Proud to be an American

I recorded the State of the Union Address last night so I could watch it in peace after Bug went to bed and make sure I didn't miss a word.

I was very moved by everything our President said. I even cried and I'm not a crier.

You can watch the video at the bottom of this post. Or you can read the Address here.

Here are a few of the things that brought tears to my eyes, the words of President Obama:

"It’s family that first instills the love of learning in a child. Only parents can make sure the TV is turned off and homework gets done. We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair."

I couldn't agree more.

"Let’s also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child’s success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom. In South Korea, teachers are known as “nation builders.” Here in America, it’s time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones."

We really do need to respect the good teachers more ... and fire the bad teachers for Pete's sake!

"Now, I have heard rumors that a few of you still have concerns about our new health care law. (Laughter.) So let me be the first to say that anything can be improved. If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you ... What I’m not willing to do -- what I’m not willing to do is go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a preexisting condition."

I have a good friend who's beautiful daughter was born deaf. I am so pleased that she will not be denied coverage. Having worked in the insurance industry, I have seen too many children be denied health insurance due to blindness, deafness, etc. I am so happy that's changed.

"We should have no illusions about the work ahead of us. Reforming our schools, changing the way we use energy, reducing our deficit –- none of this will be easy. All of it will take time. And it will be harder because we will argue about everything. The costs. The details. The letter of every law. Of course, some countries don’t have this problem. If the central government wants a railroad, they build a railroad, no matter how many homes get bulldozed. If they don’t want a bad story in the newspaper, it doesn’t get written. And yet, as contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn’t a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth."

Amen! I am proud to be an American!