To the editor:

Contrary to the Jan. 31 editorial on the State of the Union Address, I think that President Obama provided calm, reasoned and sensible solutions to our government gridlock. I disagree with the statement that this situation stems from the president’s “inability to forge respectful and workable relations with Republican leaders.” It is useless to “schmooze” with insincerity.

On Inauguration Day 2009, GOP leaders met with pollster Frank Luntz and decided to fake public bipartisanship, while vowing to block EVERY bipartisan proposal made by this president. This has gone on for five years, and the GOP has filibustered more bills than any other Congress in history. President Obama, however, has risen above their intransigence and has led our nation through crisis after crisis. He now proposes new jobs, more training, quality education for all, and a living wage for both men and women. He will work on these efforts with or without the help of Congress. Will the American people stand by and let Congress shirk their responsibility for another three years?

For a good analysis of the SOTU address check out The American Prospect Magazine website, http://prospect.org/ in a Jan. 31 article by Steve Erickson entitled, “Reports of Obama’s Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated.” One sentence summed it up for me: “the Barack Obama that appeared before Congress a few nights ago is going for broke one more time, and you can keep your memos.”