State Of The Union: Great, But Undergoverned

I haven’t got a whole lot to say about the speech. What did anyone expect? There isn’t a problem anywhere on Earth that isn’t best solved by some new Federal program, “partnership”, or “investment”. And all without adding a “single dime” to the deficit.

There was the call for higher Federal minimum wage, the argument for which seemed to be that there should be no job in America, however menial or temporary, that pays less than what it costs to support two kids. So why not just make the minimum wage $100 dollars an hour?

(Hey here’s a thought: you want a better job market for low-end workers? How about not flooding the nation with unskilled immigrants?)

For gun control, there was the expected cavalcade of victims, and ghoulish exploitation of a young murdered girl (who was shot and killed by the feral underclass of a city that already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation).

There were reassurances that if the separation of powers should present any friction in the run-up to Mr. Obama’s Great Leap Forward, he will be able to push things along anyway by executive fiat. (I can already hear the EPA cracking its knuckles.)

And as always, we need to “ask” the rich to pay more, despite taxes having just been raised a month ago.

Most infuriating of all: mawkish pieties about our obligation to “future generations” — even as we bankrupt them.

And so on. In sum: more, more, more. Feh.

Oh well. It’s been pretty clear for years, and utterly obvious since November, that we are completely, irredeemably, fatally screwed. Enough said, I guess.

As an aside, here’s an interesting item I stumbled upon just now: a look at the literacy level of the State of the Union throughout the nation’s history, president by president. Topping the list: James Madison. Have a look.

6 Comments

  1. the one eyed man says

    In 1701, Jethro Tull invented the seed drill, ushering in the era of modern agronomy.

    Fast forward to February 12, 2013, as March Rubio grabs the bottle of Poland Spring (possibly the most impactful poilitical product placement since JFK and Lincoln Continental).

    Aqua-lunge my friend, don’t you start away uuneasy …

    Posted February 13, 2013 at 2:42 pm | Permalink
  2. Malcolm says

    Wow.

    Posted February 13, 2013 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
  3. Up2L8 says

    Interesting link on the literacy level.

    Would like to expand if`n I may. Having taken at random, a 800 word section of Obama’s SOTU speeches.
    Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level:
    2013: 10.1
    2012: 7.7
    2011: 6.4
    2010: 6.5
    2009: 7.3
    Random speech on abortion, grade level 6.0

    In all fairness can these be attributed to Obama? The message conveyed, yes. Should the analysis fall on the shoulders of the speech writer?

    Are there actual hand written letters publicly known for comparison?

    Thomas Jefferson was consistent in both of his addresses to Congress.
    Grade level:
    1801: 12.0
    1805: 12.0
    For comparison, admittedly, only did a small sampling of his 600+ personal letters, with an average 11.8 grade level.

    Posted February 14, 2013 at 3:41 am | Permalink
  4. Malcolm says

    In all fairness can these be attributed to Obama?

    No, only good things can be attributed to Obama. Just like God.

    Posted February 14, 2013 at 12:10 pm | Permalink
  5. Malcolm says

    For example:

    Mr. Cuomo said no one had died on Long Island because of the storm.

    God was kind last night because it was a terribly dangerous situation,” he said.

    Posted February 14, 2013 at 12:13 pm | Permalink
  6. Up2L8 says

    Kinda like the “Christ” appeal, sitting himself at the head of the table with 12 “apostles”.

    Posted February 14, 2013 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

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