State of the Union Speech: Chock Full of Good Intentions

President Obama wasted no words.   While it wasn't humanly possible to address every salient issue in an hour-long speech,  (for instance, the postal service's fiscal troubles weren't mentioned), he managed to cover a lot of territory.    

As promised,  the focus was primarily on economic concerns; matters that resonate with folks beyond the Beltway, the ones who keep this nation vital.   At times he did reach across the aisle,  acknowledging that both parties have worked to lower the deficit.   He also noted that the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act (every Democrat and half ---<only half!> --- the Republicans supported it.   House Republicans were urged to give it the high sign too).

However,   in light of the Republicans'  overall unwillingness to compromise during his first term, the President appears to have been chastened.   He knows that the programs he proposed will have popular support,   regardless of lack of congressional will.

Still, in light of frequent criticism for federal overreach, Obama made an effort to recognize the beneficial work of state programs.   For example,  during his promotion of pre-school education,  he cited successful operations in Georgia and Oklahoma,  among the reddest of red states.    He also emphasized that the return on investment in such initiatives --- both human and capital ---  would far outweigh the costs.

But despite congressional Republicans'  insistence that there'll be no discussion of generating more tax revenue,  the President spoke of  closing corporate tax loopholes (which deny the government billions of desperately-needed dollars), and  raising taxes for companies that outsource jobs,  while lowering them for firms that create domestic employment. 

Among other highlights of his speech were proposals for an Energy Security Trust,   a  "Fix It First"  program  for long-overdue infrastructure upgrades and repairs,  and a bill to make it easier to refinance  homes.   In all cases,  public-private partnerships were emphasized.

Not to be overlooked was the most emotional part of the evening.   Acknowledging that both parties appeared to be in synch regarding background checks,  Obama appealed to Congress to pass meaningful controls on the distribution of  firearms and ammunition.   He stated,  "We must protect our most precious resource:  our kids."

Honoring the memory of Hadiya Pendleton,  a Chicago honors student (whose parents were seated with Michelle Obama),   he appealed to the Congress to cast their ballots in behalf of sensible gun-control legislation.  The President further cited the venues of other recent massacres:  Newtown; Tucson;  Aurora, Colorado;  Blacksburg (Virginia Tech);   and Oak Creek,  Wisconsin.   "These families (of survivors)  all deserve your vote,"  he declared. 
                                                                                                       If legislation regarding background checks does pass,  it'll be a significant achievement.  But even in the aftermath of Newtown,   the chances of any sort of firearms or ammunition control measures seeing the light of day seem  dicey at best.   Hopefully I'm wrong.

Recent polls,  especially issue-oriented ones,  indicate that Obama and the congressional Democrats have a strong mandate.   Non-Tea-Party Republicans are surely aware of this.   But still,  too many,  especially in the Republican leadership seem unwilling to  give an inch.  Their overarching concern seems to be getting "primaried"  from the right in 2014.

I guess the question is,  will the Obama Administration's   noble intentions be allowed to wither in legislative limbo?  Or will the Republicans come to their senses?

One final item to consider:  the sequester-fueled budget "super-cuts" --- a creation of the Congress --- are two weeks shy of kicking in!    Mr.  McConnell,   Mr.  Boehner?