NOT READY FOR PRIMETIME
Re: John Tabin’s Pretty,
Pretty Good:
I trust that the author and I weren’t the only two people in the
viewing audience to notice the points made in Mr. Tabin’s article
“Pretty, Pretty Good.” The word “gift” was exactly what I was
thinking seeing the Dems remain seated (and not even applauding at
times) for most of the speech and then rise in raucous ovation to
herald the fact it was they who stopped Social Security reform. You
heard many Dems and pundits say beforehand that the President
should offer the “olive branch” of bipartisanship during his
speech, yet it was the Democrat side of the aisle that showed their
partisanship last night. Another classic “do as I say, not as I
do.” I think the President should have continued his thoughts on
Social Security reform by positing that some in that chamber may
well not want to face that entitlement monster — as a good many of
them would likely not be there come 2030 — but that they leave a
legacy to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have to
face it. As a voter, I think I’d rather have someone who is willing
to tackle the issue rather than just sit and do nothing, especially
because it might look favorable to the opposition party. Ah well,
as Mr. Tabin points out there is probably little likelihood of the
GOP losing control of either house of Congress in this year’s
elections. While some races will be close, and some may be lost,
the Republicans are still running against candidates of a party who
have no plan, no programs, no solutions and no security to offer
the American people.
— Dana Hawkins
Spartanburg, South Carolina
P.S. Someone should remind Hillary Clinton that they do have
cameras at these little SOTU affairs?
I saw an incredible political ad for the Republicans last night,
and it was a complete gift from the Democrats during the State of
the Union speech. As John Tabin mentions, this incredible moment
came when George W. Bush stated, “If there are people inside our
country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it —
because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.” The
Republicans stood and applauded, while the Democrats, in perfect
unison, sat on their hands, apparently waiting for the next attack.
I do not think Michael Moore could have concocted a more perfect
political image, and no editing required! Our political choices
could not be summed up better in last night’s image — if you want
to fight to prevent more terrorist attacks in the United States,
vote Republican! If you want to bicker and whine about our “lost
freedoms,” pick political fights with a President who is trying to
protect our country, and sit on your hands, waiting for the next
attack, vote Democrat!
As if that image wasn’t good enough to help us make our voting
decisions, suddenly, there was the great hope of the Democratic
Party, their next presidential candidate, sitting, smirking, and
shaking her head, apparently very much against defending ourselves
from a terrorist attack. How perfect! The elections are all over
except for the voting! Well, I should never underestimate the
ability of the Republican Party to snatch defeat out of the jaws of
victory, but I still slept much better last night. Thanks,
Hillary.
But now, the next morning, as I shrug off the hangover from last
night’s political euphoria, I wonder what was going through
Hillary’s head at that moment. Was is really disdain for Republican
defense against terrorism, or was she thinking, “Damn, they got us
on that one!” If Hillary had the courage to stand up right then and
there and applaud the defense of our country against terrorism, she
would have stood out in a crowd of seated Democrats, sealing her
Democratic nomination for the presidency in the 2008 campaign.
Heck, even I would have to think seriously about someone who has
the courage to stand up for what’s right, knowing that you would
catch a lot of flak from your party. But instead, she further
proved one my theories of today’s Democratic Party, especially the
angry, bitter ones: they have never advanced beyond high school.
They are only concerned with being one of the “cool” people, never
capable of standing up for what’s right, and instead doing and
saying whatever it is they think will make them more popular with
the “cool crowd.” But I digress…
— Mike Spencer
Midland, Michigan
I sat in stunned amazement as the Dummycrats rudely interrupted the
President when he said, “Congress did not act last year on my
proposal to save Social Security…” He was interrupted and unable
to continue speaking for several moments as they danced with
glee.
I agree with John Tabin, (“Pretty, Pretty Good”) that this
behavior presented and still presents a grand opportunity for the
President and his party. However, this opportunity can be exploited
only if the President and Republicans seize the day and use it to
their advantage. Sadly this is not what they normally do and I fear
they will miss this grand opportunity by trying to appear to be
bipartisan.
For instance, I sat on the edge of my seat as the Dummycrats
danced about like children. Would the President hit back at them?
Would he point out the irresponsible nature of their partisanship?
Would he call them on the hypocrisy of their party in catcalling
and slamming the President for his efforts, while they refuse to
come up with an answer of their own? Instead he continued with his
speech as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Had I my way
the President would have said something like the following:
“Shame on you, Shame on you all! We have a current deficit of
$12 trillion. One day this bill will come due. One day there will
be a reckoning. One day your children will be faced with the
difficult choice of forgoing the Social Security benefits that they
have paid into the system all their lives to receive or forcing
your grandchildren to pay taxes at a crushing rate that will
destroy this country.
“Let posterity note this historic moment. Let them make note of
your actions. I and the Republican Party made an earnest effort to
prevent this eventuality while the Democrat Party stood by and did
nothing. Indeed not only did this once great party do nothing, they
stood up and cheered at the prospect of killing any attempt at
reform without offering one solution of their own.”
Now is the time for all Republicans, from the White House to the
Halls of Congress and from every district and precinct in this land
to come out swinging and make these points.
— A.C. Swiger
I was very disappointed border control was not a big part of the
speech. He did not point out we would not be in nearly as much
trouble over oil if the liberal environmentalist would let us build
refineries and drill off the coast and in Alaska. Of course since
the Republicans are in charge of both houses, if they had any
backbone this could be changed. Another reason term limits would be
a good idea, the people we send would be working for us instead of
special interest. Wonder if this drilling could be put on a
national ballot for a vote.
— Elaine Kyle
The one major lesson I came away with after President Bush’s State
of the Union address is the definition of the word “class.” In my
opinion, the definition of the word “class” is George W. Bush.
— Jim L.
East Sandwich, Massachusetts
