“We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”
Stressing an America built to last — “an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values” — the president called upon each American to share in the responsibility of creating such and offering “no bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts”. He commented, in the vein of Abraham Lincoln, that “government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves”.
A strong advocate of the middle class, Pres. Obama proposed the Buffett rule to tax reform: “If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes” while adding “if you make under $250,000 a year, your taxes shouldn’t go up”. Continue
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia Obama joined volunteers in a service project as part of a Big Brothers Big Sisters and Greater DC Cares collaborative effort at the Browne Education Center on Monday (January 16). The president commented “there’s nobody who can’t serve, nobody who can’t help somebody else”:
At a time when the country has been going through some difficult economic times, for us to be able to come together as a community, people from all different walks of life, and make sure that we’re giving back, that’s ultimately what makes us the strongest, most extraordinary country on Earth, is because we pull together when times are good, but also when times are hard.
The President and First Lady also attended the Let Freedom Ring concert, which was streamed live online. That means the First Lady, who celebrates her 48th birthday today, missed the premiere of her scripted television debut on the hit Nickelodeon series iCarly. Check out a preview of the First Lady in action.
The nation celebrates the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. each third Monday in January.
More than a day off from work or school, the MLK Day of Service is an opportunity in your area to do something extraordinary for your community while honoring Dr. King’s legacy. President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation, encouraging all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King:
On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we celebrate the man who fought for the America he knew was possible. Dr. King’s faith in a God who loves all His children and a Nation grounded in the promise of equality would not let him rest until victory was won. As we work to meet the challenges of our time — from fixing our schools so every child gets a world-class education to ensuring all Americans have access to strong and secure economic opportunity — let us draw strength from Dr. King’s stirring affirmation that “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve”. In his memory, let us continue climbing toward that Promised Land, one more fair and more just for all people.
2011 was a big year for couples and of course breakups. Check our list for the Top 10 Couples of 2011 and the Top 5 Breakups of 2011 below.
10. ALICIA & SWIZZ
Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys and her producer husband Swizz Beatz have been the topic of many convos for the past couple of years. The duo welcomed their first child together back in October of 2010. Alicia has a new album due out in 2012 and Swizz is in the lab making beats rocking his Reebok attire.
[audio:http://cdn.concreteloop.com/wp-content/uploads/Lupe-Fiasco-Around-My-Way-Freedom-Aint-Free-BMF.mp3]♫ Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)
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restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”
