Democratic Response

Here is the link to the Democratic response to the State of the Union. From the prepared text of the Democratic response to the State of the Union address delivered by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, as provided by her office.

In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: An American response.

A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland and across this great country. A wake-up call to Washington — on behalf of a new American majority — that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.

Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.

We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the president are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.

There is a chance Mr. President, in the next 357 days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.

In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction — with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage and reduce the costs of college loans.

These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.

On the war in Iraq.....

We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.

The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready — ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.

The last five years have cost us dearly — in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.

Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions; we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.