State of the Union, 2013

The President's State of the Union Address to Congress last night was a fine performance, and contained two shout-outs for the gays - I'm not sure, but maybe we got mentioned for the first time in any SOTU address? First, this:

It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country - the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, or who you love.

And later, this:

We'll invest in new capabilities, even as we reduce waste and wartime spending. We will ensure equal treatment for all servicemembers, and equal benefits for their families - gay and straight. (Applause.)

In case you missed it, here's the enhanced video from the White House, with various charts and graphics appearing in a sidebar during the course of the speech. Full text here.

The State of the Union, 2012

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. (Applause.) You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

Highlights from the speech:




Enhanced version with graphics and stats, from the White House:




Full text here. And something new this year, a "making of" video: