2007 State of the Union Rebuttal

Jim Webb is giving the response to the State of the Union. Sweet. Brian Williams noted that Webb wrote his own speech. Sweet.

Webb hopes Bush is serious about improving education and healthcare for everyone, as well as restoring New Orleans. Bush has mentioned energy reform 7 times, but this is the first time it will happen because Democrats are in charge.

The two areas where Democrats and Republicans stand in contrast are the economy and foreign policy.

The economy shows us two different countries. The stock market and corporate profits are at all time highs, but the benefits are being fairly shared. Wages and salaries are at all time lows even though productivity is high. Medical and education costs have skyrocketed. The middle class, our historic backbone, is losing its place. The government has a duty to deal with these concerns. We should measure our society by Main Street, not Wall Street. "We're working to get things done, for the right people, for the right reasons."

Bush's War in Iraq was a strategic mistake, would divert resources from the real war and leave us exposed. Americans serve because they love the U.S. They trusted our leaders because they hoped they would be right and value their lives. They gave their loyalty, but in return they deserve sound minds, responsibility and care. Bush entered this war recklessly and ignored the sound minds. The damage this war has done is horrendous. We need a new direction.

It falls to Congress to take action on both of these fronts. Webb notes that Teddy Roosevelt faced a similar problem, with robber barrons tearing the country apart - he couldn't keep a straight face when he said this - and TR counseled the people against them. Eisenhower brought the Korean war to an end. Therefore, we are calling on Bush to take similar action. If he does, we will follow, if not, we will show him a new way.

Sweet.