Hoaxtra belongs to the party of "No." They are putting party priorities ahead of serving the people they are supposed to represent. The American people voted for healthcare, and the repugnicans just sit back and say "no."

It is a shame that Mr. Hoekstra does not pay attention. The President was trying to cover many things because there are many things which need to be covered. At previous times Mr. Hoekstra has complained that the Democrats do not provide enough, now he complains because the President covered too much. It would be nice if Mr. Hoekstra would cover more for his constituents. I have personally sent at least 4 emails on his website to him and all I have ever gotten back from those was a message saying they would be responded to in a timely manner. I think two years is more than long enough. He complains about what the President wants to do but his party has already said they will vote against anything the President wants to do. I think President Obama hit it on the head when he said the American people want all branches of government to work together. It is time that congress realizes they work for the American people not big business. Nor for their own personal gains. Mr. Hoekstra did not like hearing that the blame is spread over all of the parties not just those elected a year ago. It will take time to fix what is wrong but it will not work if congress does not work together to get it done. That is what I heard our President say. Obviously Mr. Hoekstra heard something else though I am not sure where he was sitting to hear it differently but it is obvious he was not there...... Time will tell what happens, but again it will not happen they way we want if congress keeps playing games.... I would send this to Mr Hoekstra but I know I would not get a response so I send it to the people instead, they listen....

What Hoekstra doesnt explain is that all he wants to do is defeat Obama on every piece of legistlation. He is not interested in the American Human condition. Tom Brokaw wrote in his book "The Greatest Generation" referring to a couple of hard working scientist that cared for all Americans "They were interested in the human condition--they weren't out for themselves" I believe this is what we must measure all of our politicians by....."are they Humanist"? It is obvious that the Republicans do not aspire to this virtue.

The American public understands what it wants from health care reform. Eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions. Eliminate lifetime caps. Extend coverage to most Americans. Reduce the impact of the Medicare "donut hole." When Americans understand that these elements are what are in the current health care reform bills, they overwhelmingly support them. It's disingenous for Pete Hoekstra to claim the American public understands the current bills when the Republican National Committee, the Pharmaceutical lobby, the insurance lobby, and Fox Entertainment have spent millions of dollars successfully colluding to mis-represent the content of the bills to the ignorant minority with claims of death panels and government takeovers. What were the Republican Party's ideas on health care reform during the 8 years they were in control? A shaky prescription bill program aimed at over-65 voters that was paid for by deficit spending and guaranteed inflated reimbursements to the pharmaceutical industry. Anything else? If the Republicans had made some attempt at governing while they were in power, rather than dismantling the government and the Constitution and looting the Treasury, President Obama wouldn't have had so much to talk about.

How unfortunate that Mr. Hoekstra can hold his attention for only 30 to 45 minutes. Most of us realize the world is considerably more complex than that. I wonder how he gets through his security meetings in Washington?

I thought there were only four libs in Ludington. Shame on me.

How about a fact check? If Obama lost half his audience before the end of the speech, Congressman Hoekstra is right. If the audience stayed with the President then not. Remember Bill Clinton's endless speeches, soon people quit listening at the beginning because (other than die-hard supporters) we knew it would be too long. My old debate coach always said "The mind can absorb what the seat can endure"--If you want to reach the greatest audience, focus.

I agree with the above comments. One of the big changes in many Michigan communities has been the Native American casinos. Whatever personal feelings about gambling, the fact that they have brought jobs and economic benefits to those communities is a fact. There are also potential benefits in placing industrial parks on sovereign tribal land and waterway access areas. Jobs for the entire community would result. The attitudes and actions of Mr. Hoekstra are reprehensible.

I am sorry but i do not appreciate the presidents priorities. First thing he did was make abortions easier to get and paid for by the government. I do not vote for anyone who is so anxious to kill innocent little babies. And for people who can't understand that the fetus is a baby I really feal sorry for you. Obama wants to do away with social security and medicare. IS THAT WHAT THE PEOPLE OF THE USA REALLY WANTS? HOW MANY SENIOR CITIZENS COULD LIVE FINANCIALLY WITHOUT HAVEING TO HAVE WELFARE? MOSST PEOPLE WHO ARE ON SOCIAL SECURITY HAVE PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 2O OR 30 YEARS.

I watched our President talk, and I have listened to both parties over the past year. Assuming that Washington works for the people, I suggest health care be the same for them as well as us, one way or the other. No bailouts to those who are corrupt and get caught. And a stimulus program that actually is for businesses. ie. reduce payroll taxes, tax imports, etc. Anything else is rhetorical or ignorant.

I find it interesting that the four "anti Hoekstra" diatribes are all posted within minutes of each other. Almost as if someone had prepared messages and posted them all under different names. Huh. I wish Hoekstra would run for president. He actually has common sense and decency and no urge to buy his votes the way Democrats do... for example, Mr Oprabama's (I call our him that because it was Oprah who nominated him for president some years ago on her show, look it up) need to pay back the unions who threw their support to him over Hillary (who was no puppet). The unions got him elected, now he pays them back by requiring all stimulus jobs to be union. huh. Oh and by paying off all the people who would rather sit home on welfare programs than get up in the morning, every day, and go to a job and put in an honest day's work to pay for their own health care. huh. Oprabama is only interested in giving stuff away to appease his voting base. Pure and simple. At least some legislators, like Hoekstra or Agema, are able to think for themselves and work for the working people, not the 'gimme everything for free' class or the 'gimme more for nothing' unions. Oprabama's speech was a lot of meaningless garbage that David Axelrod put in his teleprompter and had vetted by the unions and 30+ lobbyists who work in his cabinet. Oh we understand all right, we understand that he has been lying since day one and will continue to do so, spending all our hard earned tax dollars on socialist welfare programs to buy votes. The "human condition" is created by humans. I am sick and tired of hearing that people who have functioning brains and bodies are "victims". My parents came over from Europe in their 30's, as LEGAL immigrants (they had to wait years and provide documents and health and employment certificates) and they learned the language and worked hard and retired with money in the bank. This whole attitude that people are helpless victims who cannot take care of themselves and need to have the government pay and do everything for them, is ruining America.

all above posters must realize that the dems. held the majority in last years congress, so how can you sit at your computers and possibly blame the republicans for the lack of health care legislation? wake up and find out why it didn't pass, the majority of the American public doesn't want it shoved down our throats. we don't want to support any more deadbeats. free health care is not mentioned anywhere in the constitution. as far as dismantling the constitution, both parties have been guilty of that and it should be considered treason, but we let it pass. politicians should be measured by there attitude toward protecting the constitution and there ability to understand that they are not any smarter or better than the people they are elected to serve. i don't know about others but i'm tired of politicians talking down to there constituents and considering us subjects rather than fellow citizens.

First of all, I do not agree w/ Rep. Hoekstra on narrowing the topics down. This is the State of the Union, it should be broad and cover many topics. Let everyone know where we are presently on many issues. That being said, too many of you are out to bash Rep Hoekstra. You complain along with Obama that the 'American People' want all the branches of government to work together. It's funny how none of you were speaking up the last couple years when Congress was not working along with President Bush. And before you go off on Bush, I am not defending all he did. It's funny how everyone wants 'all of government' to work together, as long as it lines up with what they want. And I don't remember the American people voting for healthcare? Maybe that election was held secretly and I didn't get a chance to vote, because I may be wrong, but I have Healthcare. And I work so that I can afford to pay for it. Too many people are looking for handouts rather than looking for long term solutions. I've seen first hand what 'free' healthcare can do to a nation (England) and believe me, you do not want to be sick in a country with free healthcare. If you follow the same path as someone else, you'll get what they got.

Holy cow! I CAN'T be in West Michigan! Where did all these GREAT comments come from? You all ROCK!

you are indeed in west mi., perhaps some of us have finally awakened and i might add it's about time.

WOW! What A speech, If you did not Find OBAMA'S speech, Hopeful and Inspirational, You must of not Live in West Michigan For the last eight years. We all need to Work Together and make change. WE NEED MAJOR CHANGE! LIKE IT OR NOT!