In Washington DC, everyone’s all in a dither because George W. Bush is going to give a fancy speech tonight in which he says things. Says things? Heck, George W. Bush says things all the time. What George W. Bush actually does strikes me as much more important, and we can be pretty sure that Bush’s actual course of action won’t be outlined in his 2006 State of the Union speech.
We know this because of Bush’s track record on his 2005 State of the Union speech. Let’s look at Bush’s 2005 promises about what he’d do in a year, and compare them to what he has actually done. Ready? Here we go:
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “America’s prosperity requires restraining the spending appetite of the federal government.”
Bush 2005 Reality: “Over the five-year period 2006 through 2010, policy changes increase outlays by $137.6 billion.” (Bush’s Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2006)
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “we will make it easier for Americans to afford a college education by increasing the size of Pell Grants.”
Bush 2005 Reality: “Currently, the maximum Pell grant a student can receive is $4,050, the minimum is $400. These amounts have been constant since 2002. There has not been an increase in the Pell grants since that time.”
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “America’s immigration system is also outdated — unsuited to the needs of our economy and to the values of our country. We should not be content with laws that punish hardworking people who want only to provide for their families, and deny businesses willing workers, and invite chaos at our border. It is time for an immigration policy that permits temporary guest workers to fill jobs Americans will not take.
Bush 2005 Reality: No immigration reform
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “To make our economy stronger and more productive, we must make health care more affordable and give families greater access to good coverage and more control over their health decisions.”
Bush 2005 Reality: Bush’s 2006 budget incorporates An increase in out-of-pocket Medicare expenses for poor people, a reduction in Medicare eligibility, elimination of old people from nursing programs.
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “We must pass reforms that solve the financial problems of Social Security once and for all.”
Bush 2005 Reality: Nothing.
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “For the good of families, children and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.”
Bush 2005 Reality: Apparently Jesus doesn’t agree. No constitutional amendment.
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “Every judicial nominee deserves an up-or-down vote.”
Bush 2005 Reality: Harriet Miers.
Bush 2005 SOTU promise: “We’re all part of a great venture: to extend the promise of freedom in our country, to renew the values that sustain our liberty and to spread the peace that freedom brings.”
Bush 2005 Reality: Unauthorized, unconstitutional and undisclosed spying on Americans. New assertions that the President is above the Constitution. Ongoing, undiminished war.
Mr. Bush, forget new promises for 2006. How about resolving your promises for 2005?
Pingback: Adrift at Sea » State of the Union