Some South Floridians, prior to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address to a joint assembly of Congress and the nation, pondered how he would describe the state of the nation in light of the challenging economy.

The president, in his address, on Wednesday evening declared, “Despite our hardships our union is strong.” However, the president used most of the address to focus on the issues for which he has been most criticized – the economy, and providing jobs for millions of unemployed Americans.

In a defiant, but relaxed and sometimes jovial mood, the president addressed a wide range of topics, not shying away from the perceived angry disposition of the country. He said he knew people were frustrated and angry, and was aware of the “big and difficult economic challenges” they face.

To stimulate jobs, the president made proposals, including taking $30 billion from funds repaid by Wall Street banks to help community banks give small businesses credit; a new small business tax credit to enable small businesses to hire new workers or raise wages; to eliminate capital gains taxes on small business investment; and provide a tax incentive for all businesses, large and small, to invest in new plants and equipment.

Obama said he wanted a jobs bill on his desk without delay. The House, he said, passed a jobs bill that includes some of his proposals, and he urged the Senate to do the same quickly. “People are out of work. They are hurting. They need our help.”

Those words brought unanimous applause from those gathered at the West Kendall of home of Therese Laidlaw to watch the president’s address. Laidlaw said, “Thank goodness, he has come up with a plan for job growth.”

In defending his policies, the president admitted there were missteps and some deserving political setbacks during his first year in office. But he said, one of the most criticized policies – the $787 billion stimulus plan – had provided and saved a significant number of jobs.

Referring to another contentious issue – the bailout of Wall Street big banks – he said he wasn’t happy to bail out the banks, and quipped that it was as popular “as a root canal”, but added it was necessary. He reminded the nation that he inherited a mountain of problems, including a trillion dollar deficit accumulated over the previous eight years following a positive national balance of some $200 billion in 2000. But, he said, because of his administration’s initiatives, after a year “the worst of the storm has passed”.

He also defended his quest for healthcare reform, against a background of doubt and confusion following the Republicans’ recent victory in the Massachusetts US Senate race. The president said, jokingly that obviously, his tackling healthcare reform was not good politics, but he did so because many Americans still do not have health insurance.

He admitted healthcare was a “complex issue”, and accepted blame for not explaining it more clearly. He urged Congress not to walk away from reform. “Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to… finish the job for the American people.”

With US Supreme Court justices in the audience, the president chastised them for their recent decision, which ultimately enables corporations and unions to make financial contributions to election campaigns. Justice Samuel Alido, among the justices voting in favor of the ruling, seemed to have mouthed the words, “not true” when the president said that the ruling would open the floodgates of corporate and international funding to influence political campaigns.

There was again unanimous applause from the West Kendall group when the president called for an end to the “tired old battles” and “incessant opposition” that have created divisions and stalled his efforts on Capitol Hill. He said, “Saying ‘no’ to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership…. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions. Let's show the American people that we can do it together.”

But, he also chastised Congressional Democrats, saying, “I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills.”

Referring to his promise to bring change to America, which has not yet occurred, he said, “Right now, I know there are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change—or at least, that I can deliver it.” But, he said he never promised change would be easy.

Referring to politics in Washington he said, “We face a deficit of trust — deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years.”

The president called on American values, which he said have brought the country through some 200 years. He also urged the joint assembly and the nation to move forward. “We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.”

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