Perhaps you watched some of the President’s State of the Union address in the House of Representatives earlier this week. Our constitution requires that the President “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”  

The practice has evolved over time. George Washington gave a short 1089 word oral report. Thomas Jefferson delivered a written report. Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the practice of presenting an annual message to the Congress. In time, the State of the Union became a grand televised event for the world to see. It is a unique expression of America's expectation of openness and transparency in their government – a theater for the drama of politics and policy debate.

The State of the Union is not short on pomp and circumstance. The members of the President’s Cabinet and the Supreme Court arrive first, followed by the President himself. He takes time to greet members of Congress before making his way to speak at “the well” of the House floor, where the Vice President and Speaker of the House preside. The stage is set for high rhetoric, political punches, and policy debate. The speech is usually grounded in tradition, interwoven with powerful stories, and orchestrated with persuasive prose. I sat about forty feet away from the President on his left, behind a row of United States Senators, who vex House members with the tradition of occupying the closest seats.
 
The most poignant moment of the President’s address came when he told the story of Staff Sergeant Cory Remsburg. The President met Sgt. Remsburg during the 65th anniversary commemoration of D-Day at Omaha beach, and they became friends. An Army Ranger, Cory served multiple tours, but on his tenth deployment in Afghanistan he was hit by a roadside blast. Severely wounded to the head, he lay face down in the water of a ditch before he was revived by fellow soldiers.   

Cory was seated in the gallery of the House of Representatives. He’s had multiple surgeries and is still recovering from his head wound, but he struggled to his feet while the entire chamber gave him an extended standing ovation.

In one of the more important lines of the speech, the President noted that we must have an economy that honors the dignity of work. I agree. At a time when there is so much economic uncertainty, where in some parts of the country good jobs are scarce, a person who works hard should be able to see good progress in their life. For many, it is getting harder and harder to get ahead.  

The challenge is to match this rhetoric with policy. One of the most significant factors stalling a healthy economy is the new health care law. While helping some, it is hurting many others. The President did not acknowledge the multiple problems associated with the new law, nor did he offer any course correction.

The President also announced his intent to take action on his own without the consent of Congress. Many Nebraskans have expressed concern about this threat to exercise raw power at the expense of the legislative branch.  

We have a balance of power for a reason. I believe that most people in America want the Congress and President to hash out differences in a constructive manner to get things done. It should also be recognized that Washington is not the answer to all of our problems. American renewal is happening community by community and neighborhood by neighborhood. In the coming months, the President and Congress should focus on getting our finances in order, creating a more fair and equitable tax code, fixing the brokenness of the new health care law, and protecting Americans from very serious threats to our national security – to make our state of the union sound for today, and for fifty years from now.