Response to the Democratic Response

The Constitution demands President Bush address Congress regarding the State of the Union. The requirement is part of the system of checks and balances between governmental branches Harry Reid likes to remind us of. The President must report to Congress, explaining where we are, and where he intends to take us.

Misunderstanding this, John Kerry complained his party only “gets” ten minutes to rebut the President, who “gets” an hour or better. Again, the SOTU address is a responsibility, not a privilege. If you want to “get” the ear of Congress and the American people (in the age of television), I have three words: Win an election.

Anyway, Governor Kaine gave us his non-Constitutionally-required report about where the party that lost the last two Presidential elections would take us (if they were driving, which they’re not). Apparently it’s “a better way”, although the particulars were sparse, and when given, were particulars that have failed in real-life use.

“The Better Way” synopsis is: America needs to elect Democrats who will strive mightily to build a government that produces results. What results, you ask?

1. Reducing health-care expense for individuals while expanding coverage. [But we’ll do it some other way than Health Savings Accounts – solutions that empower individuals and put them in charge of their own health care are bad, even if they’ve proven to reduce the cost of health care because hospitals are no longer sticking it to a major insurer, but to an actual person standing at the counter in front of them].

Another example, “set up simple ways to help our seniors purchase safe, American-made prescription drugs from other countries at a fraction of the price they would pay here.” [Ahh, yes! As it stands now, “other countries”, (Canada) set price caps on pharmaceuticals, produced largely by the R&D of private U.S. companies. To pay for research and development of new drugs, Big Pharma charges the U.S. market more, to make up for Canada stiffing them. So we are already subsidizing Canadians’ cheaper pills. If we go this route & reduce profit motive, do you suppose it MIGHT stifle future innovation? Just a thought Governor.]

2. Working together in a bipartisan way to balance the budget and reduce National Debt, just as they’ve done in Virginia. [Hmmm…I guess we should disregard the immediate, glaring detail here – Virginia, unlike the Federal Government, isn’t responsible for defending the U.S. from future terrorist attacks, or for conducting the war on terror. Try adding that to your plate and see if you can balance the books short-term Governor Kaine. Oh, and how much, exactly, of the Gulf Coast disaster response did the Commonwealth of Virginia volunteer to pay for?].

3. Invest in education, to improve student test scores and keep our children competitive in a global marketplace. “When you send your children to school, you expect them to be prepared for success. And you have a right to expect government to be fiscally responsible, pay the bills and live within its means.” [You just don’t have a right to question whether the Dept. of Education budget is serving the teachers’ unions, or the students. Or the right use vouchers to send your child to the school of your choice, ensuring that you use YOUR tax dollars to buy YOUR child an actual education.]

Gov. Kaine said, the administration “is refusing to let states try innovative alternatives” in education. Like what? We know vouchers are a no-no, what alternatives does he mean? I guess we’ll need a warrant to find out.

4. Improve policy to win the war on terrorism. “The president called again tonight for our commitment to win the war on terror and to support our troops. All Americans embrace those goals.” [I thought Howard Dean was an American…guess not. Would a liberal Democrat feel “supported” by me if he/she knew I opposed his/her mission entirely?] “We can, and we must, defeat those who attack and kill innocent people.” [But WILL you? How?] “Our commitment to winning the war on terrorism compels us to ask this question: Are the president's policies the best way to win this war?” [It just doesn’t compel Democrats to actually formulate an answer to that question – part of the new, improved educational system model they’ll be rolling out no doubt].

“We now know that our troops in Iraq were not given the best body armor or the best intelligence.” [Following quote is from 1Lt. Micah J.Garrison, “I feel compelled to comment …and point out several issues that could mislead the public back home… If the entire vest was strong enough to protect from all types of possible bullet wounds it would be so heavy that it would be physically impossible to wear. Also, if the entire vest was as thick and solid as our plates it would be impossible to move around in it and extremely uncomfortable… I've been very impressed with the speed the military has shown in getting new and better equipment to us. Within the last year we've already gone through several upgrades in individual body armor. We've been given so much gear that one person could never wear it all. http://www.accessnorthga.com/articles/afullstory.asp?ID=99960] Please read to see how much the party of non-partisanship has politicized this issue.

Kaine then went on to talk in language sure to turn-off the far-left base, and simultaneously ring hollow with the more-conservative middle. “Our faith and values teach us that there is no higher calling than serving others…Tonight we pray, earnestly and humbly…Thank you for listening and God Bless the United States of America”. [This from the party championing the idea that faith, values, and prayer belong the other side of the “wall of separation”– far from the sphere of government…unless talking about them can help win an election].