How I heard the speech

[salinen]

The wealthy and the corporations were able to buy legislators and give themselves whatever they wanted. They pay nothing in taxes and outsource jobs to take advantage of the worst slave/slave owner nations on Earth. They should not only pay taxes, but be fined for past taxes due, and not allowed to safe haven their wealth overseas. The wealthy became wealthier due to the inequality in the law, the law that only sided with the wealthy. They owe the commons back taxes and infrastructure improvement.

The social compact between you and the government is sacred. This is not a dog eat dog society where only the strongest or the most well connected or the inherited get everything. The republicans are nothing but elevated corporate representatives who necessarily must side against peoples interest. Their goal is to bankrupt the federal government and hand all power over to the corporations. Wars and union busting and tax breaks to zillionaires are the tools that work to destroy the federal government.

Now, I as President have laid out the vision. You must take control from here. Demand these rights. Don't back down. This may be the last gasp of democracy if these ideals are abandoned.

[kentuck]

1. I think that is pretty close to what he said...

It is now up to us.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. "It is now up to us"

I'm signing a new bill into law as we speak.

[Lorien]

3. Lol! Yeah, like he's powerless and we're suddenly relevant

Sorry, but they don't care what ANY of us non-corporate, non-uber wealthy persons think, or do. Obama is just trying to pave the way for laying the blame for his lack of action at our feet, just as he laid the blame for his inability to inspire people to go to the polls in 2010 at our feet. We're "fucking retards" one moment and omnipotent when he doesn't want to follow up his talk with meaningful action.