created a major ripple effect through out the economy that will have long lasting effect. Also the devaluing of the dollar which is leading to a large growth of inflation is of serious concern. Americans are being hurt by this, because simply their dollar can't go very far anymore. The Bush Administration has been the most laize faire since the 20's. I believe that the failure to regulate corrupt industry has had serious consquence which is being seen on the global economic stage today.

The stimulis package that the President and leaders in congress have agreed upon is by no means horrible. It at least offers somehting that might have some temporary relief. Ultimately, though, there will need to be some permanent changes. While this package will definitly help Wall Street, I doubt the affect on Main Street will be similar. The solution will come in regulation of the home lending industry and the ending of the policy of trickle down economics. No longer should the wealthy be given the benifits if hopes that the increased wealth will be spread throught the population. However it works in theory, in reality it is a horrible econominc policy creating the severe gap between rich and poor we see now. For the housing crisis, we should first immediatly have an moratorium on foreclosures for 90-180 days and should create a pool of money that responsible home owners can use, so that they won't be forced into foreclosure because it's their only option out. There is no easy way out of the problems our economy is facing now. We must work to find the solution to prevent the problems that've caused it and help those who have been adversely affected by it.

On Trade, I believe that the concept of this Administration of giving free trade to anyone who wants it is wrong. It hurts the American worker and empowers greedy corportions to take advantage of it. I believe trade should not be based on who has the cheapest labors or the most product. It should be based on human rights and quality of product. We've seen the effect of poor quality products coming from China, a country which also has a horrible human rights record. Increasing trade deficiets are also another production of this policy, which I believe has failed the American worker.

It is shameful in this the wealthiest country on this planet there are 47 million people without health insurance. Leaving it in the hands of Insurance companies and drug companies will only make it less affordable and more difficult for anyone who isn't very well off to get health care. The only solution to end the greed of insurance companies and pharmacutical companies is a government funded single payer health care program. This won't take the decision out of the hands of patients and their doctors as you insist President Bush. It'll make so everyone in this country can have access to doctor so they can make the decisions for their health, not just those who can afford it.

No Child Left Behind, has not imporved American education as the President insists. It has hindered teachers to only teaching the standardized tests. It has made so that struggling schools are made worse and not better. The policy No Child Left Behind has failed. It is underfunded, but ultimately it is just horrible policy. We need to make it so we teach children what they need to know not just some test so they can move on to the next grade. We need to pay our teachers better. Also the voucher plan you announced tonight will continue to hurt struggling schools. It'll make so those who do have the ability to go to private school can while those who can't are stuck in a crumbling building that has no funding for a good ciriculum.

The future is dependent upon finding energy solutions that do not involve fossil fuels. We must develop alternative methods that are safe and friendly to the enviroment. Federal funding for people researching all alternative methods of energy should increase greatly. Also emission standards for cars should increase to at least 50mpg by the end of the next decade and at least 80mpg by 2030. It should be our goal that we be able to name our price to OPEC, so we are no longer dependent upon unstable regions.

Entitlement spending is a problem that does need solution. I laid my plan out last year to help solvency issues(the rest of the paragraph is what I said last year.) The cost of entitlemenst is growing out of control and will only get worse all the damn Baby Boomer start to retire. Social Security needs to be made solvent and believe this can be done by doing this: Raising the Cap on Payroll taxes to $150,000 and then create a Doughnut hole and make them apply again at $300,000. Second raise the Social Security payroll tax to 6.5%. That would actually make Social Security Solvent unlike Private Accounts. Medicare is the more problamatic of the two programs. It is likely to run out of money in 2018. It believe to continue this program Medicare Pay roll taxes should be doubled to 4.9%. With this better Medical Care can be provided to the Senior Citizens. I do believe in Single payer government funded, which if implemented would make Medicare unnecessary.

Iraq is still a mess no matter how "successful" the surge actually was. Putting things in relative terms does make it look much better. The truth our military is the best fighting force in the world if you put 20,000 more of them in any place to quell violence, the violence will be quelled. The problem is that once they're gone the violence will likely return due to the fact that even in the relative peace there is no political progress. The solution in Iraq stopped being Military long ago, it is all about the Iraqis coming up with their own solution. We need to set the date now for withdraw, so the Iraqi government will know they won't have the American to lean on much longer and will come up with solutions. I believe withdraw should begin now and be done with by the end of the year. We should give no more brave young lives to this cause.

Mr. President Iran isn't developing nuclear weapons. Get over it, you're not going to get another. You're talk tonight about Iran sounded alot like the yellow cake comment in the '03 speech. The NIE said they aren't developing nuclear weapons, but you continue to ignore it.

Just as I said last year, Bush's talk about the atrosities in Sudan and Burma sickens me. If he's so god damned concerned why doesn't he fucking do something about. There genocide in Sudan, American forces shouldn't be used in a hopeless cause in Iraq, but should be used to protect refugees in Sudan and Chad. Mr. President you've claim to fight genocide, poverty and disease with checkst that are never cashed. Just a small percentage of the defense budget would be all it'd take to make this world a much better place for all people. Of course you'd never give that up Mr. President. You're to see people starve and die of treatable disease as long as you get you're bombs and guns.

Mr. President the State of Our Union is much weaker than when you started with your failed policies. We are waiting to be rid of you Mr. Bush. At least you don't matter any more. Good Night and Good Luck.

Thanks for reading

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #7- SotU Rebuttal 2007

The second of three State of the Union rebuttals. I think they get harsher each time.

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Original Post Date: January 24, 2007

SotU Rebutall 2007

Current mood:dorky

Mr. President, Since you failed to say what the State of the Union is I'll do it for you. Our Union is anxious for a new direction, new leadership, and a better tomorrow. Failed policies of this administration are no longer going to be accepted. Using fear and scare tactics is no longer working and is seeking a new hopeful tomorrow without fear.

Our economy is very aestically pleasing. If you don't look beyond Wall Street the economy is as strong as it's every been. But if you look at Main Street the economy does not appear nearly as strong. American Jobs are being lost due to outsourcing and the Middle Class is slowing disappearing. The Wealthiest Americans are getting richer with record profits for businesses, but everyone else is getting poorer. American worker are more productive thatn they've ever been, but are at lower wages. Working class people are working more for less money. This gulf between Rich and Poor must be shrunk and policies of tax cuts for the rich will not do it.

Cutting and eventually elimanating the Federal Deficit should be a priority for this nation. However Mr. President it cannot be achieved while counting an occupation of Iraq and massive tax cuts for the wealthy. Even if you have cut the deficit in half, 200 billion is nothing to brag about. Ending Earmarks is only a drop in the ocean compared to the ballooning defense budget and Entitlements.

Social Security and Medicare are two of the biggest potential problems facing this nation. The cost of entitlemenst is growing out of control and will only get worse all the damn Baby Boomer start to retire. Social Security needs to be made solvent and believe this can be done by doing this: Raising the Cap on Payroll taxes to $150,000 and then create a Doughnut hole and make them apply again at $300,000. Second raise the Social Security payroll tax to 6.5%. That would actually make Social Security Solvent unlike Private Accounts. Medicare is the more problamatic of the two programs. It is likely to run out of money in 2018. It believe to continue this program Medicare Pay roll taxes should be doubled to 4.9%. With this better Medical Care can be provided to the Senior Citizens. Of Course I think there should be nationalized health care, which would eliminate the need for Medicare.

The No Child Left Behind Act is severly flawed, but it's what we've got. It needs seriously reformed. It must be properly funded and stop punishing failing schools and lift them, so all of America's Schools can be strong. In this country there are far too many people who do not have any Health Insurance. I must commend President Bush for the two initiatives he proposed on this. Providing tax breaks for those who don't have health insurance to allow them to get it is a good idea. Also helping States who have adressed this problem by themselves by providing grants will help fight the Health Care crisis in this country.

Mr. President on Energy policy, You nearly sounded like a Democrat. Ending America's Dependence on Foreign oil will take innovation and conservation, which is exactly what you Proposed. Acknowledging Global Warming or "Global Climate Change", which is as well proven as gravity and evolution, is significant and a step in the right direction. Raising Emmission standards and reducing oil usage will help the enviroment, economy and national security.

On Iraq Mr. President, Your new plan is doomed to failure. Putting 20,000 more American troops into the middle of a Civil War will result is nothing changing and provide nothing but more American targets. Also the War in Iraq does nothing to improve the American security situation and actually provides a massive recruiting tool and motivation to attack America for Islamic Extremeists. Iraq has hindered America's ability elsewhere in the world diplomatically. With Iran and North Korea it is all carrot and no stick allowing them to continue there nuclear programs without fear of reprisal as long as they don't take it to far.

America needs to begin withdraw from Iraq immediatly and be done with it by Christmas. A 14 century old fued will not be ended no matter how long or how hard America tries. Getting nowhere fast is not a policy, but a way to get more of America's bravest killed. We need to remove are troops from Iraq and allow are military to be free if needed else where in the world. Also Mr. President you made no mention of Diplomacy in Iraq. Why? The only sucessful conclusion to Iraq will come diplomatically not at the barell of an M-16. It require us to work with the Sects in Iraq and other countries in the region to help stabilize Iraq.

Mr. President, How Dare you talk about the atrosities in Sudan and Burma? You have done nothing to end these your whole presidency won't do anything besides talk. Do not invoke these peoples suffering for your own gain. How about taking troops out of Iraq and protecting the refugee camps in Sudan and Chad. How about using America's might to improve the situation in Burma instead of just talking about it. On HIV/AIDS President Bush has made many promises year after year in this speech and will continue to not come through on them. He's constantly writing check and never cashing them. Just taking 1% of the Defense budget could help treat millions of people suffering in Africa from AIDS and help educate many millions more about the disease.

Thank You. Good Night.

Thanks for reading

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #6- This Is How We Need To Get It Done

The sixth in the series. This is series is going to end up being longer than I had anticipated.

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Original Post Date: September 25, 2006

This Is How We Need To Get It Done

Current mood:relaxed

Former President Bill Clinton lashed out at Fox News(or NAMBLA) reporter Chris Wallace during an Interview when basically asked why didn't you stop 9/11. Clinton responded with the following points(I'm gonaa paraphrase here):

-I tried, Bush didn't try and didn't have bin Laden as a priority

-All the right wingers who criticize me now for being to soft on Terror, were accusing me of being to obscessed with Bin Laden and wagging the dog(just trying to distract from the impeachment)

-I came closer to killing Bin Laden than anyone else before or after 9/11.

-Fox News is Right Wing and wouldn't have and interviewer ask someone in the Bush Administration the same question.

I'm so glad Clinton actually stood up to this and defended himself. I wish more Democrats would say no, we're not weak on Terror, we will defend this country better than the Republicans claim they do. We need to stand up as a party and say they fucked up big time before 9/11. They focused on Iraq for 9 months while the final stages of the 9/11 plot we're being completed. Bush gets handed a document that say, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Inside US" and doesn't do shit about it. They've fucked up big time since 9/11 in not focusing on Afganistan and leaving most of the fighting to Afgan Rebels and letting Bin Laden go at Tora Bora. They didn't finish the job in Afganistan before going to Iraq which had no connection to 9/11 or any Terrorist organization. Afganistan ended up being like whacking a hornets nest and just spread the Al-Qadia Terrorists all across the globe making the entire world less safe including the US. Iraq also ended up becoming a great recruiting tool for Islamic Extremists and a place where Americans could be easily killed. Terrorist attacks since 9/11 have grown almost exponentionally worldwide thanks to Bush's terrorism policy.

US Democrats need to quit running from the Terrorism issue and beat the republicans at their own game.

Thanks for reading

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #5- New Hampshire

A short post this week, but this is one I actually quite like. I really do wish the process to nominate Presidential candidates was done in a more fair way. There will be more on this later in the series.

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Original Post Date: August 23, 2006

No One gives a Fuck About Your Little Pissant State, New Hampshire

Current mood:annoyed

New Hampshire is all pissed off because the DNC has voted to change it's primary calendar, so that New Hampshire and Iowa are not as significant and to include the party base and minorites in the nominating process. New Hampshire is invoking a 1913 state law that gives New Hampshire a ten day buffer to be the only similar contest within tens day's of its contest.

New Hampshire shouldn't hold such an important place in the nominating process. It's a little pissant, white-bred state in which nothing is done the way it is in the rest of the country. Do you honestly think your little fucking state should determine who are nominee should be? Why shouldn't other states be allowed to join in? Especially states that will better reflect the party. You want your 10 fucking day buffer fine, we'll put your primary in July where it is totally fucking meaningless.

Thanks for reading

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #4- 9/11 Conspriacies

I think I can more competently argue the point now. However, that's not the point of these posts. Anyway, I don't even bother with the loons anymore. When people bring up their crazy theories I just blame it on Voldemort until they leave me alone*.

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Original Post Date: August 8th, 2006

9/11 conspriacies

Current mood:cranky

A poll came out recently that showed that 1/3 of Americans believe that their was government involvment in 9/11 attacks. The number is high, but really isn't that suprising to me. We're in an enviroment now with incrediable mistrust of the government and a very unpopular President. Also it seems that the American people cannot believe horrible things can happen without government involvment. People can't believe that a crazy guy with a rifle can kill the president by himself.

I don't believe the 9/11 conspriacy theories at all. I think 9/11 just fell into this administrations lap and they've managed to exploit it perfectly. The problem before 9/11 wasn't an intentional government plot, it was bureaucracy and ignorance. Their also was a lack of Arabic translators before the attakcs. There were lots of people that had little bits of information that could have possibly prevented the attacks, but they were unable to get that information to the top of their organization. Also some important messages went untranslated until after the attack. The Bush Adminstration was so blinded by their desire to go into Iraq that it ignored the terrorist threat. People like Richard Clarke and George Tenet were in the White House screaming at people in the White House that there was a imment threat of Terrorist attacks. On August 6, 2001 President Bush was handed a Presidental Daily Briefing entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US" and still the adminstration did absoletly nothing about the threat from Islamic Extremists until September 10, 2001 at the urging of Richard Clarke and that really wasn't anything significant.

Bush was only made President elect in December of 2000, Therefore his adminstration would have only had 9 months to get all pertinent government agencies to go along with such a horrible plot. There's no way that an adminstration could get something this henious through the government without people stopping it or going public with it. I don't see what this adminstration really had to gain through the 9/11. Their goal was Iraq and they would have just lied their way to get it anyway. All other benifits they got from 9/11 were just them getting lucky.

Anyway, do any of you believe these conspriacy theories about September 11th?

Thanks for reading.

-Past Michael

*Pro-tip from Present day Michael

Pasta Origins #3- Immigration: The Dirty Little Secret

Another installment, this time about a ridiculous bill. I've come to feel this way about a lot of issues. They're not there to actually be fixed, but just to be talked about. So, I take you to 16 year old Michael:

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Original Post Date: March 28th, 2006

Immigration: The Dirty Little Secret

Current mood:peaceful

Last week the House passed an Immigration Bill that I think is just horrible. It does things like build a 700-mile long foot fence along the U.S. Mexican Border, which is just stupid. Also It would punish orginazations who feed and cloth the poor if they give food, clothing, or basic things needed for living to illegal immigrants. This Bill also would make it so illegal immigrants would be deported no matter whether or not they are being productive.

Yesterday the Senate Judicary Committee approved what will be the Senate version of the Bill, which I like. This bill creates a Guest worker program that will allow for 400,000 Immigrants a year to enter the country a year to hold low paying jobs that American Workers. Also it will allow for Illegal Immigrants in America now to be able to gain citizenship and remain in the country. Also this will allow 1.5 illegal immigrants to hold jobs in the agricultural field, and gain citizenship. Both the House and Senate version increase the number of Border Patrol.

Here's the Secret about Immigration: No Immigration Bill will ever actually pass. You see the Senate and House versions are so very different that they won't ever be worked out in Conference Committee. Immigration is one of 2 issues that politicans don't really want to touch, the other being Social Security. The problem with Immigration is simple Americans hate Immigration, but love the Immigrant.

So by Congress doing this they'll be able to get what they want for the elections and that is being able to say they tried on Immigration, without actually having to do anything.

Thanks for reading.

-Past Michael

Pasta Origins #1- SotU Rebuttal 2006

Hello All! I'm starting a new series. This isn't my first attempt at blogging. I have already started and quit several blogs here on Blogger. However, my first blogs were on Myspace*, which were almost entirely political. Inspired by Britt5091's (Zaxy and Blonde Nerd) origin posts, I'm going to post some decent/interesting posts from my old Myspace blog on Friday nights until I run out. Why Friday night? Because no one's around on Friday nights to read these. Also, keep this secret, but it's easy** content.

So, I'll start off this series with one of three rebuttals to George W. Bush's State of the Union Addresses. This is my rebuttal to his 2006 speech. A bit of context. It was still just months since Hurricane Katrina had hit New Orleans. President Bush had attempted to get both Immigration and Entitlement reform and it hadn't worked out well for him and his approval was plummeting. I think most notably I wasn't as cynical as I am now.

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Original Post Date: February 2nd, 2006

SotU rebuttal

Current mood:peaceful

Mr. President, Is the State of the Union actually strong? We have 150,000 troops abroad fighting a war that was based on poor intelligence. This has over-stretched our military. Americans phone calls are being monitored without a warrant, which violates the law and is unconstitutional. There are thousands of Americans who still don’t have long-term temporary housing after Hurricane Katrina. Our Economy is being slowed by increasing inflation, high energy prices, and competition from countries who allow people to work for mere cents an hour. Health Care costs are out of control, not allowing many to afford the treatment and medication they need, and there are millions of Americans with no health insurance at all and that needs to change. Their are ethical concerns in Washington both on the hill and in the White House.

Mr. President you lack a true plan for victory in Iraq. We need a real exit strategy, not just saying when the Iraqis are prepared and when the military leaders say so. First our large military presence in Iraq is strengthening the insurgency, and second our indefinite military presence will cause the Iraqis to be dependent on us. I believe we should begin withdrawing our troops immediately from Iraq, with all of them home by Christmas.

Domestic Intelligence gathering is indeed necessary to help defeat Islamic Extremists. But gathering Intelligence illegally is dangerous to our civil liberties, and puts all in danger of an over-zealous executive. Also violating the constitution in the so call ‘War on Terror’ is dangerous as well, because betraying our rights is exactly what they want us to do, and we should not give it to them.

Hurricane Katrina was a terrible event in the past year needs to not be forgotten. The people on the Gulf Coast, who were affected by this storm, in many cases still lack a place the can call home until they are able to rebuild their homes. Getting these people semi-permanent housing needs to be a national priority and should be addressed immediately. Also we need to not forget the rebuilding, it will be a long road, but we need to continue to provide funds to rebuild the Gulf Coast, so that it can be returned to what it once was. Also as you said in your speech, we need to address the problems with the area prior to the storm. There was much poverty and we need to make sure that this region is made economically strong after being rebuilt.

The Economy is growing at a rapid rate, but it still has problems. The gap between rich and poor is growing as rapidly as it has since the 20’s. Also the new jobs being created are not nearly as good as the jobs that are leaving for other countries where workers can be paid less that 5 cents an hour. I believe we need to level the playing field by only trading with countries with good human rights, and an acceptable minimum wage. Also our dependence on foreign oil has made our economy temperamental and fluctuates with happenings in the middle east.

Mr. President your statements about the need to end Americas addiction to foreign oil are absolutely true. It needs to be ended by developing new sources of energy and I commend on saying that we need to get that done.

Health Care Costs in this country are out of control. Americans are either losing their health insurance all together or taking massive benefit cuts from their health insurance provided by their workplace. I believe that it is absurd that there are around 40 million Americans don’t have health insurance. In a country of our wealth I believe it is the governments responsibility to make sure everyone is able to get health care whenever they need it. That’s why I am calling for an new nationalized health care system.

The ethical problems in Washington need to be dealt with as soon as possible. There needs to be lobbying reform passed that will close all lobbying loopholes and prevent a person like Jack Abramoff from gaining that type of power in Washington. In the White House there are major ethical concerns from leaking a CIA agents name, and some dealings with Jack Abramoff. Government needs to be cleaned up and it needs to be cleaned up now.

Mr. President you make a lot of claims about HIV/AIDS but you truly have not fulfilled any of your prior promises about this issue in the past nor do I think you will this time.

In your speech you talked about strengthening our education system. I agree with you, for Americans to be able to compete with foreign competitors we need to teach more math and science and make sure more kids stay in school and are able to graduate.

No Child Left Behind has harmed schools and needs to be reformed. It cuts funds to failing schools and therefore hurts those schools and prevent the students attending those schools from receiving a quality education, and hurts Americas future.

Social Security does need to be changed, and I believe in your calling for a new commission on the matter is great step in that direction. I believe that privatizing Social Security is a risky idea and should not even be considered. I think the best way to help extend the life of this program is to both increase social security and have small cuts in social security benefits. There needs to be a solution on this and both sides just sitting and staring at each other will not achieve that.

The tax cuts passed by congress should not be made permanent. Our nation is in massive debt and it is continuing to grow largely because of these tax cuts. Having a massive debt and deficit will hurt the economy more in the long run, than an increase in taxes. Also these tax cuts do not benefit the people who need it. These tax cuts give 88% of the benefits to the top 1% of the population.

I must say that the State of the Union is not strong. It can be made strong but much must be changed and I hope that you, Mr. President will work to make it that way.

Thanks for reading.

-Past Michael

*Remember Myspace?

**I'm not even going to edit out any of the errors. I'll say to change anything would be unethical. That sounds good.