The State of the Union

Tonight our President will address the nation on how things are going.  Frankly, the dog-and-pony nature of the event turns my stomach.  The SotU after 9/11 interested me most.  Beyond that, it has become a cheering session for the party in power and an opportunity for dour faces and British insults for those in the minority.

So, from the deep in the heart of Wichita Falls, Texas, in the land where mesquite abounds and not much else, here's my take on the state of our nation.  Please hold your applause until all points are made.

• The Economy.  How much should you pay for a Big Mac?  Whatever you are willing to pay for it.  Should Mikey D's charge $17 for a 500-calorie gut bomb, few would buy them.  It would not be profitable to the Golden Arches, and so the price comes down.  A free market finds a good price for buyer and seller.  Just because there is a product on the market that you cannot afford, that does not mean the company is evil.  Save up you dineros (that's not too far away, is it?) and buy yourself a seventy-five foot yacht.  Or don't.  Bottom line:  This ought not be addressed in the SotU because it's not government's responsibility.  If a mega-corporation goes bankrupt, it should go bankrupt.  There are other places from which to purchase almost every product.
• The Military.  Still got the best in the world, but we have spread them thinner than than the Detroit Lions' defense.  How would you like to get married and then four years later, figure out that you've only seen your spouse for a year and a half out of that time?  That's what's happening.  You can only run a finely tuned engine for so long before it needs to rest.  Our military needs a rest
  
  It's also that branch of government, seems to be the only branch, that gets cut in its budget every year.  Here is an area where the government must be involved.  Most military offices are now only one deep.  When that person goes on vacation or gets deployed, things grind to the speed of LA at 5 p.m.  Neat computer programs have robbed us of personal interaction and efficiency.  And the government has robbed our military of the personnel and the equipment to get the job done that they are asking of it.
• International Politics.  Who hates us?  Okay, bad question.  Nearly everyone hates us, but most hate us for our success and our power.  Sour grapes.  When push comes to shove, who do they want on their team?  Yeah, US.
  
  Some hate us by nature.  Let's name a few.  North Korea.  Why?  Because we sided with South Korea and helped it become a successful and civilized nation.  Tyranny has driven NK into the dark ages.  Who else?  Venezuela and Cuba.  They're on the same track as NK, they just haven't shriveled on the vine nearly so fast.  Who else?  Russia.  More of that tyranny in the past.  Thought about joining civilization in the late 80's but Vlad the Impaler is taking them back to their Stalinesque heritage.  China?  Hmm...  Really, they creep me out.  Their Maoist roots loom like a spectre over the nation.  Do they hate us?  Hmm...  They sure have taken a liking to the bennies of capitalism, but the free-thought suppression and repression and the social tinkering through one-child policies has left them in a world of hurt.
  
  The biggest hater? The Islamic world. Granted we are tolerated by those nations that have tasted the fruit of a free market, but their Islamic roots leave them feeling like they've betrayed Allah.  Jordan and Egypt abide us.  Few others.  They loathe our Western decadence.  They loathe our triune God.  They despise our support for a Jewish homeland in their midst.  They like our money and our muscle if one of their neighbors crosses their border.  Mostly, though, total hatred.  Makes you feel kind of silly going to the defense of the likes of Saudi Arabia.
  
  Those who hate us but want us on their team, they like us if you press them to the mat, those are the folks who should be our buddies. All the other guys, sure, we'll talk to them if they want to play nice, but when they start getting uppity, we need to look out for our people and our borders.  Teddy Roosevelt, baby.  Big sticks!

Eh, you've endured enough for now. We'll call this an intermission, and I'll finish tomorrow. Lots still to cover! Much at stake for our aging nation. Will it endure to the 22nd century?