Open Forum: President Obama's Second Inaugural Address - What Do You Think?

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/

Below is the full transcript of President Obama's second inaugural address. It was found at CNN.Com.

This Open Forum is designated for debate on the President's speech. It has been label by republicans as divisive, while democrats praise it as encompassing and progressive.

What do you think? How would you rate this speech? Is it what the country needs and what the country needs to hear, or is it divisive and counterproductive? Please share your thoughts below.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution.We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional - what makes us American - is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

The Official "Campaign" Slogan of This Blog: #Question

Designed by Pachyderm Pride

Why "Question?" Where does this come from? And why the similarities to the Obama "Forward" logo? All this will be explained. 

First, let me explain one of the original reasons I titled the blog The Elephant in the Room. As a sub-30 year old republican living in Maryland, I'm certainly a rare breed. Naturally, many of my friends (and yes, this definitely extends to Facebook) are democrats. Heck, my wife is a democrat, and I don't fault her for it. :-) Because of that, I'm obviously outnumbered not only in my age group, but in my social circles as well. I'm okay with this. I chose the screen name and web address "Loudmouth Elephant" because I care about politics and economics, and in order to be heard, that's what I have to be. Regardless, I tend to be the "elephant in the room" when it comes to political discussions.

Ron Paul's Reaction to the Supreme Court's Ruling on Obamacare

Here is Ron Paul's official statement regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on Obamacare: Link to Ron Paul's Statement. He said:

     - "I strongly disagree with today’s decision by the Supreme Court, but I am not surprised.  The Court has a dismal record when it comes to protecting liberty against unconstitutional excesses by Congress. 

BREAKING NEWS: The Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare

 See the Supreme Court's decision here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf

10:06am - CNN broke news that the individual mandate has been ruled unconstitutional in and of itself as a mandate, but may be upheld as a tax. More to come.

10:33am - According to CNN's live blog:

" The Supreme Court has upheld the entire health care law by a vote of 5 to 4, Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears said. That includes the medicare provision."

"Kate Bolduan reports that the Chief Justice John Roberts issued a long opinion in which he said the controversial individual mandate may be upheld and is within Congress’ power under the taxing clause rather than the commerce clause."

10:44am - Key Points from CNN: 

• Court rules 5-4 to uphold individual mandate
• Court says the requirement to have insurance is a tax, and is constitutional.
• Court says on Medicaid that the federal government may not take Medicaid from states that refuse to take part. (That is a limited ruling, without striking it down. In the ruling the court offered the government a way to remedy this potential problem.)
• Court vindicates, affirms Presidential and congressional power in an important issue like health care.