Voters delivered a mandate -- and an opportunity -- to move our democracy forward. It's time for Congress to listen.
The State of the Union Address is an annual message[presented by the POTUS to a Joint Session Of Congress at the beginning of each calendar year in office. The message typically includes a budget message and an economic report of the nation, and also allows the President to propose a legislative agenda (for which the cooperation of Congress is needed) and national priorities.
The address fulfills rules in Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution, requiring the President to periodically "give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." During most of the country's first century, the President primarily only submitted a written report to Congress. After 1913, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. President, began the regular practice of delivering the address to Congress in person as a way to rally support for the President's agenda. With the advent of radio and television, the address is now broadcast live across the country on many networks.
We need a democracy where voters are protected from petty partisan politics. A democracy that follows the US Constitution. A democracy that isn't bought and paid for by the highest corporate bidder. And a democracy where ordinary Americans are fairly and bi-partisan represented.
Just imagine what a Congress that took our democracy seriously could accomplish. We must ensure that the Congress works for us.
These solutions are already working in states and cities across the country -- many of them passed by ballot initiative with strong bipartisan support -- and we can't let special interest groups and others who prefer the status quo stand in our way.
Add your name to demand that Congress makes a bold show of support for our democracy -- save the SOTUA. Remind Congress that you work for us !
