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Government

Here’s Your Preview of Obama’s State of the Union Address: More Tax Hikes, Less Spending Cuts

Feb. 11, 2013 7:00pm Jason Howerton

WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 7: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the U.S. House Democratic Issues Conference at the Lansdowne Resort February 7, 2013 in Lansdowne, Virginia. Credit: Getty Images

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Reviving his populist re-election message, President Barack Obama will press Congress to approve more tax increases and fewer spending cuts during a State of the Union address focused on stabilizing the middle class and repairing the still-wobbly economy.

The agenda Obama will outline Tuesday before a joint session of Congress will include more money for infrastructure, clean energy technologies and manufacturing jobs, as well as expanding access to early childhood education.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama would outline “his plan to create jobs and grow the middle class” as the nation struggles with persistently high unemployment.

Some of Obama’s job ideas will be repackaged versions of proposals he made during his first term, though aides say there will be some new initiatives, too. All of the economic proposals are expected to echo themes from Obama’s re-election campaign, which focused on using increased spending to generate jobs, protecting programs to help the middle class, and bringing down the deficit in part by culling more tax revenue from the wealthiest Americans.

Obama has called for raising more revenue through closing tax breaks and loopholes, but he has not detailed a list of targets. He and his aides often mention as examples of unnecessary tax breaks a benefit for owners of private jets and tax subsidies for oil and gas companies. Such measures are modest, however. Ending the corporate plane and oil and gas breaks would generate about $43 billion in revenue over 10 years.

Republicans have shown little sign of falling in line behind the president as he starts his second term, particularly when it comes to taxes.

“Clearly the president wants more revenue for more government,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview. “He’s gotten all the revenue he’s going to get. Been there, done that.”

The backdrop for Obama’s address will be a March 1 deadline for averting automatic across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester. The president wants lawmakers to push that deadline back for a second time to create space for a larger deficit-reduction deal, one he hopes would include a balance of targeted cuts and increased tax revenue. Republicans want to offset the sequester with spending cuts alone.

As he addresses lawmakers and the American people, Obama is expected to say that government entitlement programs should be on the table in deficit reduction talks. But he will also make the case that programs that help the middle class, the poor and the elderly must be protected.

In keeping with that approach, the White House said Monday that Obama would not consider increasing the Medicare eligibility age as a way to reduce spending.

The president’s focus on the economy and deficit reflects the top concerns of many Americans. A Quinnipiac University poll out Monday showed than 35 percent of registered voters are most interested in hearing the president during the State of the Union address the economy, more than any other issue. The federal deficit came in second, with 20 percent saying that was the issue they were most interested in hearing Obama discuss.

The poll also suggested that the slow but steady economic gains throughout Obama’s first term may not be trickling down to many Americans. More than 50 percent of registered voters said they thought the economy was still in a recession and 79 percent described the economy as “not so good” or “poor.”

Obama will also press Congress to support his proposals for overhauling the nation’s immigration laws and tighten gun measures, though his remarks on both issues are expected to break little new ground and largely reflect his previous statements.

Still, the White House and some lawmakers will aim to use the atmospherics of the annual address to Congress to rally support for stricter gun laws.

US President Barack Obama and US Vice President Biden wave from the stand during the parade following Obama’s second inauguration as the 44th US president on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Some lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, are bringing victims of gun violence and their families as their guests Tuesday.

Foreign policy will take a backseat to domestic issues, though Obama may discuss next steps for drawing down U.S. troops from Afghanistan and reducing the nation’s nuclear stockpile.

The administration has developed a consensus around cutting down to between 1,000 and 1,100 deployed weapons. While Obama is not expected to outline a specific number during his address, the administration wants to emphasize that it wants to work with Russia on mutually supporting moves toward weapons reductions below the ceiling of 1,550 set in the New START accord that took effect in 2011. The State Department’s point person on nuclear arms control, Rose Gottemoeller, is in Moscow this week to consult on possible next steps.

The president will follow up his State of the Union address with three days of travel around the country. He’ll start Wednesday in Asheville, N.C., where he’ll visit Linamar Corp., a supplier of engine and transmission components that has expanded its manufacturing operations.

Obama is expected to reiterate his calls for revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector, perhaps reviving his campaign pledge to create 1 million new manufacturing jobs during his second term. Following a sluggish 2012, manufacturing grew at a faster pace last month, driven by an increase in new orders and more hiring at factories.

On Thursday, Obama will press for expanded early childhood education, perhaps going so far as to call for universal pre-school, when he travels to the Atlanta area. He’ll speak at the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, which offers programs for infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-kindergarten students.

The president will also speak about the economy and gun violence Friday in his hometown of Chicago.

Featured image via AP

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Comments (41)

FiscalBill
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 8:51am
His lame duck term is starting earlier than I expected.

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Hank919
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 6:08am
Let’s have a national tune out!

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oxycontinxx
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 5:48am
obama is a fool

his legacy = replaced jimmy whats his name as the WORST president in the history of the USA

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waspanglosaxon
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 5:22am
To me, the real obscenity about tomorrow night is going to be the Republican response to Obama’s predictable b.s. Who will they have? Marco Rubio – giving the response in Spanish! If this isn’t a sign of a nation/state/society upon the verge of collapse, I cannot imagine what would be!
hiSPanICs are not going to vote Republican, any more than Blacks are! Whites are still a majority, despite being smeared, spit upon and denigrated by both major parties, the jewsmedia and the government. They are the only way the GOP can ever win again! But after tomorrow night, well adios, GOP! No wonder they call you ‘El Partido Estupido’. There’s more room than ever for a third party to step in here in 2016, hopefully in 2014.

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betterpart
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 5:04am
This loser snorted up more of peoples’ paychecks via his higher taxes, and did it all with just one nostril. The historically brainless left think they’re on some sort of safelist, protected from his schemes simply because they voted for him. These dolts even clap and say ‘duh…isn’t this is good thing duh…’.

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phil1765
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 4:24am
Why doesn’t our idiot in chief go ahead and tax everyone who makes over 250k 100% and get it over with ? We all know he thinks that they have too much money and maybe he would leave them alone after our economy completely collapses.

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Chancellor
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 12:45am
Subject: THE IMF’S ABBOTT AND THE ECB’S COSTELLO ON UNEMPLOYMENT

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America .

ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It’s 7.8%.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that’s 14.7%.

COSTELLO: You just said 7.8%.

ABBOTT: 7.8% Unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 7.8% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that’s 14.7%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it’s 14.7% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that’s 7.8%.

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 7.8% or 14.7%?

ABBOTT: 7.8% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work.

COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, Congress said you can’t count the “Out of Work” as the unemployed.

You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss his point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn’t look for work can’t be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn’t be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But ALL of them are out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you’re off the unemployment roles that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don’t look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes

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- Chancellor
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 1:03am
  ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That’s how they get it to 7.8%. Otherwise it would be 14.7%. Our govt. Doesn’t want you to read about 14.7% unemployment.
  
  COSTELLO: That would be tough on those running for reelection.
  
  ABBOTT: Absolutely.
  
  COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
  
  ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
  
  COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
  
  ABBOTT: Correct.
  
  COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
  
  ABBOTT: Bingo.
  
  COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have people stop looking for work.
  
  ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like an Economist.
  
  COSTELLO: I don’t even know what the hell I just said!
  
  ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like Congress
  
  Report this comment
haras42000
Posted on February 12, 2013 at 12:05am
who the hell cares idiots speak with FORK TONGUE

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imagery
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:53pm
… yawn …

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revelation2012
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:23pm
there is a DARKNESS in his ‘eyes’ the window of the soul,,,

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Mudd
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:17pm
Who’s John Galt?

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MCLOVINIT
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:17pm
Who cares?

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SHOESHINEBOY
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:17pm
Communist Dictators do make a mess of things, they Nationalize Everthing, are In love with themselves and run out of everyone else’s money, oh, I meant to say, POTUS not Communist Dictators

umm same thing I guess…

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- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 12:08am
  Have you seen that Obamao’s buddy in Venezuela just devalued the currency. We’re headed that way if they don’t stop spending money that they don’t have, and then printing cash to cover it. Want to see rioting in the major cities? Tell that welfare queen and her umpteen baby daddies that their food stamp card isn’t going to allow them to buy roasts, steaks and big boxes of chicken anymore. They’ll have to start eating hamburger like those of us with jobs. Not to mention the fact that those of us with jobs won’t even be able to afford that. Yes, I have been in line with my $35 worth of groceries watching people load up with hundreds of dollars worth that they then paid for with a food stamp card swipe. I almost asked them when was dinner. Since I was paying for the food, I should at least get a seat at the table. Yes, my standard of living has taken a major tumble since Obamao got in office. I used to buy steak wholesale, but now can barely afford ground beef. Taking a $10,000 a year pay cut will do that.
  
  Report this comment
BHOHG2G
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:47pm
Hey! Biden is pointing a gun at the crowd ! He needs a mental evaluation for his aggressive behavior.

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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:53pm
  Agree, they take out 5 and 6yo’s for the same thing these days.
  
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Advection
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:45pm
The President is possessed by Satan.

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barber2
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:40pm
Joe Wilson summed up the entire Obama Administration when he said ” You lied.” Tomorrow will merely be an update .

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:38pm
Nuclear weapons have an expiration date, that’s not even a political issue to be dealt with right now, as the security of the nation is going to be just as difficult with large or small numbers of weapons, this is nothing more than attempting to pad the resume of the President and those that work in the Democrat Party, perhaps at the expense of national security?

Since these weapons have an expiration date, no reduction in numbers is necessary, that will occur in any event, the real problem is we have the dumbest idea that was ever devised for power generation, nuclear reactors that depend on electrical systems to keep them stable, safe, and secure? By designing these power plants around technology that is guaranteed to fail under conceivable operating conditions, you are being negligent?

It’s not the job of government to conduct research, educate people, or invest in the private sector, that’s what financial planners do with grandpa and granma’s money, so they don’t have to work later in life? You can’t trademark government research, and have you ever tried dealing with the government? 30 to 500 page applications? Why not write a Stephen King novel, its just as much work?

No Rush Limbaugh, once “ObamaDoesNotCare” kicks in, there is no entitlement, it is a requirement to buy health insurance? There are no subsidies, there is a sliding scale that tells the government how much to fine you if you don’t have it?

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fastgen1
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:38pm
More, more, more, more, just like Idi Amin, Just like the rest of the african leaders. The United states is becoming Kenya…How you like that white female voters…..

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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:49pm
  I’m sure Keaton loves it.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:26pm
Summary of Obamas speech:

More taxes,
More spending
More government
More social programs
More this and more that
No cuts
No cuts
No cuts
Me…myself…I

Sums it up in a nutshell.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:33pm
  What is the first thing an alcholic has to admit….they have a problem. Pelosi, Obama, and Reid both are saying, “Washington doesn’t have a spending problem.” We can’t help you until you admit you are a spendaholic, and a butthead, Mr Obama.
  
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- barber2
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:55pm
  DARMOK: If you were trying to destroy the American capitalist system, you would never admit that you had a ” spending problem” because that would solve our problems. Just like, if you were trying to destroy the American economy, you would play the Race Card and push loans to ” poor minorities” who would never be able to repay their loans. The Obama radicals are all about destroying American capitalism. That is what a good Marxist / ” anti-capitalist ” ( wink, wink ) does. Ask Bill Ayers.
  
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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 10:08pm
  Barber2:
  That is true, but the problem is the Hippies aren’t good at building a replacement. They never think that far ahead.
  
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calebjim
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:24pm
What ever he has to say will amount to nothing. He gives this speech every day. More taxes and more investements (spending). I will not be watching his performance because he has nothing to say that I want to hear. Three years and ten months until he is gone.

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barber2
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:11pm
” Obama will follow his State of the Union address with three days of travel around the country.” Obama II : be the Fidel Castro/ Hugo Chavez populist figure in America; more travel and carbon footprint hypocrisy ; ban gun ownership; stifle conservative media; destroy the Republican Party and political opposition; destroy American capitalism; appoint Obama picks into high military positions; more executive orders; in general, more division and destruction.

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- revelation2012
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:13pm
  WHO PAYS for ALL THAT TRAVELING – CONGRESS should AUDIT!
  
  THE MAN USES AND ABUSES EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES!
  
  he’s going to PRACTICE his community organizing skills on our ‘children’
  
  that have been NUMBED and DUMBED DOWN with RADICAL MEDICATIONS,,,
  
  Report this comment
dadsrootbeer
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:10pm
As Pelosi said Sunday, “Washington doesn’t have a spending problem”. Now that is called leadership.

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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:23pm
  Nancy…..yes the rational face of the progressive movement…..uggghthttigtog. Sorry, just threw up in my mouth.
  
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AUsername
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:08pm
take action against the masters not the puppet.

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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:29pm
  How about some names and addresses? Gimme your’s also and we’ll hook up and go get em. Seriously.
  
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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:35pm
  Most people’s masters are the MSM or Hollywierd. Keep the public distracted, entertained, give them a semblance of control thru elections and blogs, or posts after articles. What do you really want to do, you think chatting on here is gonna do it???? We all keep saying the same things over and over again…….yeah, not much change happening. We have four more years of this Anti American president, four more years of conversation is not going to save us.
  s
  
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- barber2
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:49pm
  STELEX: I think our ” Let’s Have A Revolution ” trolls are just part of the Obama radicals’ subterfuge : they would love to ” entice ” ( think that is the FBI term ) someone to plan something so that the Obama people could declare Martial Law . Bingo. They would then have complete control .
  
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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:01pm
  There are many who wish to insight the right. There is no doubt that a revolution is needed, just not a mindless bloodbath. It truly boggles my mind because the left is so freaking stupid, but they are willing to lie, cheat and steel via Alinsky. Americans, and I mean true Americans need to be sane, smart and cunning and we need them to make the first move. And it has to be an obvious move, they have the message on there side. They are getting cocky, and will push to far as long as we don’t jump the gun.
  
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tonypro
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:02pm
This should say barry is continuing his destruction of our once great nation, as well as expanding access to early childhood indoctrination.

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justangry
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:01pm
I don’t think I’ve EVER watched a state of the Union speech. Either I was too young to care or I got to where they said “the state of the union is strong”, realized they were BS’ing me and changed the channel. It would be better if they started with a joke than a lie.

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:08pm
  The whole thing is a joke.
  
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- Stelex
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:22pm
  It won’t be a joke, his last wasn’t was it. Called out the Supreme Court Justice’s as I remember, the one who showed emotion is the same one who caved. This will be a declaration of war on America. The last four years just softened us up as a nation, the next are the turning point, wonder how it will all turn out.
  
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- barber2
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:46pm
  STELEX: Agree. Obama II is when the radical Democrats release the OWS mobs combined with their international anarchist / Black Bloc best buddies back into the Democrat Party controlled cities . That is when our angry , basement -dwelling , drooling , ” mouth-breathing ( ! ?) anarchists get to trash America with their long awaited and promised American Autumn. All part of the Obama agenda to ” change ” America. We saw the Previews during Obama I .
  
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