X out of 10

Over the last few decades, State of the Union Addresses have devolved from a necessity to an exercise in political masturbation. This evening, president George W. Bush gave his sixth such address, successfully providing case in point.

Despite the length of his halting, wavering oration, Bush delivered exactly zero outside-the-beltway-thinking-box proposals for the multitude of problems that plague this nation, let alone this world. Instead, Bush planted his flag in territory that has been charted for years. Balancing the budget? Yeah, that was a priority (and a reality) of the last administration. Extending health care to those who need it most? Ooh, what a bold concept; pity nobody thought of it before. Reducing our dependance on oil and curbing global warming? I’m pretty sure those propeller-hat-wearing science-types have been telling us to do these very things since at least the early 80s. Wishy-washy immigration reform (”without animosity and without amnesty”)? That’ll really raise some heckles.

But of course, the issue that everyone wanted to hear about–and at the same time, the issue whose outcome everyone knew to expect–was the continuing debacle in Iraq. Instead of proposing drastic changes to the country’s Iraq policy (which has to date proven to be a complete and utter failure), Bush proposed–or more correctly, continued to propose–adding fuel to the raging inferno. Bush’s plan, as stated a few weeks ago, involves sending more troops to Iraq, and asking for authorization to recruit even more troops, but ultimately doing nothing about the actual problem. Sure, there was a glimmer of creative thought when the president proposed creating Civilian Reserve Corps, whose purpose is to fill in for our current corps of Reserve troops, who are themselves too busy getting killed in this needless exercise, but that alone truly seems like too little, too late. Challenging problems demand bold solutions, and the American people are ready for some bold solutions. Hey Mr. President, here’s a freebie: you want a solution to the troop level issue and the immigration issue? Instead of wasting time and money on what is essentially a second Reserve corps, instead create this country’s first-ever Foreign Legion. Give would-be immigrants from south of the border, north of the border, or any other cardinal direction relative to the border a chance to fast-track a US citizenship in exchange for a few years of service. Such a corps would provide the immediate influx of troops that our current situation demands, while at the same time immersing these immigrants in American culture, ensuring that they come away with a mastery of American customs, the English language, and military discipline. Take that one to the bank.

And if you need any other ideas, you know where to find me.

X = 0.5; regardless of your feelings toward W, you have to admit that there was little to no original thinking in the president’s speech, at a time when our nation could really use a new idea or two. Minor kudos for finally, finally addressing the need to dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil (albeit without recognizing the scientific fact of global climate change).