2010-02-03 CNN
AZUZ: After the State of the Union, presidents will often travel around the country promoting some of the ideas and programs that they announced during the speech. President Obama hit the road by train. He's pushing for a nationwide, high-speed rail system, kind of like the one you see in this animation. The government would spend $8 billion on this. That money would come from the stimulus program. But some critics say it's not enough money to really do much. President Obama, who was talking about the program in Florida yesterday, called it an investment in the long-term growth of the country's economy. Basically, spending money now to get benefits in the future. But investments can take a while to pay off. When Spain built a high-speed rail line, it cost $35 billion and took 20 years.
Blog Report
AZUZ: So, we asked for your ideas on how to fix the economy. Got more than 200 comments from you so far. Lucas writes that "the solution is not for the government to tax the wealthy and distribute the money; the solution's to cut taxes and let the people stimulate the economy." Jose believes taxes should be raised slightly. "Although that might be bad at first," he writes, "it would have an overall positive effect on the economy." Calvin argues, "If only we kids ran the nation. We know more about the economy than everyone thinks." This is a Quick Poll we put up, asking your opinion about the State of the Union. Nine percent of you think things are going well. 56 percent say things could be better. 35 percent say they stink. Bryant asked, "If America's a land of opportunity, then why can't so many Americans find jobs? We need to bring jobs back." Luke compared the union to a battleground for squabbling children, saying, "President Obama seemed to take on the role of a teacher who needed to straighten out the quarreling in Washington." And an anonymous viewer wrote in: "Put on your big-boy pants, America, and fix your own problems because the government is not 'mommy.'" Very interesting comments, y'all!