Mitchman's Blog

State of the Union from a VETS prospective...

President Bush gave his final State of the Union address of his presidency.  This time next year we will have elected a new president and a new chapter in American history will begin.  That is then, but for now, the President refuses to go “gently into that good night.”  He laid out new initiatives for 2008 (while at the same time beginning his LAME DUCK status).  The time period is plagued by the ongoing war in Iraq, a slumping economy on the verge of a recession, and foreclosure rates at an all time high around the country.  Not the ideal final year for any president to have especially when introducing  new, bold programs and initiatives.

Among one of the most prominent and personal initiatives (I am a veteran of the Armed Forces) was the new reformed education benefits for veterans and their families.  Under the current regulations, if a veteran does not use the educational benefits within 10 years of active service, the benefits expire.  The new program would allow a veteran to hand them over to a spouse or child that wished to continue their education.  This came with applause from both sides of the political aisle as well as from my living room.

Another piece of legislation that will be dramatically reduced in power on February 1st is the Patriot Act (terrorist surveillance monitoring program).  I will not go into my view on this issue, but to say, I am glad the restrictions are changing soon.  Freedom does come at a cost, believe me, I paid my dues with four years of active duty in military hot spots all over the world.   Unfortunately, those costs should not come at the expense of violating our personal and private rights.  There is no place in our government for a BIG BROTHER watching over our shoulders.  The framers of this great nation shook of the chains tyranny over 200 years ago, lets not give any one the power shackle us again!

As for the rest of the speech it was the usual laundry list of hopes for his final year in office.  The President is sitting at about 34% approval rating.  President Clinton left office with 60% approval rating, mostly because of the unprecedented years of prosperity in the country at the time.  We are definitely not living in those days anymore, but America, don’t loose HOPE, we will see those days again.  As we near closer to our Super Tuesday and beyond to next November’s election night; we need to decide what kind of country we want this to be.  I hope that you will all search your hearts, minds and souls to find the candidate that best understands your dreams as well as your fears.  I hope you will find the leader that best embraces your ambitions and the hopes for your family.  When you exercise the greatest gift of democracy by casting your vote it will not be based on pressure from others, or biased media or even on who looks presidential, but on an educated decision.  Until next time America….YOU KNOW THE DEAL, KEEP IT REAL!!!!