State of our Union?

Dear Mr. Obama,

I may have been a bit snarky with my Facebook status update while watching you deliver the State of the Union last night. I can't apologize for it, so let me explain it.

I live in New York. This is a place that costs more to live than pretty much anywhere else in the world. We deal with the aftermath of 9/11 everyday, we continue to bear the brunt of the Wall Street bailout but as a state must metaphorically max out our credit cards to keep up appearances. The world can't see New York drooping.

But we are. Right now we have a State government, which hasn't balanced a budget on time in a good decade, trying to balance a county budget that even the most tight-fisted, coupon cutting housewife couldn't do. We've put taxes back on things like clothing, increased taxes anywhere imaginable, even considered an Obesity Tax for beverages.

The answer to the State fiscal crisis is to cut spending in EDUCATION. You encouraged the country to become teachers, we have so many unemployed teachers, and more to come, that we could fill the country's job openings. But no one here can move to fill them because selling a home is next to impossible.

Right now there are plans to cut SPECIAL EDUCATION budgets - because it's not bad enough to cut the arts and sports and kindergarten to half day, while superintendents make 6 figures. It's horrific that "regular" kids get crammed 40 in a classroom in schools that are falling apart, but we take from our neediest children to fill the coffers of a few. The special education program gives children like my daughter a chance to thrive.

You discussed upgrading our trains and public transportation. We have a public transportation system that is not worth using. You see from where I am on Long Island, I have to drive 20 minutes to the train station, wait for a train, and be on said train for 90 minutes to get into Manhattan. I can drive in and pay for parking for less money and less time, even including the $10 toll and crazy parking prices. I also get charged by the public transportation system for my car, a Ford by the way, which I must use because I live 20 minutes from the train. Oh, not the most local train, that's a mile away, but if I took it I'd get stranded because the train doesn't run regularly out my way - a mere 60 miles outside of New York City.

I think it's wonderful you're paying attention to Colorado and Wisconsin. But right now, living in New York, I don't feel like my daughters are getting the same opportunities as other daughters in this country, much less the sons. So when I laugh at your proposals, and question the likelihood of there success, it's not that I don't like what you're saying, I just don't believe I'll see it in my lifetime - and I'm 35.