Obama: Top Priority Is JobsObama: Top Priority Is Jobs(Washington, DC) -- President Obama says job growth is the top priority of his administration. Delivering the State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress, Obama cited the long recession, saying the 'worst of the storm has passed but the devastation remains.' Acknowledging growing voter anxiety, the President said, 'Change has not come fast enough.' Obama defended the massive economic stimulus package that he signed last year and insisted that the 'economy is growing again.' He also urged lawmakers to pass a new jobs bill and get it to his desk soon.
The President vowed to continue fighting for sweeping healthcare reform legislation, which has stalled after months of legislative wrangling. Obama said, quote, 'I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people -- I know that with all the lobbying and horse-trading, this process left most Americans wondering 'what's in it for me?'' He insisted that millions of Americans will continue losing health insurance while premiums continue to soar. Obama said, quote, 'I will not walk away from these Americans.'
Obama pushed banks to loosen credit. He also made a pitch for jobs-creating programs in clean energy and high-speed rail. Addressing the soaring federal deficit, the President proposed freezing government spending for three years, starting next year. Spending for national security, veterans affairs, Medicare and Social Security would not be impacted.
Obama proposed curbing the influence of special interest lobbyists. He cited a 'deficit of trust -- deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years.' Obama also challenged the U.S. Supreme Court, criticizing the high court's recent decision removing campaign spending limits on corporations. He warned that it could 'open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign companies -- to spend without limit in (U.S.) elections.' He asked Congress to remedy the ruling with new legislation on campaign finance regulations. Obama said lawmakers must, quote, 'right this wrong.'
The President asked Democrats and Republicans to stop bickering and start cooperating to solve a myriad of serious problems. He said lawmakers should stop acting as if 'every day is election day.' He said, 'We cannot wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about their opponent -- a belief that 'if you lose, I win.''
Obama also said he will push to repeal the military's controversial 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. The policy prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. The President said he will work with Congress and the Pentagon to 'finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.' He called it the 'right thing to do.'
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