Demo SOTU Response

The volunteer researchers at The Federalist simply rock. Let’s follow along as they break down the Democrat response to President Bush’s State of the Union address, delivered by Gary Locke, Governor of Washington State:
“Osama bin-Laden is still at large. As we rise to the many challenges around the globe, let us never lose sight of who attacked our people here at home.”

  • And what does this really mean? In other words, Demos deny the President’s claim of a connection between Islamic terrorists and Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime.

“Today, the economy is limping along. Some say it’s a recovery, but there’s no recovery in our states and cities. There’s no recovery in our rural communities. There’s no recovery for working Americans and for those searching for jobs to feed and clothe their families. … President Bush has a very different [economic recovery] plan. We think it’s upside down economics: it does too little to stimulate the economy now and does too much to weaken our economic future. It will create huge, permanent deficits that will raise interest rates, stifle growth, hinder homeownership and cut off the avenues of opportunity that have let so many work themselves up from poverty.”
  • And what does the President’s tax cut plan actually do? “This tax relief is for everyone who pays income taxes–and it will help our economy immediately. Ninety-two million Americans will keep–this year–an average of almost $1,100 more of their own money. A family of four with an income of $40,000 would see their federal income taxes fall from $1,178 to $45 per year. And our plan will improve the bottom line for more than 23 million small businesses.”

“Last year Congress authorized $2.5 billion in vital new resources to protect our citizens–for equipment for firefighters and police, to protect ports, to guard against bioterrorism, to secure nuclear power plants, and more. It’s hard to believe, but President Bush actually refused to release the money.”
  • And why did the President refuse to release the money? Because Democrats tacked on billions in spending unrelated to homeland security, and at the same time refused to give the President the authority he needs to combat terrorism by insisting on excessive union prerogatives for homeland security employees–union prerogatives that could potentially undermine national security.

“Our parents shouldn’t be forced to give up their doctor or join an HMO to get the medicine they need. … And it would put too many seniors at too much risk–just when they need the security of Medicare.”
  • And what did the President actually say? “These problems will not be solved with a nationalized health care system that dictates coverage and rations care. Instead, we must work toward a system in which all Americans have a good insurance policy…choose their own doctors…and seniors and low-income Americans receive the help they need. Instead of bureaucrats, and trial lawyers, and HMOs, we must put doctors, and nurses, and patients back in charge of American medicine. Health care reform must begin with Medicare, because Medicare is the binding commitment of a caring society. We must renew that commitment by giving seniors access to the preventive medicine and new drugs that are transforming health care in America. Seniors happy with the current Medicare system should be able to keep their coverage just the way it is.”

So there you have it. The Demos still have nothing of substance to offer the American people, and all they can do is attack those who do.