Great President Gives Address

I am sure at some point in history, the greatest president we've ever had did give an address or two, so I decided to title this article for that moment. Perhaps it was the brief one at Gettysburg, or maybe one of the always inspiring inaugural or farewell speeches. As for the current president, if there is one thing I can say about him being great, it is that he and his buddies sure taught me to never lean on a political party for any kind of hope. I learned quickly in the Clinton years to completely distrust the Democratic Party, and now I've seen that Republicans are just as untrustworthy. My interests as a whole for politics has waned, yet I guess I still have enough fever for it to write a response to the 2008 State of the Union.
As I watched the final such address for President Bush, several things did jump out and strike me. First of all, I enjoy tax relief and tax cuts. Uncle Sam always has his hand out at us and takes way more than he needs. It really amazes me how those politicians can stay relaxed when they mention something like using 30 billion dollars on some special project. 30 billion dollars! Being one who hasn't been careful with money myself, I do not want to be overly critical, yet I couldn't help but be amused at how the Republicans applauded the idea the government needed a balanced budget. Just a few years ago, when they had complete control in Washington, they were spending out the wazoo and driving us deeper and deeper in the hole.
One area that disappointed me was the amount of time the president spent focusing on the gas prices and the energy crisis. The high prices are a key cause for the economy getting tipsy, yet all he could say about was that we need to support science in searching for alternative sources. Well, this could have been done ages ago, yet big oil has always been in the politicians' pants preventing such measures from happening. In the long run, could the president have been trying to avoid the subject altogether, since it seems he spent his second term allowing his oil buddies to gobble up cash, despite the fact the people had bailed them out of some previous down times. This accusation is based on my opinion, yet it is how I feel.
The Democrats bugged me when they didn't even slightly cheer when the president mentioned the progress in stem cell research and how it now does not require a need for destroying human life. In my maturing, I aim to see the pro-choice side as pro-choice, not pro-abortion, as some from that side have stated that no one is really pro-abortion (except maybe for the actual doctors). Both sides have this common ground in that they would each like to find ways to lower the number of abortions performed and eventually eliminate the need for them altogether. Yet those Democrats acted like they were truly disappointed that more unborn babies couldn't be killed.
I support our troops completely. We have the best military in the world, and I thank each member of it and his or her family for their sacrifices and service. Whether you are in favor of the war in Iraq or not, you have to take note that our soldiers and personnel are working very hard over there and that deserves our appreciation and support. I felt the Democrats failed to show that as well, especially at a moment when they withheld applause.
Both parties seem to have hot spots in the world where they feel we need to send our troops. Places mentioned include the Middle East, where fighting has been occurring since Bible times, and Africa, where tribal warfare is nothing new. I'm one of those that has to ask why our leaders continue to feel we must police the world?
As for advancing liberty in the world, while the idea seems wonderful, we must realize there will be certain groups of people who will not accept it. The only response or giving in they'll proceed with is to tyranny, which is unfortunate, but still a fact of life. Iraq may be an example of this. Saddam, though very cruel, did keep the people under control. Freedom can be similar to God in this way, we can share it and hope people will embrace it, but we can't force it on them. It is their choice.
The president concluded his address by mentioning how the nation will prosper if the people are trusted. Less government and taxes would be a great start. The late author, Laura Ingalls Wilder, once stated this in a letter to her fans: "Great improvements in living have been made because every American has always been free to pursue his happiness, and so long as Americans are free they will continue to make our country even more wonderful." I just hope the White House and Capitol Hill can remember this and let the citizens soar like eagles. Do help the ones truly needing it, yet give them the means to pull it out and go solo if at all possible. This nation has a foundation that should enable it to recover from the down times, like it has always done before.