Verified answer

The meaning of the phrase was to imply that Americans should step up and help each other out instead of relying on government handouts. He was trying to kickstart what would later become known in Europe as the austerity movement.

The thousands points of light was supposed to reference each American rising up to do their part. We were in a recession and America was hoping for some kind of an economic plan from the president and instead we got some poetry about how we need to be helping ourselves.

Went over like a lead balloon.

" It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness"

Or to put it simply for illiterates of your generation, get off your *** and help, rather than whining like a little ***** about how great it used to be.

when did America stop being great ???

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=A+thousand+points+of+light