State of the Union Address

My State of the Union

In 2006, shortly after I had started my main blog that I still maintain, I responded to the State of the Union Address with one of my own.

It was then, and still is, now, for sale to any President who would like to use or modify it.

We can negotiate a price.

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State of the Union Speech for Sale

President Bush apparently had some good things to say in his speech last night. I was a bit distracted by trying to keep score of who was applauding and who was sitting with folded hands on which points. I did not realize that the nation's father's envisioned the the State of the Union report as a score card.

So, it looks like the President put out some good ideas - especially about ending oil dependence and increasing the number of educated scientists.

Otherwise it was pretty much a series of short statement and answer polls, punctuated with opportunities for applause or silence. There was nothing really new. At least that is what I thought in my distracted state. It turns out that I missed a few points. Listening to the replays can be helpful in a sporting event.

He did seem to learn to pronounce "nuclear" which would have made it worthwhile. However, some friends have informed me that they heard it differently.

It was a good speech - well written, well delivered, something for everyone to agree with, something for many to dispute. I could nod at many of his points.

I was thinking of posting my party's response. What is my party? How about the Party of One?

Then, I wondered how I might do my state of the union if I were the Prez. Wondering led to cogitating and cogitating led to typing and I decided that the best contribution I could make would be a generic introduction that any President can use from any party at any time. It will be here on the Internet in case future administrations wish to purchase it from me. It is, of course copyrighted, but I might be able to work out a patriotic discount for the leader of the free world.

This would be a strange opening, but it is the one I propose:

"Folks, I am going to ask you to hold your applause until the end because I want to challenge your thinking. The problems we face are not superficial and they are not partisan. There are no easy answers. We need to give them a great deal of thought and I want you to think very seriously about what I have to say. Don't rush to any conclusions. Give it a fair hearing. It is going to take all of us working together and contributing our ideas to keep this country great. "

"We are all Americans and we all have different perspectives. I offer you mine and I want you to know how I will be leading you over the next year. In many ways, we might all be partially right and all partially wrong, but that doesn't matter. If we all pull in the same direction, we can make midcourse corrections because we all want what is best for America. There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit. We can fix any miscalculations if we are unconcerned about passing the blame around."

"I realize that this platform is often used for theater and that the really great ideas are those we discuss in less public settings. I know that we all see this as a time to polarize and posture with the next election in mind. Let us set aside that pattern for tonight. For once, let us wrap our minds together around solutions to the problems we face together as Americans. All of this acrimony is just silly. We can respect each others' differences and agree to disagree without being disagreeable."

"Let us utterly reject such vile and divisive designations as "red states" and "blue states." Perhaps we should even suspend the overuse of such relative and meaningless terms as "liberal" and "conservative" except when they are used correctly and relatively. Let us be careful with our words. Let us respect one another."

" I refuse to vilify my opponents and I ask for the same courtesy. I do not question the motives or patriotism of those of you who do not see eye-to-eye with me. I know that you love this country. Of course I believe that I am right in my views. If I did not, I would not set them forth. In these hallowed halls, great issues are debated by men and women of good will in the common quest for truth."

"With these things in mind, I ask you to listen carefully as I set forth my vision for our nation and for the state of our great union. Join me as we attempt some great things this year. Here is what I propose ..."

This speech will never be given - especially the "hold your applause" part. However, imagine how much could really be said if Presidents didn't have to limit entire thoughts to one sentence summaries that skim over the issues.

On the outside chance I am wrong, remember that is TOM SIMS. In fact it is (c) 2006, Thomas B. Sims, All rights reserved, but I would gladly relinquish some of them over this speech for the good of my country.

As I said, it is for sale.