President Bush delivers his seventh -- and mercifully, last -- State of the Union address on Monday. If it's going to be anything like the previous six, it will be loaded with misleading rhetoric that's completely detached from reality.
For example, as I noted here before last year's State of the Union, Bush has repeatedly pledged to bring about energy independence and affordable health care for all. In reality, he has led a band of conservative obstructionists, well-financed by corporate interests, to block progress towards those goals.
Why wait until he has the national megaphone all to himself to blast another round of distortions? Let's tell the real story of the State of the Union, now.
At Campaign for America's Future, we've launched an effort to deliver the "pre-buttal" to Bush's State of the Union. We've taken the first step and released this video below, comparing last year's address with what's really happening to the foundations of our country.
But that's just us. What's your story? How has the state of our union, under seven years of conservative misleadership, impacted you, your family and your community?
At the new Campaign for America's Future website, you can share your story. Collectively, we can push back on the false picture Bush will surely try to paint, specify how exactly conservative policies have failed us, and help establish an unmistakable mandate for lasting progressive change.
He may have the constitutional obligation to deliver the State of the Union -- a rare instance when Bush follows the Constitution -- but we have no obligation to sit idly by while he misinforms the Congress and the public.
It's our democratic obligation to deliver the ground truth to our leaders. Let's get to it.
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The State of the Union is that it corrupted all three branches of government simultaneously, defeating the protection of "checks and balances."
The State of the Union is that the "fourth estate" became a propaganda machine, abdicating all its responsibilities to relentlessly seek-out and present the truth even in the presence of the greatest information-distribution device in the entire history of man.
The State of the Union is that the Republic and all that it has ever stood for is now in grave peril, as it threatens the very world that it once saved, and repeatedly betrays the trust of the entire world for the enrichment of just a few thousand men and women.
One lamp burns, how dimly now!, in Christ Church Tower this night: "One If By Land."
GWB must be impeached as soon as possible, and tried for the treason of which he is guilty.
Bush has tried to model his presidency on when he was a fraternity president at Yale, to just occasionally show up and leave the real work to others. We need a President with an intellectual interest and knowledge of the world who occasionally reads.
Union domination, overspending, overtaxing, and focus on Politically Correct issues has left this state broke, with more lay-offs coming, and no future for young people.
Thank You, Liberals.
That's what Bush will talk about.
Impeachment is off the table for another reason:
Criticizing the President is forbidden by the Congressional House rules.
in a statement issued to The Plain Dealer this afternoon, Stearns explained his objections to Kucinich's remarks:
"This morning, Rep. Kucinich used the House floor to launch a personal attack against President Bush and Vice President Cheney and accused them of lying to the American people. He also said that the House was 'living a lie.' His outburst was a violation of House rules and I asked that his remarks be taken down and the Speaker upheld my objection. Kucinich withdrew his remarks rather than have his words struck down, which would have forced him to leave the House floor for the day. After he decided to withdraw his remarks, I stated that I would not object " 'with the understanding that these egregious accusations are in violation of the House rules and his statements must stop for the civility of the House anddebate.' "
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/01/kucinich_causes_fuss_in_announ.html
In this modern world, it is no longer necessary to be present to hear or watch it. Members of Congress can read a transcript or watch a replay.
I think the Democrats should just boycott it.
Watch and see which ones are all smiles and applause. This is a watchbird, watching you.
Are you better off than you were four (or eight) years ago?
And the simple answer: HELL NO!!!
First, we're now clearly a fascist country, not a democracy. Our democratic institutions are in serious trouble and if not fixed soon, might never recover in our lifetimes. The honesty of the vote is seriously in question, the rule of law is only enforced on the little guy, and the executive is completely immune from prosecution for anything at every level. Our judicial has become corrupt, starting with the unconstitutional involvement in Florida in 2000 and continuing to the Padilla case, meanwhile subpoenas against members of the executive branch are ignored. Our congress has gone over to the dark side and refuses to impeach the most obviously law-breaking administration in our history while taking away civil liberties for no gain in security, creating "thought crimes", mandating fuel economy my '71 Karmann Ghia can meet, etc.
Meanwhile, here on main street, nearly all of us are skrimping, watching what we spend. The numbers of homeless are outrageous, and the unemployment is well over double what the official rates are, thanks to changes in the way its counted that exclude people who aren't actively seeking/getting government services. (Used up your unemployment but still out of work? YOU aren't counted any more!) Jobs pay less and more and more of us are taking second and third jobs. Dare I mention forclosures? Bankruptcies? Anybody notice the changes to bankruptcy laws that help predatory bankers take _everything_ you own?
The state of our union, my friends is nothing short of on the verge of collapse.