The Unabridged State Of The Union

We have heard it all before just as in last years State of The Union Address where the President underscored the need for change in Washington to usher in better opportunities for all Americans. What has happened in the past year since his last address when he again reveled steps to usher in a so-called new age of progress is nothing more than open rhetoric. Stymied by the power brokers on Capital Hill even before last falls election only to be ostracized by those same returning bureaucrats after the election the economy continues to falter. It seems that those entrenched officials in Washington and even in State Houses across the country are determined to use any means to thwart real economic growth that would benefit the majority of Americas who have only continued to slide down that economic mobility ladder.

There are many facts to consider when the President unveiled yet another optimistic State Of The Union Address. Of course, it is his obligation to the American electorate to reveal concepts that would trigger an economic resurgence. But, when faced with the reality of those other power brokers in Washington, the mindset of Corporate American, as well as those on Wall Street they have already continued their assault on middle class America. This to a point of almost extinction.

It is time again for a reality check. What economist or bureaucrat in their right mind would tout that making $12 to $21 per hour is considered middle class wages. You know the amount necessary to purchase a home with 10% down, pay for food with out relying on government assistance like Food Stamps and the like, pay for insurance, electricity [Which continues to have cost increases almost monthly, like gasoline] payback student loans, Internet access, phone, soaking away 10% of your earnings into savings and oh yes, if you have children can be another huge drain on that pittance of your $12 an hour paycheck. We can see where this is really going. To fulfill the Williams Theory Of Economic Evolution that would put this country on sound economic footing with the way things are today even with all the goody two shoes approach the President has outlined will never be realized. That is if Washington and Wall street continue to undermine the sanctity of the middle class.

Early reports have indicated that what ever was proposed like more infrastructure development which is crucial in stabilizing an already collapsing economy will face an ever persistent reluctance and downright refusal to implement anything the President has proposed. It is more than perhaps those in Washington are really too blind to see when it comes to turning the fortunes of millions of struggling Americans around.

We all have to remember that the prosperity of any nation especially the United States is not predicated just by the dominance of wealthy individuals, or culture, even geography, or a rulers expertise but by the institutions of education. These institutions of education makes it possible to ensure economic freedom, attain property rights, having equality before the law, and being able to have trusted enforcement of all contracts. The availability of commerce through markets are not enough. For economies to prosper governments must supply and support educational institutions and only governments can. Without them people have no incentive to work to invest, and to innovate. This is the prerequisite for a nation to foster economic growth and secure lasting prosperity.

What we are witnessing today especially with Republican led legislatures, and Governors is an almost complete aversion of support for education from pre-school all the way to our universities. More recently in Florida when Governor Scott pulled the plug sort of speaking on higher education funding in which tuition's are escalating more rapidly is resulting in lost educational opportunities for thousands of students. When this is happening all across the country not only are potential graduates being denied from graduating due to tuition being too cost prohibitive but many of these would be graduates are now being denied again the opportunities to put that education and apply it in contributing to improving economic opportunities. This by the knowledge gained through education and having attained the skills needed for existing higher paying jobs. When governments fail to support and fund education is like putting the last nail in the coffin of an economy.


In every country around the world where there is little or no educational opportunities those countries are void of economic opportunities and subsequently are kept in a cycle of perpetual economic depravation. The United States is so close to falling into a cycle similar to third world countries where the loss of educational offerings trigger loss economic opportunities. Where there are jobs available right here in the United States but the failure of education and the financial support of education has rendered more and more people not being able to attain the skills and education to apply those skills and education to the available jobs. While this is happening the influx of foreign workers who are more qualified and more concerting is the exodus of available jobs to countries whose educational venues are more abundant and suited for the type of work that is now being offered is having a very negative impact on the economy right here in America.

It is in education that enables societies to flourish. All great civilizations through-out history succeed in large part because of the opportunities available to receive education where the nurturing of the mind as well as the body enables individuals to gain the knowledge and the background necessary to succeed in life. By doing this collectively a whole society and a nation will continue to thrive. This is especially true in democratic societies. The United States, a democratic republic, can only succeed and have lasting prosperity when there is a a greater degree of excellence within the educational systems. Without an educated society or in the United States case a retardation of educational opportunities, society will only revert back to the cave of the Neanderthal.

When governmental policies arise out of political expedience dictate the direction of education as what has been occurring for the past 40 or so years not only undermine our basic core principles but completely point our countries education in an entirely different and potentially very devastating direction not only to our youth but to the future of a country. This foundation that had been the bedrock of our country is now ripe with a deterioration almost so complete that this nation has to now fortify this base or face a very uncertain future. What is needed now is complete Educational Reform. and a firm commitment by our elected officials to fully fund more educational opportunities. Charter schools, home schools, private and public school systems must aline themselves with the sole purpose of preparing the youth of today and the youth of the future for success in life. To be a contributor to society, the economy, to their country and to the world. Education Reform with that purpose will ensure the future of not only for generations to come but for the continuing growth and prosperity of the United States. This comes with a very high price, but the price this country will pay if our elected officials don't prioritize education as fundamental to the nations over-all economic growth is so profound that America will suffer the same fate as other great nations that have risen only to fall.

To achieve this it is imperative that spending our way out through not only infrastructure investment but by overhauling our immigration policy with complete immigration reform as stated and detailed in National Economic Reform's Ten Articles of Confederation, emphasizing our trade agreements with the stipulation rather than free trade to one of equal trade and implementing energy sources that have begun to power the third and final Industrial Revolution is the only way to have the availability of ever paying back all that was invested to begin with. All of these initiatives require investment. To continue with the rational of many Republicans that spending cuts especially in the military is necessary to off set the increases incurred by other infrastructure developments or cut Social Security when clear choices can and must be made to reform our whole government. This to fit the contingencies of the 21 st century and beyond. It is essential to secure the future and stave off the Grim Reaper of financial and social ruin to implement National Economic Reform's Ten Articles of Confederation.

The State Of The Union address has to be the one time not just for being optimistic but to outline how and why reforms are necessary to complete the revival of this country to one that brings lasting growth, prosperity and security for every American. The message from this recent State of The Union Address was a good attempt but really failed to do so.