I'd like to see Obama do an economic version of his racism speech

[Armstead]

We are in, what is sometimes called a "teachable moment." And Obama is a great teacher.

IMO Obama could benefit greatly if he were to use the SOTU speech to level with America in a three-dimensional way about the eocnomy as he did in his speech on racism last year.

In other words be real, and use his great ability to put things into context to level with America about where we are and how we got here. Acknowledge the mistake of allowing wealth and power to become so concentrated, and for the real economy to get hollowed out because of blind adherence to the dictates of "the unregulated free market."

Last year when his campaign was dropped to the mat by the Rev. Wright controversy, Obama did something brilliant. Instead of just throwing Wright under the bus and saying "I am against racism," he actually used the occasion to talk straight about racism, in a three-dimensional context. He acknowledged the problem, but he went a lot further than the cliches to look at what causes it. Rather than just taking the easy way out and condemning Wright, he actually to the time to explain why Wright is so angry.

The effect was to give his campaign a major jumpstart. Remember how enthusiastic the response was? People were amazed to hear real ideas of substance from a politician, and honesty instead of pandering or political expediency. It also advanced the ongoing public dialogue about racism.

IMO he could give his administration -- and America -- a similar jumpstart with a speech that levels with the American people in the same way about the economy. How we got here, the dynamics of why it's such a mess, and a thoughtful set of solutions within a larger framework....Not just "george Bush screwed up" or "We will create job s for you" but the unvarnished truth about how gthe policies and values of the last 30 years have led to this. And provide a roadmap of real change based in liberalism and pragmatism.

Sure he'd have to follow the aspect of SOTUs are usually just a laundry list of accomplishments and a wish list of promises. But if he presented those in a larger context ofn reakl change and reform -- and mean it -- I think he'd do a lot better and gain more political points than if he just trots out the old centrist cliches and promises and partisan blame.

He could actually make history.

Just my opinion.

[DJ13]

1. To make it work he needs to believe in those solutions himself

Im not sure he DOES believe in truly Democratic solutions to our economic woes.

He seems more inclined to see things through the eyes of a DLC'er, which is nothing more than watered down Republicanism...... trickle down in other words.

[renegade000]

2. i concur 100%

He would be wise to eschew the typical "the state of the union is strong" cliche in favor of recognizing we have major issues that have resulted from the past few decades of dogmatic belief in the infallible power of deregulation. He should say that the markets have not become "free and fair", but "lawless". We need to restore law and order to the economy, and fairness for "Main Street."

[amandabeech]

3. He's a free trade globalist and he dosn't give two shits about who that hurts.

Any speech by him will be disengenuous and will not lead to action because he is wedded to the current orthodoxy.

He either doesn't care or see that it is simply not working for us here in the U.S. and WE are the people he needs to protect, not folks in other countries.

You think that he would have figured some of this out when he was doing community organizing among the families of laid-off steelworkers in Chicago.

I have never read or heard that he concerned himself with jobs there. Only government handouts. No meetings with the steel companies or the unions to my knowledge. If others know about some, please let me know.

[Armstead]

4. Maybe...Dunno. That's one reason I'd like to hear an honest speech

I think he may care about that more than it sometimes seems. But I'd like to hear from him how he actually views what is right and wrong in the policies of the last 30 years, including so-called free trade.

[amandabeech]

5. Personally, I don't care what he says. I'll wait until he does something.

Been around too long to believe too much of what politicians say. There's so much emphasis on perfecting the message among advisers. I wish that there were as much emphasis on getting things done.

[JoePhilly]

6. Here is how he can build on your theme ....

Real change is hard. It does not come easy.

And when you push for it ... many will fight, and thrash, and scream against it. That thrashing IS the indicator we need to recognize. That thrashing is what we've seen at various times during this year. Town halls, "Death panels", "You lie!", so on.

The entrenched interests are pounding, thrashing, screaming ... and the representatives at times are fighting, but too often, still giving back ground.

Obama needs to tell them and us that these are the birth pains of change. You can not try to make these kinds of systemic changes and not expect very loud screaming.