Facebook Hosts President Obama

Nothing is easier than solving a problem on the backs of people who are poor or people who are powerless or who don't have any lobbyists or who don't have clout. I don't think that is particularly courageous. 

~ President Obama, responding to a question on whether Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) budget plan's was "courageous" as portrayed by the media


I was one of the 44,000-plus who signed up for Facebook's town hall meeting with President Obama. The meeting was moderated by Mark Zuckerberg.

I quoted the above because that specifically resonated with me. When asked about Rep. Ryan's budget plan, President Obama had praise for Rep. Ryan but thought the plan was radical but not particularly courageous. Obama stated that no matter how much one benefits from what our country has to offer, the GOP does not expect that person to give back. President Obama stated he went to college on scholarships; while his mother was getting her PhD, she briefly had to accept food stamps; his grandparents received their Medicare and Social Security benefits; and, his grandfather was able to go to college on the GI bill. His family benefited from what our country offers, as many of our families have benefited. Many of us are willing to give back.

While President Obama was receiving enthusiastic applause in California, Rep. Ryan's constituents were booing him as he tried to explain his "Roadmap to America's Future" budget plan. He was booed when he stated the already wealthy needed their tax cuts. Video and transcript here.

If you have lived with or cared for an elderly parent, can you imagine the government telling your elderly parent to give up their Medicare and to get online to sign up for their $15,000 voucher so that they can shop around for the best health insurance rate? I'm sure those health insurance companies are all anxious to get the business of an elderly person who, most likely, have some or many health problems. Now ask yourself how far you think $15,000 would go? It cost just over $50,000 per year to keep my elderly parent in a nursing home.

Lastly, I still get excited by the ability to sign up on Facebook for a town hall meeting with the POTUS and watch online (actually, I was listening so that I could keep working at my job). Just imagine what the people in that room who work for Facebook could do for this country.