Good day for the president

It has been a good day for the president. I did not have an opportunity to watch Obama's speech on education. This morning I did however read the transcripts and I came away impressed. In particular, I appreciated Obama taking a Bill Cosby bluntness approach when addressing our nation's youth. I like how he told our young men to stop dreaming of becoming professional athletes. I like how he told our young women to stop putting up controversial pictures on Facebook. Across the country, the reviews were almost universally positive. After his speech at the school, Obama addressed congress. In what was probably his best speech since his inauguration, Obama outlined how not all governmental run programs are evil (e.g. Medicare, and Social Security). According to CNN.com, All Americans would be required by law to have health insurance under his proposal, Obama said. He noted the requirement would be similar to mandatory auto insurance in most states and also would mandate businesses to either offer health care coverage to workers or contribute to covering their costs of obtaining coverage.
"There will be a hardship waiver for those individuals who still cannot afford coverage, and 95 percent of all small businesses, because of their size and narrow profit margin, would be exempt from these requirements," Obama said. "But we cannot have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves or their employees." Quite simply, he is saying that everyone needs health insurance in America. If you want to keep your private insurance that you like, terrific, if you can't afford it, or don't like it, then there will be a "public" option/government option. Although Obama acknowledges that taxes would have to be raised, he pointed out that the overall cost of health care would be lowered greatly as private health insurance costs would now have to compete against the public option. Republicans are almost unanimously opposed to the plan. They say that if the public option is out there, it would cause all private health insurance companies to collapse. My honest opinion... good riddance!! Clearly the Republicans are playing to special interests. I have always been in favor of universal health care. All in all, I give Obama's speech an A. He turned a complicated issue and made it quite simple. And frankly, the majority of Americans agreed with him. A Democracy Corp poll taken immediately after the speech found that the approval rating for Obama's health care plan jumped from 46% to 66%. CNN ran a similar poll and saw a jump from 53% to 67%. I understand that this poll was taken directly after his speech and the numbers will go down a bit as the days go on. All in all, it has been a very good couple of days for our President.

1. Yesterday night, the Iowa State alumni association in Chicago played the University of Iowa alumni association in flag football. Despite the Cyclones losing the game, the unanimous play of the night was Koo's incredible jumping catch over a taller Hawkeye defensive back for a forty yard gain. It was a great play. Anay, Nim, Koo, and I played for the Clones. I will also point out that Nimit's stats for the night. One throw attempt - One interception on that throw. No further comment necessary.

2. The NFL season begins tonight with the Titans hosting the Steelers. I am very ready.

3. I was in a gas station this morning and I saw Audrina Patridge on the cover of Maxim. She looks... okay. http://fauxgentleman.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/audrina-patridge-underwear.jpg

4. I have been getting into this new band, Glasvegas. My favorite song is "Daddy's Gone". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSdQxKaBfU. Could they be more Scottish?!

5. This might be the most controversial beer ad I have ever seen... and that is saying something: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZX9Rv_2_C0