Here’s my fact-corrected version of the President’s recent State of the Union speech. As you will see, it is more appropriate (on many levels) to call it a State of Confusion speech.
I’ve edited out the introductory fluff from the transcript of the speech. I’ve also edited out the personal vignettes that dramatize Biden’s political posturing, and also edited out the hundreds of individual references to how the government is planning to spend your money on almost every leftist and unconstitutional wish list under the sun. The craven vote-buying of Biden’s spending proposals is self-evident.
What is left in his speech, after the necessary pruning, is clear evidence that our current Executive (and his handlers and speech writers) are so far out of touch with reality that they might as well be on another planet. Or at least on the other side of the proverbial Looking Glass, where up is down and day is night.
Below are excerpts from the official transcript of the speech. Each excerpt is followed by my parenthetical commentary. The President’s words are in italics and not bolded. My reality checks are bolded but not italicized, and preceded with my initials, “JK”.
I start tonight by congratulating the members of the 118th Congress and the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working together. (JK: Even though Biden has already promised to veto any GOP legislation that conflicts with his leftist agenda).
And I want to give special recognition to someone who I think will be considered the greatest Speaker in the history of this country, Nancy Pelosi. (JK: If nothing else, Pelosi is great at tearing up State of the Union speeches on camera, which is an apt allegory for how she has torn up the Constitution during her career.)
The story of America is a story of progress and resilience. Of always moving forward. Of never giving up. (JK: If “forward” means an out-of-control border, high inflation, $31T in debt, a war in Ukraine, steadily declining workforce participation, a growing surveillance state, racial animus, and rampant public/private censorship, then I suppose we are moving “forward”).
A story that is unique among all nations. (JK: This is a strange acknowledgement, since Biden’s party is continually seeking to emulate European nations and to condemn American Exceptionalism).
We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it. (JK: We are more divided than ever. If creeping ever closer to another civil war is considered “stronger”, then perhaps we are).
Two years ago, our economy was reeling. (JK: Because Federal and state governments shut down the economy by closing businesses and telling people they couldn’t work).
As I stand here tonight, we have created a record 12 million new jobs, more jobs created in two years than any president has ever created in four years. (JK: They aren’t new jobs. They are the same jobs. You just allowed people that you previously forced to stay home to finally go back to work.)
Two years ago, COVID had shut down our businesses, closed our schools, and robbed us of so much. (JK: COVID is a microscopic virus has no control over our economy or our schools. It did not shut down anything. Governments did.)
Today, COVID no longer controls our lives. (JK: But the government is still enjoying its increased control. There are still vaccine mandates. There is still a “state of emergency”. That state of emergency is still being used to justify unconstitutional actions, such as student loan forgiveness.)
And two years ago, our democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War. (JK: There was definitely a coup, but not the one Biden is referring to.)
Today, though bruised, our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken. (JK: “Democracy” is never mentioned in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. America was a Constitutional Republic. It is now a post-constitutional banana republic that has been hijacked by the elitist kleptocrats who orbit Washington.)
As we gather here tonight, we are writing the next chapter in the great American story, a story of progress and resilience. When world leaders ask me to define America, I define our country in one word: Possibilities. (JK: The only possibilities you and other world leaders are considering involve even greater control by the Elites in their eternal manipulation of Everyone Else. Next up: Climate Change.)
You know, we’re often told that Democrats and Republicans can’t work together. (JK: Working “together” isn’t necessarily a virtue – the Mafia works together with incredible effectiveness. Doing the right thing is a virtue. Give it a try instead.)
But over these past two years, we proved the cynics and the naysayers wrong. (JK: There are more cynics and naysayers than ever. Have you seen your approval ratings? Have you seen the approval ratings of Congress? Perhaps you Elitists are proving the cynics right.)
We came together to defend a stronger and safer Europe. (JK: If you define a safer Europe as one that is being threatened by nuclear war and starved of energy, I suppose it is safer. It might have been better for everyone if you had defended the southern border of America instead).
We came together to pass a once-in-a-generation infrastructure law, building bridges to connect our nation and people. (JK: Being built by your crony corporate allies, your crony union buddies, and anyone else that you wish to buy votes from.)
We came together to pass one of the most significant laws ever, helping veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. (JK: How is the shameful quality of care at VA Hospitals coming along?)
The people sent us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, gets us nowhere. (JK: That is certainly the message from us proles. It is a message you Elites have never listened to and will never listen to. For example, why did you promise to veto Republican legislation from the House that hasn’t even been voted on yet?)
And that’s always been my vision for our country. To restore the soul of the nation. (JK: Do nations have souls? We have a Constitution, if that’s what you mean. Perhaps you should read it and heed it.)
To rebuild the backbone of America, the middle class. (JK: The 20% inflation that we’ve endured since you took office hasn’t rebuilt the middle class).
To unite the country. (JK: Which state will secede first, Texas or Florida?)
We’ve been sent here to finish the job. (JK: That’s what we’re afraid of).
For decades, the middle class was hollowed out. (JK: For decades you’ve been a leader of our country, in Congress and in the Oval Office. Connect the dots.)
Too many good-paying manufacturing jobs moved overseas. Factories at home closed down. (JK: You’ve been a leader in our government for over half a century. Connect the dots.)
Once-thriving cities and towns became shadows of what they used to be. (JK: Most of our cities have been run by your political party for decades.)
Pride. That sense of self-worth. (JK: Self-worth has disappeared in your leftist culture of victimhood and abdicated personal responsibility.)
I ran for President to fundamentally change things, to make sure the economy works for everyone so we can all feel pride in what we do. (JK: Two thirds of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. Only the Elites are proud right now, especially those who frequent the World Economic Forum by way of their private jets).
To build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out, not from the top down. Because when the middle class does well, the poor have a ladder up and the wealthy still do very well. We all do well. (JK: Spending trillions of dollars from Washington is the exact definition of trying to build an economy from the top down. At least the economy in the Capital is doing well — just look at how wealthy the professional politicians in Washington are now).
As my Dad used to say, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, “Honey –it’s going to be OK,” and mean it. (JK: You and your erstwhile family have either gotten wealthy on government paychecks or on scurrilous business deals with Ukraine and China. Which sounds more plausible?).
So, let’s look at the results. Unemployment rate at 3.4%, a 50-year low. Near record low unemployment for Black and Hispanic workers. (JK: The record low for Black and Hispanic workers occurred under the previous administration. And the 3.4% unemployed rate is an illusion, because people have simply opted out of the workforce. The workforce participation rate is hovering around a disastrous 40 year low, which is why there are “help wanted’ signs everywhere. People find it easier for some strange reason to stay home. For example, seven million working-aged men are choosing not to work.)
Inflation has been a global problem because of the pandemic that disrupted supply chains and Putin’s war that disrupted energy and food supplies. (JK: Inflation is always and everywhere a phenomenon of the money supply growing faster than productivity in an economy. It is not caused by viruses or “Putins”.)
Here at home, gas prices are down $1.50 a gallon since their peak. (JK: And about double from when you took office.)
Food inflation is coming down. (JK: Food prices are still going up. Saying inflation is coming down still means there is inflation, which means prices are still going up).
Inflation has fallen every month for the last six months while take home pay has gone up. (JK: For 20 straight months, prices have risen faster than wages.)
Every time somebody starts a small business, it’s an act of hope. (JK: One of their biggest hopes is that the government won’t shut their business down during the next “crisis”).
I promised to be the president for all Americans. (JK: Except for the half that you keep calling extremist, deplorable, racist, misogynist, etc.)
We’re making sure that every community has access to affordable, high-speed internet. (JK: So that your Surveillance State can monitor all social communications for “disinformation” and then censor it in a partisan manner).
With the Inflation Reduction Act that I signed into law, we’re taking on powerful interests to bring your health care costs down so you can sleep better at night. (JK: You are printing even more money to pay for this Orwellian-named Act, which will just make the prices of everything go higher still).
Let’s face reality. The climate crisis doesn’t care if your state is red or blue. It is an existential threat. (JK: It is apparently not an existential threat to the Elites who fly in their private jets and buy oceanfront mansions. It is an existential threat to the proles who will have their lives constrained by a runaway bureaucracy.)
We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to confront it. I’m proud of how America is at last stepping up to the challenge. (JK: If there is a climate crisis, the greenhouse gas problem is primarily in China and India, not America. I suggest you start in those countries. Let us know how that goes.)
We will pay for these investments in our future by finally making the wealthiest and the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share. (JK: So, are you eliminating the Carried Interest tax break? No? Oh, I forgot, Wall Street is among your biggest donors.)
And I think a lot of you at home agree with me that our present tax system is simply unfair. (JK: Yes, almost half the country pays zero federal income taxes. That hardly seems fair.)
The idea that in 2020, 55 of the biggest companies in America made $40 billion in profits and paid zero in federal income taxes? (JK: You’ve been a leader for 50 years in the government that wrote the federal income tax code. Connect the dots).
Under my plan, nobody earning less than $400,000 a year will pay an additional penny in taxes. (JK: Unless inflation happens, then us proles will be in a higher tax bracket. Oh wait, that’s already happening. And the IRS just announced they are going to crack down on the tip income of waiters with some of their 87,000 additional agents.)
In the last two years, my administration cut the deficit by more than $1.7 trillion – the largest deficit reduction in American history. (JK: Trillions were wasted and stolen during the Covid crisis – congratulation on wasting and stealing a little bit less than before. Even after your “historic” deficit reduction, our annual deficits are still larger than before Covid.)
Let us commit here tonight that the full faith and credit of the United States of America will never, ever be questioned. (JK: In other words, you want us proles to give you a blank check to spend whatever you want and to give you political sanction to print more money to cover it).
Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans. (JK: The alternative is for you to take our wallets hostage, which is business-as-usual for your party.)
My plan will lower the deficit by $2 trillion. (JK: That means your current deficit is at least two trillion. Why should we believe any plan you put forward?)
I won’t cut a single Social Security or Medicare benefit. In fact, I will extend the Medicare Trust Fund by at least two decades. (JK: There is very little money in the trust fund right now, because its surplus has been loaned to the general fund of the Federal Government which has….drum roll…wasted it all on other things.)
Here’s my message to all of you out there: I have your back. We’re already preventing insurance companies from sending surprise medical bills, stopping 1 million surprise bills a month. (JK: Your approval rating is about 40%, which means 60% of the people don’t believe you have their backs, and the other 40% are simply afraid the other party has their backs even less, because it’s the Elites versus Everyone Else. Nobody in Washington has our backs).
Americans are tired of being played for suckers. (JK: Finally, something we can agree on! More and more proles are catching on to the brutal charade that is the Federal Government with each passing day).
Let’s get more families access to affordable and quality housing. (JK: Didn’t the price of housing go up by almost 40% in the first two years of your Presidency? Please, don’t “help” us with that anymore.)
Restoring the dignity of work also means making education an affordable ticket to the middle class. (JK: Quit subsidizing the education monopoly and the student loan industry, and the real price of education will magically go down).
When we made 12 years of public education universal in the last century, it made us the best-educated, best-prepared nation in the world. (JK: America continues to drop in almost every world ranking of educational achievement).
If you want America to have the best-educated workforce, let’s finish the job by providing access to pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds. (JK: I don’t think our problems are because our three-year-olds are undereducated. I suspect the problems have a lot more to do with the decisions the adult leaders around them are making).
And we’re making progress by reducing student debt and increasing Pell Grants for working- and middle-class families. (JK: You’re reducing student debt by forgiving it, which is forcibly transferring money from those who didn’t benefit from the forgiven loans to those who did).
While the virus is not gone, thanks to the resilience of the American people, we have broken COVID’s grip on us. COVID deaths are down nearly 90%. (JK: Strangely, the excess death rate continues to be extraordinarily high. What is causing all those sudden deaths by younger people? Maybe Pfizer knows the answer…).
We all want the same thing. Neighborhoods free of violence. (JK: So why is there an emphasis on demonizing and defunding the police by your political party?)
Equal protection under the law; that’s the covenant we have with each other in America. (JK: Then why is the Biden crime family immune from investigation and public exposure?)
Give law enforcement the training they need, hold them to higher standards, and help them succeed in keeping everyone safe. (JK: Then why have standards for law enforcement personnel been relaxed in the name of diversity, equity, and inclusion?)
We now have a record number of personnel working to secure the border, arresting 8,000 human smugglers and seizing over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months. (JK: Are they working to secure the border, or merely to shuttle the torrent of immigrants to towns around America who can’t handle them? Have you apologized to the families of the 100,000 people who died from fentanyl overdoses last year? It was your job to control the border, and you failed tragically.)
Since we launched our new border plan last month, unlawful migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has come down 97%. (JK: Then where did the two million who crossed illegally last year come from? Syria? Iraq? Somalia? China? None of the answers are good.)
Congress must restore the right the Supreme Court took away last year and codify Roe v. Wade to protect every woman’s constitutional right to choose. (JK: The Supreme court didn’t take away the right. They correctly pointed out that the Constitution is silent on abortion, so they put the issue where it belongs, with the people and their legislators.)
Putin’s invasion has been a test for the ages. A test for America. A test for the world.
Would we stand for the most basic of principles? (JK: If you’re concerned about the principle of secure borders, you should take notice that more illegal immigrants have invaded our southern border this year than Russians have invaded Ukraine since the beginning of time.)
We united NATO and built a global coalition. We stood against Putin’s aggression (JK: Putin is escalating his aggression and threatening nuclear war.)
We stood with the Ukrainian people. (JK: Ukrainians are still being slaughtered. Is your son still being paid by the Ukrainian company Burisma?)
And it’s time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data these companies collect on all of us. (JK: You forgot to mention all the private data they are collecting on adult Americans and sharing with your Surveillance State.)
It’s hard to imagine a more cynical misrepresentation of the state of the union than Biden’s utterly disingenuous speech. He’s like that crotchety old uncle who can say anything he wants without retribution because everyone realizes that he’s lost his marbles and can do no harm. But in Biden’s case, he’s the leader of the Free World. And the harm that he’s doing to our individual sovereignty is incalculable.
