State Of The Union Echoes Past Addresses

The Nation: Bush Stuck By Failed Agenda, Offering America Another Order Of The Usual

(The Nation)  This column was written by John Nichols.

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The Constitution requires that presidents "from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."

Tradition has made the annual State of the Union address the primary public venue for such reporting.

As such, the State of the Union address is officially a big deal. And it is always accorded an appropriate measure of attention by the television networks, members of Congress (unless, like John McCain, they are bidding to replace the president) and the American people. But some State of the Union addresses are more equal than others. When George Bush addressed Congress in 2005, he did so as the most powerful man on the planet: the reelected commander of a warrior nation that was controlled down to the very roots of its executive, legislative and judicial branches by the president's partisan allies. Even if it was obvious to any serious observer that severe second-term rot had already begun to set in, Bush boldly renewed America's acquaintance with all the bad ideas - neo-conservative military adventuring and free trade abroad, deficit spending and related flights of fiscal fantasy at home - of his tenure.

Nothing was going to change, the president told America. Nothing would get better.

And nothing did. The occupation of Iraq grew deadlier and more expensive, the occupation of Afghanistan grew more unstable, trade deficits grew, structural deficits bloated, the rich got richer, the poor got poorer and America's economy slowly swirled down the drain.

Then came the election of 2006, with its defeat of George Bush's Republican Party and the restoration of Democratic control of the Congress. Even if the Democrats did not provide Bush with the full-bodied opposition that the voted had hoped for, their presence broke the illusion of Bush's omnipotence.

So it was that the president delivered his final State of the Union address last night as a broken man whose partisan allies would not even wear the "I'm a Bush Republican" pins that had been delivered to their offices by a puckish critic of the president and his party.

Even in the face of the humiliation that is a 31 percent approval rating, the president could not muster the humility that might have engendered sympathy.

Instead, he steadfastly stuck by a failed agenda. Yes, there were minor bows to reality, highlighted by his recent recognition that some redistribution of the wealth will be required to slow the arrival of a scorching recession until after this year's elections.

But even as he promoted the economic stimulus package that his aides and congressional leaders had cobbled together, George Bush refused to make the most basic connections with regard to the crisis he has created.

Noting that Bush aides were promising on Monday that the president would offer "no new ideas" in his speech, Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, a Democratic freshman, observed, "That's unfortunate. Mr. President: Our country is in grave economic trouble. We have a housing finance meltdown going on while energy costs spiral up and down. Affordable and accessible healthcare is out of reach to almost 50 million Americans with 6 million alone added during this President's tenure. Our educational system has left far too many children behind, while our bridges are literally falling down in America. Mr. President: our country needs an economic stimulus package that will result in something more than pocket change for most working families. Mr. President: The best American economic stimulus package you could offer the American public is to end this war in Iraq."

Unfortunately, of not surprisingly, Bush declined to take Ellison's advice.

As predicted, the president's last State of the Union speech echoed the empty rhetoric of the speeches that came before it. There was an extended call on Congress to make permanent the tax cuts for the rich that have so skewed the nation's economic balance since Bush secured them. There were attacks on spending by a president who has presided over the dramatic bloating of deficits that are the spawn of unsustainable spending. There were more defenses of free-trade pacts that have harmed workers, the environment and communities in the United States and abroad. And there were more fantastical claims about the successes of the disastrous occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The president would have made news last night if he had said, "I'm sorry. I broke it."

But George Bush never was very good at taking responsibility for his mistakes. So he offered America another order of "the usual."

Unfortunately for him, American has lost its taste for what this president is peddling - and for the man himself.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, summed the evening up best when she said, "Tonight's speech is the 'swan song' of a presidency that is ending and will not be missed. President Bush may choose to believe that the state of our union is strong; but under his direction, our economy is flailing, our infrastructure is crumbling, the number of uninsured and underinsured Americans is rising, America's moral and strategic leadership in the world is plummeting, our Constitution is being trampled, and our servicemen and women and their families are sacrificing enormously in an unnecessary war."

With the delivery of this final State of the Union address, Bush fulfilled one of his constitutional duties.

Would that Congress might do the same and begin impeachment hearings.
In the absence of that appropriate response to a failed presidency, we are left with the sad circumstance of State of the Union address delivered by an executive whose tenure is over in every sense save the one that matters most.

As such, the circumstance, while sad for Bush, is sadder still for America.

[noloyalisti]

Watching bush speak and his GOP herd approve reminds me of what a mafia crime family get together would look like.

I only hope we remember that it was ALL of the GOP senators and reps that were complicit with the neocon criminal agenda. They have successfully privatized the country in the finest examples of disaster capitalism.

They are still flouting reagan, the worst president we have ever had until bushoccio came along. But we need to hold ALL of the GOP and their corporatist allies accountable.

[crusherking]

So Noloyalist, You would prefer we resort to the socialist agendas of the Democratic platform? Heres a newsflash: Socialism is a failed form of government. Its proven itself so, time after time after time. Yet You dems want America to socialize healthcare? Take a look at the healthcare/tax situation in Canada. Wait.. That would involve research, which is something not allowed in Democrats policy review. Canadians pay upwards of 40% income tax and Healthcare is abyssmal.. Yes, everyone is covered. But without free market competition there is no push to improve, reduce the cost of, or the quality of healthcare. You can call us NeoCons or whatever. That is a 4th grade tactic typical of leftists since they can''t stand on the platforms they have built. And then you have the nerve to call Ronald Reagan one of the worst presidents in history until Bush??? That is not only ridiculous and unsubstantiated but simply not supported by even the most liberal of socialist. 85% of America views Reagan as a heroic and emblematic symbol of what the presidency should be. You want to know who was the worst president in my opinion? Well I''ll tell ya anyway.. Jimmy Carter.. And there are facts to back that up.. Wake Up Socialists.. Sorry Dems.. You are no better than the mud you sling.

[taddles-2009]

Wow, now theres a stupid comment. Please feel free to tell Sweden, France, Norway, Italy, Belgium and Australia that their socialist forms of government aren''t working today. Oh that''s right, they''re working just fine.

[mcvet]

Wake Up Socialists.. Sorry Dems.. You are no better than the mud you sling.


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Posted by Crusherking at 02:40 PM : Jan 29, 2008
+ report abuse

Have you people EVER had an orginal idea in YOUR life? Have you ever had a thought that is truly YOURS? You sing the same tired old songs today that you sang when Joe McCarthy was in office and why? Greed!! Pure outright GREED! You are so afraid someone MIGHT stop your exploitation of the Third World that you will watch this nation slowly sink into that catigory. You sling the same tired FASCIST remarks out today that were used against FDR and still you don''t have a clue! The Republican''s and George W. Bush was handed a Government with a BALANCED BUDGET, something you freaks have NEVER given us, AND a Surplus. Now just how much better could it have been, yet here we are faced with another melt down of the Economic System but we can''t turn to the Party that BROUGHT us to the dance...oh no! Why? Because YOU in your poor tortured NAZI mind think they are Socialist. Well sparky I don''t have to doubt it because the entire world knows that Bush and the present day Republican''s are FACIST and of that there IS no dispute. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[roger_inkart]

Bush''s tenure will prove to the dagger in the heart of the GOP. Or rather, he would be, if the GOP had a heart.

[sjg0925]

It is telling that both liberals and true conservatives are unhappy with Bush''s presidency. Check out this: http://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/01/29/prnewswire200801291316PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC12691.html

[hillaryin08]

Have you people EVER had an orginal idea in YOUR life? Have you ever had a thought that is truly YOURS? You sing the same tired old songs today that you sang when Joe McCarthy was in office and why? Greed!! Pure outright GREED! You are so afraid someone MIGHT stop your exploitation of the Third World that you will watch this nation slowly sink into that catigory. You sling the same tired FASCIST remarks out today that were used against FDR and still you don''''t have a clue! The Republican''''s and George W. Bush was handed a Government with a BALANCED BUDGET, something you freaks have NEVER given us, AND a Surplus. Now just how much better could it have been, yet here we are faced with another melt down of the Economic System but we can''''t turn to the Party that BROUGHT us to the dance...oh no! Why? Because YOU in your poor tortured NAZI mind think they are Socialist. Well sparky I don''''t have to doubt it because the entire world knows that Bush and the present day Republican''''s are FACIST and of that there IS no dispute. Sieg Heil Bush!!


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Posted by MCVet at 03:02 PM : Jan 29, 2008

If you would come out of your cave up in Kunar Provance you would realize that the Democrats are handing a GOP win in November to us on a silver platter. It doesent get any eaiser than this. All thanks to Bill Clinton.

[hhkeller]

Talk about snoozzer.
President Bush is still the idiot he was 6 years ago.
One would hope for growth and widsom with time.
Not with this guy. Same smirk and swagger as if he was succeful at anything. His plans are just rehashed Republican talking points. Boring even to his parties lemmings.

[skyk-2009]

If you would come out of your cave up in Kunar Provance you would realize that the Democrats are handing a GOP win in November to us on a silver platter. It doesent get any eaiser than this. All thanks to Bill Clinton.


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Posted by hillaryin08 at 04:42 PM : Jan 29, 2008
+ report abuse

Yeah we know how badly you fools fear Hillary but get used to it. When you look at the numbers turning out in the primaries for Democrats, when you look at the amount of money coming into the Party, you can''t make this statement. Something tells me it''s just wishful thinking on your part. We are going to make history one way or the other and someone like you can not change that. Anyone who votes to continue this slide into a depression can sit back and say stay the course. I have faith in America and Faith they intend to change what''s been in Washington for far to long now.

[tejasdemo]

Another fantastic the "State of my Brain" speech.

Now go the hell back to Crawford, Texas and saw some wood or whatever you do to keep yourself busy.

[observantx]

Against my better judgment I listened to our clueless leader babble through the short list of talking points *** and Karl made him memorize. (A feat in itself, no doubt). BTW Karl still has his influence in our Oval Office.

In a better world, this would have been his first SOTU, instead, it was way too little and far too late.

Let''s hope he just shuts the h*ll up for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, he''ll feel the need to spew and rant again and again, not realizing he should just pack up his ornamental cowboy boots and hat and just go to Crawford and leave us grownups to clean up the godawful mess he has left us.

[randy_ds9]

Well well, look at the idiot howling moonbat liberals. Who will you level your childish hate at after President Bush leaves office?

BTW, did you see the look on Pelosi''s face when President Bush touted the UNDENIABLE SUCCESS of the troop surge? IT WAS CLASSIC!

[randy_ds9]

Wow, now theres a stupid comment. Please feel free to tell Sweden, France, Norway, Italy, Belgium and Australia that their socialist forms of government aren''''t working today. Oh that''''s right, they''''re working just fine.




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Posted by taddles at 02:56 PM : Jan 29, 2008

You do realize that the French government is bankrupt right? Australia is NOT socialist, and the other idiot countries you mentioned only exist because the US saved them from Germany and protected them from the Soviet Union

the truth really sucks for you doesn''t it?

[randy_ds9]

They are still flouting reagan, the worst president we have ever had until bushoccio came along. But we need to hold ALL of the GOP and their corporatist allies accountable.


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Posted by noloyalisti at 02:11 PM : Jan 29, 2008

Let me guess, Jimmy Carter was a great president and Castro was a loving fatherly leader too right

idiot

[neobrian-2009]

Shrub Will Be Gone,Wish he`d take ALL Roots with him
You amoebas that try to uphold Your King should rot in prison with him. UNDENIABLY ''The Worst Resident to'' Occupy the blanca casa,..
Greed,Lies,Deceit,Corruption THE staples of Bushco.
Bankrupted our treasury,Shredded our constitution,put his cronies in charge,e.g." Hellava job Brownie "
Tried to put his personal attorney on the Supreme Court,hosted criminals regularly at our expense,..
Torture,Plame-game,Blackwater-gate,Scooter,Jack Abramoff,Duke Cunningham,Tom Delay,Dead-eye Halliburton,CIA Tapes,Enron,...the list goes on and on..
Yes,..You '' Shrubbies " Should fight for air,because ,..Because if True Justice Prevails,..We won`t sell You people clean air At ANY Cost !!
You Sold out the USA,..now move to Dubai with Your King,.. Adios to The Evil King and His Shrubbie jesters.

[neobrian-2009]

Hillary Was Appealing To the RED States !
Oh, and look at Hillary wearing red to the state of the union speech
just like comrades Hugo Chavez & Fidel Castro

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Posted by frankIy6 at 10:05 PM : Jan 29, 2008
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You noticed ! Shrubbies Always try to use delusion,distortion,deceit,..But In the end All They Will See IS DEFEAT !

[knyghtwolf]

All of you that are critical of the democrats are looking for reasons to blame others for YOUR failures to show up at the polls and vote for changes that would have saved all a lot of trouble and expense. The bush regime SINGLE handedly took down our great country while the democrats sat back and watched, so what is the problem? Get off your A$$ES and DEMAND change that is DUE, OWED, and NECESSARY to bring back the true strength that we once had as a nation, without the racism, genderisms, and *** that we know doesn''t work. Gloves are off now, how much more of your BUTTES are you gonna sacrifice to feed the clowns that are no better than the ones already there? 3% of our ENTIRE population controls the other 97% which is US, which is the bigger number? WE ARE THE TRUE FAILURES HERE, NOT BUSH, NOT CLINTON, NO POLITICIAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR FAILURES BUT US. Accept it and live with it or die from it.

[creeper00]

It''s a shame Kathleen Sibelius'' response was no better.