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Collins issues statement on President's State of the Union speech

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today issued the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“I had hoped President Obama would use tonight’s address to apologize to the American people for his failed policies, which have weakened America’s standing abroad, failed to stop the expansion of ISIS, dramatically increased our national debt, and caused poverty rates across the nation to skyrocket,” said Congressman Collins. “But instead, what I heard was a refusal to own up to any mistakes, and a call to continue on a path that fails to find the solutions working families deserve.

“Americans are demanding a new direction. On the global stage, we need to stand up to our enemies and lead by example. Instead of befriending countries like Iran, who detained U.S. sailors and whose leaders still chant ‘Death to America’ and Cuba, which is holding onto one of our Hellfire missiles, we need to protect allies like Israel.

“When it comes to here at home, the president’s policies have failed to create an economy that can support the middle class. As a result, thousands of Western New Yorkers are still struggling to make ends meet. To get the millions of middle class workers on the sidelines back to work, we need to encourage an environment friendly to job creation through comprehensive tax reform, energy independence, entitlement reform and a patient-centered health care system.

“Unfortunately, the president has stuck his head in the sand, again. Instead of real solutions to the challenges we face, he chose to give us more of his failed rhetoric. America is the greatest country in the world, but if we are to stay the best, we need a leader who will make tough decisions, instead of trying to embellish his legacy.”

Tim Miller

Collins: "blah blah blah freaking blah blah blah It's Obama's fault blah blah blah"

In other words, he read the script given to all Koch-whores and brainless teabaggers.

Jan 13, 2016, 12:32am Permalink
George Richardson

Mr. Collins, what is your plan? What is the secret plan of the Republican Party that can only be unveiled once they trick feeble minded people into voting for them? What will you replace Obamacare with? What has the Republican Party done to create jobs? Do you actually draw a paycheck for talking stupid bullshit and doing nothing? Which Bozo do you think could do better?

Jan 13, 2016, 5:49am Permalink
mathew pribek

While I will certainly oppose Collins in November, it will not be due to his harsh rebuke of our current president. It will be because he failed to stand up for us against him over the last 2 years.
You know, it isn't what Obama has done that causes me to worry about the future my kids will inherit. It is truely that so many of my neighbors seem to approve of and celebrate what he has done to diminish and degrade this country.

Jan 13, 2016, 8:07am Permalink
Debra Nanni

Well said Tim and George. So far the Republican party has not much else to say except blame Obama for the way the wind blows on a given day. They have not said WHAT can be done to make people happy. And they also have not mentioned one single GOOD thing that has come from the current presidency. And there are a lot. The easy way out is to blame the guy on top for everything, even laws that were passed before he ran for president. It's really getting old.

Jan 13, 2016, 8:42am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

"It will be because he failed to stand up for us against him over the last 2 years."

I'm curious. How does Congressman A "stand up" against President B?

Notice I took the names out. I don't care about the players or the parties, just the concept, the logic and reason of it.

Jan 13, 2016, 9:56am Permalink
Justin Burger

Congressman A stands up against President B by actually offering up plans and ideas of their own, instead of just copying and pasting party-line talking points.

Jan 13, 2016, 1:54pm Permalink
david spaulding

lmao ....... I read these political blogs all the time. one thing that is fairly consistent is that it is the other party's fault and the finger pointing party can not present a better way. so everybody take a deep breath and tell me why I should continue to vote as I am starting to feel it doesn't really matter.

Jan 13, 2016, 5:41pm Permalink
mathew pribek

How does Congressman A take a stand against President B?

Really? Our constitution provides us with separation of powers, balance of powers, and of the 3 branches of government only one of them controls legislation and spending. And it isn't the chief executive. A congressman opposed to a president's agenda will craft and support legislation that appeals to the opposition voters. And if Congress sends bills and budgets to the president which are unacceptable to said president, he may opt to veto them. Of course, what follows a decision to veto could be consequences including bad press and/or a temporary shutdown of the government.
You see, many of us in the Republican base have noticed that President B's agenda is not opposed in Congress by the party running it. Collins is part of the problem in DC where representatives have been chosen and sent to stop President B's agenda and they have not. The voters have been betrayed.
But, as I said earlier, a president who usurps powers not delegated to him does not alarm me. A feckless and impotent congress that surrenders it's authority doesn't alarm me. What alarms me is that my neighbor's are cheering as our constitutional system is dismantled and replaced.

Jan 14, 2016, 9:59am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

A Congressman has one vote in the chamber of 435, and any piece of legislation must be passed by both houses.

The president has executive power. The president has the bully pulpit. The president has the backing of those who share his party affiliation in most cases.

So, how does one lone congressman, or woman, "stand up" to a president? I'd like the understand the mechanics of that assertion.

Jan 14, 2016, 11:35am Permalink
mathew pribek

Vote against budgets that fund the slaughter and organ harvest of babies, vote against TPA, vote against funding obamacare, vote against funding executive amnesty, vote against raising the debt ceiling, vote to assure deals made with Iran are treaties and will face ratification procedure and not simple majority vote. Defund EPA when they create cap and trade by fiat and outside congress. Vote to Defund sanctuary cities.

It is possible to align yourself with those who oppose President A. I don't demand that Congressman A single-handedly thwart President A's agenda but fcol don't fund it. Collins is an establishment republican and his constituents are wise to him.

Jan 14, 2016, 12:00pm Permalink
Justin Burger

Howard, you're right, the president has more power than one congressman/congresswoman. All you asked is how they can stand up to them.
You can stand up to a bully who is 3x your size, he will still pummel you...but you DID stand up to them.

Jan 14, 2016, 2:53pm Permalink

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