Current State Of The Union!

The State of The Union message in a nut shell is more of the same. Many Americans continue to tire of President Obama as his continued promises often fall short and never seem to gel or come to fruition. Promises of gun control, immigration reform, and a healthcare system that works for all of us are just a few examples of where the President and Washington have disappointed America. Cheap tricks used in the past like pointing to a special guest, "an average American" brought to Washington as a "visual prop" as proof that policies are paying off for the masses can only carry us so far. When we inspect the economy of America, huge deficits, a weak recovery, and a questionable future will cast a shadow over all new promises made.

During the last few years the people of America have been spectators to scandal after scandal from the nations capital. The revelation that the NSA was busy taking tens of billions and then more money to spy on each and everyone of us has done little to reestablish faith and trust. Not only are conservatives unhappy but many liberals see any attempt of those in Washington to achieve a grand bargain not as confronting problems but as a "grand betrayal" of promises made to help what they see as societies most vulnerable.

Regardless of whether Obama puts out there a big ball, small ball or no ball expect reality to quickly suck the air and energy out of the room. When it comes to political inaction the Presidents promise for more governing by Presidential edict will stir the blood of those on both sides of the aisle. Unemployment and slow job growth is still a major issue. Washington remains in gridlock and we have failed to resolve problems in and with North Korea, Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and several other countries. Obama loves the spot light and many people will simply tune him out because of over overexposure, he has logged in more camera time then any President in history.

One thing we can expect to see embraced is the call for more infrastructure spending that people are always promoting as the best great idea. How quickly they forget we do not have the infrastructure of a third world country and this kind of spending is not a silver bullet but in many ways opens a pipeline to wasteful spending. Our constant search for an easy and painless answers guarantees we will embrace and line up behind more boondoggle projects that expands governments influence and undercuts free enterprise by competing with it on many levels.

Following the speech supporters will praise it and call it grand as always we hear how a new page has been turned while others will talk about how they are disappointed. In the real world a bigger issue of concern in the strength of America going forward both economically and militarily. With many countries in turmoil and China seen as a rising power a real fear is growing that America may be in decline.  It is fortunate that our political system always allows for ample room for finger pointing and the placement of blame. In short prepare for more of the same.