“The president has had five years to work with Republicans in Congress to improve the economy and get people back to work but he has refused to do so by ignoring dozens of bills that would provide economic opportunities for all Americans.  The president’s divisive speech tonight made it clear to Americans that he prefers class warfare and government hand-outs over good old fashioned American ingenuity and hard work. Instead of uniting Americans like a chief executive should, this president instead offered Americans a form of economic collectivism that history has proven simply does not work. The president’s lip-service to cooperation in Congress was an insult simply because the Democratic Senate has turned its back on bipartisan House-passed legislation that would help create jobs, reduce unemployment and create the conditions for economic growth. Tonight, the president did nothing more than lay out populist campaign themes that have more to do with the fortunes of his party this November and very little to do with the long-term future of America.”