Free Republic

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama launched an extraordinary attack on the Supreme Court on Saturday, saying a ruling on corporate donations to political campaigns this week "strikes at democracy itself." Obama's broadside was triggered by a 5-4 ruling by the court's justices on Thursday that removed long-standing campaign finance limits and allowed corporations to spend freely in campaigns for president and Congress. In the ruling, the court's conservative majority said the limits had violated corporations' constitutional right to free speech. The ruling is expected to unleash a flood of money into this year's congressional elections. Obama's fellow Democrats face...

Here is video of President Obama's Weekly Address, which he used to blast the U.S Supreme Court for their decision to allow Corporations to have First Amendment rights in political campaigns. Obama called the decision "devastating," and he said it would allow "special interests" to have more sway in our elections. Barack Obama is the last person who should criticize this decision. He is fine with laws that favor his supporters, and allow people like George Soros to have such influence in elections. This Supreme Court decision will allow Corporations to defend the interests of millions of workers who depend...

In the last week, we have been deeply moved by the heartbreaking images of the devastation in Haiti: parents searching through rubble for sons and daughters; children, frightened and alone, looking for their mothers and fathers. At this moment, entire parts of Port-au-Prince are in ruins, as families seek shelter in makeshift camps. It is a horrific scene of shattered lives in a poor nation that has already suffered so much. In response, I have ordered a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives in Haiti. We have launched one of the largest relief efforts in recent history. I...

Obama Questions the 'Audacity' of Those Who Say the Bank Fee Is Unfair January 16, 2010 6:00 AM In his weekly address, President Obama unloaded on critics of the bank fee, questioning how anyone could have the “audacity” to suggest his proposal is unfair. “Like clockwork, the banks and politicians who curry their favor are already trying to stop this fee from going into effect," he said. "The very same firms reaping billions of dollars in profits, and reportedly handing out more money in bonuses and compensation than ever before in history, are now pleading poverty. It’s a sight to...

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address January 2, 2010 It has now been more than a week since the attempted act of terrorism aboard that flight to Detroit on Christmas Day. On Thursday, I received the preliminary findings of the reviews that I ordered into our terrorist watchlist system and air travel screening. I've directed my counterterrorism and homeland security advisor at the White House, John Brennan, to lead these reviews going forward and to present the final results and recommendations to me in the days to come. As I said this week, I will do everything in my...

Responding to critics of what is seen as his measured approach, Obama says the “nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred." He calls for national unity.Atlanta In his first Saturday morning address of the New Year, President Obama acknowledged an international terror syndicate – Al Qaeda – has struck the US on his watch. Coming after days of political acrimony that stood in sharp contrast to the national solidarity shown after 9/11, Mr. Obama said Saturday that a Yemeni affiliate of Al Qaeda trained the suspect and “equipped him with … explosives and directed him...

After meeting with the FBI and the Defense Department about their investigation into the Fort Hood shooting, President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address on Saturday to again offer his condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured. On Thursday Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan opened fire on soldiers at a medical processing center on the Fort Hood, Texas military base killing 13 and wounding at least 38 others. Hasan was shot four times by security personnel at the base and was still alive as of Saturday. Obama said that while the “crime against our nation” exemplified...

"..They are Americans of every race, faith, and station. They are Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers. They are descendents of immigrants and immigrants themselves. They reflect the diversity that makes this America. But what they share is a patriotism like no other. What they share is a commitment to country that has been tested and proved worthy. What they share is the same unflinching courage, unblinking compassion, and uncommon camaraderie that the soldiers and civilians of Ft. Hood showed America and showed the world..." I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes today about the...

In his radio address this Saturday, President Obama praised the Baucus bill and used some of his most combative language to date against the insurance industry. “The insurance industry is rolling out the big guns and breaking open their massive war chest – to marshal their forces for one last fight to save the status quo,” he said. “They’re filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads. They’re flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions. And they’re funding studies designed to mislead the American people.” But if he was going to take the insurance industry on so aggressively, why...

The President discusses ongoing efforts to spur job creation. He also explains why health insurance reform is needed not just for long-term economic stability, but in the immediate future, discussing statistics on how costs will continue to skyrocket and hurt small businesses even next year. download .mp3 |download .mp4 (108 MB) | read the transcript Transcript (from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/... THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ___________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release                                                        October 3, 2009 WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Explains How Health Insurance Reform Will Strengthen America’s Small Businesses WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama spoke of how the rising...

In this week’s address, Pres. Obama talks about the need for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and discusses next week’s G-20 economic summit of world leaders in Pittsburgh. Click the link to watch the video

Obama pledges to work with G-20 to regulate markets Press Trust Of India / Washington September 20, 2009, 0:59 IST US President Barack Obama today pledged to work with leaders of the G-20 countries to strengthen the rules governing financial markets and ensure that the global economic crisis that engulfed the world just a year ago does not happen again. . . “At next week’s G-20 summit, we’ll discuss some of the steps that are required to safeguard our global financial system and close gaps in regulation around the world — gaps that permitted the kinds of reckless risk-taking and...

Here is video of President Obama's Weekly Address today, August 22, 2009, in which he undertook to "debunk" what he called "distortions" put forward by opponents of his Government Health Care plan. He also invoked the phrase "greatest generations" to describe what this generation can become if we pass Government Health Care. That would seem to be a veiled reference to the World War II Generation that is often called the "Greatest Generation." I think a lot of people would beg to differ that moving America to Socialized Medicine is comparable to the World War II generation literally saving the...

Here is video today of President Obama's new Weekly Address, which he used to talk about the U.S. Economy. Obama used the latest GDP data to say that the Recession was far worse than thought when he took office. Obama warned that Unemployment data next week is likely to go higher. That seems to be an attempt to lessen the pain next week when the numbers come out. . . . . (Watch Video)

You can see the anger in his face, the calls, the emails, the protests are having an effect, and he's mad...good

This just posted on the White House Website an hour ago.... Weekly Address praises Cap and Tax, then goes into an encyclopedia of lies about what the bill will do....

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Saturday that current financial rules exploit consumers and he put critics of his proposed overhaul on notice: "While I'm not spoiling for a fight, I'm ready for one." Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address to defend his recent proposal, which is intended to prevent a repeat of the breakdown that has sent the U.S. economy reeling. But such major changes face a fight in Congress and opposition from some leaders in the banking and insurance industries. In the address, Obama focused on a consumer watchdog office that he wants to set up....

Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Weekly-Address-and-Fact-Sheet-New-Savings-Announcement/ THE BRIEFING ROOM THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________ EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, June 13, 2009 WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Outlines More than $300 Billion in new Medicare and Medicaid Savings WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced new Medicare and Medicaid savings proposals that will contribute more than $300 billion over 10 years to paying for health care reform, beyond the historic $635 billion down payment included in his FY 2010 Budget. The President stressed in the address that the health reform effort...

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama urged Americans to pay tribute to veterans on Memorial Day, saying the nation all too often has "failed to live up to that responsibility." In his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, Obama said people can honor veterans by sending a letter or care package to troops overseas, volunteering at health clinics or taking supplies to a homeless veterans center.

A President that is really no different than the Sham-Wow guy, if Americans continue to buy it, Obama will continue to dish it out...

In his weekly address today, President Obama calls for fiscal discipline and says his administration will eliminate waste and increase efficiency. "We cannot settle for a future of rising deficits and debts that our children cannot pay," the president says, adding that we must "recognize that we cannot meet the challenges of today with old habits and stale thinking. So much of our government was built to deal with different challenges from a different era. Too often, the result is wasteful spending, bloated programs, and inefficient results. It’s time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Washington."...

Transcript - Quote: The Briefing Room The Agenda The Administration About the White House Our Government Contact Us THE BRIEFING ROOM THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary __________________________________________________________________________________ EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, April 25, 2009 WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Announces Steps to Reform Government and Promote Fiscal Discipline WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama reiterated his call for fiscal discipline and outlined the steps his administration will take to eliminate waste and increase efficiency. First, the President called on Congress to pass PAYGO legislation. Next, the administration will create incentives for agencies to...

<p>Obama on Saturday announced a plan for federal workers to propose ways to improve their agencies' and departments' budgets. The president said employees' ideas would be key as his Cabinet officials try to cut millions from the budget and trim the deficit.</p>

Think you can do better than your federal boss? President Barack Obama wants to know how. Obama on Saturday announced a plan for federal workers to propose ways to improve their agencies' and departments' budgets. The president said employees' ideas would be key as his Cabinet officials cut millions from the federal budget and trim the deficit. "After all, Americans across the country know that the best ideas often come from workers, not just management," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "That's why we'll establish a process through which every government worker can submit their ideas for...

WASHINGTON – Think you can do better than your federal boss? President Barack Obama wants to know how. Obama on Saturday announced a plan for federal workers to propose ways to improve their agencies' and departments' budgets. The president said employees' ideas would be key as his Cabinet officials cut millions from the federal budget and trim the deficit.

President Obama said Saturday that he will soon announce “the elimination of dozens of government programs shown to be wasteful or ineffective,” and used his weekly radio address to name two new high-level officials to assist him in that effort. The president said he would use his Cabinet meeting on Monday — the first time the full Cabinet will meet — to ask department and agency heads to come up with specific proposals for cutting their budgets by eliminating inefficient programs. [Snip] “If we’re going to rebuild our economy on a solid foundation, we need to change the way we...

Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at 5:30 am Weekly Address: The Challenges of Our Time In this weekÂ’s address, filmed aboard Air Force One between vital diplomatic engagements abroad, the President discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face. Recapping his trip, though, it is clear just how much opportunity lies in reshaping AmericaÂ’s relationships around the world. On everything from turning our economy around -- which shed hundreds of thousands more jobs last month -- to ending the threat of nuclear arms, "The only way forward is through shared and persistent efforts to combat fear and want...

Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at 5:30 am Weekly Address: Crisis and Service This week the President dedicates his address to the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as they face down disastrous flooding. He speaks of what the government is doing, but also stresses that times of crisis like this are reminders of the need and opportunity Americans have to keep their dedication to service. He commends the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act, which passed the Senate this week following similar legislation in the House last week, for helping to rejuvenate this spirit. "In the Fargodome, thousands...

President Barack Obama says that while the details may change, any budget passed by Congress must cut the deficit, reform health care, invest in education and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. After a week dominated by outrage over enormous corporate bonuses at bailed-out companies, Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address to turn the focus back on his budget proposal and getting it through Congress. But even as he outlined his four key requirements for a spending plan that would top $3.6 trillion, there was growing unease on Capitol Hill over a budget that congressional auditors say will...

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Barack Obama defended his budget plans Saturday, insisting that he remained committed to halving the deficit within four years despite new data showing it was bigger than expected. "In total, our budget would bring discretionary spending for domestic programs as a share of the economy to its lowest level in nearly half a century," Obama said in his weekly radio address. "And we will continue making these tough choices in the months and years ahead so that as our economy recovers, we do what we must to bring this deficit down." The president said his...

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at 5:30 am A Budget Equal to the Task Before Us The President reflects on lessons from his time spent outside Washington recently, which only reinforced the core principles in his budget.  The budget will be his central focus throughout this week: "These investments are not a wish list of priorities that I picked out of thin air – they are a central part of a comprehensive strategy to grow this economy by attacking the very problems that have dragged it down for too long:  the high cost of health care and our dependence on oil; our education deficit and our fiscal deficit."...

President Barack Obama on Saturday downplayed divisions between the U.S. and Europe over how to tackle the world's financial crisis and said China should have "absolute confidence" that its sizable investments in the United States are safe. In a conversation focused heavily on the economy, Obama met in the Oval Office with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It was the latest in a series of talks the president has had with his counterparts around the world before a pair of international meetings where the economic crisis will dominate.

Obama vows end to irresponsible budgets Mar 7 09:59 AM US/Eastern President Barack Obama vowed Saturday that irresponsible budgets were a thing of the past as he promised bold action to help the United States emerge from the current economic crisis stronger than before. In his weekly radio address, Obama said his administration had inherited a 1.3-trillion-dollar budget deficit -- and a budgeting process that he called "irresponsible as it is unsustainable." He argued that for years Washington as well as Wall Street had used accounting tricks to conceal real costs of programs. "These kinds of irresponsible budgets -- and...

WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack Obama told Americans on Saturday that ending the economic crisis will not be "easy," but the nation will emerge "more prosperous" through swift and bold actions. Speaking in his weekly radio and Internet address from the White House, Obama made the comments a day after the worst American unemployment figures were released in a quarter-century. "I knew that solving this crisis would not be easy, nor would it happen overnight," Obama said. "And we will continue to face difficult days in the months ahead. But I also believe that we will get through this —...

President Barack Obama on Saturday challenged his country to see its hard times as a chance to "discover great opportunity in the midst of great crisis." "That is what we can do and must do today. And I am absolutely confident that is what we will do," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address, taped a day earlier at the White House. The work week ended on more down news, with the report of 651,000 more American jobs slashed and an unemployment rate climbing to 8.1 percent. That is the highest rate of people out of work in...

President Barack Obama appealed Saturday to his fellow citizens to endure, find opportunity in these hard times and ultimately prosper from the challenge. "That is what we can do and must do today. And I am absolutely confident that is what we will do," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address, taped on Friday at the White House. On Saturday morning, the president and first lady Michelle Obama flew by helicopter to the presidential retreat in Camp David, Md., for the weekend. Their daughters, Sasha and Malia, traveled to Camp David separately, the White House said.

Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/WEEKLY-ADDRESS-President-Obama-Presses-the-Case-for-Bold-Action-to-Address-the-Economic-Crisis/ THE BRIEFING ROOM THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ______________________________________________________________________________ SATURDAY, March 7, 2009 WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Presses the Case for Bold Action to Address the Economic Crisis WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama used his weekly address to detail his plans to fix our ailing economy, noting that reforming healthcare is necessary to ensure our long term fiscal health. While ending this crisis will not be quick or easy, the President’s plans will take the swift, bold, and responsible actions needed for the United States to emerge stronger and...

A combative President Barack Obama warned on Saturday he was bracing for a fight against powerful lobbyists and special interests who sought to pick apart the $3.55 trillion budget he wants to advance his agenda of reform. Obama's spending blueprint, with its massive $1.17 trillion deficit and tax hikes on the wealthy, seeks to squeeze billions of dollars in savings out of current spending through competitive bidding among health insurers and ending subsidies and tax breaks for banks, agribusiness and oil companies. "These steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way...

WASHINGTON — President Obama described his expansive budget proposal on Saturday as “a threat to the status quo in Washington” and cast himself as a populist crusader willing to do battle with special interests to expand health care, curb pollution and improve education.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo. "The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."

Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/28/Keeping-Promises/ THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at 5:43 am Keeping Promises In the Weekly Address this morning, President Obama explains how the budget he sent to Congress will fulfill the promises he made as a candidate. On fiscal responsibility, a fair tax code, a clean energy economy, real health care reform, and education, this budget sets out a new vision for our country. But having put his priorities on paper and having stood behind them, the President recognizes that there are those who will fight against change every...

President Obama, in his weekly address to the country, said that getting the budget accepted would not come without a fight. And that there are strong lobbyist groups that will fight him on this. But he was elected to look out for the people. Finally the fighting words to the lobbyists: "Bring it On!" Obama is acting like a schoolyard bully on this one, and it is particularly galling. He already has the votes! The lobbyists will not be able to stop any of it. Even if they peel away a few Democrats, the edge is overwhelming to pass this....

President Obama on Saturday struck back aggressively at critics of his $3.6 trillion budget proposal, casting himself as a populist crusader whose "sweeping change" has angered Washington's entrenched special interests, and promised to fight them. "I realize that passing this budget won't be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington," Mr. Obama said in his weekly video and radio address. Mr. Obama's language was combative and confrontational, as he promised to fight for "American families." "I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists...

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo. "The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people." He said his ambitious budget plan, unveiled Thursday, will help millions of Americans, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.

Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at 5:43 am Keeping Promises In the Weekly Address this morning, President Obama explains how the budget he sent to Congress will fulfill the promises he made as a candidate.  On fiscal responsibility, a fair tax code, a clean energy economy, real health care reform, and education, this budget sets out a new vision for our country. But having put his priorities on paper and having stood behind them, the President recognizes that there are those who will fight against change every step of the way. "I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy.  Because it represents real and...

Here is President Barack Obama's Weekly Address out today, February 21, 2009. He waxes eloquent about all that will happen as a result of his $787 Billion Stimulus Plan. He gives a laundry list of things that will happen "because of what we did." He says that the plan is "only a first step" on the road to recovery. How many more trillion dollar plans will be necessary? . . . . . . (Watch Video)

Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 5:00 am The quickest and broadest tax cut ever Two important takeaways from the President's Weekly Address this morning. #1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start having an impact as soon as a few weeks from now, in the form of the quickest and broadest tax cut in history: "Because of what we did, 95% of all working families will get a tax cut -- in keeping with a promise I made on the campaign. And I’m pleased to announce that this morning, the Treasury Department began directing employers to reduce the amount...

Here is video of President Barack Obama's Weekly Address posted today, February 14, 2009. He praises passage of his $787 Billion Stimulus Bill, and tells Americans they can keep track of the expenditure of those funds at Recovery.Gov once the plan is put into action. "Ultimately," Obama says, "this is your money." . . . . . (Watch Video)

President Obama made his weekly address today, using it as an opportunity to further talk down our markets, bash capitalism, and generally depress everyone. I'd only recommend you watch it if you like having that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach...

WASHINGTON - President Obama said Saturday his administration will outline a new strategy in the coming days for spending billions of federal dollars to pull the nation out of an economic crisis he described as "devastating." Obama and his top advisers are weighing how to structure the remaining $350 billion that Congress approved last year to save financial institutions and lenders from collapse. The new president also warned there is no single action that would allow his administration to fix the struggling U.S. economy, a stark statement at the end of a week that saw hundreds of thousands of Americans...