Sometime this morning, a friend had the opportunity to intercept the President’s State of the Nation Address. As his Address will be readily available and likely to be published in the newspapers soon, there is no harm in  sharing it with you today and here.

As you will see when I quote the President extensively, he makes very interesting observations about the people and the world we live in. He puts forward interesting suggestions on a range of important issues.

“One year ago, I took office amid … an economy rocked by a severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt.  Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression.  So we acted -– immediately and aggressively.  And one year later, the worst of the storm has passed.“

“But the devastation remains.  …  Many businesses have shuttered.  Home values have declined.  Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard.  And for those who’d already known poverty, life has become that much harder.“

“This recession has also compounded the burdens that … families have been dealing with for decades –- the burden of working harder and longer for less; of being unable to save enough to retire or help kids with [university].“

“So I know the anxieties that are out there right now.  They’re not new.  These struggles are the reason I ran for President.  These struggles are what I’ve witnessed for years …  I hear about them in the letters that I read each night.  The toughest to read are those written by children -– asking why they have to move from their home, asking when their mom or dad will be able to go back to work.“

“For [them] and so many others, change has not come fast enough.  Some are frustrated; some are angry.  They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on [the market economy] is rewarded, but hard work on [the shop floor] isn’t; or why [government] has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems.  They’re tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness.  They know we can’t afford it.  Not now. “

“So we face big and difficult challenges.  And what the … people hope -– what they deserve -– is for all of us, [including opposition parties], to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics.  For while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds, different stories, different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same. The aspirations they hold are shared:  a job that pays the bills; a chance to get ahead; most of all, the ability to give their children a better life.“

“You know what else they share?  They share a stubborn resilience in the face of adversity.  After one of the most difficult years in our history, they remain busy building cars and teaching kids, starting businesses and going back to school. They’re coaching [developmet Leagues] and helping their neighbors.  One woman wrote to me and said, ‘We are strained but hopeful, struggling but encouraged.‘”

“It’s because of this spirit -– this great decency and great strength -– that I have never been more hopeful about [our] future … Despite our hardships, our [nation] is strong.  We do not give up.  We do not quit.  We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit.  In this new decade, it’s time the … people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength. And … I’d like to talk about how together we can deliver on that promise.“

“It begins with our economy.“

“… after two years of recession, the economy is growing again.  Retirement funds have started to gain back some of their value.  Businesses are beginning to invest again, and slowly some are starting to hire again.“

“But I realize that for every success story, there are other stories, of men and women who wake up with the anguish of not knowing where their next paycheck will come from; who send out resumes week after week and hear nothing in response.  That is why jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010, and that’s why I’m calling for a new jobs bill … “

“Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be … businesses.  But government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers. “

“We should start where most new jobs do –- in small businesses, companies that begin when an entrepreneur takes a chance on a dream, or a worker decides it’s time she became her own boss.  Through sheer grit and determination, these companies have weathered the recession and they’re ready to grow.  But when you talk to small businessowners … you find out that even though banks … are lending again, they’re mostly lending to bigger companies.  Financing remains difficult for small businessowners across the country, even those that are making a profit.“

“… I’m … proposing a new small business tax credit- one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. While we’re at it, let’s also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment, and provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment.“

“But the truth is, these steps won’t make up for the … million jobs that we’ve lost over the last two years.  The only way to move to full employment is to lay a new foundation for long-term economic growth, and finally address the problems that … families have confronted for years. “

“We can’t afford another so-called economic “expansion” like the one from the last decade –- what some call the “lost decade” -– where jobs grew more slowly than during any prior expansion; where the income of the average … household declined while the cost of health care and tuition reached record highs; where prosperity was built … financial speculation.“

“From the day I took office, I’ve been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious; such an effort would be too contentious.  I’ve been told that our political system is too gridlocked, and that we should just put things on hold for a while. “

“For those who make these claims, I have one simple question: How long should we wait?  How long should [we] put [our] future on hold?“

“You see, [analysts] has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse.  Meanwhile, China is not waiting to revamp its economy.  Germany is not waiting.  India is not waiting.  These nations — they’re not standing still.  These nations aren’t playing for second place.  They’re putting more emphasis on math and science.  They’re rebuilding their infrastructure.  They’re making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.  Well, I do not accept second place for the [us]…“

“As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may become, it’s time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.“

“We have to seek new markets aggressively, just as our competitors are.  If [we] sit on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores.  But realizing those benefits also means enforcing those agreements so our trading partners play by the rules.  And that’s why we’ll continue to [advocate] a Doha trade agreement that [benefits developing countries], and why we will strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South [America]“

“… we need to invest in the skills and education of our people.“

“Now, this year, we’ve broken through the stalemate between left and right by launching a national competition to improve our schools.  And the idea here is simple:  Instead of rewarding failure, we only reward success.  Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform — reform that raises student achievement; inspires students to excel in math and science; and turns around failing schools that steal the future of too many young [kids], from rural communities to the inner city.  In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.  And in this country, the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than on their potential.“

“…  Still, in this economy, a high school [certificate] no longer guarantees a good job.  That’s why I urge … [that] revitalize our [FET] colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.“

“… and let’s tell another one million students that when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income on student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years –- and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the [our country], no one should go broke [just] because they chose to go to [university].”

“And by the way, it’s time for … universities to get serious about cutting their own costs -–  because they, too, have a responsibility to help solve this problem.“

“Now, let’s clear a few things up.   I didn’t choose to tackle [the National Health Insurance] to get some legislative victory under my belt.  And by now it should be fairly obvious that I didn’t take on health care because it was good politics.  I took on health care because of the stories I’ve heard from [people] with preexisting conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who’ve been denied coverage; families –- even those with insurance -– who are just one illness away from financial ruin.“

“After nearly a [decade of conference resolution] — we are closer than ever to bringing more security to the lives of so many [people].  The approach we’ve taken would protect every [person] from the worst practices of the insurance industry.  It would give small businesses and uninsured [people] a chance to choose an affordable health care plan in a competitive market.  It would require every insurance plan to cover preventive care.“

“Our approach would preserve the right of [citizens] who have insurance to keep their doctor and their plan.  It would reduce costs and premiums for millions of families and businesses …“

“Still, this is a complex issue, and the longer it was debated, the more skeptical people became.  I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the … people.  And I know that with all the lobbying and horse-trading, the process left most [people] wondering, ‘What’s in it for me?’“

“But I also know this problem is not going away.  By the time I’m finished speaking tonight, more people will have lost their health insurance.  Millions will lose it this year.  Our deficit will grow.  Premiums will go up.  Patients will be denied the care they need.  Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether.  I will not walk away from these [citizens], and neither should the people in this [house].“

“So, as temperatures cool, I want everyone to take another look at the plan we’ve proposed.  There’s a reason why many doctors, nurses, and health care experts who know our system best consider this approach a vast improvement over the status quo.  But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know. … I’m eager to see it.“

“Here’s what I ask [parliament], though:  Don’t walk away from reform.  Not now.  Not when we are so close.  Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the … people. … Let’s get it done.“

“Now, even as health care reform would reduce our deficit, it’s not enough to dig us out of a massive fiscal hole in which we find ourselves.  It’s a challenge that makes all others that much harder to solve, and one that’s been subject to a lot of political posturing… “

“…  But families across the country are tightening their belts and making tough decisions.  The … government should do the same … “

“From some on the right, I expect we’ll hear a different argument -– that if we just make fewer investments in our people, extend tax cuts including those for the wealthier people, eliminate more regulations, maintain the status quo on health care, our deficits will go away.  The problem is that’s what we did for eight years.  That’s what helped us into this crisis.  It’s what helped lead to these deficits.  We can’t do it again.“

“Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated [public disocurese] for [a decade], it’s time to try something new.  Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt.  Let’s meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here.  Let’s try common sense. A novel concept.“

“To do that, we have to recognize that we face more than a deficit of [rands] right now.  We face a deficit of trust -– deep and corrosive doubts about how [government] works that have been growing for years.  To close that credibility gap we have to take action .. to end the outsized influence of lobbyists; to do our work openly; to give our people the government they deserve.“

“Of course, none of these reforms will even happen if we don’t also reform how we work with one another.  Now, I’m not naïve.  I never thought that the mere fact of my election would usher in peace and harmony  and some post-partisan era.  I knew that parties have fed divisions that are deeply entrenched.  And on some issues, there are simply philosophical differences that will always cause us to part ways. These disagreements, about the role of government in our lives, about our national priorities …, they’ve been taking place for [many] years.  They’re the very essence of our democracy.“

“But what frustrates the … people is a [government] where every day is Election Day.  We can’t wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side -– a belief that if you lose, I win.  Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can.  …  The confirmation of well-qualified public servants shouldn’t be held hostage to the pet projects or grudges of a few individuals …“

“[parties] may think that saying anything about the other side, no matter how false, no matter how malicious, is just part of the game.  But it’s precisely such politics that has [hindered government] from helping the … people.  Worse yet, it’s sowing further division among our citizens, further distrust in our government.“

“So, no, I will not give up on trying to change the tone of our politics.  I know [next year is] an election year.  And after last week, it’s clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual.  But we still need to govern.“

“Unfortunately, too many of our citizens have lost faith that our biggest institutions -– our corporations, our media, and, yes, our government –- still reflect these same values.  Each of these institutions are full of honorable men and women doing important work that helps our country prosper.  But each time a CEO rewards himself for failure, or a banker puts the rest of us at risk for his own selfish gain, people’s doubts grow.  Each time lobbyists game the system or politicians tear each other down instead of lifting this country up, we lose faith.  The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates to silly arguments, big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away.“

“No wonder there’s so much cynicism out there.  No wonder there’s so much disappointment.“

“Those of us in public office can respond to this reality by playing it safe and avoid telling hard truths and pointing fingers.  We can do what’s necessary to keep our poll numbers high, and get through the next election instead of doing what’s best for the next generation. “

“It lives on in the 8-year-old boy … who just sent me his allowance and asked if I would give it to the people of Haiti.”

“The spirit that has sustained this nation [since 1994] lives on in you, its people.  We have finished a difficult year.  We have come through a difficult decade.  But a new year has come.  A new decade stretches before us.  We don’t quit.  I don’t quit.  Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our [nation] once more.“

“Thank you.“

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