As I sat and watched the State of the Union address last night, three impressions came to mind, possibly influenced by my favorite Clint Eastwood movie, that seemed to encapsulate the speech and its viewers:
The Good
Trump’s delivery of the speech was well done. You could even say it was Presidential. He did not go off script and he didn’t self aggrandize. He got to report on a laundry list of good economic news and take credit for it, even if all of it wasn’t his doing. All Presidents do this, so it is not a dig at Trump. He’s just following in his predecessor’s footsteps.
The President also took the time to recognize and thank numerous people who exemplify the spirit of American courage and generosity, and made overtures of reaching across the aisle to work with Democrats to bring everyone together in a spirit of unity. His presentation earned him high marks in snap polls, as 3 out of 4 Americans approved of the speech.
The Bad
Unfortunately, we then moved past the end zone celebration and into a discussion of new policy initiatives. What followed was a moderate Democrat’s wish list of liberal social priorities and unending spending initiatives. Half the time I didn’t know whether I was listening to Donald Trump or Bill Clinton.
An infrastructure package that is at least $1.5 TRILLION is not a conservative proposal. It is the same kind of thing a Democrat President proposes their first year in office as a payoff to their union allies. This will put money into the pockets of union bosses and some big time builders (who happen to be friends of Donald Trump) but will not really fix our transportation problems (anyone remember those “shovel-ready” jobs under Obama?) In addition, his “seeking private investment” is how we get privately owned roads like the Greenway, “Lexus Lanes,” and $40 tolls on I-66. I have never been a supporter of these kinds of transportation gimmicks.
Paid family and medical leave has been a goal of Democrats since the 1990’s when Bill Clinton got the Family and Medical Leave Act signed into law in 1993. The law requires companies to provide people up to 12 weeks of leave each calendar year for qualifying family or medical related issues without fear of losing their jobs. While the Democrats were only able to get enough support to pass the law with unpaid leave, converting it to paid leave has always been their ultimate goal. Now Trump is on board with making that happen.
Ending the sequester on the military will end one of the best fiscal controls that have been enacted in the last 30 years. It will open up the Defense Department budget to more pork barrel spending and we will return to the days of $300 toilet seats and the construction of weapons and vehicles the military didn’t ask for and doesn’t want.
Then there was the amnesty portion of the evening. Donald Trump proposes to give citizenship to nearly 2 million illegal immigrant “Dreamers” in exchange for a $25 Billion “trust fund” to build the wall (which won’t really be a wall, but more like the Jeb! Bush combination of fencing, electronic surveillance, and maybe some sections of actual wall). Once those 2 million “Dreamers” become citizens and sponsor their families for citizenship, however, it won’t matter anymore as the 2 million will actually turn into about 5 or 6 million new Democrat voters, and then Republicans will never win another national or statewide election again.
Any way you slice it, the policy initiatives proposed by the President last night was a left-of-center buffet of ideas.
The Ugly
Throughout the entire speech, the Democrats looked like they were in a contest to see who could look the most offended (or constipated in some cases). Even when the President spoke about unity, or pride in America, or even honoring our heroes, Democrats sat on their hands and looked like they had eaten some bad guacamole at the “I Love Illegal Immigrants” pre-speech dinner. Their continued clinging to “the resistance” must be based on some focus-grouped strategy to appeal to their base, but it is not winning them any friends in the mushy middle, and just makes them look petty and small. When you can’t stand and clap at the idea of honoring America, you really have lost touch with reality.
All in all, the speech went well for President Trump, and while it may not be a victory for conservative policy, you could chalk this one up as a “win” for the President…at least until he starts tweeting again and blows whatever good will he gained from this speech.
33 comments
And in the blink of an eye, black unemployment rises to 7.7% in one of the largest increases in years. So we are clear – Trump is to blame, right?
And the Dow is down >500 points today – have you all seen the 5 day chart? That is ugly. Guess the Street did not like that jobs report today. Trump’s, right??
Pollster Frank Luntz,said that Trump’s SOTU address “represents the presidential performance that Trump observers have been waiting for — brilliant mix of numbers and stories, humility and aggressiveness, traditional conservatism and political populism.”
And yes I know the back story.
The Don continues to show his love for those who serve our country.
Corporal (Ret.) Matthew Bradford: Matthew Bradford joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school and deployed to Iraq in 2006. In 2007, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). Shrapnel shot into both of his eyes, blinding him, and the explosion also took both of his legs. After multiple surgeries and therapy, Matthew reenlisted in the Marine Corps – the first blind, double amputee to do so.
Jon Bridgers: Jon Bridgers founded the Cajun Navy 2016, as a non-profit rescue and recovery organization to respond to flooding in south Louisiana. In 2017, the Cajun Navy set out to provide aid to those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. He and the Cajun Navy 2016 have helped thousands of people across the South, and to this day, they are helping collect resources and donations for those who lost their homes in the storms.
David Dahlberg: David Dahlberg works as a fire prevention technician in southern California, stationed at the Pine Canyon Fire Station in the Santa Lucia Ranger District. In July 2017, he saved 62 children and staff members from a raging wildfire that had encircled their camp.
Officer Ryan Holets: Ryan Holets serves as a police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In his six years on the force, he has been shot at twice and experienced several near-death encounters. Officer Holets and his wife adopted a baby from parents who suffered from opioid addiction, breaking down walls between drug addicts and police officers to help save lives.
Ashlee Leppert: Ashlee Leppert has dedicated her life to her country, serving as an aviation electronics technician in the United States Coast Guard. Last year, she rescued dozens of Americans imperiled during the devastating hurricane season. Nothing has left more of a mark on Ashlee than her efforts to lift a woman to safety in a helicopter basket. The woman was clutching a few bags of what Ashlee thought were clothes. As she drew the woman near, however, Ashlee saw four sets of children’s eyes looking at her as their guardian angel.
President Trump has given American a new set of heros to look up to. Enough of these sleaze bags the Democrats would have people emulate, talk about, look up to. These are real people with something real to admire..
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CNN Tapper reports that Dems were offended by Trump comment that Americans are Dreamers Too. And, as we see in the comment thread, they get offended when they are called unamerican global socialists. Unfortunately, they are unable to understand why their protestations fall on deaf ears even when it is obvious why. I will try to make it simple – you can’t be pro and anti America at the same time.
All we saw last nite was more talk. No action. Then, Republicans catch a train loaded with Congressmen, family, physicians, clergy, security, all at taxpayer expense and head west to a party. How many lobbyists were on that train?
Yes, Republicans do look like Clinton because they want to get re-elected in November. Looking like Trump is not the way to get re-elected.
Trump’s BS last nite was aimed at spending whatever it takes to keep both the House and Senate. Congressman Wittman is trying to literally make it rain cash in the 1st District. Spender Ryan has nothing to offer Independents for their vote except debt ridden cash.
Republicans are in trouble in November. Trump is on the lamb from Mueller. Trump hasn’t keep his healthcare for everyone or wall promises. Vincente Fox set Trump straight about who is going to pay for that F’in wall. Melania is really pissed about Stormy. Now, we know that the White House really wrote the Trump memo, which water boy Nunes re-named.
Stay tuned as Trump destroys more people lives. You know, every President recently has had a White House dog. Trump probably would too. Except no dog will put up with his BS. Dogs are much to smart for that.
“..,however, it won’t matter anymore as the 2 million will actually turn into about 5 or 6 million new Democrat voters, and then Republicans will never win another national or statewide election again.”
Well at least you are honest about your opposition to citizenship. It is not really about what is fair or whether they deserve it. It is only about Republicans winning future elections. Hope you can still sleep at night knowing this motive.
Just admit that you want the rest of the world to move here and turn it into a third world nightmare…it would be a lot easier. If that’s not the case, then you have to believe in some kind of actual border that works, and that prevents non-citizens from electing our leaders. Why is that in the slightest bit objectionable? Seriously.
What is fair would be for all illegal immigrants to be returned to their country of origin and make applications for entry the right way, like so many other people do. The very definition of fairness is when people follow the rules. You can’t have fairness between two immigrants when one follows the rules and the other cheats.
How exactly do people who break the law deserve to be American citizens? Their very first experience with the American system is to break the laws of our country. How in God’s name can you make a claim that this somehow justifies them to all the rights and privileges that go along with citizenship?
Citizenship for illegals is the ONLY goal of the Democrats because they want them to be able to vote for Democrats. The only thing an immigrant is good for in their eyes is their vote, because all they care about is obtaining and maintaining power. Republicans could offer to allow all 11 million illegal immigrants to stay here for the rest of their lives on temporary visas with no chance at citizenship. and Democrats would reject it because they would not be able to use these people for their votes. Don’t you dare try to turn the argument against me because I would rather not cater to their obvious scheme.
The dreamers are nothing more than pawns in the Democrats power play game. My position is that we should follow the law. They are not in this country legally, so they should go back to their country of origin and try to come here the right way.
“Citizenship for illegals is the ONLY goal of the Democrats because they want them to be able to vote for Democrats. The only thing an immigrant is good for in their eyes is their vote, because all they care about is obtaining and maintaining power.”
After you clearly state that the reason you wish to refuse citizenship to immigrants is because R’s will not win future elections you try to back pedal and project your motivations on Democrats. I believe what you first wrote. It is clearly what you think and it fits with the Republican MO.
Nice try at deflection. In actuality I did not say I want to deny citizenship to illegal immigrants because they will vote Democrat. I stated a fact that if illegal immigrants are granted citizenship they will vote Democrat (which is why Democrats will never accept a deal which allows dreamers to stay in America without fear of deportation, but with no citizenship).
States with big cities and large illegal immigrant populations like California, Illinois, and New York used to be competitive state in Presidential elections. California and Illinois both voted Republican in 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, and 1988. New York voted Republican in 1972, 1980, and 1984 Then you had the amnesty of 1986. Ever since those newly legalized immigrants got the right to vote, all three of those states have never voted Republican again, with ever increasing margins in favor of Democrats.
Your deflection on this issue is the same deflection that Democrats use about voter ID laws. Democrats oppose voter ID laws because they want to allow people to be able to vote without proving their identity, making it easier to flood the polls with fraudulent votes. We have even seen some inner city precincts reporting more votes cast then there are registered voters. But Democrats claim Republicans support voter ID laws simply because they are all racist and want to prevent black people from voting.
Your condemnations are predictable and trite. Explain why you think illegal immigrants should be allowed to cheat the system and be granted citizenship ahead of immigrants who follow the rules.
What is lost in all of this is there are existing immigration laws that, if enforced, handle the illegal immigration quite well.
It makes sense in trump land, we’ll pay for trillions in infrastructure by using tax cuts.
I have a bit of a disagreement. The Democrats can’t stand and honor anything America. They view themselves as global socialists and anti nationalists. We see this distinction in outlook very clearly in Western versus Central European principles. France, Germany, Sweden and the UK are ruled by global socialists with strong policies favoring open borders to the world, multiculturalism regardless of impact, and a cradle to grave welfare state with no limitations to citizens – all embraced by the EU. The ideas of individual freedom and strong cultural identifiable nations are found in the VIsagrad countries who reject the anti-national outlook of the EU. In the USA, we have the pro-American nationalists who generally support Trump and the anti-American global socialists who loved Obama. The distinction is relatively obvious.
“The Democrats can’t stand and honor anything America.”
Get real. You’ve become a cartoon character.
I’m no Democrat, but these broad generalizations are truly offensive and a mark of ignorance.
Require civics on our public and private schools again! We’re turning out millions of Bernie Sanders supporters every year and they support all those who were sitting and scowling last night. Learn what capitalism is. Learn what socialism and communism are. Require study of Cuba, Venezuela, NK, the Soviet Union, China – and the MILLIONS of people those systems have killed. Republicans need to DEMAND that civics returns to our students. Let’s make American CITIZENS again – not people who care more about other countries than our own.
Civic classes won’t work. They already teach that and the books and curriculum are to the left, to put it mildly.
The high school our kids went to is one of the “top ones” in Richmond. It is private. They do NOT teach civics. You can get some of it if you take AP government. I do think it’s something that’s missing. Yes, the books and textbooks are to the left. I have tutored middle school. The US history book ends every chapter with 2 pages on immigration, 2 pages on women, 2 pages on unions. I do think there’s a FiX somewhere!
What is capitalism, what is socialism, what is communism, and how do they differ? Which is America? Which is Virginia? Which is your county?
Doesn’t being American include being leader of the world? Or should we abdicate that role?
I learned what socialism and communism were in the 6th grade in my civics class, and that is no longer offered at that same school. I also learned about the benefits of capitalism, the Constitution, democracy. The point of view was NOT positive concerning totalitarian governing. Our kids have no idea what socialism is…but it “sounds” good. I think our legal immigrants know more about the US and love it more than many of the kids coming out of our high schools.
Okay, tell us. I’d learn something, I think, hearing your explanation of their differences and knowing some of the places that practice each of them.
Agreed, I find totalitarianism appalling. No communist here. But the distinctions between capitalism and socialism interest me, thinking we practice the latter here in the USA (and including Virginia and her counties). What’s your best explanation? Is your county socialist or capitalist? What’s the difference to you?
The Constitution gives the federal government power to regulate interstate commerce and protect the citizens. We’ve come a long way from that. When there is a Secretary of Education, more people need to wake up and find out what the centralized curriculum is. ANYTHING that is centralized is moving us towards socialism. Communist governments control the means of production. I believe we’re sort of “soft socialists” at this point. The progressives were on an unobstructed path to complete takeover of many aspects of our lives, including reduced freedoms. Trump is a roadblock and that’s why they hate him. He loves our country, not our globe.
Capitalism is the only word that uses individual freedom in its definition.
Tell us where capitalism is practiced. What jurisdiction leaves decision to the person with the money? Is there a location in Virginia that lets land owners build or modify without govt permission?
Historically, the distinction between socialist practices and communist practices amount to a distinction without a difference. Both eventually end up in the same place – suppression of freedoms and gradual installation of ever more regulations and societal controls. To tell the truth as an individual in these socialist or communist states is a revolutionary act punishable by some form of censure or, eventually, prison or death. Progressivism, by the way, is socialism cloaked in a velvet glove. Things only get violent when progressives think they are losing or when they believe they have achieved a sufficient “majority” to suppress opposition.
At W&M, some progressive “felt” sufficiently empowered to destroy the property of an opponent. It is unlikely that the arrest of the perpetrator will stop the aggression of the SJWs. Next time, and there will be a next time, caution and risk reduction will be employed.
I asked for the difference between capitalism — most claim to be capitalists — and socialism — the reality here in Virginia.
My understanding: Capitalism leaves all decisions to capital. Socialism regulates necessities, needs not wants.
Communists have a centrally-planned govt economy and own and operate everything in it. I find that reprehensible.
The average Virginia county, however, seems socialist. Anyone disagree? Is there a county that leaves decisions regardling land to the landowner? A county that doesn’t provide an education system? Water/sewers? Social assistance? Fire/police/emergency response? And so on.
This county I live in also owns the development rights for over 100,000 acres of land. That strays close to communism, I think. The centrally-planned zoning and approvals system seems merely socialist. By no means does it leave landowners to make their own decisions.
I agree with what you say here. Progressives are definitely feel they are losing and acted out those feelings last night on the democratic side of the aisle.
Last night was about as clear a distinction between the parties as you can get. It is utterly disingenuous to say that there is no continuing and growing divide between those who value America as a nation and those who don’t. Obviously, the Democrat global socialists want to muddy the waters but Trump did a great job of exposing their anti-Americanism. It had to drive them mad when Trump, time after time, pointed to the American audience to extol their values and voice their concerns. The contrast between Trump and Obama was stark – we versus me. Brilliant.
Last night was as clear a distinction as you can recall?
Apparently you don’t recall a Republican arising from the gallery and shouting “You lie!”
Last night was a picnic by comparison.