Political Ruminations

President Obama on Class Warfare & Tax Reform

During his third State of the Union address on January 24, President Barack Obama called for millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes:

“Tax reform should follow the Buffett rule: If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes…Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get tax breaks I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference – like a senior on a fixed income; or a student trying to get through school; or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know it’s not right.”

Full Text Transcript: 2012 State of the Union Address

Watch President Obama deliver the SOTU here.


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Read the full text transcript of the 2012 State of the Union Address:

As Prepared for Delivery -

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought - and several thousand gave their lives.

 

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. Most of al Qaeda's top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban's momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

Full Video: President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union Address

Watch President Obama deliver the 2012 State of the Union(SOTU)Address:

Read the complete text transcript of the 2012 SOTU.

Video & Transcript: 2011 State of the Union Address by President Obama

Watch President Obama’s State of the Union address, or read the full text transcript below the video:

Remarks by the President in State of Union Address

United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.

9:12 P.M. EST

      THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

      Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner.  (Applause.)  And as we mark this occasion, we’re also mindful of the empty chair in this chamber, and we pray for the health of our colleague -- and our friend -– Gabby Giffords.  (Applause.)