January 31, 2006
Tonight the president delivers his state of the union address. It will be the usual catch-all with something designed to appeal to almost everyone. Most people don’t remember what presidents say in these speeches and most of the time the recommendations to Congress are never passed, unless they involve new spending, of course.
In the sixth year of his presidency, President Bush remains below a fifty percent approval rating. Success in Iraq or with Iran would quickly boost those numbers, but these are difficult issues that require much thought and work.
Economically, the state of the union is good. We are richer than ever in things. But the moral state of the union is not so good. We are poor in spiritual matters. Abortion, though down in numbers, continues unchecked except in states that are adding restrictions. The gay rights movement toward same-sex marriage continues, as does divorce among heterosexuals and cohabitation. Materialism remains the god of too many Americans. And then there is the continuing threat of terrorism. Lots to cover in his speech tonight.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
