State of Union Features An Obama Some Have Been Waiting For

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The president, who faces re-election in November, touched on small business, education and foreclosure during his recent State of the Union address.
The president, who faces re-election in November, touched on small business, education and foreclosure during his recent State of the Union address.

President Barack Obamas State of the Union address on Jan. 24 included some tough talk and drew lines in the sand that many African Americans like Rev. Booker Vance longed for.

He kind of drew the line on some issues and laid out clearly his position on things -- which he had not done before -- in a strong manner, Vance told the Chicago Citizen. The outspoken pastor of the St. Stephens Lutheran Evangelical Church is also president of the Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation community organization in Chicago.

In his speech, the president called on Congress to be more cooperative or offer viable alternatives and he vowed to take on political obstacles.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt and left innocent hard-working Americans holding the bag, said Obama.

The president, who faces re-election in November, touched on small business, education and foreclosure, among other issues, telling how his administration plans to send legislation to Congress to help the fragile economy continue to recover.

Vance took note of the presidents talk of a plan that would allow some homeowners to refinance their mortgages. Obama also said he would have U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to meet with attorney generals around the country to widen the investigation of activities that led to the nations housing crisis. Several in Vances 150-member congregation were affected by that crisis with some losing their home to foreclosure and a few ending up homeless. Further, as many as 20 homes near the church are vacant due to foreclosure.

Were seeing the impact not only internally but in the houses on the block, Vance said, calling Obamas plan a good gesture.

He said homeowners should have some recourse against banks and mortgage lenders.

The banks have and these lending institutions have basically ripped off the public, he said. These banks and the mortgage companies should be held accountable for all of the money they took from people.

John Meyer watched the presidents address as a small business owner. Obama called for tax relief for small businesses he credited with increasing wages and creating jobs.

Any cut in taxes would help us help the employee --- and the employer --- definitely, said Meyer, owner of BJs Market & Bakery restaurant, with locations in the Auburn-Gresham and Avalon areas of Chicago.

Being creative helped him to stay in business during the troubled economy. He did have to shed about 10 percent of his workforce and those he was able to keep had to step up their skills and deal with fewer hours.

I think were a better company than we were two years ago. However, the sales arent what they were two years ago, he said. Many Americans, including myself, are probably going through some things that they never had to go through probably in their lifetime. Its very different.

By Rhonda Gillespie

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