by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 1, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

elivering his sixth State of the Union message, President George W. Bush offered less reality and more GOP talking points heading into midyear elections. Instead of giving an honest appraisal of the country's condition, Bush chose to answer his Iraq critics and spew platitudes about energy independence. “America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world,” Bush told a joint session of Congress and national audience, cleverly shifting attention away from the real culprits bleeding the economy and driving consumers into the poorhouse: U.S. oil companies posted record 2005 profits with Exxon-Mobil, the nation's biggest oil company, totaling $36.13 billion. Blaming the Middle East for shameless price gouging by U.S. oil companies fails to address the country's utter helplessness at the hands of Wall Street and the greedy oil industry.

      Blasting his critics, Bush perpetuated the same illusions about Iraq, once again pretending that fighting terrorists in Iraq will spare the nation an attack on U.S. soil. “There is no peace with retreat,” said Bush, linking Iraq to the war against the savages that perpetrated Sept. 11. “Hindsight alone is not wisdom,” slapping his critics who, without finding weapons of mass destruction, find no national security justification for the Iraq war. Bush's State of Union continues the feeble rationale sacrificing more U.S. lives and tenuous justification for squandering $5 billion a month to pay for an unnecessary military adventure. Bush speculated if the U.S. quits prematurely, Al Qaeda will take over Iraq. It's more likely that Iraq's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds will descend into civil war. Nearly three years after toppling Saddam, Baghdad remains the most dangerous spot on the planet.

      Bush drew sarcastic cheers from Democrats when he blamed Congress for not acting “on my proposal to save Social Security,” noting, “yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away,” blaming the system's insolvency on runaway costs. Bush didn't acknowledge the astronomical price tag of reconstructing Iraq, costing the U.S. treasury over $300 billion. Ballooning federal deficits threaten the economy, pushing the Federal Reserve Board hike the Federal Funds Rate 14 times in the past two years. Together with runaway pump prices, the stock market continues to move sideways, with many investors still reeling from the 2000 meltdown. Bush's tax cuts helped offset recession after Sept. 11 but can't keep pace with Iraq's soaring rebuilding costs. Bush's low approval ratings stem from Iraq and the spiraling gasoline, diesel, jet-fuel, natural gas and home-heating oil prices.

      Bush raises anxieties when he talks about the high costs of entitlements like Social Security and Medicare without offering an exit strategy and plan to rein in runaway defense spending. Whether living in red or blue states, even the most conservative voters worry about healthcare and retirement. If rising oil prices fuel inflation and hurt the economy, today's budget deficits, now projected at $400 billion, could plunge the nation into recession. Telling the nation “the state of our union is strong,” doesn't allay worries about mounting casualties and growing federal red ink. Promising domestic spending plays well in election years but doesn't address concerns about bloated budget deficits. More federal programs won't change defense spending or current White House plans for Iraq. Reassessing priorities involves figuring out where to spend valuable tax dollars.

      Promising more research and development to make a new type of ethanol doesn't jibe with allowing publicly traded oil companies to gouge consumers. Bush offers few apologies for companies like Exxon-Mobil, whose obscene profits have driven airline and trucking companies closer to the brink. No Federal Reserve Board official really believes that oil prices have nothing to do with inflation or performance of the overall economy. “The federal government should serve the American people,” said Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, delivering the Democrats' response. “But that mission is frustrated by this administration's poor choices and bad management,” hoping to score political points heading into November. No Democrat other that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) has called for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, offering few options to voters looking ahead to midyear elections.

      Bush's State of the Union speech gives the GOP's key talking points hoping to hang on to both houses of Congress in November. Mounting casualties in Iraq, spiraling oil prices and ballooning federal budget deficits promise to rain on Bush's popularity and Republicans seeking reelection or elective office. Promising to develop new forms of ethanol to reduce dependence on Middle East oil won't stop greedy energy companies from manipulating the market and fixing prices. Instead of congratulating Exxon-Mobil, Bush should ask the oil industry to exercise restraint when socking it to consumers. At times of war, even greedy oil companies should do their part to contribute to the public good, restraining the kind to price gouging that fuels inflation, discourages consumer spending and punishes the economy. Real leaders ask everyone—including publicly traded oil companies—to act responsibly.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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