Commentary: President Covers Debt Ceiling, Violence Against Women Act

President Barack Obama touched on a variety of issues-- energy, jobs, technology, climate change and the middle class-- in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. Yahoo News asked voters to respond to his speech. Here's one perspective.

COMMENTARY | President Obama covered the debt ceiling and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) during Tuesday's State of the Union address. As a survivor of domestic abuse who is in debt, these issues affect me deeply.

When elected congressional leaders postpone raising the debt ceiling, they show constituents that skipping bills is OK. I wonder how many other Americans think, "Why should I pay bills if they won't?" When the POTUS said Congress should uphold American's credit and keep the government open, I heard, "Do the right thing, lead by example, and pay the bills," America spent money, and must pay it back, it's that simple, and this time, I think Congress was listening.

When Congress blocked the VAWA in 2012, although it reduced violence by 67 percent, I was afraid that abuse survivors would no longer receive police protection, monetary assistance, or a safe shelter as I did. The Senate voted to renew the bill today, and in his address, the POTUS urged "the House to do the same." This heated endorsement renews my hopes that the act will pass and survivors will once again receive the help they need to live in safety.

-- Philadelphia

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/commentary-president-covers-debt-ceiling-violence-against-women-065900773.html

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