Didn't get a chance to hear the State of the Union this year? Don't worry, you can still view it online. 

I am a working woman. I have to work an additional 3 months to make up for what a man would make doing the same job. I pay higher health and car insurance premiums. Politicians pass an economic package that insults me with a $300.00 tax break. What's the point? They cut the taxes for corporations and pretend that the CEO's are going to trickle that down to us and not line their pockets.

I want change, I want someone to acknowledge the crisis we are in and be as hysterical about it as I feel. I want someone to be on the side of the working person, not just pretend that they are. I want my country back. When I was a kid I was told that there was this place called America. I don't know that it exists anymore.

Karen

Corporations continue to pollute our air, water, and earth and yet they complain of the costs of handling their waste products.  All of this while CEO's, Boards, and owners make more millions and billions.  And education is suffering as really good teachers seek other jobs where they can get better pay. 

Our children and elderly are 'low priority' budget items.  It has been said in history, that a country neglecting its poor children, elderly, and handicapped falls apart. Medicare is costing us seniors more every year for our health needs with increased prices for premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.  All of this while medical costs continue to soar.  Many of us can't afford medical TX and medicines, especially the handicapped and older women.   

The trend for 'privatization' has resulted in poorer quality services for government agencies and schools, and more money lining the pockets of the rich.

Sister Marie Kopin, C.PP.S.

Amid the shameless rhetoric was one standout phrase: he wants to trust people with their own money. Earth to the pResident: What money would that be? I am presently treading water. My landlord has imposed a sizeable rent increase(while kindly reminding me that this rent is a bargain). Utilities are through the roof. Groceries are increasing exponentially. More reason to skip medical care; I can't afford the co-pays. I am praying that my fifteen year old car will hold up for another year, though it does not get nearly as good maintennance as it needs. No mention was made of the deficit spawned by the pResident's illegal, immoral, and duplicitous war, or the likelihood that the economy is set to tank at any moment. Yet I am relatively lucky: I have a job.

Well, there's my state of the union. How's yours? Odds are, it's about the same as mine.

Jay Hansen

Under his administration, The national debt has increased for generations, We don't have a meaningful military coalition, health care has deteriorated, a war built on lies continues to drain us economically and militarily,  we have lost our advantage in stem cells research, our environment continues and education are diminished.  No child behind was underfunded and the list goes on.

Tom Trumper

I work 60 plus hours a week and that is not counting the time it takes me to get back and forth to a my job (which adds about another 10 hours).  I still choose everyday what bills I will pay and which ones I can't.  It is not fun.  Gas is so expensive.  I have no health insurance.  What can a person do? 

Kevin Metzger

Fiscally, we are as a nation and personally in trouble, deep trouble. Unemployment is being covered up by people who need to feed families taking jobs that pay minimum wage or near it because there is nothing else. A family cannot live on that without charity taking up the slack. Access to medical care is becoming more and more of a problem. Employers refusing to give employees a full week of work so they don't have to give them medical coverage is exacerbating the low wages. 

C. Irvine

The state of the union is at best a failure. How could we have let our country get to such devestating levels? You and I both know the answers, and the sooner we get a real politician into office that cares about people and our country, the better.  I myself, am willing to do whatever it takes to see that it happens.

Linda Ariki

We have problems across the board:

• The lack of attention to helping the people of New Orleans regain their city and help bring back those that were re-located to other states.
• The high cost of gas.
• The lack of assistance to pay for college education

None of these problems came to light last night. Geez…I wonder why?

L.D. Rockwell

The economic "pie" can be, and should be, sufficient for everyone to share and lead improved lives for themselves, and most importantly, for their children and future generations. What's clear is that the generation in power now, of which I am a member, has forsaken the simple principle of building a better future in the pursuit of momentary greed and personal self-absorption.

So, what do we do? Start by acknowledging the general failure of our current method of doing things. Accept our portion of the blame instead of trying to put it all on the back of the opponent. Realize that our participation in the overall polity is more important than partisanship.

Oh, and revisit FDR's administration as a starting place for ideas to begin digging ourselves out of this hole.

David H. Johnson

Mr. Bush's agenda, has sent our economy into a recession. I am outraged by his policies, and equally outraged by the good working people who support this President while they are losing health benefits, rights as Americans, and the ability to financially to keep their heads above water. The State Of The Union is poor at best. It will take decades to undo the damage that has been done to the working people of this country.

Keith

The state of the union for working men and women in the US today is at best, dismal.

I am a nurse, I work 3 12 hour shifts a week-nights. I guess it is a good thing that I work 12 hour shifts, because now I need to work 4 shifts a week. So, if my employer does not have a problem with me as well as some of my co workers, I work 36 or 48 hours a week.

My husband also works shift work, he works 2-10. If he works overtime, that either makes a 16 hour day, followed by 8 hours off and then back to work or he gives up one of his two days off to work that day. 

Those who do not have the options that we have, I feel sorry for. Yes, we both got annual raises last year, mine was 3%. I just heard the government gave the military 3.5%. In no way does either amount come close to what cost of living went up. 

The state of this union is sad. It used to be built on the middle class. Being middle class meant something. Now? I don't know what is going to happen. 

KH

There are times when I think no one is at home in washington or even in our local states. It time to rotate the crop and put a new group of non professional politician in office.

John T Broadwater, sr.

We have reverted to the medieval system where everyone from the "upper middle class" down through the most servile classes work for the 1% or so who are very wealthy.

Robert Deahl

I think if it is possible and not too late, We need first and foremost to stop all Outsourcing. We need to find and Tell About All and Anything that is still made here in this United (?) States.  And then WE NEED TO ONLY honor and purchase those products.

There and only there do I see any hope for this Country. 

C. Avedikian

The American Dream has become a nightmare. As one who recently returned from a vacation in Italy, and has previously traveled through France, Spain and England, Americans should be aware of the European Dream. Sure they pay high taxes, but look what they get for it? Public education starting from pre school, right through to the university. My cousin, who is a doctor in Italy, graduated from medical school debt free. Every citizen in western Europe is assured of health care and their prescription costs won't sent them into bankruptcy.

Liz Basile

My wages have gone up 3% this year and:

1.)  My gas and electric bill has doubled.  The BG&E CEO got a big raise for that no brainer idea. 2.)  Gas for my car has gone up over $1 a gallon this year.  While gas tycoons are having record year returns - no brainer again. 3.)  Since fuel and utilities went up, grocery stores raised their prices by at least 1/3.  You know what they say about ____rolls down hill. 4.)  Home prices have doubled in the past 5 years and people bought what bankers said they could afford.  Now the bankers are taking those homes away.  5.)  CEO's like ones from Enron keep stealing from their companies while we lose our pensions and our 401ks.

I am lucky.  I have a good job (so far) and I'm conservative.  I work 6 to 7 days a week and mostly 12 hours a day.  And even I am barely keeping up with the bills. What are the rest of the Americans doing that have been scraping by before all of this?  We need to stand up together and demand change.

Peggy Soriano