State of the Union...Or Disunion

January 27, 2010 — Unfortunately I did not watch the President's State of the Union address on TV this evening. I have, however, poured over the full text of his speech and the text of the Republican response delivered by Gov. McDonnell of Virgina. In the days leading up to this speech I thought that it might become historical given the dire issues we face in this country...issues that have been there for some time. I have read nothing in the President's speech that makes me believe that it will have historical impact. That aside it is worth examining the points the President made and the Republican response.

The Economy

As expected the President made the economy his central theme and rightly so. Polls indicate it is of greatest concern to Americans. The points made about government bailout are not new. Was it necessary? I agree with the President that it was necessary although it has caused a one trillion dollar increase in the deficit. From everything I have read and heard, if the government had not acted as they did then we would have slid into a much more critical state and most likely a deep depression and that could yet happen. I support his administrations move to impose fees on major banks in the payback of the government support they have received especially those that continue to ignore the fact that they should not be giving outrageous bonuses to executives simply because they are CEO or other high officer of the bank. This should and must extend to all of corporate America. Reasonable bonuses are well and good if they are based on solid performance, but history shows this not to be the case. They are paying those bonuses with our (taxpayer) money and we deserve a payback.

Jobs (Recovery Act)

The only thing the President said here that made sense to me was the talk about money and tax incentives for small business that use those incentives to create more jobs. I believe this is help at the grass roots level. That help should not come with ever tightening strings of the government. The President clearly noted that the Congress needs to work in a partisan fashion to help create more jobs. An unemployment rate of 10% nationally is just not acceptable. But, as usual the Congress is reluctant to work in a partisan fashion for the good of the people. I see nothing that indicates to me that anything will be different here.

Education

For a long time the federal government has provided states with monies through various programs for use in their public schools. Often times there have been strings attached to that money. It should always be the right of the state and not the federal government to decide on matters relating to how their children are educated. But there in lies part of the problem. We often think that testing should be the sole measure of how well our children are learning. That is certainly the case in the state of Texas and it's Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). I have looked at text books used in this state and it is crammed full of how to take the TAKS relating to that subject instead of emphasizing what is really important to learn. Teachers have no choice because their jobs are on the line. That is unfortunate because it is the student that suffers. This must stop or our children will fall further behind in competition with their peers in the world.

I applaud the President's comments about stronger support for community colleges...the increased support in Pell grants and easing of loan requirements. I also agree that universities need to take action in reigning in the horrendous increase in the cost of a four year degree and advanced degrees. They need to take responsibility for turning this around. Did the University of Texas really need to expand their football stadium? Could the money there have been better spent in helping students obtain a good education? The answer to me is a simple YES! If we do not find answers to these education issues then it will not matter how many jobs are created in this country...there will not be enough educated people to fill those jobs.

Healthcare Reform

There was absolutely nothing in the President's speech that was new. It is the same old rhetoric that has been going on for months and it is sickening. He stated several times about stepping back and taking another look at "our" proposal. Well whose proposal? Is that his administrations, the House bill, or the Senate bill? It is as unclear as ever. The bipartisanship is rampant as ever and the Congress cares less about what the public wants. Real reform is a long way off in my opinion and we the American taxpayer will continue to suffer until we send people to Washington that are firmly committed through action and not word to working together in partnership with the taxpayer and the political parties. It is our (the taxpayer/voter) responsibility to make this change for the good of us all.

Government Spending and Transparency

It's a good call to put a freeze on frivolous spending starting in 2011. But why just three years? Isn't frivolous or unnecessary spending always a bad thing especially if it is heavily influenced by lobbyist. It is good that the freeze will not affect national security, medicare, medicaid, and social security.

How could the President talk about transparency in government with a straight face? Nothing could be further from the truth in his administration so far and the current Congress. There is no transparency and all one has to do to prove that is to look at what the Senate, House, and his administration's leaders, including himself, have done to try and reconcile differences in healthcare reform. The President and the Congressional leaders in the Democratic party are clearly talking out of two sides of their mouth when it comes to transparency in government.

Veterans and Public Trust

It is necessary that we send our men and women in the armed services into harms way especially in the fight against terrorism...unfortunate...but necessary. Yes we are finally developing a 21st Century Veterans Administration. I see it every time I walk into a VA facility. I also applaud that the President and Congress recognizes that we have to take care of the vets when they return home. They are also recognizing that the military family has needs and require special attention also. This is vitally important and I hope it continues and improves.

Any administration and Congress has the undeniable responsibility to gain and nurture the public trust. What has been going on recently does nothing to help them meet that responsibility. It is the publics responsibility to hold them accountable through our vote.

The Republican Response

Gov. McDonnell of Virginia delivered the Republican response to the President's address. It was totally uninspiring to me. Oh it's good that he owned up that there was agreement in this or that...a half-hearted stab at partisanship. But where is the beef! It's just a continuation of the same ol' political rhetoric and talking the talk and not walking the walk. The Republicans are just as a much a part of the problem as the Democrats and it is time we in this country realize that. It is time that we all realize that regardless of our political beliefs we must find common ground and move forward to find cures for our ills...it's what really matters!