Burgess Statement on State of the Union Address
Posted by Whitney Thompson on January 24, 2012
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Washington
Burgess Statement on State of the Union Address
“America is still at a crossroads and after three years of the Obama administration, people are still waiting for results.”

Washington, D.C. – In advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, released the following statement:

“Tonight President Obama will make his sixth address to Congress and the American people since taking office. Today also coincidently marks the 1,000th day since the Senate has passed a budget. America is still at a crossroads and after three years of the Obama administration, people are still waiting for results.

“On February 2, 2009 President Obama said, “If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s gonna be a one-term proposition.” He campaigned on the promise that he would have a legislative agenda that would put people back to work, help our economy recover, and bring people together. While there have been some signs of recovery, the policies of the Obama administration have prolonged our economic pain, failed the jobs recovery, and have pushed legislation that includes a government takeover of the health care system, over $800 billion in stimulus funding, and more government regulations. As a result, we are in a further financial crisis and have had an unemployment rate over eight-percent for thirty-four consecutive months. In addition, gas prices have doubled since he took office and our national debt is greater than the size of the economy.

“President Obama and Senate Democrats have talked about putting Americans back to work, but have failed in implementing programs, or even voting on legislation, that would actually accomplish this. Just last week the Obama administration formally rejected the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline proposal that has been in the works for over three years. Even the Obama administration’s Jobs Council stated that we need to optimize all of our natural resources if we are going to compete and accelerate job creation.

“The broken promises do not end with jobs. In last year’s State of the Union address, President Obama talked about the need for medical malpractice reform and said that he was eager to work with those who had ideas. As a physician, I know firsthand that we desperately need reform so the very next day I sent a letter to the president and told him I was eager and willing to work with him on this issue. A year later, I’m still waiting to hear back. While I am disappointed and feel as if part of his speech was just more rhetoric, the issue is too important and House Republicans have since taken action and are moving forward with legislation.

“President Obama was elected because the American people believed that he would bring forward policies and ideas that would put us back on a path of prosperity. He and his administration have failed. I know we can do better.”
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Peggy Miller from Argyle commented on 1/30/2012
    I do not want to hear about job creation. The government cannot create jobs. What I want the Republican's in majority in the congress to do is stop the spending. I respectively requested that the debt ceiling not be raised back in the summer. Dr. Burgess voted to raise the debt ceiling. I do not understand this. Now the debt ceiling has "automatically ", as I knew it would, been raised again. Dr. Burgess, with all due respect, you will not hear from the President on health care--please do not continue to wait--defund it--now. It is unconscionable that you have "waited one year". The President has been given full unconstitutional authority to do as he pleases why should he call you? The Senate and the House has defaulted on their Constitutional duty to make law and enforce it. The House of Representatives should vote to defund spending (includes the health care bill) until the government is not spending more than it is bringing in. This is the reason we, the people, voted and elected a majority of "Tea Party Conservative" to the House of Representatives. Why do the members House of Representatives continue to raise the debt ceiling? The House of Representatives can determine the rules of the House and they control the spending by Constitutional definition. Why do not the members vote to create rules that allow Constitutional votes on spending? How can elected Representatives to the Congress call themselves "conservative' when they do not vote according to the Constitution dictates? I want Dr. Burgess to vote based on Constitution principles. I am his constituate. I believe others in the 26th District of Texas believe like I do. Please let Dr. Burgess hear from you. STOP the spending. Nothing is of more importance than the huge DEBT. We are going the way of Greece. We are a debtor nation. Noting will change unless the spending is stopped. The Federal Reserve must be abolished. The U.S. must return to a gold standard. This debt must be dealt with NOW. The only candidate for President that is willing to address this is RON PAUL. The others talk about non-issues, personal faults and cleverly direct attention to non-critical issues. Why do we allow this?? Why does my elected official talk about something that Congress cannot do (create jobs) and refuse to fix the most critical thing that it can fix: THE DEBT. Peggy Miller
  • Arthur Pettijohn from Denton commented on 1/30/2012
    Whatever promises Obama has broken, it's because he was foolish enough to think that Republicans in Congress would not actively oppose him on each and every point. I've watched the man bend over backwards in the futile attempt to get GOP cooperation on his legislative agenda, even to the point of adopting GOP ideas and ignoring progressive ideas, risking his own base in the process. Obama came into office with the promise of changing the polarization in Washington. Unfortunately, he didn't check with Congressional Repubs on the topic to see if they are on board. They have shown beyond doubt which party constitutes the 'dark side' in D.C. The only thing GOP cares about is power, not the true reason they have been sent there... governing. That is why the GOP should not be given power again. I am hoping against hope for a huge Democrat sweep in the elections this year. Maybe that would teach a lesson to both sides. As to the debt ceiling, it's not the spending that's creating debt. It's the BORROWING. Quit borrowing, dispose of the Bush tax cuts, and let's start paying our own way.
  • Stan Ingman from Denton commented on 2/3/2012
    Since the beginning of this country the government of all sizes have created jobs. Denton City creates jobs with tax money creates jobs every day. In fact I mostly proud of our fair city and how it functions so well . So , let us not become silly . Of course, jobs just created by governments can not carry an economy. Because of vested interest in businesses, universities, health care industry the federal government has be encouraged to spend money it did not have. So, focus on debt is good idea. Both parties have created the problem of too much debt . The GOP also knows that Demo and BO stimulus money saved jobs and companies. My guess is that the GOP would have worked to save the auto industry if they won the 2008 election. Was the stimulus done perfectly .. very complex question. But to argue that it should not have been done , is naive. GOP was not worried about debts from 2000 to 2008 , so is wild to see GOP now so concerned. I agree with Arthur that Bush tax cut should go away with important cuts in budget. Balance is focus . We shall see if unemployment goes down more. If so, in this complex world, BO etal should get some credit.
  • Jeffery Ware from Hurst commented on 2/4/2012
    Thank you for the opportunity to post. I did not even listen to the address. As our representative, thank you for performing your duties as a politician. Peggy makes the standard points I am also concerned about and as a voter I do not appreciate your political challenges. I do understand your focus on health-care and Governor Brewer's challenge with the President and border security. I have sent money and bought her book to support her finger waving point. Representative Wilson spoke in terms that the President and members could understand. The “President ... was elected because the American people believed that he would bring forward policies and ideas ..." No I never believed. The President spoke to us on the 8th grade level. I am not a communist citizen but a retired Army 1SG - I do understand the difference and purpose. The above government officials have understood early on what level of communication the President understands. Please use your skills that you have when speaking to an individual like this in your former profession. The disease is in the capitol region and should be inoculated by your professionalism and not your pacifying political jargon. What do you need from me to support many of Peggy's points?
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