Author’s note: Some of you may read this and get the impression that I’m a contrarian. You’d be partly right. I often disagree with popular opinion. Some of you may read this and get the impression I’m anti-government. You’d be partly right. I am anti-big government. Some of you may read this and get the impression I talk too much. You’d be partly right. I like talking. It’s usually better than fisticuffs. Some of you may read this and think am an idiot. I admit, I have my moments. But I love freedom and I love America in that order. Read my thoughts and say your piece. This post is my opinion only, as a private citizen. As a soldier, I follow and obey all lawful and moral orders from my chain of command all the way up to the President to whom I am respectfully writing this response.
Are we really that divided right down the middle? The Democrats were being a silly bunch of pouting babies during the President’s State of the Nation address. The expressions on the faces of Hillary Clinton and John Kerry were particularly illustrative of what I consider to be the general attitude of the Democratic leadership – sour, non-cooperative and non-productive.
What about the speech? The full transcript is, of course, available right here. My response to the speech is below:
In a system of two parties, two chambers, and two elected branches, there will always be differences and debate. But even tough debates can be conducted in a civil tone, and our differences cannot be allowed to harden into anger. To confront the great issues before us, we must act in a spirit of goodwill and respect for one another — and I will do my part. Tonight the state of our Union is strong — and together we will make it stronger. (Applause.)
Yeah, if half of us weren’t selfish babies, we could have a civil discussion. Good will and respect. Haven’t seen much of that coming out of D.C. lately. In fact, Mr. President, if you could find a way to make the public servants who work for the TSA treat me with goodwill and respect that would be a great leap forward for America. I would like to see Congress actually follow Constitutional limits on its power. That would show goodwill and respect. Our federal government is strong, but our Union is tattered around the edges and this country is pretty bitterly split on what direction to proceed.
Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal — we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. On September the 11th, 2001, we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state 7,000 miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, and feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction. Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror. Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer — so we will act boldly in freedom’s cause. (Applause.)
The end of tyranny in our world. Yes, it’s idealistic. It’s also possible, but there is a lot of work to do. The world is getting crowded with ideas and some of the bad ones need to be thrown out before they infect more nations. As far as Democracies respecting the rights of their citizens, how about encouraging the Supreme Court to re-examine Kelo vs. New London? That would be respectful of the rights of Americans.
No one can deny the success of freedom, but some men rage and fight against it. And one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical Islam — the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death. Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder — and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. They seek to impose a heartless system of totalitarian control throughout the Middle East, and arm themselves with weapons of mass murder.
Hear, hear. Why is this so tough for some people to accept? Religions have been misused to justify horrific and immoral acts throughout history. In this century, the predominant religion being exploited for such purposes is Islam. Some people won’t admit or accept this until the head choppers are at their door. There are even people who have lost loved ones to head choppers that pointed the finger at Bush and blamed him for the act. That’s lunacy.
America rejects the false comfort of isolationism. We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe, and liberated death camps, and helped raise up democracies, and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. We remain on the offensive against terror networks. We have killed or captured many of their leaders — and for the others, their day will come.
I believe in self-defense. I think what we’re doing now is acting in self-defense on a national scale. It’s clear to me that certain fundamentalist Muslims want to wipe out my adopted nation. Why this is even open to debate confounds me. It’s so obvious. How many attacks over how many decades do we need to watch before we realize the danger and react? Sure, we’re royally screwing up a lot of our defense efforts by creating monstrosities like DHS and TSA, but we can work on that. Aggressively seeking out and eliminating those whose stated intent is to destroy us is certainly prudent. How many fatwas do you need before you are willing to get off the couch and look out the window at what is happening right outside your door?
With so much in the balance, those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor. A sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison, would put men like bin Laden and Zarqawi in charge of a strategic country, and show that a pledge from America means little. Members of Congress, however we feel about the decisions and debates of the past, our nation has only one option: We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in this vital mission. (Applause.)
Which part of the above do you immediate withdrawal flunkies not get?
The great people of Egypt have voted in a multi-party presidential election — and now their government should open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism. The Palestinian people have voted in elections. And now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. (Applause.)
Yep, Hamas has to make a choice for survival or extinction now. It’s end game time for them.
To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress, and fighting disease, and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends in desperate need. We show compassion abroad because Americans believe in the God-given dignity and worth of a villager with HIV/AIDS, or an infant with malaria, or a refugee fleeing genocide, or a young girl sold into slavery. We also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty, corruption, and despair are sources of terrorism, and organized crime, and human trafficking, and the drug trade.
Less government “compassion” and more private compassion please. In case you haven’t been paying attention, President Bush, government sucks at being compassionate. You would realize that if you had to live in the same reality that I do. Government = force. Force isn’t that compassionate. Use government for the only thing it’s good at and nothing else, I beg you.
In recent years, you and I have taken unprecedented action to fight AIDS and malaria, expand the education of girls, and reward developing nations that are moving forward with economic and political reform. For people everywhere, the United States is a partner for a better life. Short-changing these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world, undercut our long-term security, and dull the conscience of our country. I urge members of Congress to serve the interests of America by showing the compassion of America.
Right idea, wrong delivery method, sir. You can’t forcibly take money from people and redistribute it to the rest of the world and expect a good end result. At least I don’t see one happening. We live in a nation divided between people willing to take in the name of misguided and poorly delivered philanthropy and people who are tired of giving more than they should have too. Let America be generous privately.
Our country must also remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home. The enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us. Fortunately, this nation has superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and homeland security. These men and women are dedicating their lives, protecting us all, and they deserve our support and our thanks. (Applause.) They also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime — so I ask you to reauthorize the Patriot Act. (Applause.)
With all due respect you’re way off base here. The Drug War is a travesty and an offense to freedom and liberty. The Patriot Act is an already muddled and abused piece of legislation that should be thrown out. If you need to fight terrorism at home, don’t muddy the water with extemporaneous junk, sir. Fight terrorism and only terrorism. Don’t throw in kitchen sink detritus that has little or nothing to do with terrorism. That kind of garbage is ruining us and has been for a long time.
Keeping America competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars. Every year of my presidency, we’ve reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending, and last year you passed bills that cut this spending. This year my budget will cut it again, and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities. By passing these reforms, we will save the American taxpayer another $14 billion next year, and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. (Applause.)
Sir, I think you only halfway get it. But halfway doesn’t cut it. We’re the Titanic and we’re headed towards a fiscal iceberg. Our firmly entrenched culture of dependence is going to destroy us in my lifetime. Unless half of America can stop suckling on the tit of government, we’re all going down with the ship. OK, there it is. I’ve said it. Iceberg ahead!!!
We must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending, or entitlements. This year, the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60, including two of my Dad’s favorite people — me and President Clinton. (Laughter.) This milestone is more than a personal crisis — (laughter) — it is a national challenge. The retirement of the baby boom generation will put unprecedented strains on the federal government. By 2030, spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid alone will be almost 60 percent of the entire federal budget. And that will present future Congresses with impossible choices — staggering tax increases, immense deficits, or deep cuts in every category of spending. Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security — (applause) — yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away. (Applause.) And every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse.
How about recognizing the truth sir? No nation that takes large portions of income by force from the productive segments of a society and gives them to the poor can survive. Especially not when it does so inefficiently. When your national retirement plan is a Ponzi scheme which is constantly robbed by the corrupt legislative body to pay for all kinds of vote buying schemes what do you expect other than eventually bankruptcy, even when you play “creative” numbers games?
Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care. (Applause.) Our government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. (Applause.) For all Americans — for all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help people afford the insurance coverage they need. (Applause.)
Funny sir, I missed the obligation to provide health care to all residents. Which part of the Constitution was that? Government is part of the reason for the rising cost of health care, in case you missed that one. Yes, we have a moral obligation to provide health care to human beings. But how do we do that efficiently when 46 cents of every dollar taken by Washington is wasted? It’s not possible. Basic math dictates otherwise. So again I say, right idea, wrong vehicle.
So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative — a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research — at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. (Applause.)
How about announcing that the federal government will stop bowing to big oil lobbyists instead? That would allow private solutions to be developed. Damn it all sir, NASA wants $16.2 billion a year but a private venture launched a ship into space for under $40 million. What is wrong with that picture? Big government isn’t the answer.
We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We’ll also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from wood chips and stalks, or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years. (Applause.)
Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. (Applause.) By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past. (Applause.)
Lay out the challenge and get out of the way, sir. Americans can do it without a nanny state to help. If you could just sweep some of the a**holes in Washington into the trash bin of history, we’d get a whole lot more done.
Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit — (applause) — to encourage bolder private-sector initiatives in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life — and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come. (Applause.)
OK, this I like sir. Good stuff. Reward Americans for innovation. Good. It’s a start…this is some of the getting out of the way I’m asking for. Where can I read the full text of this portion of your plan?
Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We’ve made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America’s children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world. (Applause.)
No we didn’t make a good start with No Child Left Behind. If you want to do social experiments with children, sir, why don’t we start mandatory sterilization of bad parents for one? The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the road to American being at the bottom of the education heap is paved with Big Government. Uncle Sam does a crappy job of raising kids.
A hopeful society expects elected officials to uphold the public trust. (Applause.) Honorable people in both parties are working on reforms to strengthen the ethical standards of Washington — I support your efforts. Each of us has made a pledge to be worthy of public responsibility — and that is a pledge we must never forget, never dismiss, and never betray. (Applause.)
I’m sorry but the question must be asked sir: what the hell is Congress doing with their time? It certainly doesn’t involve much earning the trust of the public. How many members of Congress can look themselves in the mirror and say “Today I earned the respect and trust of the American public.” The numbers are pretty damn low sir.
A hopeful society comes to the aid of fellow citizens in times of suffering and emergency — and stays at it until they’re back on their feet. So far the federal government has committed $85 billion to the people of the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. We’re removing debris and repairing highways and rebuilding stronger levees. We’re providing business loans and housing assistance. Yet as we meet these immediate needs, we must also address deeper challenges that existed before the storm arrived.
A prudent society doesn’t raise a whole generation of people in a city below sea level where the leadership is so poor it fails to take appropriate precautions against well-known dangers from the sea. A just society doesn’t take money by force from people who spend their lives living responsibly and give it to people who don’t have the foresight to do the same. Life doesn’t come with any guarentees and every time government gives someone a dollar it had to take two dollars away from someone else. Why is that so easy to gloss over? Let’s build a society that once again values and demands invididual accountability.
Fellow citizens, we’ve been called to leadership in a period of consequence. We’ve entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite. We see great changes in science and commerce that will influence all our lives. Sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc, toward an unknown shore. Yet the destination of history is determined by human action, and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing.
Yes, this is a period of consequence sir. We’re poised at the edge of a great paradigm shift. And you said it sir, human action will determine whether we evolve or devolve as a species. We all have to decide individually how we will spend each day.
Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage and we will finish well. We will lead freedom’s advance. We will compete and excel in the global economy. We will renew the defining moral commitments of this land. And so we move forward — optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of the victories to come.
I’m optimistic that one day, Uncle Sam will stop using one hand to hold mine while using the other hand to reach into my pocket and remove large sums. I’m optimistic that ideologies the enforce life, liberty and property will one day prevail globally. I’m optomistic that I will be a part of the process of making these things happen.
Thanks for your service sir. America is a great nation. We have a great history. By studying that history, we can have an even greater future. I’m a soldier, and I’m serving my nation because I love the spirit of independence and pioneering that got us where we are. Let’s not lose track of where we’ve come from.