Two republican members of the House of Representatives who represent Central New York are discussing what they thought of the President's speech.

President Barack Obama went before Congress to outline the direction he wants America's economic recovery to go. In his State of the Union address, he said the endangered promise of the American dream is "the defining issue of our time." Among other things, Obama called for higher taxes on the rich.

Congressman Richard Hanna:

"While we disagree on some of the means and methods, I was pleased to hear the President talk about strengthening the middle class and reviving economic mobility. It is imperative that we reform and invest in our education system to prepare young Americans for 21st century jobs in high-tech industries.

There are immediate areas where we can work together. Republicans can work with the President right now on approving a long-term Highway bill that creates jobs and boosts our economic competitiveness.

I am hopeful that Republicans, Democrats, and the President will work together in 2012 to foster an environment favorable to private sector job creation. Let's find areas to cooperate where principle allows; let's take the best ideas and move forward."

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle:

"Tonight was an opportunity for President Obama to show strategic vision and unwavering leadership at a time when this country needs it most.

The President says he wants to create jobs and improve the economy, yet he has stood in the way of initiatives that would do just that, as has the Senate by refusing to act on the 30 jobs bills that the House has passed in bipartisan fashion. President Obama states he wants America to be energy independent, but at the same time he effectively ended the Keystone pipeline initiative. The Keystone project would have decreased our country's dependence on foreign oil and was supported by unions and business leaders alike. In addition Keystone would have created a hundred thousand jobs.

This country has a spending problem that the President refuses to deal with directly by showing fiscal restraint. Instead, he continues to propose unsustainable budgets that he intends to pay for by imposing tax increases on our job creators. We cannot tax our self into prosperity.

Revitalizing the economy and reducing unemployment is the number one challenge facing our nation. We must reduce wasteful government spending and put our country back on a path to fiscal responsibility."