Just finished hearing President Obama’s first offical State of the Union speech before a joint session of Congress, last night. Also listened to the Republican response by Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia, from the Virginia State House, in Richmond. And I just finished reading some comments about the speech, left by some of our fellow citizens on MSNBC. Truly incredible (and frightening, in that these imbeciles probably vote).
 
If you ever want to feel much smarter than you probably are, just read some of what passes for political commentary by the public: Long on passion, short on facts and sense. They were in fine fettle today, I can tell you that!
 
Well, if you’re expecting me to tear The One a new one, sorry. Not my job. Instead, I will share a few of my observations on specific points that stuck out in my mind, during the speech. Make of them what you will.
 
Overall, the tone of the speech was somewhat defiant, in the face of the very obvious public message delivered in the loss of Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat (held for over 40 years) to Scott Brown, a Republican who rode independent displeasure with the Administration’s policies, especially on Health Care, to a win in last week’s special election. It was also somewhat pedagogic–he was actually lecturing and several times, sounded like he was scolding.
 
That’s the thing about this guy–he sounds perfectly reasonable when he’s delivering a speech. But then you see how he executes what he says, or IF he does. And that does not often compute with the facts. 
 
First, there he goes again…blaming Bush. It’s been a year. He knew coming in that this was the situation. I will NOT defend Bush’s record on spending; it’s indefensible. However, I will observe that quadrupling the deficit is probably NOT the most fiscally sound move that Obama could make. But his constant whining about Bush causing all this is unseemly and as often as he’s used this ploy, it’s wearing mighty thin….
 
He is taking credit for such recovery signs as are currently evident and attributing this to his Stimulus Package (even though the bulk of the money has STILL not been spent). He says now that his number one priority is JOBS and proposed a new jobs bill. Yet, he intends to impose a tax on “Big Banks,” which will further inhibit lending by said banks, which, as a result, will also inhibit small businesses from hiring new workers. 
 
But, on a positive note, he proposed eliminating capital gains taxes and tax credits for small businesses. He is still sticking by Cap and Trade legislation, even though that’s been proclaimed DOA and is deeply unpopular, based as it is on phony “climate change” assumptions.
 
On Energy, he called for new nuclear power plants, clean coal technology, biofuels, and…be still my beating heart…offshore drilling of new oil and gas reserves. Terrific. Only…does he mean it and can we believe him? That’s not cynicism. Based on past performance, that’s a reasonable question.
 
And, completely ignoring or willfully misreading the message sent by the election of Scott Brown, and the gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey, he STILL wants to pass some kind of Health Care Insurance Reform. He SAYS he thinks it’s because he hasn’t explained it enough to the American people. This, from a guy who spends more time on TV than in the Oval Office. Amazing.
 
News flash to the President: Sir, it is BECAUSE they understand it all too well that the public has rejected this monstrosity. And they don’t want it.
 
Again with the straw man argument that if you’re against this Health Care Reform plan, you’re FOR the status quo. Again with the litany of claims that you can keep your own doctor or plan (you can’t), that it will reduce costs (it can’t; it won’t), it will reduce the deficit by over one trillion over the next two decades (a mathematical impossibility) and a few true claims: it WILL cover pre- existing conditions, and prevent care from being denied when you’re sick. He never mentioned the QUALITY of care, or the possiblity of rationing, which is my biggest worry.
 
And then, the completely disingenuous claim that if anyone has a better idea, let him know. He wants to know. Please. There was virtually NO outreach to the minority party. They deliberately kept the Republicans out of the deliberations and shot down any of their more reasonable ideas, like: Buying insurance policies over state lines; Requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions; True tort reform; Medical Savings Accounts.
 
So, it’s not dead yet. Given that, my advice is that you protect yourself now, by getting in shape and staying that way. Lose weight. Watch your diet. Get started on my pharmaceutical grade fish oil  http://www.favoriteformulas.com  which will reduce your risks of heart attacks and strokes, lower blood pressure, reduce joint pain and inflammation and lower triglycerides and (with garlic)cholesterol.
 
Daily exercise is crucial and the closest thing we have to a true “Fountain of Youth.” I’d recommend my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM & DVD:  http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html   together with a walking program, to help you control weight, reduce insulin resistance and boost immunity. It will also help to prevent or eliminate knee pain, if that’s an issue for you.
 
He then moved on and proposed a spending freeze, of all discretionary government spending (except for the military, Medicare, Medicaid) to begin in 2011 (after first raising the spending by 24% just this year, thereby locking those increases in place). And he reiterated his proposal for increased income taxes for citizens earning over $250,000.
 
And, as a sop to his left-wing base, he called for legislation to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of Bill Clinton, to allow gays to serve openly in the military. All the problems we have and THIS is what he’s worried about. I feel safer now…
 
But my favorite moment was his ringing call to arms…eh…sanctions for Iran and North Korea and improved security against terrorists. The cameras then cut to Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, who sat there wide-eyed and looked like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I’ll bet the mullahs are just $hitting themselves in fear….Oy!
 
He closed with an invocation of the American character: “In the end, it’s our ideals and our values that built America.” How I wish I could believe that HE believed that. But his every action belies that statement.
 
So, this speech was, in my opinion, redux, not reset. Many had predicted that he would press reset on his agenda, listen to the electorate and swing to the Center, like Bill Clinton did. But this guy is a true man of the left, not a pragmatic centrist like Clinton. He’s a true believer. So I don’t see him doing that. Instead, he’s doubling down. “I don’t quit,” he said. God help us all. 
 
The Republican response was the best in recent memory. The key points? We should restore the proper role of government and not increase taxes and litigation. Create energy jobs and lower energy prices. And, in a reference to the Christmas Crotch Bomber fiasco, we should use our dollars to defeat terrorists, not defend them. Pretty good stuff.

Well, November is coming…take solace in that. If Obama doesn’t get it now, maybe he’ll get it then. Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow and your optimal health,
 
Dr. Bill
 
“The Wellness Warrior”              TM
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
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Copyright, 2010 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
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