The Government Must Confront The Larger Challenge Of Entitlement Spending. The coming 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. The President proposed a bipartisan commission to examine the impact of this problem.
America Must Continue To Open Markets For American Goods.
One out of every five factory jobs in America is related to global trade, and we want people everywhere to buy American. With open markets and a level playing field, no one can out-produce or out-compete the American worker.
Immigration Reform Must Be A Priority.
America needs an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values, and serves the interests of our economy. Our nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally, and reduces smuggling and crime at the border.
Health Care Must Be Made Affordable And Accessible.
Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and it will meet that responsibility. 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.
Improved Health Savings Accounts Will Offer Lower Costs And Security Between Jobs. The President proposed strengthening Health Savings Accounts by making sure individuals and small business employees can buy insurance with the same tax advantages that people working for big businesses now get. We will do more to make this coverage portable, so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance.
Technology Offers The Possibility Of More Effective, Less Expensive Health Care. The President called for wider use of electronic records and other health information technology to help control costs and reduce medical errors.
Medical Liability Reform Will Help Retain Good Doctors. The President called on Congress to pass Medical Liability Reform this year. Lawsuits are driving many good doctors out of practice, leaving women in nearly 1500 American counties without a single OB-GYN.
The Advanced Energy Initiative Will Help Break America's Dependence On Foreign Sources Of Energy.
Article comments
1 - Silas Kain
Well, as I sat watching our President deliver the State of the Union, I had my trusty laptop in front of me. I needed to jot down my notes in real time. After reading hem, I came to the realization that I really am ashamed to call this man our President. Come, take a journey with me, as I relive the State of the Union, 2006:
Mr. Speaker, the President of United States.
How depressing. The GOP majority kisses his butt as he makes his triumphant entry into the chamber. Guess what? They’re cowards. That’s right, GOP cowards, cheer him, make him feel welcome. The Roman Senate did the same thing for Caesar. There’s Laura flanked by an African American and an Islamic female. Gee, will George talk about Coretta? I hope the hell not. Oh hush, he’s about to speak.
I knew it. The son of a bitch had the balls to mention her from the start. Martin’s spinning in his grave. Oh goody -- a standing ovation by the Congress. Douche bag hypocrites. Every last one of them. He said “rostrum” without messing it up. Lordy, Lordy. I wonder if he can say “colostomy”? Two parties? Differences and debate? Civil toned debates? No hardening in anger? Oh, this guy is good. He has no respect and his good will is fake.
Tonight the State of the Union sucks and once again W. has misled us.
The enemies of freedom? Where’s Cindy Sheehan tonight? This is a complex and challenging time, alright. And George W. Bush, the lowest I.Q.’d President in history is leading the way. We seek the end of tyranny. Tell it to Cindy Sheehan. Tell it to the disenfranchised Palestinians. Tell it to the innocents at Guantanamo. Here we go with the weapons mass distraction. Oh, yeah, let’s not forget the fight against terror. We will act boldly in freedom’s cause, he says. Oh George, you’re an idiot.
Today there are 122 democracies in the world according to George. Is the United States among the lucky? More than half he people in our world live in democratic nations, he says. Yet we have no freedom when it comes to health care. We are subject to the whims of the Federal government. Radical Islam. Perversion of a few. We have to take Osama seriously. Oh boy, here it comes, weapons of mass murder. The terrorist have chosen the weapon of fear. Gee, George, you’re a rocket scientist. And, George, YOU’VE broken my will. We love our freedom and we will fight to keep it, he says. Yeah, I’ll fight to keep it. I’ll fight by working to oust every incumbent I can.
There is no honor in retreat. Our enemies and friends can be certain that we will never surrender to evil. Isn’t that what we did when we supported the Shah of Iran and Sadaam the first time around? Isn’t the support of evil evident in our support of the Saudi Riyal Family? What about the oppressed in Saudi Arabia? Has George shut his eyes? Then he talks about a clear plan for victory. There’s no clear plan. He doesn’t know which end is up. Iraqis are showing their courage every day. Oh George, you’re my hero. In less than three years Iraq has gone from dictatorship to sovereignty. And national elections. Wow, at least the Iraqis aren’t under a dictatorship. Lord knows we are under the GOP dictatorship. OK, here go. He’s setting up the military commanders saying they will call the shots and not the politicians in Washington. There’s the biggest crock right there. Isn’t he entrusted to be Commander in Chief?
George says he will seek good advice from both sides of the aisle. Advice on what? Which brand of cocaine to import? People in public office have a duty to speak with candor. Now THAT is something I can rap my lips around. I defy any politician to speak the truth and be up front with the American people. How refreshing it would be. O look, let’ see the soldiers who have been wounded. Let’s hear about Dan Clay who lost his life in Fallujah. Oh, pull at my heart strings, George. Read a part of his letter. Oh how touching. Let’s eclipse Cindy Sheehan Let’s show Danny Boy’s family to Congress. Welcome, family, thank you for your sacrifice. We’ll remember you a week from now. Oh show the tear stained face of a female soldier. Oh, give us that extended applause. Smirk for the cameras, George. You made an impact. Forget the sacrifices of America’s military families? Tell it to the veterans you’ve screwed during your Administration. Oh, the terrorist have a vision of dark hatred and fear. Tell that to the victims of our supporter’ hatred and fear: gays, pro-choicers, and liberals.
Saudi Arabia has taken the first steps of reform. Oh yippee. Of course Democracies in the Middle East won’t be like our own. Gays will be executed. Women will be bound in burkas and Jews will be turned away. Oh here we go. Iran’s regime must not obtain nuclear weapons. Duh. Thanks for the news, George. America can’t rally the world to confront the scourge of poverty. OH, and now the message to Iran. Oh we extend our friendship in the hopes of a free and democratic Iran. Lord, George, you must be on crack. Americans believe in God given dignity. Well, George, tell it to the gays. Tell it to the poor. Tell it to the victims of Katrina who were also victims of rampant political corruption in Louisiana. We’re not partners for a better life. Men and women are dedicating their lives protecting us all and they deserve our thanks. George, they also deserve to be given the right equipment to work with. They deserve to have better health coverage. And, dear God, the Patriot Act is not patriotic.
Oh boy. Here comes the September 11th card. So to prevent another attack, George has authorized a terrorist surveillance program. Oh, previous presidents have used the same constitutional authority. The program is essential to the security of America. OK, Congress, stand and applaud. Scream, yippee. George is smirking. Winking to his buddies. Oh let’s reject, isolate and retreat. We’re in a long war against a determined enemy. Oh, here we go. Let’s go for the bipartisan support. Use the military that are fighting for us as selling point, George. Only appeal to our innate goodness. Because if we ponder the truth, you’d be impeached.
We’ve created 4.6 million new jobs. Thanks, Wal Mart. Americans have turned in an enviable economic performance. Immigrants are somehow bad for the economy, but our country can’t function without them.
Here goes. We’re got to have an agenda for confidence. Let’s shape our economic future. Tax relief has left $880 billion in the hands of investors, and families even. Whoop dee do! Tax relief expires in the next few years Uh oh, here we go. We need more than a temporary expansion. Congress, act responsibly and make the tax cuts permanent! Applause. George W. says we must be good stewards of tax dollars He’s eliminating 10 programs saving the taxpayer $14 billion next year! Did anybody tell George that his Administration is responsible for this financial mess? The Federal budget has too my special interest projects. Pass the line item veto so George can veto anything but what’s good for his folk.
Congress did not act last year on his proposal to save Social Security. The Democrats actually had balls in rising and cheering. Oh here we go. Social Security and Medicare are entitlements. Um, we paid for these damn benefits, George. Let’s get bipartisan solutions. Put aside partisan politics. I have an idea. Let’s start a third party that will do something.
We must open more markets, George says. We want people everywhere to buy American. No one can out produce or out compete with the American worker. Then why the hell are the GOP influenced corporatists OUT SOURCING, George? Our nation deserves orderly and secure boarders. Um, don’t we pay George to oversee that? Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care. George, you’re not meeting the responsibility for the elderly and poor. Wider use of electronic records will help control costs. Health saving accounts will be given more support. We’ll do more to make coverage affordable so workers will worry less about health insurance. Nearly 1500 American counties are left without an OB-GYN. Gee, George. You actually care about the uterus.
America is addicted to oil which is imported from unstable parts of the word. Gee, George, maybe you are a rocket scientist. But I am not the one who kisses the Saudi King three times on the cheeks and walk hand in hand with him through your Midland Texas gardens. We must change how we power our automobiles. Oh goody, we’re going throw funding into research! HEY GEORGE LEGALIZE HEMP, YOU PUTZ! This country can move beyond a petroleum based economy. After all, the Bush family don’t need no more money. We must continue to lead the world in human talent -- I guess George saw Brokeback Mountain. We’re gonna have our children get a firm grounding in math and science. They’ll learn their multiplication tables and about how Man was created in the Garden of Eden. We’re gonna research nanotechnology. We’re gonna have a research tax credit. We’ll improve our quality of life. We’ll be the land of opportunity and innovation. We gotta tell our kids to take more math and science. Oh, here we go, the No Child Left Behind Act has been a resounding success. George, you speak some good propaganda n education. I even support some of your initiatives. But face it, George, it ain’t gonna happen. Together we will show the world what we, the people, can achieve. Yeah, OK, George.
We strive to be compassionate, peaceful society. Welfare cases have dropped more than half. Drug use is down 19% since 2001. Abortions are on the decline. Teenage mothers are falling for a dozen years in a row. We’re in a revolution of conscience. Personal responsibility has created fulfillment. Name me one politician n Washington who takes personal responsibility, George. Parents have deep concerns about the healing of our culture. Here we go on redefining marriage. We must never give in to the belief that America in a decline. We’ve proven the pessimists wrong before. And we’ll do it again. That’s right George. We’ll dump your butt.
Let’s talk about Alito and Roberts. Oh boy, George, we now have a fair and balanced SCOTUS. Thank you, Senate. George will continue to nominate judges who the servaNS OF Cist. Oh, I mean the law. Let’s thank Sandy Day O’Connor for a job well done. She deserves it. She’s Reagan appointee. Here we go. Let’s look at the value of life. Let’s prohibit human cloning. Lord knows we don’t need a Bush/Cheney clone. Human life is a gift from our Creator which shouldn’t be devalued. Praise Jesus, George. Now let’s talk about ethical standards in Washington. Right on George. Let’s get ethics and personal responsibility back. Imprison Tom Delay. Fire Karl Rove. Oh boy Laura is going to lead the effort to help our teenagers. They will be interns in Washington Where Gary Condit when you need him?
So far the Federal government has dedicated $5 billion to the disenfranchised of Katrina. Many of our fellow citizens have felt excluded. Duh. You idiot. They have been excluded. Let’s work for the day when all Americans are protected in justice. Thanks, George. You’re my hero. Let’s talk about AIDS. It can be defeated, treated. Congress needs to reauthorize the Ryan White act. How dare he mention Ryan White. Smirk. Here comes the nationwide effort to help African American churches and faith based groups to fight AIDS. Every great moment in history comes to a point of choosing. Yep, George, that’s right. Will we turn back? Will we finish well? We will show that courage. We will lead freedom’s advance. We’ll renew defining moral commitments. God bless America, the day George W. Bush leaves the White House.
2 - permanentceasefire
Excellent work, Silas.
If I believed all of W.'s lies, I would have to question his sincerity when it comes to reducing the country's dependency on oil. Didn't he and his family make a zillion dollars from oil?
America's sound history of gullibility is second only to its ingenuity. We can create a mountain of diamonds from a pile of crap, but we'll believe anything the President tells us.
Crazy.
Once again, at the risk of sounding like a G.O.P. brown-noser, thanx for the clear assessment of the President and his lies.
Namaste,
DP
3 - Nancy
Silas, I laughed til I cried. Loved those personal real time thoughts. Amen.
4 - Eric Olsen
Silas, why not put that comment into a story? There's plenty there!
5 - Silas Kain
You know, Eric, as I read back over that blow by blow, I realize that I sound like some left winger on crack. I might as well have been because every word that man uttered last night sent me over the edge. By the end of his speech I was like a white woman in heat. Those were my real-time notes, typos and all.
At the end of the day, as I have stated elsewhere, I don't think George is that bad of a guy. He comes from a good family. His dad is a lot smarter than we've given him credit for. His Mom is one of the savviest politicians ever to hit national politics. In many ways, I think W. still has issues that go back to his childhood. There's probably even a rivalry there with Daddy for Momma's affection. That doesn't forgive some of his blunders but it certainly makes me understand how he thinks. If the verdict for this Administration is failure, it's not all upon his shoulders. It's on all of us. Especially those of us who remained complacent and didn't do what we could at the right time to put this country back on track.
6 - Silas Kain
From one Nancy to another, thanks, Nancy.
7 - Mark Bellinghaus
at a time of low poll numbers, concerns over energy and health care costs, the war in Iraq, the continued threat of terror, Iranian nuclear saber rattling, and a gay cowboy movie with eight Oscar nominations.
BRAVO! Eric, I missed it, but now I am happy I did! Your article is better than the actual event, I bet!
8 - Bliffle
He looked straight into the camera (reminiscient of Bill Clinton) and lied. Especially when he said the constitution gives him the power to tap anyones phonelines.
9 - Silas Kain
At least the Constitution gave Bill Clinton the right to tap any intern. Oh, it didn't? Never mind.
10 - gonzo marx
dayum Silas...
massive cool stream of consciousness!
/golfclap
in a day or so, i will begin the campaign for the forming of a new political faction...some things stirring in my head, and since i've just Posted my second Article in one week (insert gasp here)
mebbe it's time
Excelsior!
11 - Eric Olsen
Silas, you are very measured in your take on Bush for someone who appears to disagree with him on most things - you generally avoid the demonization.
12 - Silas Kain
I don't know if "demonization" is the right word, Eric. Measured? Yeah, probably so. I guess as I get older I mellow on some things. Were it not for the fact that I am a huge fan of his father, as well as in awe of Barbara, I'd probably be much worse in my critiques. I don't agree with him on most things these days. However, I question just how committed he is to the issues he claims to embrace. The right wingers have served George well -- NOT the other way around. Think about it.