I Hate the SOTU
Tuesday night's State of the Union address is another reason to despise the ways of Washington. We should eliminate it or cut it back.
I Hate the SOTU
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
(A brief discussion twixt Baer & Baer's editor, a.k.a. BE)
JB: I hate the State of the Union.
BE: You mean the over-spending, over-owing, over-medicated, overly-obese, dumbed-down state of the union, or the speech?
JB: The speech, as in the one to be delivered Tuesday night in Washington that I have to watch and comment on for Wednesday's newspaper.
BE: That's only because you'd rather be watching "Justified."
JB: That's not true. Well, okay, that's partly true. But the broader reason is because of what the SOTU has become: a repetitious litany of pipedreams and promises offered to a nation and a roomful of constantly clapping congress-people who are over-paid and unproductive, wallowing in a world of their own creation that's unconnected to the rest of us.
BE: But the Constitution requires it.
JB: Actually, the Constitution only says the President will "from time to time" inform the Congress on the state of the union. This president just gave an inaugural address. That should count. And these days there's so much constant information that the constitutional provision should be interpreted differently. From "time to time" should be once during a four-year term, maybe right in the middle.
BE: But it's a tradition. The pomp. The chance for America to see it's goverment, its president and its democracy in prime-time.
JB: America has that chance 24-7 thanks to technology, extensive print reporting and never-ending news coverage and blabfests on TV, radio and social media. Plus, presidents used to submit the SOTU in writing. More have done so than not: 24 of the 45. And Jefferson, who knew a thing or two about, governance and democracy, eschewed the speech saying it was too much like the British monarchs issuing mandates to Parliament.
BE: So you'll be watching at 9 p.m.?
JB: At least until "Justified" starts at 10.
This comment has been deleted.— b,ill at,kins- Bill atkins. First to post. First to whine.
— daxtremesolja 
Mr Baer, so do I. So I don't watch. What is the point of losing 2-3 hours of life you will never get back watching a liar spout lies, while a cast of liars applaud the lies? Afterwards, out of touch party apologists will break down and analyze each lie and support it with their lies. An opposition liar will have his or her moment in front of the camera, mouthing the oppositions lies.
I know, kind of silly word play but guess what? It's all truth, not lies.- You hate the state of the union because the state of the union is a disaster of monstrous proportions at the hands of the neo-marxist and his clown posse circus!— Paul Revered
- Every time a Republican labels the President as a Marxist, the democratic party gains a new member from the middle. — daxtremesolja
- I'm with JB. Justified is certainly more watchable than the same old, same old SOTU bull. We all know what he's gonna say, so why waste the hour of your life.— jimmymack
- agreed. thank god the flyers are playing tonight. the SOTU is pointless. and I'm a politics junkie.— Ryan
- Self serving political infomercial. Nothing more. It should be ended.— kelprod2-freemarket
- So why are you getting paid if you are only doing half a job. Do us all a favor and quit.— lelliottaeten
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
