Not only did George W. Bush oversee the greatest overall increase in food stamps, but then-Speaker Gingrich’s own gutting of the welfare system led to Americans’ greater dependency on food stamps. And, of course, only one quarter of food stamp households are African American. Besides, there is nothing wrong with those receiving food stamps, especially since every $1 spent on food stamps generates $1.79 for the economy. And there is definitely nothing wrong with a government helping those in need.

If Gingrich or Romney appeared at the Apollo, they would probably perform “The Message.” Grandmaster Flash’s piece is largely considered the anthem of the Reagan era:

It’s all about money, ain’t a damn thing funny
You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey

The President’s State of the Union addressed Americans’ “sense of shared responsibility.” As much as I hate to disappoint my sisters who believe that the President was simply crooning at the Apollo, in these turbulent economic times, in these partisan political times when every racist attack is sure to come, I think he was invoking the full weight of the Right Reverend’s lyrics without singing all of them:

Let’s, let’s stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad

Mark Thompson is the host of “Make It Plain,” a political, human rights and breaking news program on SiriusXM Left 127, M-F, 6-9p ET.