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Re "Obama Vows Push to Lift Economy for Middle Class" (front page, Feb. 13):
The most important statement in President Obama's State of the Union message on Tuesday night had nothing to do with policies, programs, plans or proposals. Instead it was four simple words — "they deserve a vote." In this case he meant that victims of gun violence and their families deserve a vote on gun legislation, but it could be said about almost any other piece of legislation that comes up.
For some reason our elected officials seem to turn every piece of legislation into a stew — and many of them are sure to dislike at least one of the ingredients, resulting in a negative vote.
If the various gun proposals are all thrown into one pot, senators and representatives will find it far too easy to say: "I liked everything about it, with one exception. Therefore I couldn't support it."
Instead, take the issue of universal background checks and vote yes or no on it. Do the same with assault weapons and magazines and armor-piercing bullets. Let them get voted on item by item, and maybe we will no longer get bogged down in rhetoric and accusations.
PHILIP BARNETT
Scottsdale, Ariz., Feb. 13, 2013
To the Editor:
Arguably the most important part of the State of the Union address was when President Obama talked about the need for compromise to stop the never-ending cycle of being pushed to the brink of sequestration or government shutdowns. It is incredibly important for the leaders we send to Washington to put the well-being of the nation ahead of party interests. As President Obama said, "The greatest nation on earth cannot keep conducting its business by drifting from one manufactured crisis to the next."
STEVEN M. CLAYTON
Ocean, N.J., Feb. 13, 2013
To the Editor:
The contrast between President Obama's State of the Union address and the Republican Party's response by Senator Marco Rubio is remarkable. When stripped of the specifics, the messages are clear:
President Obama: The needs of all Americans are best addressed by government actions for the masses.
Senator Rubio: Return to the policies that flow from "survival of the fittest."
Clearly, with that message the pretense of identity politics alone won't save the Republican Party.
THOMAS M. STEPHENS
Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2013
To the Editor:
President Obama spoke to his base but also pushed for compromise. His brilliant speech had a lot of meat in it, and near the end it brought tears to many eyes as the president invoked the numerous tragedies in our country that cry out for stricter gun controls.
As the president begins his second term, his Inaugural Address last month and his State of the Union speech surely put the country on a forward path and help us believe that change will happen. It won't be easy, but these things never are. Lead us on, Mr. President!
JENNIFER DORN
New York, Feb. 13, 2013
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