Raw thoughts on the State of the Union

[greybeta]

Yeah, I know, I'll join the crowds of people who are going to comment on the State of the Union address. I watched it on C-SPAN to avoid unnecessary commentary.

Synopsis: More of a pronouncement of a mandate rather than any tangible policies, complete with grandeur lines. Blah blah blah, Iraq, blah blah blah, Social Security, blah blah blah, terrorism is bad.

It must tiring to be a Republican at the State of the Union address. Everytime the President says something good, you've got to stand up or clap. Otherwise, you'll get blasted by your own party. And you can tell which sentiments aren't popular when the Democratic side doesn't clap at all.

I took some random notes. Of course Bush would lead off with a comment about a "free and sovereign Iraq". And apparently, more people are working. And he guaranteed "spending discipline", cutting the budget deficit in half by 2009 (oh, how long ago was it that we were talking about surpluses). More healthcare for everyone. We've got to develop alternate sources of energy. And look forward to some sort of temporary worker system for the people who will take jobs that Americans won't.

Glum news on Social Secrurity. By 2018, it will be in the red. By 2027, the shortfall will be 200 billion dollars (wait, that's less than the cost of war). By 2042, the system will be bankrupt. But, never fear, for privatization is here. Voluntary personal accounts will create these nest eggs that will provide "more than the current system could ever deliver". And somehow, Bush ensured that the government will never be able to take that money. Bush also advocated something about a Thrift Savings Plan that federal employees use.

Obligatory statement about a constitutional amendment to protect the traditional institution of marriage.

In a big surprise, Bush came out against human embryo technology (well, maybe not so surprising after all). I can't remember the exact comment, but he equated experimenting with the embryonic stem cells with slavery. Something about growing body parts and such.

And, Democratic Seantors America, don't judicial nominees "deserve an up or down vote"?

This administration is working hard to provide "freedom from fear" in this "time of war". Unlike our terrorist enemies, we do not force our system of government on other nations. No, we're bringing democracy to all nations with the ultimate goal of "ending tyranny in our world". Let me repeat that, we will be ending tyranny in our world.

Bush will succeed where others have not in making peace between Israel and Palestine, two democracies living side by side.

Also, don't expect Bush to give away an artificial time table for leaving Iraq. Cause you know those terrorists are just waiting for us to leave.

Emotional moment dedicated to a fallen soldier. Conclusion followed shortly after.

---

This was an important State of the Union since it comes shortly after the inauguration. You know this because the Democrats brought out both of their big guns, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi.

Synopsis: We have the same goals as the President, but we differ on how to get there. Also, the President never specifies just how he will carry out his goals.

Senator Reid wants a Marshall Plan for America. And he made an analogy to Groundhog's Day. Unfortuantely, I don't remember what it was because I got blown away by his next line. "We shouldn't take Social Secruity's guarantee and gamble with it, and that's coming from a senator who's from Las Vegas".

Congresswoman Pelosi emphasized the fact that there was no clear plan to exit Iraq. She sees 3 things that would need to take place.
1. Responsiblity for Iraqi security must be transferred to Iraq
2. Economic development must be accelerated in Iraq
3. Regional diplomacy must be intensified

---

I don't know why I bother to watch the address and response. Dang interest in politics. I guess I just like the ceremony of it all.

Comments

[correspondguy.livejournal.com]

I love it. Thrift Savings Plan = 4 0 1 fucking K for government employees. And, yes, I am committing the cardinal sin of interpreting something without actually hearing it.

So, Bush-o-rama wants to save Social Security by setting up something many people already have access to. Wonderful.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot to mention that President Bush invoked several people's suggestions on saving Social Security without choosing a specific one. He just mentioned stuff that he thought would be good.

[correspondguy.livejournal.com]

Don't matter which one they pick - it's going to be a huge boondoggle, and it won't work.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

It also depends on who you ask. C-SPAN interviewed a House Democrat who said that the current Social Security system was viable.

[tybuc.livejournal.com]

Watching politics in action is like being at a slaughterhouse; you never look at that sausage the same way when you've got an intimate knowledge of how it was created. Government policies seem to be the same way.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Hehehe, I like this analogy.