Obama implores Americans to commit to a new declaration of independence...

I'm starting to see more of his "two-sidedness". First you have the side that is so interested in fixing the economy and doing what is best for the American people - and then you see the side that is his actual political agenda.

I agree with you 100%. It is crazy how some people are so blinded by this man and his promises! Next they will be bowing down to him. Go figure.

People need to open their eyes and realize that he is just a pawn for the Democratic party - it's like he said to Clinton when the mortgage crisis was a big issue - "tell me what to do, and I'll sell it". He's just the salesman - it is his job to smooze the people into believing what they're wanting to do is best for American and the American people.

I would feel better about him if he had chose to limit his "transitional" spending to the amount provided to him for that purpose instead of soliciting additional funds from private donations. That, and the fact that he went back on his promise to accept public funding for his campaign - instead soliciting huge amounts of money from donations. These two gestures give the impression that he is not - or chooses not to - able to stay within a specified limit when it comes to money.

In these hard economic times when so many are without jobs and facing homelessness, it seems quite hypocritical for him to be going all out for his own benefit (while using the money of others to do it).

This also makes you wonder how "balanced" the budget will be when he leaves office. I'm thinking the typical democrat mess.

I'm also a little disturbed that not all of these big inaugural events are going to be able to be viewed by the American people - the exclusive rights to the concerts tonight were bought out by HBO.

I believe he actually said a couple of different things at different places on his train ride - I think once he said from bigotry - once he said from small-mindedness - it's a little unclear just what he said when.

If anything, we need freedom from the government using our tax dollars to bail-out big business!

Yeah, and freedom from the government using OUR money to give benefits to ILLEGAL aliens who do not even belong here while actual citizens are suffering!

"What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation but in our own lives -- from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry -- an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our 'better angels,' " he said, using a phrase from Lincoln's inaugural address.

I personally think he should be concentrating on the current problems we are experiencing and leave his political agenda on the shelf.

Amen! This will only happen, however, when the American people start making their elected officials accountable for their actions. I have seen many here already making excuses for Obama's actions - for his overspending during his campaign and this transition and now the inauguration - we can't make excuses for our officials and then expect them to do what is right and lawful.