SOTU…A Look Back and a Look Forward

On Tuesday night, less than 48 hours before Obama has been subpoenaed to appear in a Georgia courtroom in a case regarding his eligibility to serve, he will deliver the 2012 State of the Union address.

We can hardly wait.

This year’s SOTU is expected to focus on “A Return to American Values.”

Obama? American Values?

Isn’t that an oxymoron of sorts?

“American Values, of course, being the “Oxy”…

Before we look too deep into the shallow end of the pool regarding the 2012 SOTU speech, shall we look back at the 2011 version?

Remember when…

Obama said….

“It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s what helps set us apart as a nation.”

That was then, but NOW?

Now Obama says he has an “Obligation” to act without consent of congress and has indeed violated the Constitution with his recent non-recess, recess appointments. Using HIS words, “That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s what helps set us apart as a nation.”

Obama: “Meanwhile, nations like China and India realized that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world. And so they started educating their children earlier and longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They’re investing in research and new technologies. Just recently, China became home to the world’s largest private solar research facility, and the world’s fastest computer.”

Ahh yes…And now for the reality.

China has indeed made some changes. As we go deeper in debt as a nation, China holds more and more of it. Obama’s jobs creation poobah or czar or adviser, Jeff Immelt, from GE, has sent one of the biggest divisions of HIS company over TO China to manufacture Xray equipment. Solar research? Yes…China IS home to the world’s largest solar research facility and “Private” in China means something quite different than it does here. Obama, thinking solar was a good investment because China thinks it’s a good investment, “invested” 535 million of YOUR dollars in Solyndra and another 40 million in Beacon.

Both went bankrupt.

Obama: “Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik¸ we had no idea how we’d beat them to the moon. The science wasn’t there yet. NASA didn’t even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn’t just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.”

“This is our generation’s Sputnik moment. Two years ago, I said that we needed to reach a level of research and development we haven’t seen since the height of the Space Race. In a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal. We’ll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology – an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.”

Oh dear.

Reality: 2011 saw the last space shuttle launch. Now, we must rely on Russia to send our astronauts to the ISS. “Strengthen our security?” “Protect our planet?” Create COUNTLESS new jobs for OUR people?”

Damn right they’re countless. Have we been able to count one yet?

Sputnik moment indeed.

Obama: “Already, we are seeing the promise of renewable energy. Robert and Gary Allen are brothers who run a small Michigan roofing company. After September 11th, they volunteered their best roofers to help repair the Pentagon. But half of their factory went unused, and the recession hit them hard.”

“Today, with the help of a government loan, that empty space is being used to manufacture solar shingles that are being sold all across the country. In Robert’s words, “We reinvented ourselves.”

Reality: Solar shingles are less efficient than are solar panels like the ones Solyndra used to make…far less efficient. Doesn’t bode well, does it?

Obama: “We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I’m asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re doing just fine on their own. So instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, let’s invest in tomorrow’s.”

Reality: Ummm…HELLO???

Obama: “Take a school like Bruce Randolph in Denver. Three years ago, it was rated one of the worst schools in Colorado; located on turf between two rival gangs. But last May, 97% of the seniors received their diploma. Most will be the first in their family to go to college. And after the first year of the school’s transformation, the principal who made it possible wiped away tears when a student said “Thank you, Mrs. Waters, for showing… that we are smart and we can make it.”

Reality: This little check of realism comes from Diane Ratvitch of THE NEW YORK TIMES… “True, Randolph (originally a middle school, to which a high school was added) had a high graduation rate, but its ACT scores were far below the state average, indicating that students are not well prepared for college. In its middle school, only 21 percent were proficient or advanced in math, placing Randolph in the fifth percentile in the state (meaning that 95 percent of schools performed better). Only 10 percent met state science standards. In writing and reading, the school was in the first percentile.”

But it SOUNDED good…didn’t it?

Obama: “With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.”

Where do we even begin with reality here?

Reality: Then, Obama pledged to end our dependence on oil. That was in January 2011…right” Well, in MARCH 2011, Obama went to Brazil and told THEM that the U.S. would become one of THEIR best customers when THEIR new oil reserves became available.

Okay…biofuels. TODAY, the EPA is FINING oil companies for NOT adding BIOFUELS to their mixtures but the problem with THAT is that the BIOFUELS they MANDATE simply do not exist.

Finally…1 million electric vehicles? REALLY?

Government Motors, which USED to be GENERAL Motors, has sold only 7,000 Chevy Volts so far. ALL of them have been recalled.

With a range of 35 miles on electricity, the Volt must be plugged in for recharging often and when they are, they have a problem, BURSTING INTO FLAMES. Since the Volt can’t go very far on electricity alone, they also have a gas tank.

Sort of like adding fuel to the fire…isn’t it?

Perhaps this year, in his State of the Socialized Union speech, Obama can tell us how the geniuses at Bruce Randolph will be nailing solar shingles to the tops of Chevy Volts so they can at least make it to the curb before the fire spreads to the garage.

Maybe, this coming Tuesday, Obama will regale us with tales of how brilliantly Fast and Furious worked. Might he laud the fact that his administration is suing states for trying to enforce the laws his administration won’t? Will he applaud the fact that his beloved and socialistic Obamacare, which he spoke so highly of in last year’s SOTU, is heading for the Supreme Court? Could he brag about the Muslim Brotherhood getting that seat at the Egyptian table he so graciously insisted they have or the fact that the decades long peace between Israel and Egypt is dangling by a thread?

Will Obama talk about al Qaeda’s flag flying over the court house in Benghazi Libya in Tuesday’s address? Will he reminisce fondly of how since his politically motivated pull out from Iraq, the violence there has escalated?

And Iran. On Tuesday night, will Obama talk about the drone or show off the little plastic toy drone Iran promised to send him? Will he proudly announce his letter to Iran begging for talks? Will he talk about the Taliban NOT being our enemy and how he is negotiating with THEM in Afghanistan?

Tuesday’s State of the Union is supposed to focus on “A Return to American Values,” an idea, under Obama, that is as viable as Solyndra and electric cars.

Obama’s values and American Values are diametrically opposed to one another and we know the SOTU will be nothing more than a nationally televised campaign speech delivered before a joint session of congress.

Perhaps, regarding Obama’s eligibility, in a courtroom in Georgia this coming Thursday morning, the process of “Returning to American Values” that he will promise on Tuesday night will truly begin.