Not sure what the Democrats were thinking, or if they were thinking at all. The optics of their indiscriminate "resistance" at the SOTU address were sending a powerful message: "The Pelosi Ds don't 'stand' for America and Americans."
2
"It means that Mr. Trump has done nothing so far to derail the slow, steady recovery that began under Barack Obama nine years ago. "
Really? Obama is responsible for the performance of the economy over the last 12 months? The Dynamo that drives this economy is not the government; it is the private sector, 100%... And it is exploding because of optimism not seen in decades, driven by tax cuts and the rollback of incentive killing regulations. Maybe I'm wrong? Can someone - ANYONE - name three things Obama did that promoted and encouraged new business formation or private sector job growth?
6
Finally.....
(and I hope this stream of though and editorial continues here and elsewhere).
Trump is President, that's a fact. The only real and lasting way to remove him is the vote...the vote to take the White House, Congress, the States and eventually the Courts, legislatures and State Houses at both the Federal and State levels.
Investigation, impeachment and all the hand wringing in the world is just fluff and won't last and will backfire (heck, we're still paying for forcing Nixon to resign...the line from Nixon -- and the wounding, and now revenge, of his acolytes -- to Trump is pretty darn straight).
America likes radicals but not extremists...so to candidates and voters in 2018 and beyond (Democratic and GOP and Third Party alike), reject this "Trump and Followers'" extremism...be radical....and VOTE...only checks and balances can save us. Oh...and keep agitating for investigations and impeachment, it's one way to motivate future votes.
1
President Trump said “we” 129 times and said “America” more than 80 times. The only word that ever came out of Obama’s mouth was “I”
9
America is open for business!!
5
One of the nicer things about Trump is that as he and his adrers become louder, shriller, and more threatening, it's easier for grown-ups who have better things to do to recognize just how screwy they really are.
I mean, look at some of these comments: "Trump's appeal to blacks?" obama's helping to yank us out of economic disaster means zip "because there was nowhere to go but up?" Time "for this great country to move on?"
By the way, has anybody also noticed that when Trumpists go off about how much better things are, it's always better for Wall Street, or bonuses for others, or they heard that America is standing tall again?
It's never, "Hey, I got a big raise!" Or, "Look, my town just opened a new factory!" Or, "You know, my sister finally got that wheelchair she needed." Or, "Finally, my uncle's coming home from Syria."
Always somebody else-usually rich--and somewhere else. Never them, never their own.
10
Too funny, the guys who were giving H. Clinton a >90% chance of winning the election are telling us what Trump doesn't get about the state of the union. Some folk are just very slow learners.
6
Resets when your computer has a corrupt motherboard don't work.
2
All of Trump's calls for "unity" and the "new American moment" have one thing in common: they're all lip service, which is his native tongue.
He wants these things, but only if they do NOT include immigrants and the poor.
It's the same thing Ryan and McConnell and McCarthy want.
For America to go back to the 1950s so they don't have to deal with anyone who isn't rich and white.
5
I'm not a supporter in Donald Trump in the slightest. I don't think he's any more racist then any other rich powerful European American however I don't think he's playing 4D chess and is doing the opposite to help out the democrat cause. It is troubling however how much he's being attacked despite not leading the USA into another war (unlike previous Republicans), the economy has not sputtered out like most predicted and the stock market has not crashed. Yet he's being vilified for his buffoonery which isn't a crime. Where was the rage when Obama bragged about being good at drone strikes? Or promising to close Gitmo within a year of office? Or deporting more immigrants then any other previous US president. Or even about blowing up the debt without seriously considering what 20 trillion in debt would do to our children. Did he ever once consider austerity measures or allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire to help pay down the debt? How about using executive orders instead of legislating? The point is all presidents are fallible, they all are imperfect, they are all putting on a show for the cameras and saying something different behind closed doors to their base/donors. They are all villains as well as heroes depending on who you ask. Let's ignore the noise and focus on what actually is happening today in America so we aren't blind to next used car salesmen selling us a lemon and promising us the wall of our dreams.
THE GREAT 28
It's the people who are making America great again
Thank you very much...Great job
The great news ... the great news for Americans, 401K, retirement, pension, and college savings accounts have gone through the roof
And he's a great welder
The same great American flag
A movement that has now placed 40,000 flags at the graves of our great heroes
Great future
A great new Supreme Court justice
This great journey
I halted government mandates that crippled America's great, beautiful autoworkers
One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs
We can reclaim our great building heritage
Let's open great vocational schools
These are great people
These are great, great people that work so hard in the midst of such danger
My greatest compassion, my constant concern is for America's children
I want our youth to grow up to achieve great things
All of the people in this great chamber have to do it, we have no choice
That means building a great wall on the southern border
Unmatched power is the surest means to our true and great defense
Fully fund our great military
Who is doing a great job
And a great student, he was
Your great sacrifice is an inspiration to us all
America. It was a small cluster of colonies caught between a great ocean and a vast wilderness
And it's the people who are making America great again
To make America great again for all Americans
2
[Resent. In waiting for Trump’s hordes to occupy NYT and sweep away the Editors and their Democracy’s self-destructing latte-etiquette]
What the Editorial Board doesn’t get is that the morally obligatory and politically necessary way of Trump’s antagonists should be to put the search for truth and integrity above all petty sensitivities and expedient considerations – and thus save the Union.
It’s not enough for the Democrats “to find a coherent, appealing voice”, it should be also a voice which seeks to unveil Trump’s damages to Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in America and his unique mode of unhinged Realism in foreign policy without unfounded declarations that “Russia has declared war on the West” and without, another example, laying a siege on (mainly heterosexual male) sexual desire under the (worthy) flag of a war against harassments – the first deplorable path may end up in a nuclear exchange (not really good for the State of the Union) and the second doesn’t sit well at all not just with porn stars but actually with the voting “deplorables” and, moreover, with any man with high enough level of testosterone and with the women who love and want them.
President Trump should tax the unhinged panic Democrats are experiencing. He could pay of the national debt, including the $10 trillion Obama irresponsibly added, by Friday morning
4
It is media's job to point out that stock market only indicates how well top 20% of Americans (by wealth) are doing. It has no impact what so ever on all Americans.
It is also media's job to point out that there is no genius in stock market surge. It has happened because the corporations like when their profits increase due to reductions in regulations and reduction in tax.
2
You are aware of pension fund investments in the stock market, aren’t you?
5
The State of the Union the way it's been done? That it has been deadly dull and, during the past decade, has had steadily declining TV/radio audiences?
Or is it intended just for the elite, whose media will interpret it for the rest of us, and so if the average American doesn't watch or hear it, what does it matter?
1
Dear Editorial Board,
What you don't get about the State of the Union is that liberals are not in charge. Judging by the demeanor of Democrats during the speech, they might not regain power in Congress in the mid-terms. The best line of the evening was, "Americans are dreamers too." It looked like it took the wind right out of the Dem's sails. The can't have their cake and eat it too on immigration. The sooner Democrats figure that out the sooner we can get things done.
3
The Democrats demeanor was deplorable and infantile. Clearly, President Trump was the only adult in the room.
1
No, Americans, by definition, aren't "Dreamers".
Dreamers are children of illegal aliens who didn't commit any crime and who correspond to the criteria formulated in the 2001 bipartisan Dream Act that more than 80% of the American people support (which means that they are or have served in the military or worked hard to obtain a college degree and then pay taxes).
It's true that a small minority of Trump supporters hates these children and opposes the Dream Act.
But "Americans", by definition, are US citizens, so they don't have to apply for the Dream Act program in order to be allowed permanent residency (rather than being deported) based on merit. So it's absurd to say that all Americans are Dreamers.
You like this kind of applause lines because you interpret it as Trump saying that citizens are worth at least as much as children of illegal aliens. Problem: NO ONE is denying that fact.
In the meanwhile, your president just promised to give citizenship to THREE times as many Dreamers as the Democrats under the DACA program (whereas during the campaign he vowed to deport ALL of them), so IF you're one of the haters of Dreamers, you should have voted for a Democrat, certainly not Trump and his GOPe enablers, you see? Instead, you let yourself be fooled by nice applause lines ...
@ Larry
Any concrete example of what you call "deplorable and infantile" behavior?
The other day I went to put on my American Legion ball cap, which is adorned with a bright American flag. Ruefully, I chose not to wear the cap because I didn't want to run the risk of being mistaken for a Trump supporter. What a sad moment, especially for a proud vet. John Franco is right: We've absolutely got to take back our flag!!!
4
Dear Laura,
Thank you very much for your service. Please wear your hat with pride. If those around you equate the flag with Donald Trump, that is what is truly sad. No person, political party or ideology own the flag.
4
The NYT EB has as much credibility in discussing our president and his policies as it had in carrying water and shilling for Hillary Cliunton for the last 3years, that is to say, none. The group thinking crusaders have been slandering President Trump 24/7 for the last year for one reason, the 2018 midterms. They know very well if the GOP makes any further gains, they and their absurd agenda will be toast when the economy takes off, as it is doing. The big lie only works for a while under certain conditions, readers who have become brain washed cretins under repetitive and constant propaganda assault and a cadre of manipulators willing to stop at nothing to advance a hidden agenda. The reason they hate President Trump so much is they have had to reveal far more of their true intentions, which most Americans totally reject, in order to accomplish the hit job.People are realizing just what has been going on behind the Potemkin scenes in big media and big entertainment and maybe they're not so happy when the flag their families have bled for is disrespected. Maybe the midterms will send a message to the grand poobahs of Times square that they haven't gotten quite yet.
3
The best thing Trump has done this past year is wake me to the crookedness of my Repub senator and representative. One of them lied to my face at a town hall meeting last year. Boy oh boy did he sound sincere. I can’t wait to vote them both out of office.
8
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation's needs."
"It is with backhanded gratitude that we might all thank President Trump for [a shot at shedding the civic apathy that has afflicted it for far too long]".
So sayeth The Editors. Priceless, You Guys.
Now, get back to NEVER TRUMP.
Sure the Union is strong for the 1%, everybody else not so much, half the country makes 30k or less, 63% could not cover a 1k emergency. This is not strength it is a complete corrupt failure. And the Democrat's are part of the problem, being Republicans that don't hate black and gay people is not a recipe for change.
1
Will The Con Don take credit when the global economy tanks? Will he take credit for the greatest world-wide depression of all time?
Sure. It will be the biggest and best global meltdown and depression of all time. Good enough for his demented mind.
4
You don't need a college degree to understand that Trump is an ignorant Reality TV comic and is an insult to our entire nation. You don't need to live in an urban Blue State area to realize that Trump is lying with every breath he takes and is disgracing our country before the world. You do need to go to the window, open it and shout "I am madder than hell and I am not going to take it any more.". Then you must do everything possible to get out the vote so we can reclaim our democracy from those who stole it.
8
The overall strategy of the current assemblage of Republican overlords, honed over the last 3 generations, is Exploitation. The Republican base enthusiastically accepts this strategy with thanks and devotion because they are overwhelmed at the pace of global technological complexity. Logic and critical thinking is too distressing for the base. The tools used in this exploitation are a projection of: Independence, Winner-take-all Capitalism, Fear of God but Love of Country, and Fear of the Other. Evolution is damned, devolution is cued. Trump is a perfect human tool for these purposes. For an alternative to Republicans to prevail, in a gamed two-party system, a positive consensus among non-Republicans must be realized that represents real change and a decisive move to the left. The Russians are waiting in the wings.
1
Where did y'all get that logic and critical thinking y'all are always bragging about? It sounds like good stuff. I tried to buy some at Walmart, but they didn't have any in stock. I thought if I could buy a few bottles, it would help me understand how a minority of board fence stupid deplorable evolutionary throw backs like me were able to best y'all in a game of checkers. Thanks. And, God Bless America.
1
The real state of the union is poor. We have some in states that wish to leave the union, we have people who want to impeach a president over differences in policy or style, we have senators that would shut down the government over illegal aliens, and many other things. It won't improve until congress learns to serve the citizens instead of their own power.
5
The state of the union is that we have a president who wants to return the country to a previous century and thus justify the confidence of those who voted for him to take their country back, support him and to whom he speaks via sophomoric tweets and ludicrous soundbites. He has no claim for credit on the economy, and the tax cut bill he boasts of simply transfers even more money to the wealthy while raising the country's debt. He can, however, take credit for insisting that climate change mitigation, environmental protection and clean energy are not the future he wants.
It's all well and good to point out what Trump hasn't accomplished and is unlikely to do, but it's also reasonable to note that his fundamentally dishonest angry narcissism undermines the functionality of our democracy. Talking about bipartisan cooperation while creating chaos and disruption, as congressional Republicans turn lawmaking into a secretive process, is not responsible governance. That's hardly the state of the union that intelligent citizens want.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
3
t rump ran on the promotion that only he could fix all the many many problems in America. Problems that coincidentally, only he and his rabid base of fox watchers could see.
American voters and parts of the American Press are waking up to the impending threat of creeping fascism that the so called president and his so called congress are endorsing.
I do not think it is up to the Democratic Party to save US. It is up to We the People to vote for them and then pressure them to deliver.
6
The small number of commenters who like Trump and were impressed write things like "liberals trash him because they can't get over the fact that he won."
This has nothing to do with liberals. The entire world is horrified by this presidency, as they should be. We have lost allies near and far. We have lost respect. We are now seen as a nation of dunces by dozens of countries. And he is hated by many conservative leaning people too, never forget.
11
He treatment of Puerto Rico is a massive failure for a President.
What other leader of this nation ever ignored so many Americans for months after a catastrophe.
9
I encourage the Democrats to stick to their demands for open borders, unlimited immigration and free food, shelter, clothing, health care, education, voting rights, and free money for all immigrants. It’s a sure winner!
2
In real life, as even Trump remembered during the general election debates, Obama deported more illegal aliens than any president before.
And as far as I remember, it's today's conservatives who prefer to get rid of a mandate that makes it impossible to get free healthcare, and Democrats who obliged every citizen to pay his fare share in order to be able to get affordable healthcare ...
But since when would you guys be interested in facts, when it's so much easier to live in a fantasy world ... ?
I find it so revealing, that the Editorial Board, leftists all, want to point out the sexual allegations against our current president, but yawned when much more damaging claims were made (and proven) against Bill Clinton.
Not a single positive message in this entire publication about the President's speech, nor simply a neutral one. All negative. Totally expected.
4
“Rail” may not be the operative word, but Joe Kennedy’s speech was an elegant appraisal of what could be possible for us if the Democrats have him and more like him.
7
What Trump says, at the State of the Union, or otherwise, is totally meaningless to me, because he has lost all credibility with me. Trumps words are divorced from facts and are not even an accurate measure of what he is thinking or planning. Although I have many issues with the Trump Presidency, this is by far my biggest issue. Democracy depends on some level of truthfulness. When someone's words have lost credibility, the only thing I can trust is their actions. That is where I am with Trump. I don't care what he said, and I think it is a fools errand to spend much time analyzing it.
11
Blue Tidal Wave 2018.
The patriotism of Dems which was always there is blazing in hearts now.
6
Your crediting Barack Obama for the beginnings of an economic rally is laughable. He did nothing to strengthen the economy, spent additional funds like a drunken sailor, without accounting for it (the stimulus package), and had no insights on how to lift the general economy other than trying to add additional regulations through presidential edicts. Just stop.
2
Let's see ... so when Obama inherits a -9% GDP which for months already sunk even lower than the previous month, and an economy that sheds each month 100,000 jobs MORE than the previous month, with 700,000 jobs lost a month when Bush left, and then passes a Stimulus which consist for more than 50% of tax cuts for small businesses and ordinary Americans, and which according to all independent studies, including the CBO, will turn around the economy in less than a year after its implementation ... then you prefer to believe that when as predicted, that's exactly what happens, all of these experts were nevertheless wrong and it MUST have happened independently from what the Democrats had done ... ??
As to "spending like a drunken sailor": you actually have to go back more than half a century to find a president who spent LESS than Obama. Look it up, and you'll see.
And why is it that you guys call huge tax cuts for those who don't need it (the wealthiest GOP donors) and which add $1.5 trillion to the deficit at a moment when the economy doesn't need a stimulus AND when the debt is at an all-time high, "MAGA", whereas you call a $800 billion Stimulus at a moment when demand is extremely low and consisting of tax cuts for ordinary citizens and small businesses hiring people "spending like a drunken sailor" ... ?
There's no objectivity at all in this kind of assessments. All you have is blind, ignorant, incoherent partisan rhetoric, and that's it.
4
Incorrect, Robert: Obama spent lavishly at the beginning of the recession, and then pulled back spending during the recovery period. Exactly what intelligent economists would advise. Please research.
4
Economic data doesn't lie. Apparently you do.
5
The obstruction of justice occurred with the firing of Preet Bharara and the other U.S. attorneys. The money laundering investigation Bharara led stopped when Trump fired him. We don't know what investigations and prosecutions on Trump were stopped with the firing of the other attorneys. Please, NYT, send your reporters to find out the obstruction on those other fired U.S. attorneys and lay out the whole comprehensive scheme of Trump and Charles Kushner and their kids evading justice.
7
Beyond all, I just want the international threatening to stop. I do not want another Cold War, nor even more any hot war. Just stop threatening.
7
He cannot stop threatening, Nancy. He just cannot. He needs to have someone to bully, and to threaten. This is obviously how he was raised, and what he learned from Roy Cohn. He is incapable of any kind of intellectual thought, diplomacy, reason, common sense. He is adept only in IGNITING and ESCALATING chaos, brutality, and rancor, and he has no talent or finesse for diffusing tense or dangerous situations. He is not a peace maker; he is a marauder; a Barbarian. That is one of the foremost reasons he does not belong in the presidency. He is going to be responsible for the death of millions if he keeps on acting the way he does. And he is NOT GOING TO STOP.
2
President Trump has no real social policy progress from the year in which he has been in office. The majority of policy being effective currently is from the former administration under Obama. Putting false claims aside, the apparentness of the economic and foreign policy we are seeing played out is quite astonishing. The stock market, according to CNN Money, has a grand total of $1.4 million offshore, the greatest we have seen in over 15 years. The only problem, with his claim is that this exponential growth results from legislation signed by Obama in his first term. Moving on to foreign policy, the nuclear deal under the former administration was the presumably riskiest deal at the time. That has been surpassed by the recent recognition by President Trump that Jerusalem is indeed the capital of Israel. This increases tensions in the middle east on the premise that religious conflicts have risen and being fought over since 1940’s because the religious significance to that area, according to David Dolan of Crosswalk.com. His actions have drove a preexisting wedge between Jewish and Islamic relations. Has trump helped our nation soar economically? Absolutely. Has he permanently hindered U.S. relations in the middle east? More than likely yes.
2
The only strong voice against Trump, the only real alternative view, is the one forcefully presented by Bernie Sanders.
4
Joe Kennedy was better last night, and more connected to the planet. There are also folks named things like, "Elizabeth Warren."
3
I disagree. There are many other strong voices against Donald Trump besides that of Sen. Sanders, who has been oddly silent of late. LISTEN.
When did Crazy Bernie give a response? All I saw was a Technical Difficulties sign
The gift of the Trump presidency thus far is to pull back the curtains and give us a deep penetrating look at who we are as a people and a nation. To our horror, we found that we were not the people we claimed to be; that racism, white supremacy, xenophobia and misogyny are deeply woven into our culture and social norms; that the voting age population was ill equipped to identify the growing threats to our republic and too distracted by selfish desires to make the necessary sacrifices to preserve and defend our Union. America stands alone among the western democracies with the highest murder rate, highest levels of gun ownership and violence, highest incarceration rates, highest percentage of its population in prison, highest levels of poverty and deepest impoverishment. America has the lowest government investments per capita in infrastructure, mass transit, education, and is the only member of its peer group without universal national health for every citizen. Now that we've seen ourselves in the mirror, it remains to be seen if we do anything about it. It's an even bet that our emerging tribalisms around religion, skin color, ethnicity and geography will play out in increasingly hateful policies designed to hurt those we no longer believe are rightful citizens. Perhaps we should remember that of our peer group of nations, we are the only one to have been colonized and so shaped by slavery in the South and wage slavery in the North. Those scars may never go away.
6
I would like to read an editorial headlined, "What the Mainstream Media Doesn't Get About Donald Trump." Some self-reflection is badly needed. I don't think I can keep reading All-Trump, All-the-Time news coverage, analysis and opinion for three more years. Yes, he is an intriguing personality and easy to lampoon and legitimately criticize. What the media elites don't get about him is that he is a skilled entertainer and little else and does not deserve the amount of print he has gotten any more than the Kardashians do. I realize he sells newspapers, but the sacred duty of a free press is to inform, not entertain.
2
And, so, abigail49, the press would be remiss, neglectful, and abdicating their responsibility, if they do not report on every aspect of trump. Unfortunately, a confluence of unhappy/illegal/prohibited/possibly treasonous machinations installed this unfit creature in our White House as "president." He is a danger, and all his unseemly activities, pathological lying, malignant narcissism, corruption, stupidity, arrogance, bombast, thievery, greed, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, white supremacy MUST be kept in the public eye at all times. I don't care if he is a "skilled entertainer" (to me is he not, however, he IS a skilled CON ARTIST), or a flying monkey. He needs to be constantly reported upon, and called out for any illegality, stupidity, indecency, immorality, or criminality. I urge the press to continue to be ultra-responsible and keep us informed of everything this monstrosity says and does. We need the press to keep vigilant and true. As The Washington Post reminds us: "In darkness, Democracy dies." Keep the lights on, day and night, Mainstream Media!
3
Perhaps it was a prophetic speech. PotUS said: "it is a new American moment", and it was so! As soon as the words came out his mouth, and we heard them, the moment was over. And now he is back to the deconstruction of America.
3
Thank you President Trump for opening America for business! Thank you for representing the best of America! Thank you for making America great again!
President Trump deserves all the credit for the booming economy. The economy is booming precisely because he is undoing Obama’s mindless regulations and high taxes. Obama has the worst economic record of any president in history- zero years of GDP growth above 3%
1
Larry:
"the worst economic record of any president in history"??
You forgot Herbert Hoover, POTUS from 1929 to 1933. He had a SPECTACULAR economic record - spectacularly bad.
1
Please provide some proof of this. Name three of those regulations.
1
You have told us and told us and told us, in editorials and in articles posted as straight reporting, that you do not like President Trump. Neither do I. But shoving your way, again, through all the good news to find something negative to report does not serve the cause of public discourse.
1
"…Trump said he would bring the immigration system into the 21st century. He’s actually trying to drag it back to a shameful, bigoted past." —NYT, Jan. 30, 2018
Words are cheap, & for someone like Trump, a blunt, imprecise instrument. You will get closer to the truth if you judge Trump by what he does, not what he says.
There are rational and morally defensible reasons to restrict immigration.
Not all restrictionists are Republican. In fact, most, if not all, of Democrat pols who have run the inner-city plantation for generations are, by definition, restrictionist. And all of those restrictionists are bigots: Their goal is to restrict immigration to the downtrodden and dependent to replace captive D voters lost through attrition, and to build an overwhelming dependent majority.
Entrenched subservience, bigotry & dehumanization are insidious. Harriet Tubman understood this: "I freed 1000 slaves. I could have freed 1000 more if only they knew they were slaves."
We must deconstruct the inner-city plantation, not bring in new slaves: Ds have controlled the inner-city plantation for generations—Chicago/85yrs, Milwaukee/108…
Trump's appeal to blacks will resonate. An aspirational force exists in all of us. Inner-city captive Ds may be downtrodden/dependent, but the spirit survives. Like all of us, they dream about success, security, happiness for themselves & their children.
"[Black] Americans are dreamers too." —President Trump, SOTU 2018
6
Trumps popularity amongst minorities is abysmally low and dropping. He does not resonate with them - at least not in a positive way.
2
I think blacks are quite capable of deciding what will or won't resonate with them without Donald's help.
What the NY Times editorial board also doesn't get about the state of the union is that we have a president and congress rapidly dismantling environmental regulations that have taken 50 years to put in place. The Trump legacy will be dirty water, filthy air, despoiled landscapes, and world beyond the tipping point of stemming the tide of global warming. Everything else is noise by comparison.
8
I thank Trump for nothing. I thank instead of the millions of Americans of all stripes that agree that this country is worth fighting for -- at the polls,at taking a chance and running for local, state and national offices, denouncing Trump and his team of hate-mongers on podcasts, in videos, on social media, lawn signs, over cups of coffee, everywhere. I thank Sonia Pulido for the moving graphic of stars tumbling off the American flag that accompanies this editorial. What Trump has done is reveal the extraordinary resilience of Americans from Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Lower 49 to Alaska and Hawaii. I thank Americans, except for him, his advisor-family, his enablers and the cowardly Republicans.
5
Trashing Trump while simultaneously thanking him makes literally zero sense.
And by the way, stop comparing Trump to Obama. Both presidents were the right fit for their time. We needed a black president 8 years ago to feel better about the state of race relations (HOPE), and presently we need a greedy white man to light a fire in our bellies (CHANGE).
Obviously Trump is mean. But aren’t we past that level of analysis? Can we move on to the big picture?
13
What he (Trump) does not get about the State of the Union is just as much as how much you, the author, does not get about the State of the Union.
As far as immigration is concerned Trump simply and irreverently called everyone out on how bad it is, how it needs to be repaired and how far we have deviated from the core principles or immigration, in essence exposing the raw nerve of the problem from many aspects.
Dreamers are the Democrat and Republican bargaining chips for everything ridicules they want in the pork barrel. I feel for them in many ways but face it; their parents dropped them here from many places and never prepared them for the consequence they now face, and they are at fault. I say case by case evaluate the circumstance and provide a way to stay and to become citizens, and in concert, make the cut off date final.
1
BM: The Dreamers in no way bear any responsibility for the fact that their parents brought them here, and that they were raised as Americans. They should not be punished for this. The Dreamers are one issue, PERIOD. Fixing immigration is entirely another issue, and yes, that must be addressed. We cannot have unlimited immigration.
1
The fiscal irresponsibility and isolationism underlying the thrust of Mr. Tump sets him up to be rated by history as the worst US President, a dubious honor that all felt would belong squarely to Mr. George W. Bush for his Iraq war.
3
This editorial gratuitously praises "Obama's economy" as if its benefits extend into Trump's presidency. Some conceit! Obama came into office at the end of the greatest economic collapse in over a generation, so there was nowhere to go but up. One would then like to know what specific policies of his were responsible for sustaining it. His fondness for government regulation and his hatred for business? Remember his admonition to business--"You didn't build it. Your workers did." How did that help anyone get a job? Certainly, if his policies had worked, Trump would have capitalized on them, but he ran on the very opposite of what Obama stood for. That's why he won while Hillary offered just more Obama. The voters got it. By the same token, if Trump was misguided in his change of policy, then the economy should have stalled, but instead, by every measure, it took off. Yet the NYT perpetuates the idea that Obama's legacy somehow covers up for his failures. A more realistic view would be that the economy bounces back sooner or later no matter who is in office. Trump understands this so instead of taking credit just for himself in his speech, he paid tribute again and again to the true cause of our prosperity which is the resilience of the American people and their enduring optimism. Nancy Pelosi can wear black and the NYT can continue to sulk, but our great country is moving on.
2
What a parody of a SOU speech. Going on forever with cheap emotional stunts every couple of minutes. Good to know we have great folks, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, immigrants and all. Although he does not read, he still can parrot a teleprompter and we still have decent speech writers. The dems response (Kennedy) was not that much better, drooling the usual feel good empty words. WE are responsible for this SAD state of the disunion, WE voted or did not bother to. I remember a great history class on the Roman empire which started "De nobis fabula naratur" (Their story is our story). Indeed, E pluribus disunium while the Barbarian are at the silicon gate.
I didn't look at Donald Trump's State of the Union Address, because he doesn't know what it is.
This is a president who has been living in a world of his own since he was shoed into office by a minority of Americans who didn't know better -- while the rest of us who did, somehow have to put up with it.
There's no way to disguise the fact that the state of the Union is bad.
After a barrage of daily hate-filled tweets and spurious outbreaks aimed against those who may differ, this country is now in danger of losing one of the constitutional truths it was founded on, and has held most dear, while it slowly comes apart at the seams.
And all this has managed to occur within the short the time under the current administration.
At this point, the only light of truth comes from those who refuse to believe the "incredible progress" and "extraordinary success" this president speaks of.
There can be no "new American moment" with the isolationist and nativist trajectory he has set this country on.
Because like everything else that comes out of Mr. Trump's mouth, it's all in his mind.
2
The state of the union for liberals and globalists is certainly not a comfortable one today. For the rest of us, it's getting better all the time.
When the worst you can say is that he is guilty of not hewing to progressive ideals, your argument is weak. Of course, you'll dislike him. The more successful he is, the greater your animus will be.
Progressives really need to accept the fact that Obama, and by extension their own ideology, is no longer calling the shots. He's moved on. Can they?
6
I understand that Robert Mueller is moving on, AACNY. And he is escalating his investigation.
1
What the editorial board still seems unable to fathom is that President Trump has a read on the pulse of the average American - more so than the liberal folks who occupy much of the media and ivy covered universities. He speaks to a group that this editorial board ignores and discredits. Hard working American blue collar workers who are tired of being trampled upon.
I was struck by the inability of the Dems to stand and applaud the American citizens introduced last night. Every time they refused to stand whether to fail to acknowledge the service, or the loss experienced by the individuals highlighted - they slapped the face of the every day American. Nancy Pelosi's facial expressions should mortify her - hopefully someone will make her watch her performance and provide her with honest feedback.
I feel for the plight of those dubbed DACA kids (though many are adults) but not at the expense of citizens of the United States. Why is DACA more important than infrastructure? Why should extended family members be allowed to come into the US? Why is it the diversity VISA lottery cannot be abolished and why are the democrats so afraid to enforce the border of our nation. Congress should remember their constituency is comprised of legal residents and even more so, those with the Constitutional right to vote - not people who have determined that they may ignore US law and receive benefits as a result. Trump seems to get that and this is why his voice resonates with many.
5
KB,
Beautifully stated and the very reasons why the Dems will lose again.
2
I agree wholeheartedly with this sober and baanced editorial which rightly acknowledges Trump's successe but puts them in perspective. Trump's big triumph is the state of the economy, a decrease in the unemployment rate which has even benfited minorities and his tough stand and success with reversing the success of ISIS. The only problem is: much of this is a continuation of the policies and decisions of his predecessor, President Obama. This was a failed opportunity to reach out to the Democratice Party and unify the nation at large which he has largely polarized.
25
A significant part of Trump’s tax cut is paid for by increased taxation of a large swath of tax payers in Blue States. This poison pill is of course no accident. It has not gone unnoticed by those voters and doubtless accounts for the premature retirement of substantial numbers of Republican politicians in districts effected by this financial redistribution. Although they sometimes look like them, Republicans are not lemmings and they can see a cliff when it’s staring them in the face. I would guess that few people in Blue States listened to Trump’s speech. They have learned that his words are meaningless but his actions are not. His actions continue to disunite the country.
51
The state of the union is simply this:
The United States under the GOP has embraced racism, fascism, and xenophobia. We are currently closer to both nuclear war and a consitutional crisis than we have ever been in our entire history.
The Democratic Party is currently the only organization with the power to bring back the America that the writers of the Constitution envisioned and end our slide towards a fascist authoritarian oligarchy and restore justice to our nation.
5
The state of the union under Donald Trump is hidden in his personal and family income tax returns and business records.
Thanks to Trump colluding, conspiring, cooperating and collaborating with Vladimir Putin and Russia and Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel in order to be selected President of the United States.
Trump deserved and earned a standing ovation of acclaim from both the Israeli and Russian legislatures for bowing down and being beholden to their values and interests.
Meanwhile Trump is doing everything necessary to make China great again to the delight of Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Xi is the first Chinese "core leader" since Deng Xiaoping and the first Chinese Communist party leader since Mao Zedong whose thoughts are deemed worthy of study. All Mr. Xi lacks is the "Mandate of Heaven" of the Chinese emperors.
5
Donald Trump is an intellectually lazy man. He is the car salesman, the guy selling frying pans on late night TV, and the pontificating great uncle at every family gathering. He knows everything but understands nothing. I truly pray his handlers can control his childlike impulses. Should Rod Rosenstein be fired, the nation will erupt in fury not seen since that Saturday night in October.
3
This REPUBLICAN President and his band of REPUBLICAN Congressional henchmen are such disgusting, vacuous, and unpatriotic fools they must be replaced soon.
Congressional henchman Devon Nunes seeks to destroy the integrity of the Justice Department and the FBI by releasing a malicious and unsubstantiated memorandum putting politics before country, and this is occurring while the REPUBLICAN President stands before the Americans people and takes credit for everything positive (most of which is not directly tied to any actions of his Administration) and encourages bipartisanship. The duplicitous megalomaniac REPUBLICAN President and his REPUBLICAN Congressional henchman are an extremely serious internal threat to this great nation, more serious than any other threat, and must be stopped.
To the polls and the streets we must go, we do not want this individual and his malicious and inflammatory values eroding the institutions of our great country.
Save a Republic, Remove a Republican.
8
If Democrats come around to reality and get smart on immigration there may be hope.
2
The ‘tax cut’, in reality, is a transfer payment from your children and grandchildren to our current wealthy and businesses. A trillion or more in bonds will be sold to cover the tax shortfall over the next 10 years to be paid for, plus interest, by future generations. What a cynical scam! Sad!! And now, he says, we need another trillion for infrastructure.
3
Stop the fake news about Russia, money laundering, collusion and all of the other nonsense. HRC lost the election and the democrats have no rising stars. Americans are tired of thr tax reform lies as lies on illegals, open borders. We want our prosperous country back. With this president we are getting that unlike democratic socialism and wealth redistribution.
1
Nothing like a common enemy to unite a people. The fake president is proving to be the best recruiting tool for getting democrats running for office and voters organizing to evict from office at the mid-term elections the scoundrels who serve as this administration's apologists.
6
When you do not denounce Arizona Representative Paul Gosar, nothing you say about unity means anything.
1
Hmmm 75% of those polled felt positive about the SOTU (CBS poll). Perhaps you watched a different speech?
7
"Americans are all Dreamers" summed up the speech.
4
He belittled the special needs for DACA when he said that all Americans are Dreamers.
I've read this editorial four times - it just won't settle. You cite a great deal of the destruction of this administration, but your tone is far too soft. Despite your accurate litany of damages done, there seems to be a subtle suggestion that much of this is due to lack of attention or inaction. But the fact is that Trump, his cabinet of true haters, his weaselly VP, and his GOP appeasers and supporters in Congress are actively and gleefully imposing their will on us. It's not just all slipping away, it's being taken away. Ms Pulido's graphic sets the tone much better than the text. The headline is all wrong - Trump "gets it". His hate for much of what is great about America is real and his destruction of what is best about our country is by active design, not by inattention nor oversight.
I was recently out of the country and people out there truly hate this man. The more I heard the more it seemed to me that much of the world sees Trump as a greedy and hateful bully who is not only offensive to them but who is destroying their brother - perhaps a brother with whom they sometimes quarreled and disagreed, but none-the-less one whom they love and respect. They hate the man who is attacking their brother and killing all that is good in one they love. They are clear about it. We should all be equally explicit in stating that we see Trump for the hater he is, in clearly exposing his motives and in striving to stop him.
5
Trump's shameful exploitation of grief is utterly disgusting. He did it last year with a military widow, and he did it this year with the parents of children killed by a gang and the parents of a young college student who was sent back to the United States from North Korea near death who later died.
He used this grief to sell bad immigration policies and perhaps war with North Korea.
4
Will you please stop wasting high summarizing moments such as these on his distracting, albeit debilitating and unpardonable manners? His government appointments are all systematically gang-raping this land, from coast to coast, of resources heretofore recognized as belonging to all the people, such as clean air, clean water, undestroyed ecosystems, and fact-based free, public education. In heaven's name, this government's acts of barbarism so far outstrip, in every decisive way, its entertaining taunts, that you'd think a paper of record would refer to them when gathering doubts about its legitimacy.
1
I didn't even watch this. I was at a Town Meeting that 3,500 other people came to and they voted down legalization of recreational marijuana (the people were worried about their property values going down because they imagined the grow facility would have an odor). trumpf? Who cares? The amerikan century is over. It's global now and other countries are moving forward while we stagnate. A smuggler woman called me (probably she was in Portugal) when Reagan got shot. She's dead now and had many passports so I don't know, but she said Europe was laughing at us. Now the whole world is.
And yes, we are polarized. I'm continually amazed at how some folks can't see it for what it really is. They're too comfortable and their bellies are full (remember a chicken in every pot?) The young woman sitting next to me radiated nastiness at me simply because we were from different sides of the issue. The vibes were tangible and she made her point. I was home and in bed by 9:40. I stopped watching TV about 50 years ago.
1
I think the real take away from this is that the progs that make the Kool-Aid for the left Big Brother minions are going to have to go back to the drawing board.
Trump colluded with Russia - Failure.
Trump is not physically able - Failure.
Trump is not mentally able - Failure.
The progs are going to be so upset when the GOP holds the House and picks up Senate seats in '18. I'm a terrible person for salivating at the prospect.
1
Trump colluded with Russia - Failure. WRONG. (It was/is a collusion, but more importantly, it was/is a criminal CONSPIRACY, and it is treason. )
Trump is not physically able - Failure. WRONG. (He is a walking time bomb. If the cheeseburgers, chocolate cake, milkshakes, and many scoops of ice cream don't do him in, all the TV watching will.) He is overweight and has high cholesterol. How is his blood pressure by the way? His liver and kidney function?
Trump is not mentally able - Failure. WRONG. (He suffers from multiple psychiatric conditions, most notably, pathological lying, and malignant narcissism. His temperament is also angry, sulking, explosive, vindictive, malicious, cruel, disinterested, and slothful. Temperament often influences physical health...like blood pressure. Experienced, educated observers also may suspect bi-polar illness, which is obviated by pomposity, grandiosity, lack of sleep, sexual promiscuity, and alternating manic and depressive episodes.
I'm also a terrible person--salivating in anticipation of Robert Mueller's investigative conclusions. Actually I am far from terrible: I want justice. I want honor. I want hope. I want decency. I deplore racism, misogyny, xenophobia, arrogance, corruption, sadism, entitlement, thievery, greed, and stupidity.
1
Perfect graphic.bravo to artist
2
This editorial is right on point. And yet, when I listened to the speak, I thought that it would charm his base and even appease some of his enemies. The knee-jerk shouts and applause of the Republicans in the house chamber reminded me of news clips of Hitler rallies. I felt, unfortunately, a calmer, teleprompter-restrained Trump, new-found populist puppet of the right wing of the Republican party, would be with us for a long time. ABC News interviewed a number of people in swing districts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and found many who were pleased that there were a few extra dollars in their paychecks in January and thought Trump was indeed following through with his campaign promises. "Details" you have raised in this editorial don't seem to concern them.
And, they like his brashness and his bluster with all his faults. We have to dig in and plan a smart strategy for a possible second Trump term. As charming as young Joe Kennedy is, I don't think he is up for the task. Where is the leadership in the Democratic party????
1
Trump just creamed Democrats in midterm elections. They still don't know what hit them. Dems, the party of grievances and division, are being marginalized for good. Sunny days ahead!
4
The Times says,"when you consider that the president of the United States has cozied up to a foreign power that tampered with an American election." Rubbish. Dying embers of a dying farce. Dishonesty provides its own reward.
5
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
Dear NYT, could you PLEASE stop writing things like this?
First you enumerate all the good things that Obama and the Democrats have achieved and that are so solid that even Trump and a totally corrupt and cynical, nihilistic GOP can't destroy in just one year, and then, a few lines below, you already seem to have forgotten what you just wrote and wonder what the Democrats "coherent appealing voice" could be ... ?!
Since when is good governance no longer a "coherent appealing" message?
Leftist media are systematically undermining the very real achievements of the left, in this country, and THAT may be the main cause why people like Trump "get their message out" and ordinary citizens often seem to have no idea about what the Democrats' "message" actually is.
Time and again, Democrats go standing in the mud and fight hard for real progress (20M more Americans insured, for instance, or the Paris Climate Agreement, or a solidly growing economy etc.), but then leftist media, standing at the sidelines, seem to yell at them: "not enough!", "you're moving forward too slowly for us to be able to guess where the finish line must be!", and then go on writing/saying time and again that probably the Democrats don't have a clear finish line ... as if fighting in the mud without one would even be possible ...
1
It's absolutely killing the democrats because Trump is so very successful He will continue to Make America Great Again.
3
Trump simply knows nothing about nothing.
2
I thank Trump's election for having waked up the previously dormant liberal/progressive wing of the Democratic Party to a degree Mrs. Clinton's election would never have done.
The midterms will be a titanic struggle between GOP gerrymandering, voter suppression, and Russian bots and trolls on the one side, against millions of angry, involved, newly aware voters on the other.
Only on the day after midterm election day will we really see what the state of our union is.
2
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump..."
This is because the Democrats continue to betray classical liberals and look only among the neo-Marxist progressive leftists for leadership.
The "progressive left" marches on, without America, continuing to attempt to sell identity politics. But Americans are no longer buying that they are white, or black, or gay, or left-handed, or females, or any other (oppressed) neo-Marxist category the progressive left will have them in.
Since the dawn of Christianity, the individual has reigned sovereign, not categories of people.
And the last century's killing of approximately 100 million people based upon the same Marxist views that the progressive left now foments (albeit in a new form) ... Well, there is simply no excuse for it. The Soviets and Chinese did not know what the consequences of Marxism, the progressive left does.
Liberals must (and are) rid themselves of Democrats of neo-Marxist thought, and find leaders among the classic liberals - those who believe in maximizing individual freedoms - not "destroying the oppressors of categories of people".
Because, yes, soon you will be in the category of the "oppressor" (any white male liberals listening?)
Come on Democrats, really? Five responses to the SoTU speech? We are lost in November if that’s all you can offer. Trump and every other Republican will drown you out.
1
Obama wished that he could give this speech but he had only empty talk and ZERO accomplishments.
2
The absolute denial of reality exhibited by this President's supporters is stunning.
5
That "coherent, appealing voice" the Democrats desperately need spoke tonight. His name is Joe Kennedy.
5
He doesn't get anything about it.
When I was child in Georgia I used to spend Sundays watching 'live' wrestling on tv because I'd never seen anything like it. The fake violence, the fighting, the theatricality, the phoniness of the whole display.
That's Trump. Fake, violent, theatrical, phony.
#not my president
7
Do immigrants make our country stronger? Of course they do! Do illegal immigrants? Not at all.
If the Democrats and their promoters at publications like the Times really want to keep conflating the two, in service of a pretense, have at it.
But you’ve gone down this road before. I recall reading about how much more popular Hillary was than Trump, too. And about how across America, she was so much more popular that she had a 99% chance of winning. But conflating those facts and statistics with the facts that she was deeply unpopular with certain Americans in particular places is what led to a lot of shock, surprise, and anxiety the day after the election.
So when a majority of your readers come to realize that no - most of us don’t want amnesty, open borders, chain migration, a visa lottery, high taxes, and any other number of anti-Trump policies - I imagine they’re going to be as shocked as they were the day after the election.
Is this part of the Times’ mission? To keep your isolated, under-informed, and blinkered readers in a constant state of anxiety? And unprepared for reality? What does that say about you? What does this say about them? As our President might say, “Sad!” From my vantage point, you literally seem to be exploiting your own base in the worst possible way, but maybe this is how institutions on the left operate. Consider Hollywood, and academia.
On the right, we get what we want. You all should try it out. It feels good.
5
With all due respect, you don't speak for "most of us."
3
Trump doesn't lay claim to "continued" positive anything. His assertion is essentially that nothing good happened under President Obama and that the economy went from the worst possible to the best possible as soon as Donald Trump was inaugurated.
The State of The Union speech sure sounded very similar to candidate Trump who railed against everything and rarely if ever outlined any new ideas or expressed exactly what he stood for in any detail, other than regurgitating vague nationalistic themes.
If this speech was intended to reach out to Democrats on immigration, the references to illegal immigrants as vicious killers were as offensive tonight as they were as campaigner Trump on Mexicans as rapists and drug dealers. His back handed dig at African Americans who don't stand during the national anthem is certainly not going to make him any more likeable to African Americans, either. All the Trump hot button issues were addressed tonight that appeal exclusively to his base of supporters.
Russia, not surprisingly, went missing from this speech, ignoring one of the most serious assaults by a foreign enemy government on US democracy in our history.
This speech changed no one's mind in any significant way about Trump.
5
Like all of his other speeches, (as opposed to his rallies) he sounds like he is medicated. Not to mention that nothing he says means anything, not even when he's medicated with behavior modifying drugs.
3
Obama already fixed the "crumbling infrastructure" with his shovel-ready projects.
3
"Many studies have shown that immigrants commit crimes at far lower rates than native-born Americans, and experts say the evidence doesn’t support any claim that undocumented immigrants commit a disproportionate amount of crime."
Name the studies and the experts.
Or are you too apathetic to do so?
1
It occurred to me today that in one profound way Donald Trump may very well be the poorest person in America.
He never owns anything.
4
Imagine looking at that rictus-mouth for as long as the Stephen Miller-written speech lasted. The stuff of nightmares!
3
Trump is a billionaire, so he says, and he's become very rich by being ruthless and selfish. That is not what we need in leaders. We need people committed to the public good, the common good. He's the antithesis of that.
He's been too corrupt in the past, and that is catching up with him. He's running scared and attacking our institutions that have been more dedicated to our 'Union' than he'll ever be. We must stop this madness and attacks on America; even if they come from the President.
He doesn't 'get' our community, our unity, our love of our neighbor. I think we 'get' it, and now it's time to fight for it.
57
How is it that the democrats have not found "a coherent voice" when this article claims that everything that has gone well in the last year was started by Obama.
You talk about sour grapes!
Apparently the writer expected that by this time President Trump would have solved all our problems.
1
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
“To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.”
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”
--- Thomas Paine, published in “The American Crisis” on December 23. 1776 and days later read to George Washington’s troops before they crossed the Delaware River and attacked the British encampment in Trenton, New Jersey.
3
To what extent the country is strong (and it certainly is, by many different measures) is due to the efforts of the American people, and not to that self-aggrandizing, megalomanical, morally bankrupt silver-spooner currently occupying the White House.
4
Trump gave a droning speech, used grieving families to support his ugly rhetoric and had the sycophantic GOP applauding like trained seals. The only redeeming grace of the night was the rebuttal speech by Joseph Kennedy III that spoke to what America can be. Trump is an unrelenting darkness, Kennedy is the possible future flooded with light.
5
Never would have believed that I would miss George W Bush, but mission accomplished.
4
Last evening, I made the painful decision not to watch the latest episode of the Apprentice- White House Edition. I do not respect this man whether he is president of the US, or CEO of a company. This is not a political stance- it is my own personal opinion, which unfortunately reflects many other American citizens. I continue to pray for this country and plead with the complicit fools that govern our Congress and Senate to intervene before this gets any worse. That is memo to you Paul "Paulie'' Ryan and Mitch 'Mitchie' McConnell- please WAKE up soon.
3
Yes and I hope news organization have learned that the age of false equivalences must end. I am tired of hearing that somehow democrats have to equally share the blame. There are no equivalences between the corrupt and criminal intent of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. There is no difference between Donald trump and every member of the Republican Party. Trump is the pure distillation of the GOP.
Democrats do and did have a message. He who has ears to hear let him hear. Unfortunately the white suprematist message of the GOP resonated very strongly with republicans.
3
It’s a fact and obvious for everyone to see: President Trump has created an economic boom by lowering taxes and undoing Obama’s oppressive regulatory state. Obama could have had this boom under his tenure but he was blindly devoted to the failed ideology of Big Government. President Trump is far better for America, freedom, democracy, and capitalism than Obama
1
This is a stirring and patriotic statement, but how can we preach hope and faith in the nation’s resilience, its character, and in its voters ... now? The country elected Donald Trump, a hate-mongering carnival barker, as its president. We have exposed ourselves. The world is scared by this awful display, and other nations are making plans to revise their intelligence operations, military alliances, and trade deals to detach from the US as far as possible. We and they have learned that many American voters enjoy a taste of vengeful racist fascism and eat up conspiracy theories sown like wheat through the heartlands, then baked into bread by opportunistic billionaires and Russian bots.
You suggest that the increased participation of women as voters and candidates will help heal us. Save us.
Well, I was sure that would happen in November 2016. It didn’t.
Yes, we’ve had women’s marches, and Democratically inclined journalists and local political activists are hard at work, and Robert Mueller hasn’t yet been fired. Thank you to everybody who has resisted Trump, Ryan, McConnell, Nunes, Scott Pruitt, Sean Hannity, Fox and Friends, The Koch Brothers and company. But Trump’s voters, lobbyists, liars, polluters, money launderers are still with us. They are part of us. Of the US. They’re not going away.
We can do better.
And there’s a real possibility we will do worse. That our country will become a threat to the world.
1
Note: not only is Puerto Rico struggling without electricity, FEMA is pulling out. Mission accomplished, right? Epic Fail, trump.
3
"What DOES Trump Get About the State of the Union"?
He thinks it's "great", in contrast to the leaders of any of our allies or sane nations!
All Trump "gets" is that he's making lots of money this way, along with loads of ever-vital, ego-stoking attention from the media, and endless fuel for his megalomania!
What the rest of us in the US should "get" is that Trump is that he's a clear and present danger to the State if the Union! And to the stability of the world!
3
I chose not to watch the address last night because I had no desire to watch an obese bully claim false credit for any and everything positive, while watching his GOP supporters swoon their love.
No matter how his supporters spin his speech, let's not forget that Trump has legitimized hate, racist rhetoric and White Supremacy as evidenced by his reaction to Charlottesville, the definite increase in hate crimes over the past year as well as the vocal support of by such White Supremacists as Richard Spencer and Andrew Anglin. This alone negates everything having to do with a Trump presidency.
This is a continuing nightmare and it needs to end.
4
“albeit gifts charged to future generations in the form of debt.”
Yes! “Beware of gifts bearing debt”
2
The Editorial Board must've watched a different SOTU speech than I did.
We're in the middle of a slow burn constitutional crisis, and as far as I'm concerned, the headline news of the night was what Trump said walking out, caught on an open mic --- he's going to release the memo "100 %."
The economy belongs to President Obama, not to this man whose tax cuts and the debt it will incur is going to savage the nation.
The man to whom you're giving credit -- albeit with caveats -- has eviscerated our country. He has attacked and violated the most precious things we have -- the constitution, rule of law, and civic norms. Of what use is a stock market rising daily, or ISIS being smashed, if our constitution is a pile of ash? Why should he be given credit for anything, when the most impactful thing(s) he has done is to violate laws, obstruct justice, plan a "preventive" nuclear strike against North Korea, and speak like a fascist and eugenicist?
Of what use is a stock market in a nuclear winter? Or a decimated ISIS for a country in constitutional and moral collapse?
That man stood there last night and told lie after lie, read cliches from a teleprompter, incited more fear of immigrants, and threatened federal employees.
And then openly admitted that he will release classified information that the DOJ and FBI have begged him not to do.
Does this man "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States?"
No. That's the state of our union.
3
Tell us something the president does "get."
Law and order? NO! Decency? NO! Integrity? NO.
Sincerity? NO!
And we granted such a cipher presidential power?
2
It is ironic that the electoral college, an archaic consequence of slavery, is accountable for the Trump presidency where bigotry prevails and subordination of the many to the benefit of the few is the center of governance. No speech will remedy Trump's aberrant, traitorous, misogynist character nor erase the disgrace of his personal misconduct that degrades and exploits and shames and subordinates women.
1
The NYTimes editorial page will accept nothing from the Democrats as a platform unless it is comfort for the elite one percent who is there Target demographic. The Times will ignore any position involving inequality, any position that requires action on global warming, nothing that ensures availability of treatment for Women's health, that guarantees that we teach Science in schools.
As far as not exactly woke to the Democratic party, maybe they need to forget Clinton and look at the above.
2
I didn’t look at Trump’s SOTU because I knew at some point he would tell a lie that even I could see.
I did think at least one columnist, reporter or opinion writer of the Times would have found something positive, but they haven’t so far. I thought that if there were anything, David Brooks might be able to cull through the chaff and find a kernel-and that’s the only optimism I had. But, on reading Joe Kennedy’s much shorter Democratic rebuttal and from the things he emphasized, I don’t think even the trenchant Mr. Brooks will find anything to praise in Trump’s address.
It looks as if ’18 might be worse than ’17.
1
The only thing sadder to watch last night than a pathetic speech by the POTUS was the pathetic, sad and downtrodden faces of the other side of the aisle. This is not a party of strength and inspiration that will lead us to victory in 2020. Never has there been a greater need for a new party with vision, inspiration, compassion, and intelligence prepared to harness these same qualities of the American people and finally set the stage for the 21st century soon to be in its 20th year. The high school class president who gave the Dems response will hardly suffice.
It looks as if 75% of viewers polled thought positively of the President's speech. I would say "America has Dreamers too" is as powerful as, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". I think it is a game changer. The salty Democrats sat on their hands. Nancy looked like one of the members of the Church Scene in The Graduate and the CBC didn't seem to understand the content, they sat there as if they weren't getting the audio. Black unemployment is at it's lowest since records were kept. Deer in the headlights, crickets! Of FBook they were streaming like the DOW, at the bottom of the screen, donations from people all over the nation who were donating money to his reelection campaign. It said you would get your name posted for a $50 donation on FB, but they were doing it for all, even $1.00. Brilliant! He's Brilliant! It was very gutsy and inspiring at the same time to see thousands of people with faith and hope donating to this man because they believed he will make a difference in their lives, their neighbors lives, and their communities. I have to say it was quite stirring in my humble opinion. The optics were very negative from the Democrats. They looked like Malcontents on a diet of Crow. I'm an independent and that is my thought on the matter. If I were to categorize myself, I'd say I was a despised Kennedy Democrat. JFK that is. It's like Dylan said, "And the times they are a'change'n," again.
1
President Trump’s classy, upbeat, patriotic speech was in direct contrast to the drooling mess from the ultra-rich white male Joe Kennedy. Obama will be the last democrat president in history.
1
Trump's view, in short:
Good Americans love Wall Street, and hate immigrants. Good Americans don't want to pay taxes or for infrastructure. Follow me!
1
He will also get credit this Fall for record voter turnout in an off-year election as citizens swarm the polls to wipe out Republican toadies that are unquestionably responsible for enabling the worst abominations of this presidency. Every day he remains in office will fuel that turnout. If/when Dems take back the Congress, his presidency will be effectively neutered, and impeachment will consume the rest of his term and be the first order of business a year from now, followed by Congressional efforts to smother in their crib the worst of his hair-brained 'executive orders.' Whatever Mueller comes up with will be icing on the cake. Even if that turns out to be nothing, hey -- cake without icing will taste very good in 2020.
1
Dear NYTimes,
While you're busy normalizing a horrible speech by a horrible leader, please do us all a favor and have one of your writers cover this line:
"“Tonight I call on the congress to empower every Cabinet secretary with the authority to reward good workers—and to remove federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American people.”
DO BETTER.
The NYTimes is so caught up on toeing some false sense of "balance" and both-sides-ism, that it is missing the horrifying danger that this Administration is bringing upon this country.
DO BETTER.
6
Yeah that got lost in the shuffle didn't it ... "undermine the public trust or fail the American People" .. who could he possibly have in mind?
That Trump just doesn't get it isn't news. One can only hope that the long term effects of "America First" (weak dollar, turning our back on long-time allies) do not have long-term effects that impact the person who follows him in the Oval office. But Democrats: come on! When do you turn the page? When does Hillary Clinton disappear from the front page (and from the Grammys). And the only young Dem who can respond to the State of the Union is a Kennedy? No one else was available? You are going to save Social Security by keeping a geriatric leadership in place. And how about going outside congress, to a mayor (e.g. NOLA, LA)? You know, someone who actually has to deal with real problems, everyday lives, conflicting constituencies, and live with the consequences of the choices. It's a new millenium, people; and it's been a new millenium for a while now.
31
So the rich white man, droolin’ Joe, is the future of the democrat party?? I thought it was Oprah. Or Bernie. Or Fauxcahontas. It doesn’t matter, Obama is the last democrat president ever
2
Our Lying Racist Traitor-in-Chief didn't change his spots tonight. Anyone surprised?
6
Hienz refreshing it is to have a good, decent, patriotic man in the White House after 8 deadly years of the criminal traitor Obama
Does James Bennet have a clause in his employment agreement that requires him to state at least five negative things about President Trump in every editorial regardless of the subject matter?
Since today's editorial was about Trump's SOTU, Bennet easily accomplished the mission in the first sentence:
1. Trump has cozied up to a foreign power that tampered with an election
2. Trump has assaulted the courts and law enforcement agencies
3. Trump has defended neo-Nazis
4. Trump lies
5. Trump apparently has paid off a porn star
Bennet must be in a monthly contest with Charles Blow, David Leonhardt, and Michelle Goldberg to see who can state "Trump Lies" the most times. Tiresome.
4
Trump crushed it. Pelosi had egg on her face.
6
Better titled: What the N Y Times Editorial Board Doesn't Get About The Rest Of The Nation.
Absent healthcare costs, which plague everyone - were we to ask 20 million citizens to set aside the absurd wailing from the liberal press and consider only their own personal situation, and then ask: Are their lives are better now than they were a year ago, the answer would be, Yes.
The lefties at the Times have a real problem. Things are better now then they were under Obama. False narratives such as this piece may give great satisfaction to he authors, but that's because they live in a fishbowl.
3
Problem: the things that are better now have been improving at the same pace for years already, so yes, that means under Obama. And Trump's first budget isn't even implemented yet, so what makes you want to believe that this has something to do with him ... ?
Secondly, as you may know, his decisions, once implemented, will destroy a lot of things (including healthcare for 13 million Americans all while increasing costs for the other ones).
Finally, if you believe that something in this editorial is false, could you PLEASE tell us WHAT, more precisely, and show us why it is false?
Thanks in advance (no irony).
1
It's always amusing to read the false narratives concocted by those who decry "false narratives."
1
Obviously you have forgotten the previous 8 years while Obama pulled us all out of a Republican disaster....and Trump is riding his coattails. The liar hasn’t had an original thought in 71 years
1
Workers of America, be careful! The Democrats think the bonuses you got thanks to President Trump belong to them. They think your stock market gains belong to them! The rich white Democrats will raid your bank account at the first chance they get
2
What a brilliant speech! Positive, uplifting, optimistic, highlighting the best of America! It was far better than anything from the whiny criminal traitor Obama
1
It wouldbe odd to expect Trump to say anything different. It is always me, me, me; myself, myself, myself, or I, I, I.
Forget it.;talk,talk, talk is all he will ever do/ That is, excepting telling anyone who will listen how great he is. In the meantime, he is ruining our relationships with all the people and countries in the world;p except , of course, Putin (his idol) and putting his time into coal powered cellphones; yes, I wrote that.
2
Black unemployment is lowest EVER recorded and the Black Congresspersons sit on their hands in full view of the nation.
Disgraceful.
3
Any idiot can read a teleprompter, even if he can't pronounce some words like "scourge." Last night was not Trump, it was Steve Miller, an odious little racist creep. Today the real Trump will re-emerge i the Twitter world.
4
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
Hey, Guys! Remember that the Republicans rule ALL branches of our government. They rule all committees. Looks who's the Senate leader, and the Speaker of the house. Look at Trump's executive orders. Look at the people and their qualifications of persons who run cabinet departments. Tell me, please, until the mid-terms, what are democrats supposed to do?? They are blocked no matter what they do. The nation needs to vote these Alt-Right disgraces to our nation out of office.
7
In your alternative Black Mirror universe, President Trump “cozies up to foreign powers, salutes Nazis and has an affair with a porn star.” The people see an improved economy, a rising stock market, enhanced control of our borders and the elimination of ISIS. You all look like squealing zombies popping up out of the graveyard of bad policy. Keep up your good work while President Trump keeps on winning.
2
Evidently all is right in Bizarro World.
The Democrats are on the run. They have no platform. They have nothing to contribute. They complain. They criticize. They no longer recognize the truth. They are beside themselves. They distain power, wealth and privilege yet look at who they tap to to give their rebuttal. Bless their hearts.
1
"They have no platform. They have nothing to contribute."
You argue in bad faith and outside the realm of fact. Thank you for contributing nothing.
Donald Trump has convinced himself and most of his core group of angry, undereducated supporters that he has accomplished some worthwhile things during his first year in office.
The fact is, Mr. Trump has accomplished nothing other than make some people in the United States and in various places around the world unnecessarily miserable and fearful.
What any objective observer of the past twelve months knows is that America is strong today, not because of anything Donald Trump has done, but in spite of him.
4
Schadenfreude is wonderful. What joy to read these comments by those afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome. Even better, to know that at least three more years of suffering are ahead. Enjoy.
4
The Left is in sheer panic at the brilliant domestic and foreign policy successes President Trump is achieving on a daily basis! The economy is booming thanks to President Trump’s tax cuts and repeal of Obama’s mindless destructive regulatory state. Employees are raking in millions in bonuses and raises thanks to President Trump! Businesses are expanding because of President Trump’s policies!
It’s a dream come true for America, a nightmare for the Left
For many Americans, it all boils down to they will be paying less in taxes. Never mind its not as great a deal as the wealthiest get, and their grandkids will pay for it, they're taking it. Second, they are assuming with all the hated immigrants out, their grandkids will get the great jobs the immigrants took. Never mind these jobs are lowpaying and backbreaking jobs no one wanted.
What is the explanation of this disconnect from reality?
"What is the explanation of this disconnect from reality?"
It's simple. A substantial minority of our fellow citizens suffer from self-imposed ignorance and are easily led.
My faith in "abiding American strengths" is somewhat shaken at the sight of all those fawning Republican sycophants applauding their emperor as he steadily erodes and dismantles American strengths. Instead of questioning his strange refusal to punish Russia for interfering in our election, they meekly accept it. Instead of acting as a separate and equal branch of government, they have become nothing more than a collection of toadies, clapping as enthusiastically as the fearful enablers around Kim Jong-un. Purge the federal bureaucracy? Sure thing. Erode public confidence in the FBI? No problem. Attack the Justice Department? Why not. Forget about the Russian sanctions we voted for with a veto-proof majority? If our Dear Leader says that's OK it's OK with us.
3
State of the American Union 2018?
America, between the political parties, seems in agreement on one fundamental but rarely mentioned fact: Virtually everyone believes, philosophically, there is no Cartesian mind/body duality, that the one can exist without affecting the other, indeed be separate from the other. America rather believes a behavioral (body) tendency reflects a type of thinking (the mental) and vice-versa, that every thought has behavioral consequences.
Thus from the right wing and its religion, nationalism, business mentality all behavior must be herded and thought crushed to a tight way of thinking and behaving, because strange behavior equals strange thought and vice-versa, and we must have none of that. But that is also how the left wing behaves! It treats thinking with which it does not agree as having behavioral consequences and vice-versa, it is always on the lookout for behavior with which it does not agree.
Therefore we can assume the future of America no matter where we turn will be increased control of behavior and thought, for the one equals the other, and any deviation in the one equals deviation in the other. Strange behavior is threatening to the body politic and strange thought likewise. And this also explains why people are so fearful of AI, not to mention that it will reach consciousness: It will think beyond us and therefore potentially behave in ways we find threatening. All thinking today is morality of some stripe and morality is thought.
In one fell swoop we went from the most admired country in the world to a punchline. I guess we are all a little responsible for that.
1
The strength of our country lies in the resiliency of its people. We are going through a horrific time with a president who puts himself first over country or anything or anyone else. In one year he has spewed countless lies, lined the pockets of the rich at the expense of the working and middle class, undermined the federal law enforcement system, and put us at the brink of nuclear war with North Korea with his antagonizing bluster, to name just a few offenses. Whether he survives his term in office or even gets reelected, we will endure because of our resiliency. We are stronger than Donald Trump.
1
Using the tragic losses of other people for political gain as Donald Trump did during his speech is one more example of his boorishness.
4
“Together” has little meaning when it follows a advertisement declaring the Democrats will be responsible for every murder committed by an immigrant if Democrats do not fall in line with the President’s demands on immigration and border security.
“Together” has little meaning when the Republican caucus passed tax “reform” under special rules that meant there was no inout from the Democrats.
“Together” has little meaning when the class confirmation process for Supreme Court Justices is changed so that there is no need for support from Democrats.
And, “Together” has little meaning when the President demeans his opponents, attacks the institutions that are the foundation of our country, and governs for his base and not thw country as a whole.
2
Little said about international affairs. Promise to hurt any country that does not support the US in international bodies. Self-centered: Ain't I great? Soon to come domestically, trillion dollar deficits; a trillion an half in Monopoly money for infrastructure; a whip on a million and half dreamers who can become citizens in 12 years as long as they do not get a speeding ticket.
Build that wall. Ha! It already exists in his dreams. He can touch it.
A while back there was talk of the special prosecutor going after Trump's income from his hotels. Where is that investigation as Trump keep racking in the dough?
Ain't America great again? Europe is regulating American computer companies because the US is not. China is building 'islands' in SE Asia, Africa and, probably, the central Pacific. Trump ignores Europe and the rest of the world--including the foreign country of Puerto Rico.
No, America is not great.
3
Unfortunately, until we get full accounting of his business and family financing, including detailed tax returns, this president can never be trusted.
2
You are not going to give Trump even an iota of credit for anything good that has occurred in this country since Inauguration Day. Everything good is attributable to Barack Obama, everything bad goes to Trump. You slavishly follow the Democratic playbook but expect the rest of us not to notice your unvarnished hatred for all things Trump. Yes, you are the focal point of the resistance but some of us can actually see some good things that Trump is trying to do. If you get over the fact of some of his obvious character flaws and concentrate on his policies, we see a distinct change from that of the past and a kind of optimism about our future.
For example, should not all of us want the Federal Government to do all that it can do within its constitutional framework to protect America and its citizens? Trump certainly does. And what about American business? Trump wants our businesses to flourish and be competitive with businesses throughout the world. Sounds pretty good. Trump is following Reagan by praising Americans of all race & gender in helping to make the country just a little bit better.
Look at the Democrats sitting there on their hands, scowling up at Trump and ignoring even the most popular parts of his speech. The Dems did themselves no good by this portrayal on television. They looked like the grinches that stole Christmas. And then, they send out yet another Kennedy to defend their policies and identity politics. Sorry, but the Kennedys are so 1960's.
3
I'm as liberal a Democrat as they come and I can say something in support of DT. I now know that he IS able to read!
1
All the headlines in the Times this morning in its opinion section ranged from negative to outward hatred for Trump. And that's great. I would have worried if just one of you found something positive about a speech that the rest of America embraced. You were so out of touch with reality before the '16 election, and you remain even further away. Continue your resistance while the rest of us enjoy the fruits of this presidency.
2
The Trump presidency has, in a backhanded way as this editorial notes, demonstrated that America is starkly vulnerable to devolving into something yet more divided and bigoted, more politically dysfunctional, and decidedly less democratic.
As for awakenings, they are quixotic and subject to being fragmented and capricious.
Absent a compelling, credible counter-narrative for truly fundamental political reformation and capable and consistent leadership America could just as well incrementally spiral down under the noxious, dysfunctional effects of the contradictory dominance of one or the other of our money driven, special interest beholden, winner take all major political parties.
2
The most ominous Trump whim from last night:
"All Americans deserve accountability and respect. And that’s what we are giving to our wonderful heroes our veterans,” Trump said. “So tonight, I call on Congress to empower every Cabinet secretary with the authority to reward good workers and to remove federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American people.”
Let's destroy the Civil Service, so every Trump crony can employ more Trump cronies.
Let's be clear: Stalin would approve. So would Joe McCarthy.
1
We need to hang on to what Americans treasure and respect...When you have a political party that wants to "purge and cleanse" basic American institutions, you have a march towards places that true Americans will NEVER go.
The GOP would be wise to remember that while they have a loyal, devoted base, it is measuring in the 30's these days. Good people are being verbally assaulted by people who are neither good or have honor....
Those who underestimate the American spirit often learn that where our freedom is concerned, we can and should be a true danger to those who fail to respect it...or us.....I do not see this turning out well for those who beat a drum of fear or hate.
1
If DACA was so important to Deomocrats why didn't they handle this when they had a super majority in 2009 to 2011? Why can I not get a COHERENT answer.. They literally could have had this done in 1 session. The answer is they didn't need the votes then. Just like this will not be done before November because arguing about this raises money and excites the base to vote. Plus and most importantly they will not concede chain migration. Chain migration is the key to it all. What democrats won't admit is they've been hemorrhaging working middle class voters for two decades and union memberships are at historical lows. The party of the working class was no longer for the working class and their base was fleeing. Chain migration alone has shifted the immigrant population from it's historical range of 7 to 9 percent to now nearly 14 percent that equates to millions of votes and an endless supply of millions more. That is the reality of it the immigration debate. Please save me your crocodile tears.
1
The title says 'What Trump doesn't get about the State of the Union" but what it should have read is "What Trump doesn't get about everything".
If someone could explain what's going on in this man's mind, they would truly be a genius. He doesn't know anything about America but claims to know everything and worst part about this is the fact that the Republican Party is right behind him.
What Trump doesn't get is the Progressive religion's deep hatred for rural cultures and values. He will never understand that a large part of the DNC is deeply bigoted and focused on that bigotry. They view Trump, a NYC Democrat, as the embodiment of that evil, because he gave the blue collar a voice.
I grew up in Appalachia. The people cheering for Trump aren't Republicans. Most of them aren't related to anyone who ever voted for a republican in the 20th century. However, they could no longer stomach a party beholden to bankers and movie stars, a party that had deliberately betrayed them, and then actively encouraged calls for genocide against their culture.
Obama's "clinging to their guns and their religion" comment resonated much, much more deeply than anyone from the city will ever understand. It was a confirmation of what had been just a conspiracy theory that the urban politicians really did want to destroy a culture. What was assumed to be benign negligence of rural peoples was confirmed to be deliberate and an assumed victory.
The only way to save our party is to throw out the bankers, throw out the genocidal progressives, apologize for abandoning the working class, and represent them again.
1
Post-Trump as president: I see him becoming a talk show host like Sean Hannity for the fa-right continuing to bully American ideals. His replacement, likely a liberal, will not continue Trump's negative tradition of blaming everything wrong with America on his predecessor, but it would be karma if he did. Imagine Trump watching his "legacy" smeared day after day by an "enemy" who now has vastly more power than the ex-POTUS, whose program will likely fail because he doesn't make much sense.
President Trump gave his state of the union last night and I must give him some credit it was perfectly adequate and in the age of Trump that is a big win!
He went out to rally up his base of racists bigots and didn't mess up badly enough to offend a large part of the American population, again a win in the age of Trump. Something that I knew he would bring up, but was hoping he would ultimately shy away from was him attempting to make political gains from the plight of a family, whose child died in an act of violence so gruesome that few could imagine. This I took some offense to, how do you think that trotting a poor family out there for political gain is acceptable. Then on top of this his facts weren't exactly correct with some how MS-13 is getting into the country. Many come in and are brought into the gang when here not the other way around.
He ended the night with a little North Korea talk, which I'm not sure why he finds the need to constantly engage, but he does so it really wasn't much of a surprise he went there. He didn't veer so far off his point as he usually does so that was a big positive if your a Trump adviser.
In this first tumultuous year that has been the Trump presidency I think we should take his State of the Union as well above what we have come to expect from this president. Hopefully he will continue to exercise the control he managed to exercise yesterday for the sake of the entire nation.
1
A strong economy, but emotionally vapid and morally bankrupt? No thank you - I will not stand by idly and watch DJT recreate this country in his image. It is NOT just the economy, stupid!
2
"defended neo-Nazis" = fake news. No need to read the rest.
2
what I get about the state of the union is that the left is filled with whiny children who are still crying because they didn't get their way on Nov 8, 2016.
1
An hour and a half of hot air will not erase a year of LIES.
NOT MY PRESIDENT is the ultimate Grifter, and all American citizens are being chiseled on a daily basis by this vile, corrupt, charletan.
2
Great speech. The State of our Union is indeed good. The first full year was spent undoing the sorry legacy of the community organizer Obama who successfully sabotaged our economy into an anemic 2% GDP growth rate and made us the laughing stock around the world. (Remember the fake Syrian red line.) America is back. Thank you Mr. President.
Sorry, Steve, but some of us are actually capable of accepting reality. Obama saved the economy, and his policies were the basis for last year's continued gains.
1
So just imagine if President Obama had paid off a porn star after having sex in order to keep it out of the election. Mitch McConnell and the rest of the right wingers would have showed up to this address with pitch forks and stormed the podium. Yet they all sat there with Xanax smiles on their faces listening to Trump gurgle on. Oh and did I mention the trillion dollar deficits for the foreseeable future?
3
Trump so far doesn't have an exemplary record as president but the NYT editorial board's absolute obsession with tearing apart everything he does is pretty tired at this point. I thought the state of the union was a decent speech but the way these writers would have you look at it, it was like the Nuremberg rally in 1938
1
A "decent speech?" Is that all it takes? Keep lowering that bar, James.
1
This was Trump being fake to America.
1
Yet again a lead editorial bemoaning the effects of our corrupt president without mentioning the cause -- Citizens United. Evidently the New York Times regards its ads from the major oil companies as more important than the survival of mankind.
2
Oh come on NYT how can you not talk about Bernie's
speech? After watching Trump slither and bumble
and fabricate and stumble could you resist the clean
clear honest air of Bernie's speech. What a relief
to hear some one speak the truth and give actual
facts and figures and even use the word Whopper
and also mention Huggies. I have never felt so clean
after feeling befouled from the mendacity and
malarkey of Trump. Again what a relief to hear the
honest truth. God NYT how can you resist this
strait shooting honest man?
2
In what was a stunning, even moving,(how many times did it bring tears to our eyes?) SOTU address, President Trump showed, once again, that he has the ability to over-achieve even as his detractors snipe at his heels with the jaws of outworn, self-debilitating, tropes: that he is a Russia-lover,he undermines "law enforcement and intelligence agencies," he is a liar, he is a philanderer; he is an adulterer; he is a closet white supremacist. If President Trump succeeds, this editorial quixotically asserts, it's because of the magnitude of his failures. But, as the saying goes: once you make your bed, you must lie in it.
1
Apparently some people are easily satisfied by lies and transparent propaganda.
1
What the NYT doesn’t get about the state of the union: a president who is successful.
1
I feel our only hope my be in the new generation of military veterans (16 years worth), who can call out Trump and his syncophants for the chicken hawks and phoney flag pin dolls they are. The progressive center of America cannot allow the love of country and it's symbols to become the exclusive media of nativitists, racists and biggots.
1
Why does almost every opinion piece about Trump being with a list of insults? He defended Neo-Nazis? I must have miss that. Could you provide a quote?
2
The Editorial Drones are from Mars. Obama was on the way of the economic progress. Trump unleashed it. Progress!
Trump is a traitor who is self interested and is pandering to the Russians. It is way past time to not fully engage him on this issue..no more talk about anything as the Russian infiltration of our government is happening as we speak. You can ignore it.. wait for Mueller... not believe it.. or whatever.. but everyday Putin sees someone he has some sort of control over be it Trumps unbounded sense of greed or fear of exposure as he is being blackmailed.. But what ever it is, it really does not include you or I. Not really.. his plan is a slow burner kind of thing and he will one day turn on anybody to realize it. Your mother his mother his wife his children.. understand this you Trump base people. He's done nothing for you yet, Nothing but offer a bribe in the form of a limited tax reduction and will do nothing for you in the future.
Just think about his tax plan.. for us non business types our big break only lasts 5 years. Just enough time for him to get out of Dodge so to speak.. He doesn't even have the charisma of Billy the kid.. Trump is a guy you can really easily dislike.. More importantly he already dislikes most of us. If you don't think so.. ask any of his political hostages. such as the 30 million uninsured, OR DACA kids, The people of Puerto Rico the list gets longer everyday.
The vast majority of illegal immigrants who are well meaning contributors to our society do not count. The American Nazis who come with torches and run down defenseless women in the streets do not count. MS13 does count. Once again Democrats are left to ponder the consequences of presenting a no-show candidate who thought her status as royalty would suffice. Focus instead on the rebuttal delivered by Joseph Kennedy III. Reminiscent of a young Barack Obama it was masterful in conveying that Democrats will never capitulate in their concern and empathy for the rights of politically inexpedient minorities. The presence of a live audience to react and amplify the message, braking with tradition in rebuttals, was likewise masterful.
Our pastor used to say "Sin doesn't make sense.. It is stupid. It does not promote any good for anyone. It causes chaos, confusion and is destructive to self and those it touches." This is our "so-called" president. He is destroying the very foundations of our democracy - including the State Dept., the E.P.A., the Intelligence services, and the courts, with "reckless abandonment". It doesn't make sense to go around your own intelligence services to cast doubt on your own F.B.I., as the chief executor or to fire the director. Why would you incite violence and fear by name calling and equating Nazi sympathizers with peaceful protestors? How does any of this equate to our founding principles? The only reason to do all of these things is if you DID collude with a foreign enemy, Russia and are trying to cover it up. Something ALL Americans should agree on is he doesn't get to decide which laws he will be held accountable to or which ones he will ignore. That would be a dictatorship NOT a democracy!
1
Not to be nit-picky, but when accuracy is the intent of the column...
"According to CNN, 68.25 percent of the utility's customers now have power."
-- from The Hill
It appears that "half" was accurate a month a ago.
Another anti-Trump lead editorial, and 3 like minded anti-Trump opinion pieces, all above the fold. The hatred is palpable from The Times and its usual opinion contributors. Whatever happened to journalistic integrity, and the obligation to present opposing points of view? The Times rid itself of its last conservative opinion writer long ago. "All the news that's fit to print" has morphed into "All left, all the time".
1
Trump’s speech sounded like a modern day version of Hitler’s speeches promoting National unity:
“Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people,”
Trump’s speech sounded like a modern day version of Hitler’s speeches promoting a racially-based society:
“This, in fact, is our new American moment,” Mr. Trump said “There has never been a better time to start living the American dream.”
And Trump’s speech contained the promises of enormous infrastructure spending similar to Hitler.
But it is the vast and what was most frightening were the thunderous applause of the Republicans in Congress similar to the thunderous applause of Hitler’s syncophants.
My father, who fought in Patton’s army to defeat fascism and evil, no doubt cries in Heaven for he now sees: the failure of American Democracy to defeat Fascism.
Once again, the editors of the NYT's prove that they have learned nothing from the 2016 election and how separated from reality they are. The democrats did the same last night and embarrassed themselves in the process by sitting on their hands...historically low unemployment rates for Hispanics and Blacks should not be celebrated? A strong and safe America is not to be celebrated? A path to citizenship for 1.8M illegal immigrants is not to be celebrated? The democrats have put party over policy, illegals over citizens and a false "resistance" over governing because they are sore losers. Keep it up and see what happens with the mid term elections.
2
Oh, please, NYT Editorial Board, give us a break. You boys and girls have been pushing Maoist reeducation terrorism on the minds of the American citizens from the moment Obama moved into the White House.
He was, in fact, America's first deconstructionist president (Bush and Cheney, of course, did their parts, too) and worked everyday to destroy what Trump has been trying to rebuild, the American spirit.
Eight years of USA self-flagellation, self-loathing was more than the citizens could endure. Trump is no surprise in that sense.
But do keep pushing your post-modern decadence, if you will. Save NYT readers, the American people aren't listening to you, even to the Sovietized mass-media narrative being broadcast out of New York City, dreary day after dreary day--what the NYT "Doesn't Get" about America.
2
Here is my suggested homework assignment for the NYT Ed Board: Read the CBS poll on reactions to Trump's address; reread this editorial you wrote; write and publish another editorial on the topic "What the Times Ed Board Doesn't Get About the United States and Donald Trump;" urgently prepare an action plan to save your failing newspaper.
2
“Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of this Presidency”.
Americans will overwhelmingly vote for Hillary. Hillary has a 95% chance of winning.
Voters will decide.
The value of NYT proclamations will once again be exposed as Democrat fantasies.
3
Trump's lies and hate-mongering towards immigrants were truly shameful.
His lies (misrepresentation is too mild a word) about how family visas work are more shocking than usual since this is in a vetted speech.
It has been pointed out before that his discussion of immigrant crimes is EXACTLY like Hitler's discussion of "Jewish crimes". It is intended to create hate towards a group that is actually much LESS violent than native-born Americans.
I am a lifelong Republican who nevertheless considers the xenophobic plans of tbe current Republican President the greatest threat to America's future since the Cold War.
3
It is astounding for the New York Times not to have competent enough writers, to analyze both sides. The speech effectively backed Dem's into a corner the whole night; Americans are visual, watching the entires Dem party sit for the applause line about the flag, national anthem, low black unemployment, and even their own agenda like a massive infrastructure bill or the overwhelmingly fair immigration deal, which allows more illegals in than the Obama Presidency.
1
If American voters are as influenced by cheap theatrics as you seem to think, Heaven help us!
1
I for one, boycotted all media during this special delivery of extended excremental blather, and am glad I did. Trump needs to be removed from office and placed under indictment, convicted, and imprisoned. The rest is hot air and wishful Republican thinking.
He is a deeply flawed man. The most unfit candidate ever conjured, a monarch aspiring fascist twit who believes everything is a conspiracy and it's OK to blackmail and betray your nation to its foes to gain power. A congenital liar, and the greatest transgressor against equal rights, the rights of man, and our nation's role as refuge for freedom, he embodies its evil opposite. He must be removed.
8
It’s clear President Trump was the adult in the room. The petty, infantile, pouting, scowling and temper tantrums by Democrats were a disgrace and an embarrassment
1
Any country that elects what I saw last night giving our nation's state of the union is not strong. My only solace is the majority of Americans did not vote for this awful person---yet, here we are, listening to a racists, a sexual predator, a sleazy real estate broker, an unfaithful husband, tell the American people how our nation is doing.
1
NYT, go back and read your coverage of Obama’s first State of the Union.
Did you take such a negative approach then?
Here, you focus on all the things Trump supposedly has not done and then say anything positive is not due to Trump.
Trump Derangement Syndrome has turned the NYT into something to read only if you want to know how addled Democrats have become.
1
Joe Kennedy was a lone beacon during a long dark night. His tone and articulate remarks were respectful, hopeful and a celebration of what we as a nation need to aspire to and to achieve without leaving anyone behind.
5
Minutes ago, I watched Senator Bernie Sanders' response video to the SOTU. The senator, I believe, still holds his consistent stance on DOMA as negative. But, as for the abortion right(s), the senator may compromise himself on a common sensical ground. That might be acceptable to some constituencies of pro-life.
Probably, many voters for Republicans are very flexible and indulgent to Mr. Trump, if not he makes, in continuity, outrageously inhuman comments on ordinary people of any race and any nationality, for example. The grandiose adjectives which Mr. Trump uses are just aspects of welcoming or neutral factors for such voters to whom, he is the elected Republican president of America as a fact. Besides, most importantly, the policies matter.
If there is a possibility for a forceful new alliance or the third party to arise in the near future, a figure akin to Senator Sanders, but more moderate and less socialistic, would take a leading role. It may sound paradoxical, but that is my naively amateurish comment.
There is something about the attributions made to Trump here that is clearly programmatic. If it is good, it was inherited and a continuation. If it is bad, it is new and Trump's responsibility. Isn't the reality much more mixed and nuanced?
1
Many of Trump's words made sense. I especially liked that phrase about not telling your enemies your plans. Also, his call for vocational training seems like a great idea, and I've always supported the idea of reciprocal trading rather than the somewhat one-sided trading relations we seem to have with places like China.
Will he make any of it happen? Or will he turn out to be what the Texans call "all hat and no cattle."
This is a good article. I notice when my friends and I get together now, we talk about elections, rising candidates, and voting issues. I notice on facebook and twitter that there is rising care and concern on how our country is going. We are getting 'woke' and all the Dems have to do is campaign on this, as the party for all of us. All WE have to do is vote. If we don't, we deserve what we get.
4
The raises, bonuses, and expansions funded by President Trump’s tax and regulatory cuts will proved an economic boom that will last for generations. How sad that the Democrats don’t believe in economic growth
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
That's because Democrats can't see the forest thru the trees. They spend far too much time complaining about too many specific issues, and Trump still has the mainstream television news networks (where most people unfortunately get their misinformation) chasing their tails about every little thing he says and does. That's what helped get him elected in 2016, and that's what he's banking on getting himself re-elected in 2020.
So far, in spite of all the wrongness - and in spite of all the public "disapproval" - Trump is still on a pretty sure path to a second term. It brings me no satisfaction to point this out, but there it is: Democrats can win on the larger issues (e.g., economy, major public infrastructure, healthcare and climate change), but unless and until Democrats stop letting Republicans stigmatize them as chronic crybabies - and unless and until the mainstream news networks stop getting sidetracked, droning on and on about every little issue - Trump will be President until 2024.
It would also help if Democrats could find a candidate just HALF as good as Obama.
2
How about some pressure on the Democrats to sit down and negotiate, in good faith, about the Dreamers? Trump has made a very generous offer, way beyond expectations. Large majorities of Americans want this issue resolved quickly, in a reasonable and compassionate way. Or is it that the Democrats want to preserve the issue for the fall? Are they for the Dreamers or not? And don't forget that Trump already has acknowledged that there is no need for a wall across the entire southern border. Rather, he wants improved walls, where necessary and practical, and other security techniques to make up the difference. The President already has built some substantial compromise into his position.
1
The President has already torpedoed two bipartisan deals on this issue, but don't let reality get in the way of your propaganda.
1
Thank you for summarizing my own thoughts in a way I couldn’t because of the continual outrage I feel when something else has been taken away — clean air and water, affordable healthcare, national monuments, our national dignity — and you are right to note that it is time to stop getting mad and start getting even. The blame game gets old faster than Trump’s twitters, and is less effective. We need a practical, pragmatic economic plan that is a game-changer. I’m writing checks, cards and letters, getting involved in getting people to the polls. But we need a vision greater than just getting rid of the nTional embarrassment that is our president. We need a plan for restoring jobs, health and dignity to the millions of Americans who are without all of the above right now. That would go a long way towards quelling the fears and jealousies that drive today’s nativist agenda. A rising tide lifts all boats. We need a captain who will not only set course for a return to something akin to normalcy, but for a future that promises real opportunity for all of us. For the average citizen, “quality of life” begins with a job. All else follows when the fridge is full, the house is warm and the kids have clothes. Without basic needs met, nothing else matters because who can afford to care about air, water, the parks, when they can’t afford food? Democrats would be wise to remember what we once stood for. I’m waiting.
3
Mr. Trump's third wife decides to go to her husband's big night in a separate car. The specter of Stormy Daniels hangs over the room. I half expected her to slide down a pole into the august body of politicians. And yet at one point I believe Mr. Trump referenced family and religion as being our most valuable commodities. The glaring disconnect between this man's words and deeds continues to render me apoplectic.
3
Regarding "like Mr. Obama and the Federal Reserve, deserve a lot of credit": no doubt wealthy media editors benefited from Obama and the Fed, but for the 99% who lost trillions of tax dollars and lost interest on savings which were transferred to Wall Street, the self-serving Fed was responsible for suppressing spending, labor participation, and wages, while simultaneously increasing income inequality.
2
And it looks like things are getting better for the Blue Collar folks. To me the key is higher demand for labor and the path to that is increasing business profitability within our boarder through lower corporate taxes that directly reduce profits, and reduced regulations, which indirectly reduce profits.
Manufacturing has been growing in some countries as it has shrunk here. I don't at all buy that jobs are not coming back due to increased automation. While manufacturing productivity has increased, so has product complexity. If we still made model T class cars, we wouldn't need many people to make them. However, a modern car has AC, ABS, GPS ...
The Fed recapitalized the banks by relieving them of paying interest to depositors. Now ZIRP has corporations taking themselves private by buying back their own stock.
"If growth continues or accelerates under this president, he will eventually, like Mr. Obama and the Federal Reserve, deserve a lot of credit."
That's absurd. A lot of factors influence growth, so to know whether a president deserves credit for a growing or even accelerating economy or not, you have to analyze what he did, concretely, and study the effects of those decisions on the economy.
All serious economists have in the meanwhile shown that it has indeed been the Democrats' Recovery Act that made the significant difference in turning around a -9% GDP into a steadily growing economy, and laid the foundation for solid growth for at least a decade.
So here, Obama and Democrats deserve a LOT of credit.
But whether Trump's economic "agenda" will have an effect on the economy or not, and in what sense, remains to be seen.
The same, by the way, goes for the deficit and debt. The debt went up enormously under Obama, but once you analyze it, you cannot but notice that Obama and the Democrats CUT the record, structural deficit they inherited from the Bush administration, so they deserve credit for their fiscal responsibility, and the GOP blame for recklessly increasing of the debt.
And today, the GOP actively added $1.5 trillion to the debt. THAT isn't making America greater or stronger, so here, it's again the GOP we have to blame.
All too often, pundits want to link what happens under a president to that president's responsibility, but correlation isn't causation ... .
6
President Trump already deserves all the credit. The Obama “recovery” was the slowest and worst in history because of Obama’s devotion to high taxes, mindless regulations and Big Government. Once President Trump undid the Obama nightmare, the economy took off. Wages are finally rising, companies are expanding, the economy is booming and the middle class is raking in money!!
I just got a bill for four hours in an emergency room, before they transferred me to a hospital due to acute kidney failure. How much was that first four hours of a two day oddyssey? $17,000. Plus or minus.
You can't tell me our country is strong when this kind of graft is open and done every day, all day long, across the country.
It has to be solved! Universal Health care for all is the only answer!
39
Grace, your right on target. What you outlined is wrong and must be fixed.
Just acknowledge, Obama was President for 8 years. Did you see this situation improve? Did obama even have an understanding of what the problems are?
I think you will see President Trump addressing issues like this.
1
You are paying for those who use the ER as their personal doctor's office, same thing happened during the last Administration and will probably continue for years to come.
1
With Big Government universal health you’d be waiting 6 months in the ER
The fortunate thing about the United States is presidents and their administrations come and go. I disagree with the NY Times editorial board. I fail to see what the Times sees. I feel that the Times editorial is misguided by the lack of diversity on its editorial board and I feel that the Washington Post is doing a better job at just reporting and have enjoyed it more than the Times opinion. In my opinion, our trajectory is balanced by momentum and not our leadership. Our leadership is counterproductive and will be proved criminal at some point in the future. The unfortunate thing about the United States is sometimes the President and their administration can't go fast enough.
6
Last night's speech was about power, fear, distraction and cult.. Revisiting those emotionally-based themes of his rallies, he exaggerated the danger of gangs and immigrants. He's still taunting the globe with his nuclear button.
Orwell warned a citizenry could be "made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality" as it moved to authoritarian rule.
Many of us hoped Congress + our revered institutions would keep him in check. But clearly, after last night, it's firmly party over country.
Pause and ponder: The question this morning is will we remain a democracy.
14
The economy was not recovering for 9 years under President Obama. That's a myth. His presidential orders, like allowing H1B visa holders to pull in spouses into non-competitive fields, take work from educated Americans.
Give Trump credit, where credit is due. His talk, his actions, and his reversals of Obama's open-borders, feed-the-world programs have helped Americans to provide for themselves here at home. Why are the NY elite so disappointed in that? Do they think government dependency is America's future? It isn't. We are a stronger people than that, all of us...
9
Myths usually are not confirmed by data. You obviously didn't like the recovery from the 2008 crash, but that doesn't make it a myth.
2
Oh midway, why do you believe such obvious lies? The "black" unemployment rate was 17% when Obama took over during the meltdown and has steadily "recovered" to its current "historic" low of 6.8%. When trump took over the rate was 7.8%. In 2016, under obama it fell the same amount. In 2015, it fell 1.9%. The previous year, it fell 1.5%. The year before that, it fell 1.8%. Seems that like trumps "brag" about creating 2.5 million jobs, Obama did more on both increasing overall jobs, and reducing minority unemployment faster than during trump's first year.
This is, of course, not to mention the disaster obama encountered and not to mention claiming credit for someone else's policies is sad. BTW, whatever happened to the dude that claimed the unemployment rate was a lie?
Lastly, the other obvious lie you tell about obama is that we had "open borders" during his administration. In fact, under the man otherwise known as the the Deporter-in-Chief, millions of people were deported. Again, like the lies about jobs and unemployment, during the last year's of obama's tenure, an average of 20,000 people were deported and during trump's year it has fallen to 17,000 per month. Go figure. Hint: net migration reached zero under obama.
Don't lie about really obvious stuff.
1
All true, sadly.
But you forgot to mention the attempted gutting of the ACA, forcing the healthcare markets into uncertainty and a 35% (in some cases) increase in premiums. Expecting a family of four in Florida to pay $15,000 a year in healthcare premiums offered by the state's single insurer ? this is MAGA for whom Mr. Trump ?
11
Stop lying! ObamaCare was a disaster from Day 1. Obama imposed tens of thousands in premiums on American families and added tens of thousands in deductibles. I’m still waiting for the $2500 savings Obama promised us. I already got my $1000 Trump bonus.
The only redeeming grace of the dismal night of the State of the Union speech was the rebuttal by Joe Kennedy III. He had an uplifting and heartfelt message about what America can be. Trump is darkness, Joe is the light.
12
This is the first State of the Union address that I deliberately did not view since JFK was POTUS. The hours before bedtime are for calm and relaxation. Everything that I have read of the show thus far this morning proved that I did the smart thing.
I'll catch the tabloid headlines about the show while queued up at the supermarket and, in doing so, be fully informed and convinced.
10
Not one mention here about cuts to Medicaid and the plight of the poor or rising economic inequality. Nor do you mention rising housing and health insurance costs but fairly stagnant wages for those at the bottom. And why no coverage on the front page of Bernie's brilliant response to Trump?
11
Crazy Bernie had a response? All I saw was a “Technical Difficulties” screen. Didn’t the rich white man Joe Kennedy ease your fears about inequality??
Here’s what I didn’t hear last night- from the president or the Kennedy response. Not one word about election reform. No mention of the need to amend the Constitution to make clear that only humans have attached rights, of speech, association, etc. Artificial constructs, corporations, should only have those limited rights that...Congress, states, allow them. No mention of how Homeland Security is doing on helping states secure our voting machines, voting data. Not even a mention that perhaps there is no equal treatment when I can receive my ballot several weeks ahead of an election, take my time over it, discuss it with others, then drop the ballot off at an official site, or mail it in. No standing in the rain, no one to challenge my right to vote (all paper work produced at the DMV for registration), no waiting hours in line. How is that equal? Nor did I hear a word about our agribusiness culture that demands cheap labor, massive one-crop estates, giant feed lots, hamburger mixed with meats from.....what other countries. Where are the tax breaks for SMALL farms, ranches, meat packers, repair shops. How many years did it taken Amazon to show a profit? Yet no one called it a hobby business. Why no “conversation” about that old Smart Growth plan to lock us up in mega cities and save the countryside for....what? How easy to write legislation with different treatment for large and small. And did I miss the possibility of taxing sugar sodas, plastic bags? Where, were WE last eve
3
"If not exactly “woke,” this country might certainly be described as awakening, with a shot at shedding the civic apathy that has afflicted it for far too long. It is with backhanded gratitude that we might all thank President Trump for that."
Can we please get rid of this idea? It has been disproven again and again. Activists were on fire against the Viet Nam war: Nixon won a 49 state landslide. Activists were on fire against the Iraq War: Bush won re-election and the Senate in 2004.
A friend told me in the excitement of 2008 that, as bad as Bush was, he was worth it to get Obama: No. Obama was a very good President, but if I could swap Obama for 8 years of boring Al Gore minus the Iraq War, the 2008 global economic wipeout, and maybe even 911, I'd take that swap.
The 'Resistance' is not worth Trump. We'd be far better off today sleeping through Hillary's STOU than groaning and retching through Trump's.
8
So everything is the best in the best of all possible worlds.
1
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs"
This closing statement is what alarms me the most at this point. The Democrats still have not come forth with more than a 'Trump is Bad' message, especially for fundraising. Sadly, the Democrats still are as divided as they were during the presidential election - moderates and extreme left -- which helped produce the debacle that we now live with.
1
What is called the extreme left in the US is center on every other industrialized nation. Medicare for all.
3
The Dems continued message seems to be: Dump Trump, trump is bad; fight for illegal immigrants because they deserve better. If they keep this up they will lose again and hand trump a second victory. When they fight as hard for the American worker as they do children of illegals and criminals they might have a chance. As it stands they will lose.
If the country is in such great shape, if Trump has set it on the right path, and if the future appears so rosy, then Trump and the Republicans should do everything in their power to allow and encourage every American of voting age to go to the polls and indicate with their Democratically given right whether they agree with that assessment. For if they are so sure they have the right way forward, if they are so sure the American people will agree with them, and if they are so confident they will unite the country, then let the people decide. Why do you gerrymandering voting districts? Why do you suppress minority voting? In other words, why is cheating the only way to get approval? Unless you can recognize that the vast majority of Americans don't agree, and you want to silence them.
8
"As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
That is a thick layer of icing on a badly made cake, as it seems that salt was accidently used instead of sugar before it was baked. The plight of Democrats is just as bad as any of the other things that have gone of the rail, but it started about a decade before Trump even campaigned. Democrats have also rubbed salt into the nations wounds of the impact of globalism and inequality, having no qualms about blaming the people affected for their plight.
Perhaps they can turn things around, but probably not until they jettison their utter dislike for about half of the country.
2
First, Trump; then the state of the Union.
As a delivery, his speech was turgid, uninspiring! The most powerful man on earth shows most energy when speaking about a flag; more ire against a scummy street gang than against Putin who plays with American minds and elections? Who assembled Trump’s shopping list of pettiness?
Let's distinguish fully the Union in question from America, the reality. We were given a fine Constitution for its place and time, and Americans pushed back decade by decade in their quest for a more perfect union. The GOP’s pivot from the ideals of Lincoln to the feeding trough of the Dixiecrats has ended that quest. We have regressed. We have a patchwork of police states, a warmongering cabal without the saving grace of a single high aim, and financiers who compete for the title of greediest. Maybe a population of 330 million largely uneducated people is unfit for democracy. That is where we are now, scrabbling to keep some democracy—never mind a more perfect union.
7
Excellent editorial. If young people care about their future, get out of Brooklyn, California and New Jersey and into the heartland and the mid-South. Get people to the polls in November. Wake up those who suffer from apathy. You cannot do this over the internet. I am an old guy. trust me.
6
Trump really has no plans to address the actual problems we have and is making many of them worse:
1. Income inequality: Worse due to his tax cuts; 35% of the benefit goes to the bottom 80%, before considering the impact of ACA subsidy reductions.
2. Wealth inequality: The bottom 80% have 8% of stock market wealth and 50% have no direct or indirect stock ownership.
3. Deficits and debt: +1.5 trillion over a decade.
4. Healthcare coverage: ACA sabotage has added +3 million to the uninsured, which rose from 28 to 31 million. That's 4,000 avoidable fatalities/year.
5. Healthcare costs: Exchange premiums +45% instead of +10% forecast prior to his ACA sabotage.
Immigration wasn't a real problem until he made it one by failing to extend Obama's DACA executive order.
He's doing a great job further polarizing the country by needless attacks on immigrants and non-Christians.
11
Immigration is a problem and Obama swept it under the carpet as did Bush and Clinton before him. It is a real problem, unless you feel it OK to have open borders. There are immigration laws on the books we just haven't had a POTUS that abided by them or a Congress for that matter.
1
Both the president and congress confuse winning with leadership. They can win without leading. The could also lead without winning.
8
The irony inherent in Trump's appeal for unity is well-documented in this "buyer beware" editorial. However this keen and now currently historic awareness of such irony unfortunately does not alter the fact that he's still in office. Hence as any good and honest lawyer might say to any potential customers who are susceptible to being hoodwinked: "Remain vigilant."
1
I predict that as a result of his speech last night the approval rating of President Trump will quickly rebound. He appealed directly to the conservative segment of our population which, judging by the makeup of most state governments, is much larger than the liberal base. I doubt that many conservatives read the New York Times. I do because I try to balance my views on different subjects. So all these negative editorials and anti-Trump articles in the Times today are just preaching to the Progressive choir
4
The booming economy we are now enjoying could have been Obama’s. He was told of the benefits of cutting taxes and regulations, but his blind devotion to the failed policies of Big Government and high taxes prevented him from seeing reality and doomed him to having the worst economic record of any president in history- zero years of GDP growth above 3%
3
The Democrats refused to acknowledge the successes of President Trump as was evidenced at last night's excellent State of the Union address. They refused to stand whenever Mr. Trump spoke about the many positives we have experienced today. They are just plain jealous and only wish it was the Democrat administration that could boast of these wonderful times in America. Their refusing to clap or stand throughout the address proved to the American people just how out of touch they are with our country. What really counts is how well Americans are doing today and they are doing very well. We can thank the Republicans for their listening to the people and responding.
4
No real American would patriot would stand for a “president” who praised Nazis.
3
What I saw on TV last night was strength, passion, conviction and a big, big heart.
“King Kong” was magnificent on TCM!
9
Exposing the deceits of our political leaders is a big part of the essential role of our free press. The strategies behind them, however, on both sides, need to be delineated to preserve our representative democracy.
This next election is too important. Al Gore, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton would have made great presidents but the opposition fought much harder, culminating in the greatest street fighter so far. I don't believe the press needs to get ugly. I believe you must expose the opposition's real goal - the same one Herbert Hoover, Andrew Mellon on up through Presidents Reagan and Nixon, have been fighting for decades. If there is a problem, don't allow the government to interfere with business. Let business run everything!
The equation is simple - the people pay taxes because they trust their government will take care of them as regulations and laws require, or the people don't pay taxes and they let business take care of them on how well they rank in making their own money. The common good vs self-interest. Even President Obama never made this clear. The people can choose their government leaders wisely to uphold the American way or acquiesce to business bullies on an upswing and not bother to think about the future.
3
Reading the NYT, I would have assumed that the approval rate was dismal for the State of the Union speech. CBS released a YouGov poll within minutes of the speech ending, which reported that 75% of Americans approved of the speech. Worse for Democrats, 72% of Independents liked it and a staggering 43% of Democrats approved it. These numbers don't bode well for the Democrats and maybe, just maybe, it's the NYT Editorial Board that's not understanding something about the State of the Union address.
5
After all their moaning about how the polls got it all wrong about their Dear Leader, isn’t it just amazing how Trump’s followers now magically trust polls that conveniently fit their narrative?
Those YouGov numbers are probably accurate, as anyone who is inclined in the first place to listen to a connivingly crafted, dishonest and sales pitch is unlikely to report dissatisfaction with it.
Anyone with a functioning intellect and conscience, on the other hand, can see what an abject disaster this fraud and his administration are.
1
A great SOTU address following a remarkable first year. I could not be happier with our president and all that he has done. I can't imagine how depressed I would be if Hillary were up there last night. Keep up the good work Mr. Trump!
2
I was impressed by the national unveiling of Joe Kennedy III giving a reply to the State of the Union.
We need many more upcoming young leaders of his caliber.
5
I beg to differ with the Times article that the nation is strong. It is just the opposite. Yes, the economy is somewhat strong, and the stock market is strong, but the nation overall is totally divided. People and families don't even talk to each other anymore — there is hatred and bigotry going on all over the nation. Apparently, Trump can't see any further than the end of his nose. There is still lots of poverty — lots of families living on what is called the "two dollar a day," living. Veterans are still having to wait months to receive proper medical treatment. Social security disability takes months and months to get approved.
I did not watch the speech, and I have not watched them in the past. They have become a "dog and pony" show for the party in power, and not what it was meant to be, the "state of the nation."
3
There is a lot of poverty and a lot of struggling miserable people who are "near poor" though not homeless.
However: nobody lives on $2 a day. It would be impossible, given today's prices. That's $60 a month! what you mean is "people on welfare...food stamps...Medicaid....and other government benefits....have only $2 DISCRETIONARY CASH each day to buy things like cigarettes, beer and lotto tickets". They already get free food and free medical care, benefits worth many thousands of dollars per year!
Good point. Sort of seems defeatist but I will take it.
1
The state of the Union is currently linked to the state of the world, and, though your editorial slid by it quickly, the president's and Republicans' anti-climate/anti-fact/anti-civilization onslaught is so reckless, harmful, and short-sighted that it should be included in any articles of impeachment.
The president projects one of the worst possible faces of America and is damaging to our inspirational role in the world. As you point out, that role has been bolstered by the active and energized resistance he has inspired. But serious damage to the world and individual lives continues.
4
"the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
That statement is a condemnation of the DNC so-called "leadership". I do not fault Schumer for being over 50. That is not the cause of his fecklessness. I blame him and his crew for being timid, ineffective, useless and not wanting to offend their benefactors - just like the GOP with theirs - and corruptly attempting to stifle the rising tide of progressives who could lead us into a better tomorrow. The corporate Dems try to dilute the progressive message and agenda by conflating their chosen candidates (Gillibrand, Corker, Harris) with true progressives (Sanders, Warren, Merkely). Sorry, guys, you can stick feathers on your anointed ones, but you can't make them fly.
The Democratic leadership has to either get on board with real change or get out of the way.
3
Yes, in the absence of an honest, competent, hard=working, knowledgeable, and unselfish leader, WE THE PEOPLE MUST RISE AND TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY. We cannot drowse through life watching netflix and cultivating our own gardens. We must take charge of our own destiny just as we did in 1776.
5
"He was right to note that the unemployment rate has continued to drop, and that some big employers have been raising wages."
The unemployment rate has dropped in late measure because as of May 2017, 22% of American men without college degrees have not worked at all in the last 12 months and most of them have effectively dropped out of the economy altogether. In all, roughly 94,000,000 have dropped out of the workforce!
And as of yesterday, only 9% of the 500 largest corporations have offered raises in response to the tax cut.... that's not even a TRICKLE-down... it's more like a DRIBBLE...
4
It was refreshing to see Joe Kennedy III speak. Someone who can actually use our English language, put thoughts into words without reading from a teleprompter, and just be positive without resorting to insults or nasty nicknames, like a five-year-old.
I was four years old when JFK was assassinated, but I still remember how much it affected my parents.
It's good to see another Kennedy speaking out.
3
State of the Union speeches have always been cheerleading to their party; nothing more! The majority party stands and cheers like fans at a bullfight, every time the matador does something flashy. Donald Trump and the Republican Party are no different. I don’t know how many “new fans” Donald Trump made last night. When expectations are so low, everything looks like a win. In Reallity, nothing is going to change. So sad!
OK, so now the Democrats who have been playing defense at a baseball game are now up to bat. Really? So far, I haven’t seen ONE refreshing candidate or player. We now have to go to a farm club and bring up a 37 year old Kennedy to put in the batters box. Even those great hot dogs, peanuts and beer aren’t going to keep me excited to watch another boring game. Want to win again Democrats? Then go out and get some real talented players. Give us someone and something to get excited about. Roughly 37% of Americans still approve of Trump after all the things he’s done. What does that tell you about the American Electorate? By those numbers, that means that if I ran for President right now, with no name recognition, talent, experience or any other attribute, I would probably pull at least that many voters. So–only about 20% of the American Voters are going to decide our next election. Will YOU be one of those 20% who will decide our future? If not YOU, then WHO?
2
I have suggested in comments submitted at other columns that one way to understand the level to which Trump has reduced my country of birth is to read reviews and excerpts from Daniel Ellsberg's new book THE DOOMSDAY MACHINE Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner.
Ellsberg reports on a time when a mad general, Curtis LeMay, had a SIOP plan to drop 80 nuclear bombs on Moscow, as a start of his plan to destroy the Soviet Union. Now many years later we have a mad would-be general who actually embraces Putin and could not dream of bombing Moscow but who, in common with LeMay, is oblivious to the concept of "unintended consequences". To threaten to drop even one 21st century nuclear weapon on a very small country, North Korea shows that the present madman in chief cannot think beyond a single action.
With that Doomsday hanging over the world, all else Trump talks/tweets about is trivia.
How can Trump be kept from fulfilling LeMay's dream?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
2
If this editorial were a state of the union address it would be a flop. It doesn't rise to the occasion. It drips with faint praise and back-handed compliments. It does not look to the future but nostalgically looks back to a past which never was as good as it was portrayed to be but divided America as seldom before. This is what Trump inherited--not some golden era which yet glimmers but an era of broken promises in which much of America lost its hope and turned to opiods. Obama's failed vision was one in which government offered the solutions. Trump's is one in which the people find their own strength. Nancy Pelosi appropriately wore black and a long face--much like this editorial, but it was not for the nation but for their own failed cause. The left blew it, but they still can't admit it. Rather than search into their own hearts, they still blame others. If there is a blackness of soul, it is to be found in themselves and not in Trump.
5
I fervently hope we can avert further damage to the union when the Russians come to call in the 2018 election. Here's hoping we can thwart any damage they will try to do.
3
The Democrats have a coherent, appealing voice. They had a detailed platform upon which they ran in the last election, a platform that addressed the actual needs of the majority of American citizens. The constant questioning of Democrat's policies by pretty much all media is another example of the distressing habit of the media clinging to a story hook that was never really accurate. It's lazy shorthand, and it's distressing to see that it continues.
2
The editorial board says President Trump is trying to drag the immigration system back to a “shameful, bigoted past,” but the immigration system he proposes would do away with the country quota system altogether. Country of origin, race and ethnicity would not count. This is a sharp departure from decades when U.S. immigration policies were designed to prohibit immigration from Southern Europe, Asia and Africa. The propose system would permit immigrants to sponsor only their spouses and dependent children, but this would give applicants with no American relatives a more equitable shot art admission. It will produces a more racially and ethnically diverse stream of immigrants.
4
Hate to be nihilistic, but I don't see signs of the "awakening" described in this editorial. I see a Left that has formed a circular firing squad, and that spends more time re-litigating "Bernie vs. Hillary" than building coalitions, while Trump and the GOP tear down 50 years of progress. If another vote were held today, I think Trump and the GOP would win again.
1
The telling moment for me was when Trump referred to the US Motto as "In God We Trust". This alt-fact was underscored by Ryan's gesturing to the words over his head. Seems the the motto "E Pluribus Unum" (out of many, one) proposed by the U.S. Continental Congress in 1782 has lost its marketing cache under the GOP.
I guess even wizard speech writer Steven Miller couldn't spin that ideological discrepancy with the rest of the nationalistic pablum we were being fed so he decided that a phrase adopted for one piece of currency in 1864 was more fitting for thew US Motto.
1
Well written. If the dems wants to take back America they should learn by not running candidates like Hillary who ran an identity obsessed, never met a war, wall street banker or trade agreement I did not like campaign who wanted to be anointed president because she is a woman.
The dems can keep their progressive idea but consolidate their gains and focus on things like blue collar job losses in the midwest, careful fair, non onerous tariffs on our worst slave labor country offenders, staying out of wars, reining in Wall Street, a rational compromise on immigration etc. etc.
Trump successfully demagogued all of the above.
4
I've lived for 72 years and this is the most scary thing I, and likely millions of others, have ever seen - the most powerful people in America standing and applauding the most powerful man in the world, a president who has so little respect for human life.
2
"The reaction against his authoritarian impulses, assault on the truth and cruelties great and petty has revealed abiding American strengths."
Mostly it has raised endless lamentations, like this post. We'll see in the mid-terms if it changes anything. My own prediction is that the GOP is better at both numbers crunching and dirty campaigning and we will see no real change. Show me I'm wrong, America.
Because even if most of us disapprove - of this WH, of this Congress - they are still there, creating chaos in a swirl of corrupt self-interest and self-enrichment. And even if most of us believe in immigration and feel we need to improve our laws, we have done nothing. And even if we have consensus that we should have afford policies for people who do not have job coverage, we have undermined the effort at each step. Everything we do agree on, has been systematically undermined.
So does it matter what we think?
"Mr. Trump can’t be blamed for all the country’s woes. Yet after a year in office, he can now fairly be held accountable, together with the feckless and cynical congressional leadership, for making many of them worse."
But he can be held accountable for making nothing better. Yes, the stock market, building on the gains made possible by Obama administration policies, rose dramatically recently, but future generations will have to pay for the tax changes (not reform) that caused its recent rise. Most go us think more of our children's welfare
1
If all of the invectives the NYT's Editorial Board hurls at Trump were reversed to the favor of the Democrats - they would be crowing over their ascendent power.
Trump may be construed as the obverse of Obama - yet they are the two sides of the same coin. We have been selling this country down the river for decades and Trump is merely the nadir of how far we've sunk in abasing the once great Republic of the United States.
We as American citizens and electorate should be looking inside as to how we as a people have allowed a massive, bloated, unaccountable Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches to usurp the powers. We should be considering how we restore a Republic founded on individual rights and government that is best is that which is closest to those it serves. How far we are from that ideal!
Trump should be a cathartic moment for us to reimagine the the principles of the Constitution so they are adapted to the 21st century - to the needs of all the people, not just a global elite 1% and their acolytes.
Reform - or revolution!
2
What Trump Doesn't Get About the State of the Union?
Mr Trump and his GOP dont seem to have much concern that a foreign, hostile nation has directly interfered in the electoral process of our nation - and they possibly will do so in the future. God only knows what else Russia, or even China has done via hacking our communication system.
Given that Mr Trump has yet to implement sanctions against Russia for that interference it doesnt bode well for the state of our Union. He can crow with overblown superlatives all he wants about how great of a job he has done - when we have to question the basics of our elections we have a problem, and he hasnt convinced me that he even recognizes there IS a problem.
1
I didn't bother to watch it this year as it's just Trump reading a Kushner or someone else's words. I doubt Trump could say three sentences indicating intelligence.
1
What Trump is doing is trying to take the economy back to the days when corporations had the freedom to do anything to promote their interests, regardless of consequences. Any regulation which requires consideration of the environment or protection of the health of the people or constraint over industrial abuses is being discarded. We are not there yet, but unfettered capitalism is the goal of this administration and back to the past in social matters is its dream. So, be happy with the hundred dollars you will receive this year.
54
Hell I'll be lucky to get $100 and I can assure you with our income from Social Security and modest pensions (~$50000) we're definitely now lower middle class. And that tiny benefit (if real) will soon start decreasing. I guess I can thank the congress for me not having to itemize deductions at least for a while until our medical expenses go through the roof.
Maybe maybe we can have the State of the Union speech scheduled to come before the coin toss of the Super Bowl.
Both are two meaningless, overhyped spectacles with ritualistic partisanship, scripted bathos, interspersed with moments of faux unity.
39
Go Trump, Go Tom Brady and the Patriots, USA! Trump wins again
Not to mention ungodly amounts of money flowing like a river all around both.
When I was young, I'd sometimes hear adults describing certain things as being "cream puffs". A well-made cream puff consists, as I understood it, of a light and airy pastry, smooth and shiny on the outside, with a wonderful, sweet, creamy pudding-like filling injected into it's center. But one had to take care to munch them quickly, or store them carefully because, if left exposed to sunlight, they would decay from the inside out rather quickly - and so be unsafe to consume. Last evening's performance, while a good one, caused me to remember what my dad might have said about we heard.
In a proper Trump paradise, all of the priorities listed in the editorial would be addressed successfully if we would simply sell education, health care, infrastructure, and much more to private interests. We do, though, seem to recognize the value of common good, and may yet stand together to preserve the gifts our antecedents left for us to use wisely.
16
"In a proper Trump paradise, all of the priorities listed in the editorial would be addressed successfully if we would simply sell education, health care, infrastructure, and much more to private interests."
Ageed. The public education, health care and infrastructure industries are in
unnecessary disarray due to massive government intervention while private industries like computing, consumer goods, and carbon energy production are flourishing free from government idiocy. They are driving our economy, creating jobs and wealth, and raising our standard of living.
All that Trump did not get about the State of the Union, Joe Kennedy did in a millennial style. It was so refreshing to hear a young pedigreed American identifying himself as an immigrant and, saying that politicians are about the promises they make but America is about the promises we keep. I know. "Politician" is Kennedy's middle name but it was a nice change compared to the dinosaur.
128
Aurace--We will never unite with this dear leader, and his sycophantic cronies, in Congress. Never. Vote!!!
1
Joe Kennedy is our future. God bless him !!
Even with all the divisive discourse, deeply polarised polity, foreign meddling in elections, and the White House chaos, if America could still manage to live with the Trump presidency, and the systematic assaults on constitutional institutions and values under it, it is because the roots of America's constitutional order are firmly laid and nurtured through a political culture of democracy in which the common American has invested a great hope and stake. Its this systemic resilience that despite all the odds the state of the Union to which Trump has indicated in his Tuesday night speech looks bright and encouraging.
23
Thanks for 'shedding the civic apathy that has afflicted it'. Trump has been an effective friend to civics teachers, sending many of us repeatedly back to the Constitution. (How many of us had remembered the difference between district & circuit courts? https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/federal-courts)
It's a hazardous way to do it, but grass-roots civic movements seem to be arising & carrying forward, due to the peril we now sense we're all in. As Lincoln said (& our school civics teachers repeated) democracy doesn't come naturally to our species, so, individually, we must be ever active to sustain it. November of this new year is a great test for us. Friends, let's not fail it.
86
"As Lincoln said (& our school civics teachers repeated) democracy doesn't come naturally to our species, so, individually, we must be ever active to sustain it."
Nonsense. Lincoln believed impassionately about liberty, not democracy.
"Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors." - Lincoln.
Democracy is a dangerous and vile form of government that inevitably subjects the minority to the tyranny of the majority. The goal is liberty so that each person can fufill their own destiny in life without Big Brother and his minions.
So do you think it's better to subject the majority to the tyranny of the minority? What do you call that?
Are you saying that many civics teachers were unclear about the difference between federal trial courts and federal appeals courts?
No wonder. That explains a lot.
I agree with the major points of this analysis by the Times, and am heartened by the many strengths displayed by many decent people in this country. However, what I am not so confident of, is the ability of those many decent people to "win" against a foreign power that has installed its top asset at the top of our food chain, and a Congress who no longer cares about democracy.
I'm curious how what is termed "civic apathy" turns into demonstrable power to return us to being a nation of values and ideals, not personal slights and perceived mistreatments by those less fortunate than ourselves.
Many would say, "vote" and others would say "get involved" - but both those reasonable answers only work in an atmosphere of common understanding and respect for a way of life that is now under attack. It is not unreasonable, in fact, to foresee a day when we are not "allowed" to vote, and "getting involved" might mean wielding arms instead of ideas. I see that day coming fast, and pray I'm wrong.
48
In many red states, Democrats (At least Anglo ones) have been "Allowed" to vote, there just happen not to have been any meaningful democratic candidates.
My vote has not counted with my Reptilian Congressmen for the last ten years.
1
Anyone who dares to throw President Obama or Secretary Clinton into this discussion of Trump for the purpose of suggesting that Trump has been better for our nation than Obama or Clinton should be be aware that we know who you are and who you are working for and we won't allow your malicious lies to influence us now or in the future. In other words, we can smell you coming a mile away.
194
‘We know who you are”? Is that some threat? Do you have a gun? Should I defend myself? Sigh. Just more sound and fury, signifying nothing....
1
"Anyone who dares to throw President Obama or Secretary Clinton into this discussion of Trump for the purpose of suggesting that Trump has been better for our nation than Obama or Clinton should be be aware that we know who you are and who you are working for and we won't allow your malicious lies to influence us now or in the future."
I dare. Obama was the most feckless President since Carter and Honest Hillary simply has no conscience or soul. Perhaps its time for the safe space.
1
Here, here, Alabama Democrat, hear hear. We can smell them coming, and though the stench may be overwhelming by November, we will be following Alabama's lead in their recent Senate election and vote these traitors out of office. They seem to be gleefully chipping it all away - the editorial's drawing is apropos - the shredded flag with the stars falling away, along with our tears for the seeming disintegration of our country. I too could not bear to watch last night - he is just too revolting - I'll read on it the next day - thank you NYT, WAPOST - all of the 4th Estate fighting for our country.
History has shown that public revulsion is much like a weed along the fence, it grows slowly but surly and eventually reaches sunlight and blooms into something that can't be ignored or easily destroyed. President Trump simply ignores the truth that he offends sensibilities and does nothing to earn lasting respect. Both LBJ and Richard Nixon finally offended just about everyone, Johnson with obvious lies about the war in Vietnam and Nixon with his lies about Watergate. President Trumps trashing immigrants and taunting N. Korea and endless ridicule of President Obama as well as his endless tweets will be his undoing.
154
you forgot about his obsession with Hillary.
1
The lying. The constant outrageous pathological lying and Trump not caring that we know he's lying. That's what's going to take him down. People are already fed up and disgusted. When his base finally realizes what a mountain of manure this guy stands on, it'll be over. They'll eventually have to face that he lied to them straight-faced for over a year about collaborating with Russia and then spending all his time trying to cover it up. Eventually Mueller is going to tell us what Trump has done. If he fires Mueller, SOMEBODY is going to tell us what that investigation has uncovered.
At least North and South Korea will be participating in the Olympics and possibly starting a new dialogue between the two countries, it's a start after all and more than Obama or SOS Clinton could accomplish.
1
It's sad that Trump used honorable, responsible, and in some cases grieving individuals as props for a shell of a speach that neither addressed the state of the union with substance nor proposed anything but sketchy plans for the future.
84
You aren't very familiar with these types of speeches and how presidents often introduce such initiatives in general are you?
1
Tonight I saw the same old Trump of the campaign - mawkish, manipulating, and, most distressing to me, using other people's tragedies for his own political gain. His speech with its heavy use of empty superlatives was designed to stir emotions and distract people from the truth. The person or persons who wrote it certainly pitched it at his level, and he delivered. But the lasting effect is of meaninglessness.
147
Yet 70% of Americans thought it was positive...and that's the CNN poll.
1
Empty superlatives is a smart, apt phrase, and habitual.
I would give Trump less credit for favorable developments and less blame for the unfavorable. He is not a hands on leader and most of what happened this year was based on the decisions of others. Trump’s main contribution is expressed in his leadership style, which most Americans consider terribly unprofessional. Whether stocks go up or down, Trump is embarrassing, offensive, and demoralizing. Under his leadership, the State of the Union is bad even if it is good.
65
True, mostly. Guantanamo is Trump's. So too is the growing list of civilian casualties in our wars. So too is the malice with which he treats minorities--surely that's not Obama's doing?
1
What was left out of the address was the most important in terms of our continued existence as a democracy. His decision to tell Congress to go pound sand by refusing to implement the additional sanctions against Russia and his continued behind the scenes support of the rogue group from the House Judiciary Committee to undermine the work of Robert Mueller. Each of these actions threatens to undermine our rule of law, and devalue the State of our Union for a long, long time.
69
No actually, I did not find anything positive or remarkable about this gob of warm, mushy "feel-good" pablum, completely divorced from the reality that most people experienced this year, filled to the brim with vague, empty promises, tied together only with the emotional stories of real people (thus simultaneously giving everyone something to cheer about, for once, and preventing Trump from continually talking about himself), spiced with Stephen Miller-style cajun peppers (about chain migration and Guantanamo), and finally, delivered in a slow, bored, repetitive (but self-righteous!) drone, like a third grader sing-songing through a book report (deliberately imitating a metronome), and given one standing ovation after another, by a loving, doting GOP (except look at McConnell's despondent face, from time to time), and sensibly ignored completely by the Dems.
Okay, but then you come up with, "As a national party, the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Mr. Trump and instead address the nation’s needs."
(Except that Joe Kennedy III's rebuttal speech did exactly that. Hello.)
92
Joe Kennedy lll gave an uplifting speech.
It would be wonderful to see more of this young man.
He gives me hope.
86
Just what the world needs...another cursed Kennedy...
1
"So far, the reaction against his authoritarian impulses, assault on truth and cruelties great and petty has revealed abiding American strengths. Despite the strong economy, Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of this presidency."
Let's all wait until 2020 and the chance to throw Trump out of office before patting yourselves on the back, okay?
22
Trump was bad and cheap in the way that he tried to define what
it is to be an American - he really tried to define whiteness as a feature
of being an American.
Yet more racism being peddled.
1
On the stock market, "he clearly deserves some credit"?
We can always get temporary booms by giving Wall Street and the enterprise system everything they want. Our entire national history and the history of booms and busts around the world, however, shows us that this is a failing, flailing effort: what we give away to get growth we get back, hard, right in the face, in the form of economic collapse, polluted rivers and air and a landscape laid waste by those who rob and run away.
Trump and the Republicans gave away tax cuts of 1.5 trillion dollars, most of them going permanently to the corporate/ownership classes in America. Let's not celebrate the limited good news of a jump in stock prices because most of the benefits go to those that already have, not those most in need.
Trump has signaled the business establishment that they need not worry about petty enforcement of regulations and laws on the books. Surely an argument can be made that government sometimes goes too far, sometimes hurting growth and employment, but that does not justify throwing open the doors and letting the cows and pigs graze in the kitchen.
What's the master plan? Perhaps to have four years of out of control business growth followed by a recession to hand off to the next, Democratic, president. If money is your god, say your thanks now.
51
"So far, the reaction against his authoritarian impulses, assault on truth and cruelties great and petty has revealed abiding American strengths. Despite the strong economy, Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of this presidency." Just imagine what might have been if we had a president and Congress who worked for the country, instead of for themselves and their donors.
68
The Republican Party is unique in the world. No other political party stands on a platform of gutting its national government.
3
Therein lies the rub. Imagine that Clinton had been elected. Don't get me wrong - I was praying for that result very hard. But don't we kind of know what would be the case now if that happy day had occurred?
We'd be on our 14th Benghazi hearing.
There would be 3 impeachment proceedings under way, one of which because she wore the wrong color pants suit.
McConnell would be furiously blocking anything she proposed and filibustering everything in sight.
In short, because of the Republicans, we would be right back to where we were with Obama, trying to do the right thing whilst dragging along the whole weight of the right wing win at any cost and the hell with everything else party.
Trump is surely part of the problem and his administration is chocked full of the worst knaves and varlets ever to be let near the public treasury, but the whole problem is more than just him and them.
I think we are past the point of divorce in this country. If we cannot emulate California and achieve a Democratic super majority in government, than we should start working on the separation agreement and begin to get this over with.
1
I listened to Trump’s STOU speech and also the Democratic response from Joe Kennedy. The contrast in the tenor and trustworthiness between the Demagogue and the Democrat was stark. The first was a well- rehearsed presentation of half- truths pandering to a base while the second was a sincere speech from the heart that delved into the vexing issues in the country that the Demagogue chose to ignore. The economy is indeed doing well, but Mr. Trump hogging the credit was like when someone else builds a skyscraper and the guy who puts up only the spire claims that he built the tallest building. But then we do not expect any different from a narcissist. Trump talked about building the wall but Kennedy talked about knocking down the economic and social walls separating people that are now higher because of Trump’s incendiary rhetoric. Kennedy’s speech was somewhat less polished but the sincerity, lack of hyperbole and his youthful enthusiasm to seek solutions from an all-inclusive America was refreshing. Also, the American people applaud the bravery of invited guests and share in the loss of those who faced tragedies. However, Trump’s attempt to bask in reflected glory of invited guest was pathetic. Trump made a good attempt to seem congenial and compassionate, yet his tweets and tactics of the last one year made clear that his STOU was nothing else but sugar coated pandering to the base. Like a chewed gum, it became tasteless at the end of the long eighty minute talk.
61
It was so boring, a disaster. To me it sounded like a fat, old man, making faces reading words which he had no idea what he was talking about. It was hard for me to take to hear him saying in the superlative every thing he has done. He would flunk a middle school test as far as I am concerned. He needs to go sooner than later.
Sure, Trump can be appalling at times but if the editors are looking for authoritarian streaks in presidents look no further than President Obama with his over-reliance on executive orders, his misuse of the IRS to go after political opponents, his apparent corruption of the FBO and DoJ to fix the election for Mrs Clinton, ad nauseum.
25
Except for the fact that Bush and other presidents used executive orders more than Obama, Obama didn't use the IRS (A republican fielded that office), more democratic organizations were refused tax breaks than republicans (the number for republicans was zero.), and the FBI was stating a week before the election that Clinton was under investigation with nary a word about Trump being under investigation at the same time.
In other words not a single fact correct by you.
3
If the republicans hadn’t tried to obstruct everything president Obama introduced and worked with Obama, there wouldn’t have been a need to use executive orders. Thank Mitch McConnell
2
How many went to jail on Wall Street as he had promised to clean up? Eric Holder a shill for top dogs on the Street. Yep he sure showed them a thing or two in his eight years in office. And this guy is even worse with less restrictions.
What Trump doesn’t get are the values articulated by Joe Kennedy tonight. Leadership is not a zero sum game. It is not about the ego of a deeply flawed man and the self serving sycophants who support him. It is about America as a bold experiment of immigrants wanting a better life free from tyranny. Trump is all about fear, punishment and nonsense bargains where we all lose the idea we call the USA.
Whether you believe Trump the Teleprompter or Trump the Twitterer, they are the same weak, ignorant pervader of lies, half lies, ignorance and mistruths. Only TelePrompTer Trump doesn’t know what he is saying while Twitter Trump does.
71
One thing I’ve noticed about virtually all followers of this president: they enjoy, and are actually motivated by, this president’s drive to hurt and cause misery to their fellow Americans.
There is something deeply, morally wrong with anyone who supports this man.
297
You've done something typical of the left. You've characterized an opposing viewpoint as hurtful and misery-causing, allowing you to demonize the person holding said viewpoint.
Has it occurred to you that it's not about your feelings? Americans desiring a strong border are not out to get you. Stop personalizing it and playing the victim.
1
and yet SOMEBODY did vote for him...and got him in. thats an awful lot of Americans. think about it
1
I couldn't agree more. This "man" is sick as are his admirers
Sooner or later liberals and Democrats will find out that Americans could care less about Russian innuendo, sexual innuendos and the like, so long as more of their family and friends have jobs, see some raises, keep more of their money, see their 401k balances rise, and see more illegal immigrants being deported.
You can whine as much as you want, but I submit to you that is very, very hard to find many Americans whose lives are not better today than they were a year ago.
12
Wages are increasing at a lower rate than they were a year ago.
33
Well, the 800 folks who are losing their jobs at Harley Davidson, and the 500 workers laid off this year from Carrier in Indiana, and the 5000 employees being laid off by Kimberly Clark, and the farmers losing international markets due to Trump’s careless bombast might not agree with you. Then again, perhaps these people are just “fake news” to the real Trump supporters
96
What you mischaracterize as "whining" is a timely, nation and world wide, rebuke of Trump and those in the Republican party who are enabling him to remain office while he engages in obstruction of justice in plain view of every citizen in America and every nation on the face of the Earth.
33
I just wish, with all my heart, that the "real" news (mainstream media) and everyone else who had the courage and wherewithal—
Could have just ignored (and certainly not attended) his exercise in mouth-flapping. [Let it just be another Republican self-congratulatory hoopla-filled national convention, which it was.]
And the same goes for his spastic twittering.
21
keep living in "wish world"...it's their JOB to cover the SOTU speech....YOU need to "GET REAL"
1
Trump is a known con man. Why would anyone believe a word he says about anything?
68
clearly everyone who voted for him bought into his con. many of those voters are having second thoughts, and many more are extremely happy with their choice and stand behind him. what does that say about the future of this country with people like that living in our midst????
If you are black or white "We Choose Both"
If you are male or female "We Choose Both"
If you are blue collar or white collar "We Choose Both"
If you are a gay man or a lesbian "We Choose Both"
If you are a liberal or a conservative "We Choose Both"
If you are a Republican or a Democrat "We Choose Both"
If you are rich or poor "We Choose Both"
18
Today, instead of watching the State of the Union address, I visited the 6th floor museum at the Texas Book Depository in Dallas. The words of JFK, prominent throughout, were enough to make me cry for our nation's lost vision. Would that we had a leader who could articulate why arts are as important as commerce, that dignity accompanies equality, that being fortunate calls for giving back especially to those less fortunate, that sharing our sense of freedom around the world can be uplifting, that history teaches us to strive to be better citizens, that together we can achieve lofty--and moral--goals. All with a sense of humor.
50
Ah the Kennedy myth continues, nearly got this country into an atomic war with Russia; started Vietnam, and slept with mobsters girlfriends. Fantasy is so much better than truth.
1
I'm not peddling hagiography. All presidents, including JFK, had some combo of unsavory personality traits, missteps, blind spots, steep learning curves, you name it. They were human beings in a job that no one human can reasonably do. But wouldn't you rather have a vision like his to accompany all the faults, rather than a vision of... division?
1
I usually listen to the state of the union speech. Thankfully, tonight I could not as I am vacationing in Mexico. Although not planned, I am relishing the symbolism. All of the people I have encountered here are wonderful, hard working, and proud of their heritage. They value familes and family traditions. Remarkably I haven't encountered any animus towards us (although I halfway expected it with Trump's awful rhetoric).
Trump is an abberation and I firmly believe his detestable ideas and vision for the country will be soundly defeated at the ballot box in 2018 and 2020.
40
Hate to let you know NYT, but Trump is starting to win me over. I did not vote for him or Hillary. But that speech was amazing. Stirred me with pride for our country and the people he introduced - oh my - made me so proud to be an American. Such incredibly moving and powerful human stories. I feel like I live in two alternate worlds when I listen to him directly and then turn to MSNBS for the criticism. I don't like the man personally, nor his morals, but I do like the way he stands up for our country. I am slipping into his grasp
21
Now you know what it feels like to be conned.
21
You can seriously say that he stands up for our country when he won't address the Russian Government interfering in our election as a threat to our sovereignty despite what his own intelligence officials tell him? Even though his own CIA Director says that they will interfere in the 2018 election cycle, he still sees no need to act in a way that would protect our country? Despite him signing a law for sanctions against the Russians, he refused to implement it as written. Amazing.
53
You do realize that he did not write that speech don't you? You do realize that his calls for unity are in direct opposition of almost everything he has done during the last year as he has name called both the opposition and those in his own party, fear mongered and denigrated 'the other', and promoted tax changes that discriminate against those states who raise enough money to meet their obligations for education etc.?
66
In the Long March
RepubliCon authoritarian rule is in its' final moments of fruition.
With racism at its base,
the RepubliCons now control Congress.
"Committees" meet in private.
Democrats are wholly excluded.
After years of obstruction, they have a free hand.
Now a true authoritarian controls the Executive branch.
Agencies are now captured and the Reckoning has arrived.
Purging employees, changing direction, hiding information.
The judiciary is on the verge of being overwhelmed by reactionary forces, Federalists and religious zealots.
Individual nullification and discrimination is being promoted.
Public education is under attack. The environment.
There are two "independent" agencies: FBI and DOJ.
They are on the verge of destruction:
Federal Attorneys dispatched (to get Berrara)
Yates, Comey, McCabe, Rosenstein next......
Mueller down the road........
Obama was the American equivalent of the Wiemar Republic.
America is todt.
17
Maui Yankee,
Thanks, I wish I could have read your comment before I wrote mine I could have watched some more curling.
I looked up todt.
right on the money
6
NY Times , you keep trying to knock President Trump down, but your relentless biased criticism only serves to enhance his support. It is you , the Editorial Board of the Times that does not get it. You and your opinion writers have been repeatedly wrong since he began his candidacy. Why should anyone listen to you now?
18
As a matter of fact (not "fake" which means truth that makes him look bad)—
They have been repeatedly RIGHT.
[The Times, however, unfortunately missed the boat with Bernie Sanders during the primaries.]
7
Then there's you and your ilk that don't have a clue as to what our Constitution means and stands for and, apparently, cannot see the decades of positive advances that have been made over the last 60 years and deny those things just like Trump has. You should be ashamed to live in this country. After Trump's (so-called) election, I am ashamed of this country, and I'm a 73 year old college educated veteran and not a draft-dodger like Trump.
41
"...this country might certainly be described as awakening, with a shot at shedding the civic apathy that has afflicted it for far too long. It is with backhanded gratitude that we might all thank [ the blaring Trumpet] for that."
You got that right. What a heck of a way to have to awaken to the reality that we have been all too apathetic about our civic duties. Does there exist anyone who, in all their years of eligibility, actually voted in every election, local, state, and federal? Ignore our freedoms and they will all disappear!
And, in my opinion, the SOU address sounded more like a campaign or inauguration speech---there was little of substance to crow over..... La-ti-da!
14
That was a seductively delivered call to White Supremacists to love Trump through their hatred of others. I had hoped another nightmare would have risen after I had died. Now I have to live the nightmare. Can't you see it too?
28
Tonight I witnessed what the Times saw fit not to print.
My Democratic Party would not stand and applaud our country's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capitol. Instead, my Party sat in solidarity with the cowards of the European Union, Arab and Muslim countries sworn to Israel's destruction, and those persons and organizations who support BDS, not of China in Tibet, or Turkey in Cyprus, or North Korea or Iran who oppress their own, but of a tiny outpost of Democratic liberalism in a sea of revanchist hate which still deny the liberal cultural rights and identity politics which hold my Democratic Party hostage.
But I will not, like Prof. Allan Dershowitz, threaten to leave the Party because an acolyte of Louis Farrakhan now is vice-chair with nary a whimper of protest. I will not leave the Party of Roosevelt, Kennedy and Johnson. But I will fight for the center which opposes the anti-Semitic Left wing of the Dem Party. I will seek out common ground with Republicans who love Israel, and with what remains of a Party which has lost its soul.
Today, the WSJ printed a photo of Barack Obama standing with the congressional Black Caucus and Louis Farrakhan. A photo which was suppressed, apparently, and which the Times sees fit not to print.
If the GOP caucused with David Duke it would be splashed across page one. But the liberal paper of record dares not re-print it.
Tonight, I understand why.
Left wing anti-Zionism is rooted in age old anti-Semitism.
21
NO, we are against the Israelis government which has refused to make any agreement with the Palestians that they will keep. They keep stealing land from the west bank against even their own courts saying they are illegal.
And there are many jews who are against their government's stance. Are they also anti-semetic?
It does stand with David Duke and Richard Spencer. they are Nazis !
You cannot call yourself a Democrat and refuse to recognize the nature of the far-Right policies of the Israeli government.
Accusing critics of that government of "anti-semitism" is the kind of smear one expects from the Right.
In demanding that Jerusalem, an international and inter-faith city, be for Israel alone, Trump has not strengthened Israel, but rather has made its enemies and victims hate it even more.
Yes, every State of the Union honors individuals, but this parade of people were over the top and, in my view, exploited to fit into Trumps narrative.
The fact checkers were busy with at least seven false claims and others which needed more context as they were misleading.
This was a speech with very little substance and his cheers for keeping Gitmo was very chilling; applause and cheering to keep open this torture facility? The using MS-13 in the same breath as the DACA Dreamers was very out of order and downright wrong.
We now have an added debt of 1.5 trillion plus due to the tax breaks for corporations and uber wealthy. Now he wants to spend that amount on infrastructure. Where will the money come from? How is this supposed to work?
And, as someone said, this teleprompter Trump is not the real Donald. This was the dressed up Donald who was told to behave himself, read what is written, and smile. He is as false as they come.
40
I could not bring myself to stuff my rage long enough to watch that dirty lying creep spin more lies to a world wide audience.
However, I still have an opinion and the following is what he should have said in his speech:
I am resigning effective immediately from the office of president due to the fact that I have failed to uphold my oath of office, have personally profited from my position, have sought to obstruct a federal investigation into my unlawful dealings, and admit to having caused the American people to lose confidence in me and my ability to act appropriately in my personal and professional dealings with others.
41
Joe Kennedy delivered he State of the Union speech in Fall River. The speech delivered in DC was "fake."
You covered the wrong speech.
27
That's the problem:
STOP GIVING HIM ATTENTION
14
So much in the speech merely touched upon, no depth. Yes, we have a very bad opioid crisis. Yes, what a lovely family who took that baby from the heroin addicted mother, but what happened to her? Is she in treatment? Is she being helped? Or.. is she still on the sidewalk......somewhere.
17
Yes, thank you.
Keep in mind every time you hear #MAG it really means Muller Ain't Going Away.
14
Editorial says Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice or do more than rail against Trump and instead address the nation’s needs.
Yes, and apply same to NY Times columnists, as they endlessly rail against Trump, ignoring solutions of how to address the needs of average Americans.
So easy to just focus on what's wrong with our worst president. We need also some history of how we got to a place where such a person could be elected. What concrete reforms are needed in our political system, our elections, our campaign financing, our electoral college to prevent a rw party from dominating our 3 branches? How to reform health care, jobs, education and worsening inequality?
Discuss what are some of the role models from our own better past and today's advanced countries for examples of representing the interests of the average citizen. The cable news pundits ignore this also.
In his speech, Joe Kennedy III came across as impressive, decent, authentic, rational and strong. I think he got to the heart of our poisoned politics. It was a direct repudiation of a political party that seeks to worsen our divisions, set groups against each other, stir up prejudice, treat people differently according to wealth, power, race, gender, ethnicity, national origin and sex orientation.
Can this Kennedy be a knight on a white horse to help us vanquish the evil foe---Trump/GOP --- that is bringing shame to America?
18
You've lived through the history you refer to. Do you not remember it?
Everything you say the US needs has been articulated by and is still being fought for by Bernie Sanders.
Joe Kennedy may be a good guy, but his one-up speech pales in comparison to the ongoing crusade by Sanders.
Not another legacy President. Not now not ever. No Clintons, Obamas Trumps of Kennedys.
1
Trump read the speech but he sure didn't write it - and I wonder how much of it he believes. As for the speech itself, the legal profession would describe it as 'wallpapering over cracks' ...or in Trump's case fissures and fault lines. How glib and practiced were the words that fell off his tongue. In positive terms this was a masterful lesson in cherry picking. The significant elements of his State of the Union was not what was said - rather, it was what was not said...and in there lies the tortured truth about his Presidency and oversight of the USA.
15
Bravo on a wonderful editorial. I agree with every word. Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without the NY Times as an antidote to this frightening and horrifying president (lower case p intentional).
26
Your note that "some big employers have been raising wages" is a re-tweet of the oppressive right-wing disinformation campaign. The math on the economics of these one-time gifts to employees shows that in no case, for any corporation falsely promoting its own magnanimous viturousness -- does the total amount of bonus money exceed more than 1% of the yearly profits of any of the corporations which so blather about their righteousness.
The tiny margin of 1% of the profits being given to the workers is to silence them to the fact that 99% of the profits are being given to the 1% owners and majority stockholders. No one should be applauding this, or even mentioning it. It is hush money to get the employees to shut up -- and fodder for misleading talking points as the corporate owners and stockholders make off with the cake while flicking a few crumbs on everyone else.
12
Donald Trump’s speech: written by someone else (Stephen Miller), spoken by someone who has no clue what he is talking about (Donald Trump), on and on and on and on.....
Seemed like it would never, ever end.
18
I immigrated (legally) from a banana republic where each new President kicks out Judges, General and Govt. employees -- replacing them with cronies. Now I live in The United States, a big banana republic.
24
The Time’s Editorial Board continues to live in La La land. Just as you assured yourself the voters would trip over themselves to elect a flawed Hillary Clinton, you choose the facts you like to convince yourself that the Country hates Trump. In the Country you never visit, Trump is alive and thriving. Poles you ignore have his base 98 percent satisfied and general approval by 45 percent of voters. Stay in your sacred towers, in your sacred coastal cities, and tell yourselves this will all be over soon. Meanwhile, the electoral majority of us are enjoying life under Trump.
14
Forty-five percent of the voters is not a majority, "electoral" or otherwise.
And Pew, which is nowhere near being a left-wing organization, puts the percentage at just 37, not 45.
Trump supporters are no more "thriving" today than they were before the election, which was why they claim they voted for him in the first place,
2
Forty five percent is indeed an electoral majority because in a combination of States required to win the Presidency, his approval is higher. The election results of 2016 were the product of just such an electoral majority. Ignore this fact if you like.
And yes - I know it is poll not pole. :-)
Best thing about the 2018 SOTU speech?
It wasn't given by President Hillary Clinton!
13
Yes, and it should have been President Bernie Sanders, with our infrastructure and healthcare and stupendous-income-disparity rescue well underway.
3
There is probably some truth stretching and fuzzy math in Trump's speech, but he admittedly did a good job presenting it. He sounded calm and presidential. The series of guests and their stories were engaging.
Unfortunately, the Democratic response from Joe Kennedy was weak. Everything that he said, I've heard before. It pains me to say this, but I've grown so tired of the Democrat's "stronger together" rhetoric. The only people I see getting "stronger" are people like Joe Kennedy and his cronies, and, since I live in NYC, the members of their favored perpetually-corrupt unions. I'm no longer buying it.
The shout outs to trendy topics like "Me Too" and "Black Lives Matter" and, especially, the Spanish bit to Dreamers, just seemed like more rhetoric - empty platitudes to get votes. Isn't the idea with Dreamers, that they're "so American" they should stay here? If so, why speak to them in Spanish?
Please Democratic Party, get your head out of the sand.
18
Trump's speech was not written by him, and it bore no resemblance to the real Trump the nation has been subjected to for the past year — and which it is about to see again.
It beats me how you can ignore Trump's white-washed platiudes and denigrate as "platiudes" the real policies advocated by Joe Kennedy.
It also seriously begs the question that you fault Kennedy and the "Americanism" of the Dreamers because he spoke to them in Spanish. It is you who come across as "anti-America," a nation built on diversity.
I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of Kennedy's speech. You have a problem with not pitting Americans against each other?
Liberal Democrats want open borders...unlimited illegal immigration...no enforcement of our laws....and amnesty for illegals and dreamers....so they can eventually get a huge majority of latino/hispanic voters, who will always vote Democratic in eternal gratitude.
It is totally self-serving! that's why they pander to "the latino vote"!!!
1
This was the worst speech I have heard for the State of the Union. There was hardly any attempt to keep a UNION. The obvious part of the speech is that it clearly put forward the agenda of the Republican Congress, nothing more. It had many special anecdotes about individual dramas or episodes of heroism, but little about the millions suffering. It was so full of negatives, especially in foreign affairs: attacks on the UN for not approving our support of Israel; gratuitous attacks on North Korea; we know they are bad, but is there no possibility of talking rather than threatening annihilation? Are all Latinos murderers? No attempt to bring the nation together or to join the community of nations.
13
The fears we cannot climb become our walls.
5
The State of the Union is the State of the Middle Class, dying under Republican rule. It gasps as it hears the lies behind the teleprompter. The truth? Quality Middle class jobs are dead, replaced by "gigs" with no job security, no benefits, and no legal protection. It is the State of the Rich. A "new" tax plan rewards "self employment" but is full of old tricks: a stealth attack on Social Security funding, meager tax breaks which mean nothing for too little. A few hundred dollars while other taxes and prices soar? A "one time" bonus at Walmart while there is no health insurance of 401K, let alone pension and vacation time off? Carrier jobs? Lost, not gained. Roads? Still crumbling. Planes? Late in good weather. College students? Indentured, like medieval serfs, to a life time of bank loan payments at interests rates that would make the Mafia blush. Hope full immigrants? Racism? A "new deal" for Trump Republicans, the Paul's and Mitch's, those who brought us this Dying of the Middle Class? The Clergy? They simply smirk and smile, these Men behind the Man, clueless about the State of the Dying Middle Class.
15
We know that he can read from a teleprompter and sound somewhat articulate. His speech was typical of any dictator. It is us versus them. Good versus evil. Internal and external threats to our safety and way of life. The dictator knows what's best for America. Don't be fooled by his statesmanlike words. Beware of his actions.
25
This editorial was clearly written beforehand. It was a good speech that was well delivered. The inspirational Korean guy was great.
7
Nice to know Canada loves Trump. America? Not so much.
10
Of course as one has come to expect, he only looked at the Republican side of the chamber because he plays to those who clap for him. It's still a very telling expression of his exclusionary character and divisiveness. If the State of the Union is meant to bare witness to where we are then he is not, by any stretch, a credible witness. How can he praise himself and congress when hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rico citizens still have no power? He has brought shame upon us. It is a national disgrace. I felt bad for his guest Americans that he used in such a deplorable manner.
10
It is very challenging for this president to address all the important issues raised in this thorough inventory of priorities. He watches television until 11a. Then there are tweets to be sent. Plus we need to build time in for meetings with his attorneys. Signing ceremonies eat into the clock as well. Then we need to remember that nearly a third of his time is spent on the golf course. Finally, at the conclusion of this taxing daily routine, he needs to find something he can blame either Hillary or Obama for.
13
I can easily imagine that future historians will agree that the largest impact of the Trump presidency was to remind Americans that democracy is not a spectator sport and their democracy constantly needs to be guarded
18
The state of the nation is relatively and reluctantly strong--but he's still working on that!
1
Great President!, finally one that addresses issues our country has and opens up dialogue on both sides. Washington needed a president that doesn't back down to the political negativity that can easily destroy a normal person. Trump cares about American values and is trying to be fare to every American. There are probably issues that he could do better in, but so could anybody, and I think he is trying to fix them. I notice that most people want to do a bunch of name calling or blame gaming instead of getting to what will really fix the problems. More solutions and less blaming Trump please.
12
CC, less you forget, we are the architects of our lives lives. Trump is what he has made himself out to be and the criticism leveled at him is not interpretive. Are 66% of your fellow Americans wrong about him? I think not. We reap what we sow.
7
Yes, Trump is terrible and that cannot be overstated. I did find true the statement that the "Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice."
The hope for the future is not the current Democratic leaders, or aging leftists like Sanders and Warren. It is the grass roots movement sweeping America.
In the past I have given to both the DNC and the DCCC I read their mail carefully and it was no content, no agenda. It says defeat Trump/Ryan and touts what they are doing to "win back the House" but they don't say what they want to do after they are elected.
If the Democrats don't get a strong leader, and a strong agenda, they could lose again to Trump, despite all his horrible flaws. Just like Bush won a second term when he got to run against a very weak John Kerry.
4
The "aging leftists" to whom you refer have sound policies that the Democratic establishment seems to have forgot in its rush to the right.
The nation doesn't need "new" ideas. It needs to implement those.
I chose to do something much more informative, efficient and constructive to optimize the preciously fleeting moments of my life during Mr. Trump's much anticipated State of the Union address...
...I took a nap.
8
"Mr. Trump can’t be blamed for all the country’s woes. Yet after a year in office, he can now fairly be held accountable, together with the feckless and cynical congressional leadership, for making many of them worse."
Indeed he has, as the most divisive president in recent memory. How he relishes what he perceives as a good fight, pitting one against the other, as if only one person or cause or issue can come out on top.
I listened to the antidote speech to this long, predictable address in the form of Joe Kennedy III, who delivered the Democratic response in Fall River, at a vocational school.
The first words out of his mouth were, "I'm here in Fall River, a city founded by and sustained by immigrants."
What a breath of fresh air. As were his idealistic (yes!) but refreshing notions that in America, when it comes to rights and justice, we shouldn't have to choose between one person or faction and another because our founding principle employs the plural: "we" and "from many, one."
What a contrast. Young Joe is yes, young, almost a babe, but his assessment of our state of the union was spot on for me.
21
I'm not a fan of Trump, but he delivered a good speech. I just had to turn off the Democratic response - couldn't take it. Democrats should have it in the bag but can't seem to find anybody that can close the deal? We need a third party.
25
He did have a good speechwriter... I have to admit!
2
A reminder...the Republicans are in charge of all 3 branches of government. So, as Harry Truman said, "The buck stops here." Bluster, bloviating and self aggrandizement are NOT government. What, exactly "should Democrats have in the bag?" Maybe in the next election. They do not have the votes nor the power. What "deal" exactly are the Democrats supposed to close? Maybe the polls in Nov 2018 will give the Democrats a chance to oust the party designed to work for the millionaires and billionaires and not the rest of us. Get out the vote!
7
All Presidential speeches today are written by professional ghostwriters and edited well in advance of delivery.
OK, Abe LIncoln wrote his own stuff -- but since then? Nah.
Let's say you invited your extended family and that of your wife to your home so you could give a State of the Family address. Could you really say the family was strong after making these points?
Our finances are great since I handed out a $50,000 credit card to each family member. As soon as I get tired of playing golf I'm going to take a look at all structural problems with our home. I want each of you to quit worrying about my taunting tweets to the Mafia boss across the street. That business about me hanging out with the porn star after Johnny was born is too outrageous for me to address. You might have noticed lately the weather has been great. I did that. Trust me, I did that.
56
So why is it the that only apparent minorities in the audience are the ones imported by Trump & Company for purposes of shameless showboating??? Shameful!
29
Are you seriously trying to attribute the lack of diversity in our elected members of Congress and their families in the gallery on the president? You do know we have no term limits on them, don't you? Or do you think they were all hand picked to omit a balance if minorities?
1
Most corrupt administration in history. It's just unbelievable some writers try to make it out to be palatable. Our democracy is dying right before our eyes. The press should be screaming it from the roof tops, not normalizing it.
155
So, is your flag yet displayed upside down? On mine, hanging from my fence since Dec, 2016, I have written on the white stripes: "Save America Resist Trump Protect Equality, Liberty, Justice for All"
Do you have the same courage?
1
You live in New Orleans - that's not courage. Try walking through any neighborhood in San Francisco with a MAGA hat on. That would be courage.
This appalling piece of propaganda for a State of the Union is all the more sinister for how insidiously and shamelessly this President lies. This speech thus far has been an exercise in cynicism of the highest order, with the GOP Congressional members just whooping and hollering anything that comes out the President’s mouth. Ghastly.
46
Melania was simply quite relaxed and happy. Now I'm doubting there was anything there....or he apologized to her deeply in the interim. In any event, her relaxed deportment is making the media version questionable. The MS13 segment was gold in how it was done with the people who were chosen. You are again underestimating this man....and you are trusting polls again. Is this deja vu all over again?
16
Ah William, you know DJT did not apologize! He declared in front of millions, during one of the presidential debates, that “I didn’t even apologize to my wife! Look, she’s sitting right there! I didn’t apologize to her because I didn’t do anything wrong!” This was after, of course, his infamous tape where besides bragging about the vile things he thought one can do if one is famous, he quite casually discussed his attempts to be unfaithful to his new wife, Melania. When a man can that easily publicly humiliate his wife, you know he is lower than a worm. Melania made a bargain when she married DJT: riches and luxury in return for always looking beautiful and never publicly undermining her husband. She was keeping to her bargain tonight. Besides, the porn star admitted to the encounter with DJT in a detailed interview back in 2011. She also discussed it with friends. The only mystery is why DJT’s lawyers were stupid enough to pay her hush money for a story she had already told. Great deal, that - for Ms. Daniels!
7
Really? To some of us, she looked like we felt while listening to too many alternative distorted facts. aka miserable
3
Yet your view of Melania diverges from the media's "pushed his hand away" and "was absent" at Davos narrative. And trusting a human's word after that human has copulated with hundreds of humans in public is interesting but not compelling. Trump is flawed but so was Kennedy, Nixon, Clinton.
Mick Jagger is loved by liberals for being a rake while Trump is reviled for it.
My view....Trump is doing penance by finally working for free when he could be golfing every waking hour.
I refuse to watch a phony, lying, corrupt, racist, criminal, cruel con artist and sexual/financial predator prattle on about how great he thinks he is. I am disgusted that I cannot watch the State of the Union address, but I would be more disgusted if I watched it. I am going to read my book.
93
I just read the transcript. There was no way I could stomach watching and hearing the blaring Trumpet speak (rant? bloviate? brag?)
6
This non-president is our national shame.
Shame on US !
32
Melania looks miserable ... perhaps she's some kind of a bizarre reflection to comfort us, too.
Great job, NY Times. 3 more years. 3more years.
9
She did wear a nice vanilla suffragist pants suit. Lady MacBeth remains a breath of fresh passive-aggressive air. Much the same way when she delivered Michelle Obama's beautiful speech. She waves a dainty dagger as she does her work.
She did not let me down tonight. More to come . . . I am sure.
5
How about 3 more months?
Let's get crackin', Mr. Mueller. You know you have more than enough already.
4
I had a dream the other night that President Bernie Sanders was delivering the State of the Union speech. He was reporting on the beginning of universal health care and higher education, like almost every other developed nation has, as well as a robust infrastructure plan that would have provided good jobs and an end to the rot that is preventing progress and endangering lives.
Then I woke up to the nightmare, that in part, was brought to us by the DNC and the NYT. You called Sander's platform "rainbows and unicorns." Check the math, Trump's tax cut could most likely have paid for all of the above.
31
Some people are saying they will not watch the State of the Union address and it is because they don't like President Trump. I will be watching because I want to hear what Mr. Trump has to say. I did not vote for President Obama yet I watched every one of his State of the Union addresses because I wanted to be informed. The liberals only want to find fault with our president but do not want to hear about the accomplishments he has achieved. It appears they just do not care or refuse to admit his achievements.
8
I, too, have watched every presidents state of the union regardless of whether I voted for them or not. I'm not watching this one, along with many other people, because it will generate low ratings that will get under his (Trumps) thin skin! We will read it online!
16
I myself will not watch because I cannot stand listening to or watching Trump starring in his movie "Donald J.Trump".
His acting lacks depth and sincerity and is most unconvincing.
6
wplmmt.. you are painting with a very broad brush. Making generalizations without any evidence, as this liberal heard over and over for the past two hours, is not a good strategy. It's easily debunked, as this speech will be.
7
Trump may boast in his speech but he should not.He was not elected by a majority but choose to ignore that and to divide the country and play to his vanishing base. It was easy to undo safety regulations and health care and he did that. Nothing could have been easier than a tax cut for the rich with a few dollars for the working poor. He did nothing about difficult problems Iike immigration , infrastructure, and an opioid epidemic.He cozied up to international regimes with dictators and neglected our longtime European friends.He has nothing to boast about and a lot to regret.He should apologize for his bullying and nasty tweets. He needs to recognize that Americans love their country and expect their president to uphold its values.
29
If you were paying attention you would know there were a few things done.
Much of this speech was fillers...a steady parade of heroes or others doing their jobs. It was a disgusting display meant to pander to his base. He had nothing to add to the national debate about the drug epidemic other than it's really bad and then parading out the couple who adopted the heroin addict's baby...no mention of money to help with treatment.
There was no substance to any of it.
His fake sincerity was nauseating to watch...because you know he doesn't mean a word of it.
46
Not watching or listening to the liar in chief. Why allow lies to enter my mind/brain when I can watch returns of some good clean comedy. Laughter, the best medicine.
30
The subject opinion of the Times editorial board is not "reality." Growth has already accelerated under Trump after the weakest recovery in living memory under Obama. So feel free to start giving Trump "a lot of credit." Trump is not responsible for the primitive infrastructure that Puerto Rico had before the hurricane hit, which has resulted in their still being without electricity (maybe you should blame Obama for not doing anything about it for eight years, though it is arguably not a federal responsibility). Voters are not "defying suppression efforts." They are voting unsuppressed. Requiring a voter ID is not suppression any more than requiring a driver's license is suppressing our freedom of movement. The editorial does have a couple of redeeming qualities. Trump does deserve condemnation for his clearly bigoted or ignorant comments, and he probably is pushing up against the Emoluments Clause. But the very fact that the Times thinks that "woke" is a thing demonstrates the editorial board's strained relationship with reality.
9
You offer nothing to back up you're claims and seem to forget who controlled Congress during the majority of Obama's 8 years, so let's just chalk you up to "alternative reality". The rest of us are more comfortable with fact-based reporting.
29
The DNC pick's a Kennedy?
Another dynasty?? Why not Hillary again?
The American people want change, not another uber-rich guy saying he is for the working man
14
Suppose Joe Kennedy became president. I'll bet you a bazillion dollars that he would not then give senior advisor posts, with security clearances, to his no-experience daughter and son-in-law, or family equivalent.
5
Some uber-rich guys ARE for the working man! They don't just "say" it; they do it! It is just YOUR uber-rich guy who is NOT...trump is for trump, his spawn, and anyone else who is going to hand him power and money. PERIOD. The trumps are a dynasty of con artists; anything they do, they are in it for themselves. It would be unseemly to say that about either the Kennedys or the Clintons. While certainly not without faults, albeit even terrible faults, the Kennedys and the Clintons were public servants in the true sense of what it means to serve the public. The trumps, and the GOP, don't want to serve the public; they want to bleed the public dry.
8
He kind of resembles the Outlander guy, that's probably why. Photogenic and a reminder of earlier generation be if his family.
Hard to take this editorial seriously. Obama's crushing taxes and regulations created a low-growth (1.8%) stagnant-wage economy that set he stage for Trump. To say Obama left him a booming economy is patently false. And to tout Obama's ISIS policy is like celebrating an arsonist for calling the fire department. (I stopped reading after that.) The NY Times literally can't get out if it's own partisan way.
12
Hard to take your comment seriously. The economy that Trump was handed actually was booming. What economy did Bush hand to Obama? What exactly has Trump done, besides cut corporate taxes, with a hope and a prayer that it will pay dividends for average Americans? What has he done to stop ISIS? Oh, wait. We really don't know because 'human error' is preventing DoD from reporting on progress, or lack there of, on that front. Look it up.
28
Obama left trump an economy in excellent shape, that Obama nurtured back to health after GW Bush destroyed it! What world are you in?!
10
Go Sue!
6
A suggestion to the Democrats: Instead of playing "get back" politics if you gain back the majority in both houses, do the following; Fix the ACA, and fix it in a way that it can't be tinkered with by the GOP, strengthen our consumer laws again, reign in the banking industry, and make most of what it does transparent, no more hidden fees, strengthen our Environmental laws to stop the rape of our nation by the EPA, undo Citizen United and the Hobby Lobby rulings and destroy the pollution of money now in our elections, make it a law that anyone running for president release his tax records, and make it retroactive to force this president to release his records within 30 days, undo the tax law just passed and redo it so that the Middle Class doesn't get raped, protect freedom of speech and the press, and stop religion from rearing its ugly head in our government and finally, stop the current attack from the GOP on our very foundations of our democracy.
This should be done with GOP input, but I don't know if the GOP wants to work with "the enemy".
More can be done, but it's a start.
11
The government of a great nation is in the hands of a gang of punks. SOTU speech is about as shallow as it can get. Stand up and applaud, sit and get up and applaud again and so on. He really has not accomplished anything, still no national health care, no action on education or infrastructure, no domestic policies worth the name and not even a sensible budget. Let us reserve judgment until 2019, we may be in some trade wars and bad relations with our allies or worse. One thing we do know, he is not big enough to make the nation great.
24
He's trying to get the government out of the way of the people. For that he deserves credit.
9
The GOP wants the government to serve only the rich.
Trump is not "getting the government out of the way of the people." Just the opposite: he is further removing the power of the people over their own government and giving it to lobbyists, sycophants, and the rest of the swamp creatures who catyer to the plutocracy.
Working people want safety regulations. They want kickback against exploitative corporations. They want guaranteed health care, comfortable retirement, good education and jobs. They want peace, not endless war. Affordable housing. More leisure time. Freedom to choose what they consume, freedom from police brutality, freedom to vote without restrictions.
They want a government that serves their mutual interests, not a free-for-all that pits them against each other.
There was a segment on Fox and Friends yesterday that asked New York University students what they thought of President Trump's first State of the Union address. They criticized it and said he was terrible. They had not one nice thing to say about him. The only problem was that it had not even occurred yet. It was very funny to watch and see the expressions on the students' faces. These students were so clueless that it was frightening. Heaven help us.
This behavior is so typical of liberals but what made it even funnier was how uninformed these students were. Here is an elite university yet the students did not have a clue as to when the actual SOTU really was. All they could say about President Trump was that he was horrible. If these are our leaders of tomorrow, we are in a lot of trouble.
11
I really feel the need to comment on this ignorant post. I have two sons in college and the youngest can’t read a road map and neither knows how to change a tire but one graduates in 3 months with honors. Does this make them uniformed? I seriously doubt it. When I was that age there was plenty I didn’t know or care about. The fact that they despise Trump is quite telling of what is important to them and I would wager that many of them confused his inaugural speech with the one that just finished a minute ago.
31
Ted, when I was in college, I paid attention to politics. Many students do.
The ignorant part of the remark must have been the idea that the students polled were not current with the news and clearly biased. That, and your unfortunate children.
2
Right. And Fox and Friends would never, ever edit their segment to just the comments that would push their agenda. Like when the Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a plan to grant additional exemptions to religious groups last October, giving them latitude to refuse to provide certain services—like abortion or transgender health care—on the basis of religious beliefs. The proposal yielded 10,729 comments during the official public comment period, but HHS originally only posted 80 of them. Surprise! they all happened to be ones that overwhelmingly supported the Trump administration plans. This behavior is so typical of conservatives, but what made it even funnier is how uninformed HHS was. Here is a public agency soliciting public comments, yet apparently they thought no one would notice them blatantly skewing the data! If these are our leaders of today, we are in a lot of trouble.
5
We are one DOJ official away from a Trump Dictatorship. When he gets rid of Rosenstein there will be no one left who can hold him accountable.
49
Lincoln had been more convincing to assure Americans of the State of the Union at the advent of the American Civil War than this divisive, narcissist man-child is tonight. Presidents are all men of large ego, but none had ever been, and would ever be, as self-absorbed and simplistic as this one is. The guy doesn't know or care about strengthening the state of our union; for him, it's all about winning the adulation of a crowd, however degenerate!
35
Every single Democrat should be boycotting this farcical charade. This person has done nothing but dishonour the office of the presidency, and diminish the reputation and standing of the United States, from the moment that he began his vile, racist and hate-filled campaign. The sooner this person is compelled to depart, the better. The damage he wreaks on the democratic institutions of the United States on a daily basis is incalculable. He is no more than an embarrassment, and every word of this "speech" will be insincere (has he even read it?). It is a disgraceful charade and farce that should not be taken seriously for a single second. And his Republican enablers will walk the halls of history in shame and disgrace.
42
Our household will not be tuning into the president's speech tonight because it is expected he'll say little that actually reflects the state of the Union. We will, however, pour over The New York Times tomorrow morning to read about the state of our collective discontent and, yes, more clarity on the way forward.
28
The crassness that Trump has brought to this presidency, the crassness of the republicans endorsing a pedophile, the lies, his pettiness etc. What will come next since the bar is so low
29
I have watched most of the presidential state of the union addresses during my 40 years of legal voting age. I cannot stomach even the thought of watching the Trump speech. I am watching the 1933 version of King Kong on TCM. I think I will be mentally better off with this choice.
43
Same here.
6
The original King Kong is on? I'm there!!
5
A progressive démocrat, I have received 3 hokey pitches via email from Trump today, promising me that this speech is not about him but about ME! Send him some money, he purred, and my name will scroll across the tv screen! (I think that's the bait).
So appropriate for Rep Kennedy to answer this clown. I hope he'll remind us: ask not what this country can do for you....
40
The State of the Nation, like its government, is deplorable.
In fact, there is not a trace of a single nation anymore. There are now two realities, two sets of facts, two sets of morals, and two acceptable standards for Presidential and Congressional behaviour.
How could anyone unite such a country, let alone an amoral, uninformed, corrupt, serial-lying bigot?
Admit it Americans. It was a nice run while it lasted. Now get out of the way and let others lead, because there is not a single grown up in your government at present.
33
Big does not mean Great, does it?
If it weren't so cold in Canada, I would have petitioned your country to let me in. But I did leave, quite far away.
1
And while I agree with you, I can’t imagine why, as a Canadian, you would confine “Americans “ to U.S citizens. We are all Americans, from Alaska to Chile.
1
Fiscally conservative, fine. Tighten up immigration laws, fine. Build a wall for all I care. But I am shocked and saddened that anyone, here in the NYT Comments section or anywhere else, could defend a man with such tendencies toward bigotry and fascism. And then claiming to be patriotic and religious? Are you kidding me?
118
I'm getting ready to watch The Munsters; they have a much softer image.
12
Consider Trump, Puerto Rico, and the hypocrisy of the Republicans.
The Ebola crisis in Africa went on for about a year. Republicans, conservative media, and at least one column by David Brooks in the Times played the fear, smear, and division game:
Ebola! Danger! Obama is not protecting us, he's a bad man!
Ebola! Danger! Obama is not protecting us, he's a bad man!
Day after day in the conservative media.
The problem was resolved, no more threat. Obama handled it well. He did much more and did it better than other leaders in the developed world.
Did Brooks, the Republicans, or anyone in the conservative media admit those facts? "Never mind. We were wrong, Obama handled it well. The crisis is over."
No.
Did they even remind their audience that the crisis was over? No.
They just dropped it and went on to other topics. The assault and slander directed at Obama were left to the record, and to the experience of their audience.
Now we have a real failure of Trump in Puerto Rico. Months go by. Water and power still not fixed. Many more deaths than originally reported. This is our territory and US Citizens, not a health crises an ocean and a continent away.
Instead of fake reports on Obama, are they reporting the real failure of Mr. Trump to protect American citizens?
No.
34
Harry, are any of the islands viable if these hurricanes keep destroying them. The US Virgin Islands taken as one unit are in the top ten highest murder rates in the world by recent UN figures given on the net by searching "homicide by country." That particular results in many islands from budgetary problems resulting in bare bones police coverage. Something needs be done with all the islands as to funding....or close them to habitation. Grand Cayman now has three times the US murder rate and I'll bet you see one police car in a week's stay. But the bigger problem is budget for all these islands...which the violence topic makes visible.
2
The modern purpose of a State of the Union Address IS to boast. It rarely has legitimate claims to being within hailing distance of ANY reality, whether the president is Bill Clinton, Dubya, Obama or Trump.
But, regarding the “Infrastructure Plan”, it’s hard to fix rusting and disintegrating bridges and tunnels when much of that investment traditionally comes from states currently nearly bankrupt on public sector pension obligations and entitlement payouts – something Ike, JFK and even LBJ didn’t need to deal with in the ABSENCE of those unfunded liabilities and MOST of those entitlements. On the federal level, over half of what we collect in taxes goes to fund those entitlements. This is not to suggest that we shouldn’t pay our public servants what we promised to in retirement or that the entitlements are frivolous: but, since we’re talking about reality …
Then, Trump is not the president to bring us together.
5
Hopefully, in a robust economy, reduced income inequality and a marginally more stable world, we can afford to charge our NEXT president with accomplishing that. Trump was elected to shock BOTH our major parties into becoming relevant and useful again, to help create the conditions for robust economic expansion that lifts all boats, and to take names and kick Schumers (Gore Vidal, after his “Myron” – sequel to “Myra Breckinridge” -- was banned in Boston for use of certain naughty words, an action facilitated by a recent Supreme Court decision on pornography, issued a second edition with all the questionable words replaced by names of the Supreme Court justices who concurred in the ruling – cataclysmic yuks). He wasn’t elected to embrace Kumbaya. However, he’s done pretty well apart from Kumbaya.
Not surprisingly, after one year Trump hasn’t fulfilled ALL his campaign promises, and the editors have a case in pointing that out. Maybe, if he finishes up with his major charges not TOO late in his second term, he can get around to the Kumbaya.
2
Death, taxes, and the certainty that any op-ed critical of Trump will bring out his handmaidens.
Pushing the Thoughts of Chairman Donald (a quick read) on us. No doubt Trump will publish his Twitter tirades in a small red book, available only on his website for "free", but with Postage & Handling of 29.99, which his abject followers will hold aloft at his rallies like good Maoists or Fascists.
Republicans would like you to view "entitlements" like Medicare and Social Security, which people have earned by contributing to them all of their working lives, along with their employer's contributions as part of their total wage/benefit package, as somehow "unearned" or "undeserved".
They also view pension obligations as a "drain on the budget" and something that can be tampered with arbitrarily.
How about training some of your fire on the biggest source of entitlements and obligations in the budget, the US Military.
If you cut the military budget, and don't balloon the deficit with legislation like the recent tax bill fraud passed by the Republicans, you can honor your "entitlements" and "obligations".
11
Why don’t those feckless GOP senators do more than quit?
9
President Trump will undoubtedly take credit for the positive and apportion blame for the negative regardless of who is responsible for either. Trump's self-aggrandizing speeches and boasts are not the stuff of a State of the Union address - but they are the stuff of an Administration where cracks are papered over and over again, and where wishful thinking is presented as fact.
14
I doubt that Representative Kennedy, in his response to Trump's address tonight, could craft a better one than the contents of this incisive Editorial. Thank you, Editorial Board. This superlative piece is but one reason why The Times is "the paper of record".
35
Zero interest in watching our Liar in Chief propped up with a teleprompter
looking presidential. Can't remember ever missing a State of the Union.
Face it. The poor and middle class already know the state of this union.
In spite of a raging bull market, your average joe will gain nothing.
Wish more legislators boycotted tonight's sham. The best way to get this old
goat is to take away his audience.
39
Most of my iniversity colleagues inequivocally support President Trump
We believe that anything other than full support for the President is seditious and treasonous
We had the same support for Presidents Nixon thru Onama. Part of being a citizen.
2
Your colleagues apparently don't know the definition of 'seditious' and 'treasonous'.
10
You know very well you are not speaking truthfully.
7
Really? You had full support for Nixon? All the way through Watergate? You sure?
2
I started out no fan of Trump but can honestly say the reaction from the left, Times coverage and opinion prominent, has repulsed me far more than anything he has done.
8
You are more repulsed by the reporting of Trump's lies than by the lies themselves.
Got it.
Sometimes we don't want same 'ol same 'ol.
4
Yep I was really hoping he’d bring us to the brink. So glad he’s delivered.
4
"when you consider that the president of the United States has cozied up to a foreign power that tampered with an American election,"
Like when he bombed Syria? Or was it at Putin's behest that he decided to move the US embassy to Jerusalem?
Your song is getting dull.
6
No I think it was more when congress passed a sanctions bill that he just decided not to implement. It was pretty cool watching the empty airfield in Syria yet bombed though.
8
I think that we should not have antagonized Russia as Obama has been doing since 2014.
Not many people are aware that Russia GAVE Crimea to Ukraine in 1976. Russia respected Ukraine's ownership of Crimea for 38 years. What happened next?
Our president, Mr. Obama. He encouraged the riots in the Maidan and recognized the rebel government as soon as it was in power. He sent Biden and Kerry both to Kiev before the dust cleared and Hunter Biden ended up on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.
Putin would be insane not to see what we were up to. And now Crimea is gone to Ukraine.
Trump wanted to undo Obama's foolish actions, but there is too much anti-Russia hatred in Congress. Trump will probably have to drop what I always thought was a good idea.
2
At The State of Our Disunion Address, Donald Trump will read Co-President Miller's words from a teleprompter. This rhetoric has divided us so horrifically many cannot dine with friends and family. He's at war with over half of our nation's citizens. And sowing distrust by undermining our institutions.
Endorsed a man accused of molesting children, rather that see a democrat elected for senate. Never really denounced white supremacists and Neo-Nazis, and Co-President Miller's told us he too is in that clique. Choses Fox News as his closet advisers, while endlessly belittling the intelligence community.
His tweets are inflammatory. He's fickle. And horrifyingly blasphemous about Barack Obama, which pains many of us. Mr. Trump has proven his supporters voted against their best interests, as his deeds continue to benefit the ultra-wealthy. He lies. The homage to Russia remains troublesome as he has not followed the law to institute sanctions. Our elections remain at risk.
26
What is the message for young Americans that can be made by Trump in the State of the Union? Is it that the way to succeed in today's America is by lying, cheating and stealing? You want to be rich and influential? Don't mimic those historical leaders who stressed honest and ethical behavior. How are you going to become a billionaire if you are not willing to bend the normal rules of American society
16
Even if the Democrats reverse the House and Senate majorities, Trump will still be the administration's chief mechanic. Given the work he has done on the Courts, State Department and the EPA as examples, he is determined to take the country's backbone beyond the point of no repair.
While decrying Obama's anti-democratic executive orders, I'm sure he is developing a very healthy appreciation for that executive power in his own hands. Given how much damage he has done without the need for legislation, and the long term damage he has done with his single significant legislative victory, the tax cut, three more years is a lifetime.
While the rest of the world is trying to unite against the threats of global warming, Trump is putting a tariff on imported solar panels, and emancipating the fossil fuel industry from whatever holds it back. Maybe this is his charter marker for the countries future. When "burn baby burn" makes things to hot, he'll just tell his wealthy supporter to "move baby move" (and maybe sell them some attractive waterfront property on the north coast of Newfoundland).
11
Thank you NY Times for the best laugh I've had in a while. I quote: "It means that Mr. Trump has done nothing so far to derail the slow, steady recovery that began under Barack Obama nine years ago." I'm not sure which is funnier. The NY Times editorial board actually believes that, or they think their readers do.
Keep up the great work. I look forward to many more one liners over the next seven years.
6
JayS-- it is traditional for a president's first year of the economy-- credit or blame-- to go towards he who preceded him. This is not NYT-- this is a wide cast of legitimate economists of all political spectrums. If the current stock market run up gives you joy, well I respectfully ask you to look at history and examine what follows "irrational exuberance." If there is a downward adjustment (heaven forbid a crash) now that we are in year two, "responsibility" will fall to your man-- again, as is traditional. This is not a prtisan or left-wng claim, it is just long-standing norms.
11
Sure it's partisan. The NY Times has to remind us Obama had a "slow and steady recovery" and the past year was just its continuation. Baloney. There's a new sheriff in town and, unlike his predecessor, he understands free markets.
1
karen: be honest -- had the stock market crashed last year, as Nobel-prize winning economist Dr. Paul Krugman said it would....would have blamed that crash on Obama's bad policies? or said it was 100% Trump's fault?
You say here that the first year is always credited to the LAST President!
My guess is that you would have blamed Trump. All goods things liberals always credit Obama; all bad things are blamed on Trump!
Funny...for 8 years under Obama, everything bad in the economy or government was always always always blamed on GW BUSH!!!
When he approaches the very end of his life,Trump will calculate the money he has amassed; the things, the positions and the people he has been able to buy ; how much of a "winner" he has been.
But what about these simple questions :
Have I tried to be an honest man ?
Have I tried to be a good man ?
Have I tried to learn and to grow in this life I was given?
Have I tried to respect my fellows and to contribute to their sense of well-being?
Have I loved the amazing world around me?
Have I tried to live a good life?
How will he answer those?
15
He will do what he always does; he will lie or blame someone else. He's not adult or mature enough to be honest even to himself.
6
I am cringing now as I anticipate the loud and roaring approval of this president as he is announced in the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The deafening applause is very likely to persuade Donald Trump to stray off script, seduced by the hideous cacophony of Republican endorsement of his still-nascent tenure, one defined by dysfunction and heedless malice.
It is almost difficult for this observer to grant No. 45 the smallest acknowledgement of competence because the most impartial observer strains hard into the gloom to discern them. He has not mentioned his predecessor in any wise but to further defame him. His attacks upon hallowed institutions are welcomed by s Congress that is complicit in the every damning day of his presidency. His chief accomplishments have been to unlock the dungeons of racism and sexism so their advocates can poison the public debate with their noxious fumes. Likewise has the president used the people’s tax money to further the spreading Trump nest in complete, absolute and shamelessly direct contravention to custom and common decency.
That this rogue president has many adherents in Congress who hail him as a great statesman is the most troubling aspect of this year-old nightmare, for this enabling set of would-be legislators has guided us to the precipice of the unthinkable: an America that is all shallow show without substance.
34
Just don’t watch. You’ll be better for it.
7
"Mr. Trump apparently intends to call on Tuesday for a comprehensive reform of the immigration system focused on skills and merit."
As the Trump campaign then administration had done many times before, they are trying to mislead by using euphemisms that don't even come close to the truth. Proposed legislation by Tom Cotton and David Perdue, which the Trump administration has openly backed, actually prioritizes income and wealth over skill. A Saudi oil exec would be allowed in, but not a Bengladeshi nurse.
That's not skill and merit. That's just one more way in which America will become ever more a playground of the rich.
18
If Trump wants to talk about skills and merit, he might begin with all the people he's appointing. Perhaps even with himself.
13
You know the times and other media outlets get previews of the speech, right?
2
"You know the times and other media outlets get previews of the speech, right?"
Did I express any doubt about what would be in the speech?
You forgot to mention that Trump hasn't cured cancer.
5
Trump has not cured cancer, unlike Obama who did it 20 times and would have done it more times if the Republicans had not prevented him. (smile).
The NYT may not like it but his first year has been pretty good.
5
@Aruna
More Americans will die from cancer because of how Donald Trump purposely sabotaged health care due to his intense hatred for his talented predecessor Barack Obama. Trump has removed so many Obama-era regulations to protect air, water & land that millions will be exposed to chemicals & pollutants proven to cause cancer. He's anti-science and anti- medical research. Your casual callousness about cancer is ironic.
21
Joanne, I am not interested in what Democrats predict about Trump. A prediction is not a fact.
I know you think that "more Americans will die from cancer".
What you should have said is, "I, Joanne THINK that more Americans will die from cancer".
Otherwise you are in Trump territory, mistaking one's own utterances for reality. He does it, and so do you.
2
I can only echo the comments here: As an 80 y.o. Democrat, who has never missed a State of the Union address, this is my first to bypass.
I cannot tolerate the arrogant countenance, the pouty, twisted lips, the lies flowing from his deranged mind and so on and so on...!
Americans have learned a valuable lesson: Be selective when you press that "submit" button at your polling place...you could elect another monster!!
50
You've got 11 years on me, but I felt exactly the same about watching the speech. Even the clips on the subsequent comedy shows were painful to endure. This is a horrible human and clear and present danger to everything decent. I refuse to be polluted by his lies.
Speaking as a Vietnam vet, I have one central topic on my mind: the endless conflicts across the world in which the United States is engaged, foremost of which is Afghanistan. I knew 'Nam was pointless a few months in country, but "pointless" doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the Afghanistan conflict. We have no strategy, no goal, no long-term plan, no nothing. Just more troops, more money, more correupt Afghan politiicians who can't even control their capital. Why, dear Lord, why?
I've been a long supporter of the draft, even though I enlisted. I think it's not having a draft that's kept us in Afghanistan (and elsewhere): there simply aren't enough body bags coming back. If there was a draft, there'd likely be thousands of young people coming back in bits and pieces, and then people just might take to the streets and demand an end to it all. And then perhaps we'd build an Afghan Wall and begin some real healing. That'd take a long time. I'm not healed after a half century. But there's no chance the Very Stable Draft Dodger will say anything about this tonight beyond, perhaps, another platitude.
21
As a vet, how could you in good conscience suggest that my son for instance-- my only child, my dearest treasure-- should face being blown to bits in what you know is pointless? I have never heard such a callous suggestion from a vet or a civilian. I expect this attitude from the generals, and from right wing politicians-- it won't be their kid after all-- but not from a fellow citizen.
2
Karen...this is the point. We would not fight these wars if everybody' s child would face this danger. People would vote.
3
kostja,
The price would not be worth it.
Thousands of young people would die before any meaningful vote were cast.
Even now, the parents of those in the military and even military personnel themselves are not opposing Trump.
I can't help but think that any of the Republican candidates might have achieved the same policy victories Mr. Trump has achieved--such as the tax bill--but would have done so with the entirely disheartening narcissism, willful ignorance, and blatant racism and sexism embodied by Mr. Trump.
You say the country is awakening. Maybe so. But can we survive a potential seven more years of this anti-democratic demagogue?
12
What makes our Union strong?
Even though a crooked administration used federal agencies like the IRS, DOJ, and FBI to spy on the opposition and rig the democratic process ..
- Its citizens were smart enough to reject them but elect someone brave enough to disinfect our country politics.
- Its congressional leaders were bold to be transparent and believe that sunshine is the best disinfectant.
- And its President tells it like it is even if bitter, and not promising a moonshot at curing cancer.
For that, our Union is stronger.
And we are thankful to President Trump.
4
Wow - do you not have even a remote clue. This is a president that has set a new standard for denying, warping and abusing the truth. Apparently he has fooled you, and millions more, as well with his endless stream of alternative reality.
58
I find the following paragraph sadly delusional:
”Mr. Trump deserves to take a bow for the degradation of the Islamic State — again, a result of wise continuity with the policy of the previous administration — and for tightening sanctions on North Korea. That’s all progress, much as we might wish he’d refrain from bragging about the size of his nuclear button."
This simplifies events in a way that incongruous to reality.
We were in clean up phase with ISIS when Trump entered. To score political points, he allowed the military discretion, and so they speed up the process with no regard for "collateral damage."
Americans unlawfully killing civilians is not just a war crime, but carries the repercussion of creating more terrorists as we prove we don't care and are a threat.
For no reason whatsoever beyond an ego trip and childlike toy soldiery, Trump made North Korea a much bigger problem than need be.
If anything, he sped up and made certain that Kim would complete his nuclear program goal of having a big enough weapon that he is safe from a preemptive attack.
Beyond being dangerously provocative, Trump also brought about the death of a number of sailors as he attempted to appear macho by hastily ordering ships about on meaningless maneuvers.
Trump is a liability as Commander in Chief and should delegate all military authority.
16
"I will now make America great again: I quit."
15
Only seeing green seems to indicate a lack of empathy and a greedy conniving mentality out for himself. Just what the world needs a me firster and button is the biggest and win by dividing. He too will pass.
6
Since the stock market dropped 363 points today, Trump better take credit fr that, too.
20
This is the Charlie McCarthy moment, when the best Republican speechwriters that money can buy complete the scene for their man. It is a stand up moment that is over and done, with the finality of a suitcase being slammed shut and stowed away for next time, while the crowd quibbles over foibles. After all, educated parochial thought has an endless appetite for long division, as if it is proof of intellect.
3
"Mr. Trump would be quite correct to take note of the continued strength of the American economic recovery."
Pro-business liberals put their feet in their mouths everytime they talk about the so-called "recovery". When the labor participation rate is the lowest in several decades, and 80% of the gains are going to the .1%, and the middle class continues to shrink - there is no recovery.
The liberal elite are out of touch with Main Street, and they still don't realize that their incessant claims about a "recovery" that only they are experiencing are, in part, what set the stage for Trump.
6
Thank you; I am tired of hearing about the unemployment rate! it was fake under Obama -- fake under GW Bush and it is now fake under Trump.
It does not reflect REALITY.
I am actually out there in the real world. There is still LOTS of unemployment! many people are working, but it is part time and at McCrap McJobs -- retail, food service, home healthcare -- for low wages.
I recently looked for a part time weekend job, to supplement my regular job -- to save up for retirement in a few years -- I could not find anything that paid more than $9-$10 an hour, no benefits. At the last interview, I sat in a room with 60 other adults -- all educated, all over 55 approx. -- many already retired -- at least half over 65! some over 70! -- looking for a 15-20 hour a week job that paid chump change. They were desperate. Many told me of their desperation just to make a few extra dollars, to keep the heat on or pay the huge property tax bills!
All of those people will be counted as "employed" at $9 an hour -- even if they work one half a day a week! -- or as "out of the economy if forced to retire and live on a reduced SS check!
Lefty liberal media cannot fool me, because I LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD!
So it’s not just the economy, stupid. It is our standing in the world, the endless lies, by our corrupt and capricious president our dim witted and deplorable Congress of Republicans who has sold its very soul to the devil. It is the bigotry, racism, sexism and blatant inequality. It ‘s the Wall...the embodiment of Trump and his ilk’s desire to make America hate again. America, there is a right and wrong, and Trump is a major provocateur and proponent of all that is wrong. May his reign be short.
16
I hope the state of the nation is super strong.
The fact is the nation is hopelessly divided and I hope the nation is strong enough to remain peaceful as the divisions are resolved.
The bickering must become talk. The talk must entail listening. Whether a two state, multi state or a one state solution with a new constitution the nation must be strong and recognize the differences are irreconcilable.
3
Masterful editorial. Well reasoned and well written.
20
There has been much chatter among the media and other pundits about whether Trump will direct tonight's message to his base or to all Americans in a spirit of bipartisanship. From what I've read and heard so far, a majority of professional commentators believes that Trump will go with a bipartisan message.
But who cares if he will? It'll be just another LIE.
This incurable Divider in Chief has talked about a "commitment" to bipartisanship and unity ever since before his inauguration. But his record proves otherwise. In his first year, Trump has ceaselessly (1) tried to dismantle President Obama's best policy initiatives, (2) stifled the interests of an American majority (pressing for environment-friendly legislation, etc.), and (3) mocked his Democrat colleagues.
Give Trump "bipartisan" on a spelling test, and he'd write "lie-partisan".
15
The voice, the leader for 2020 will emerge in the 2018 election cycle. Potential 2020 presidential candidates are absolutely right to prioritize 2018.
And BTW when institutions that are largely associated with middle aged white men, NYT for example, use the word "woke" you fully demonstrate that you aren't.
3
"You have to — you govern with all of the instincts of a businessperson, but you have to add much more heart and soul into your decisions than you would ever have even thought of before." Trump. There you have it - the crux of the matter. Drumpf-kopf is naturally inclined to be much closer to heartless and soulless in his presidential decision-making.
4
The editors should also have mentioned the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle our National Monuments.
11
What a fine editorial. In a time where an autocratic President and his party monopolize all political power in the country, your role in speaking for a now powerless majority is paramount. Kudos to your editorial board for speaking eloquently on behalf of millions of depressed members in the resistance.
12
The Times is delusional if it thinks Obama has anything to do with the booming economy. Anybody with an eighth grade education can figure out the Trump tax cuts and regulation slashing have brought about the current economic climate. It's kind of sad that the Times feels it is necessary to prop up the Obama administration and it's pitiful economic record.
6
I have an 8th grade education plus a bit more. I also know that the unemployment rate was about 7.8% when Obama started in office and about 4.8% when he left. Not sure what is delusional or sad about that.
6
Melissa M., you could not be more wrong. More jobs were created in 2016 than 2017 and GDP is about the same. The tax cuts just went in to effect. You cannot judge them till they actually kick in.
18
"Anybody with an eighth grade education can figure out the Trump tax cuts and regulation slashing have brought about the current economic climate."
If you stopped at eight grade, I suppose. But anybody who went a bit farther than that, including people who bothered to actually look up the facts, would know that economies don't turn on a dime. Changes take years, especially recovering after the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment rate has been in a steady decline since mid 2009. It was 10% in mid 2009 and about 4.7% after Obama left office. It is now about 4.5%.
15
What is right about the United States is a chance for better checks and balances in a year with the midterm election and the opportunity to get rid of this self centered buffoon in three years. Our vote matters.
15
It really does say much about America that we remain strong despite a President who embarrasses us almost daily at home and abroad. In my lifetime (71 years), Mr. Trump is easily the worst leader we have had. I have disagreed, to one extent or another, with all the other Presidents in my life, but I never before found it necessary to apologize to people in other nations as I did when I was overseas recently. And yet, we march on, still cognizant of the American Dream and the Rule of Law. The Trump Administration, too, will pass.
25
For the first time in my life, I will not watch our President address the nation. Today, he threatened the country with "something big" (and bad) having to happen to bring the country together. What he doesn't realize is that most of the country is together in their disdain for his lying about everything and everyone. I'm happy there is a national reckoning underway for the treatment of women, but really, under Mr. Trump it's the treat of almost everyone (but for his beloved white men, white rich men I should add. He's a blight on this country -- I hope we will be better for it, but lack of leadership is very bad for this country -- we look for kind, intelligent, innovative, honest leaders -- Mr. Trump has none of those traits, he is not kind, not smart, not innovative and perhaps the most dishonest leader we have ever had in this country and that breaks my heart and I'm an average American who has never, ever felt this way about any President -- no matter their party.
788
Trump is representative of the Americans that put him in office. The voters are the root cause, not Trump.
1
Yes, not even Nixon or Dubya elicited such feelings of fear and desolation in me, to the point that I dream of relocating to some other country with a functioning democracy, a decent, affordable standard of living and far from nuclear fallout. My personal shining beacon on a hill.
4
Yes, sad, but very true!
1
Apart from slavery, our treatment of Native Americans, the Great Depression, 9/11 and our wars, he is the worst thing that has ever happened to this country.
I’d like to think that the worst of him is already over, but I see no actual signs of it.
174
You've forgotten the Osmonds...
6
Monte Carlo? Is that where you met up with them?
1
Ridiculous. Katrina killed almost as many people as 9-11. The Galveston hurricane killed as many as 12,000 people. The Chicago heatwave. The Johnstown flood. We have had a host of natural disasters that have resulted in massive loss of life and hundreds of billions of dollars in damages.
The Bush-Bankster created financial collapse that brought nearly the entire world to its knees. The 1907 financial panic. The 1929 crash. Black Monday in 1987. The 1989 Savings and Loan debacle.
Trump is an unmitigated disaster. But he is nowhere near "the worst thing that has ever happened to this country." Not even close.
I believe our state of the union has not been stronger especially under President Trump. The liberals and democrats want to tax us into oblivion, open our borders and reduce our military so they cannot protect us. The democrats lack a unified voice. Look at New York State we are taxed to death to have all the liberal programs under Cuomo and running a deficit.
I say seven more years! Keep up the good work.
6
Please, please stop with the canard that liberals and Democrats want to raise taxes, open our borders and reduce the military "so they cannot protect us." Do you honestly believe that Democrats don't want a strong, prepared military ready to protect us? What's your basis for that?
Same with immigration and taxes. No Democrat at the national level advocates open borders and "oblivion" level taxes. Not one.
So just stop.
22
Don't worry the "Lord of the Flies" will tell you that he alone can save you from the immigrants who are tending your crops, watching your children and pushing your wheelchair. He will give them "guest worker" status that will be better than the slavery that you remember so fondly ... after all when they have worn out your welcome you can just send these "Guest Workers" back where they came from.
4
Slim Wilson: I read the posts here daily and have for many years.
YES DEMOCRATS and liberals DO call for a reduced military with the saved spending going towards the very social program they adore (but which have failed utterly over 50 years to eradicate poverty).
Democrats absolutely DO want open borders and massive illegal immigration, in order to get the future votes of grateful hispanic illegals. Also, they make it VERY VERY CLEAR how much they despise the white working class, and continue (even after Hilary's debacle) to call such voters "deplorables in a basket".
And they DO want to raise taxes -- a lot! -- to Swedish or Danish levels -- so we can have all the freebies and social services they admire so much in Scandinavia and Europe. They state this bluntly; their plan is to "soak the rich" (though we all know that it always ends up "soaking the middle/working class" as did the ACA/Obamacare).
On top of that, read just this thread -- only 155 posts as I type this -- and see how many say that our Constitution is no good...they'd rather live in the UK or Canada....we should throw out our laws....our nation is without value or history, and is in fact evil and worthless. They call for secession of blue states! and a new Civil War! all to "get even" with Trump and Trump's supporters. It is not my imagination. It is here, in black and white.
Hope the fact checkers are ready....they're in for a busy night.
13
As he did to the American citizens in Puerto Rico, the president tonight will toss paper towels at the American people and tell them that all is well and the country is great once again as he promised it would be. He will declare that despite biased reporting from the fake news media, America is stronger than ever.
This president has trampled all over the ideals that have been the foundation of the fabric of America, yet the country remains strong and resilient in spite of his relentless attacks on the country's democratic foundations. The intelligence agencies and the FBI, which the president and his party continue to demean, keep Americans safe at home and abroad.
America, though tarnished by an unsuitable Chief Executive and an unpatriotic Congress that deems the FBI more of a grave threat to the country than Russian meddling, has weathered a very difficult year.
628
So glad that this was a "Pick." Everyone should read what you wrote. We do have things to feel proud for and endeavors before us - although Trump won't toss those truths at us.
Nicely written, friend.
9
The question remains, silver, for how long the undermining of the nation can continue before permanent damage is done to our Democracy.
4
“As a national party the Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice with which to do more than rail against Trump.”
Let us not forget that we still have in place the ACA and expanded Medicaid healthcare plans, thanks to “all” the Democrats and a handful of Republicans, who fought tooth and nail to preserve it.
Let us not forget that the “Dreamers” have the full support of the Democrats and that battle is still raging.
Let us not forget that thousands upon thousands of Democrats are fully engaged in running for public office from coast to coast.
Let us not forget that there is no “wall” and that battle continues to rage on
Both the House and Senate Democrats have fought for their constituent’s day in and day out for over a year now. They win some and lose some, but they stick together. I am very proud of them. Underdogs for sure but they sure as hell fight like pit bulls.
And all they ask of us is; go to the polls in November, 2018 and pull that lever. Not much to ask is it?
509
Well said. Let's not run down the Democrats in Congress who are after all a minority, and a minority frozen out by the majority. They have done the best they could given the situation. Could they have done better? Yes of course, but when you compare their performance with the Republicans in Congress they have been strong and united.
6
Yes, yes, yes! Go to the polls! Always vote so we never ever have the candidate who got the most votes come in second to the uncast votes.
6
I think that it is right though, as the article states, that there is a lack of one, strong voice in the Democratic party, able to motivate and lead the entire party and its supporters. I watched the speech of Jospeh Kennedy III this morning and although he found enthusiastic supporters in the room, I am afraid he is not ready yet to lead the party to victory in 2020.
1
Your editorial is continuing your own narrative. A narrative which strikes this Canadian as driving your country towards Civil War. The one line missing in your narrative was "Not my President!" Let Democracy do its work, and report constructively and without bias on the good and the bad on both sides of your country's current ideological chasm. For your childrens' sake...
10
Thanks for a needed reference point.
3
The country is already at war.
Working people have got to win against the plutocracy.
One cannot just sit by and "let democracy do its work."
Democracy only exists if people fight for it.
The Resistence is rallying the troops.
There is only one thing "right" about the state of our union and that is how utterly apparent the terminal illness is that has infested and is now devouring the last vestiges of what has been called but never really was the "United" States. The northern colonies sought the assent of the southern ones in struggle for independence from Great Britain. We can now see that that was the devil's pact. The blight of slavery was white-washed over and eventually resulted in a Civil War that was never resolved (as confirmed by the recent issues surrounding the Confederate flag. I have innumerably more in common with Queen Elizabeth than I could ever have with the cretin in the White House. I posit that we LOST the War of Independence and we are now in the midst of the cyclone pulling us so quickly apart. I will not listen to the speech tonight. I'd much rather read Dante's Inferno which deals with the same subjects except that it's well written and much more entertaining.
10
Wishing for a teleprompter failure so he's forced to go it alone.
28
Mr. Trump's boasting might be more tolerable if he had an ounce of ability to acknowledge that someone else gets some credit. His claims that he inherited "a mess" in the economy along with his need to be the sole savior means that he must condemn all others while claiming 100% of the credit for himself. He would be more tolerable it he could challenge or disagree with others without sneering, name calling, and denigration.
I'll read about it in the morning.
Here's to hoping he doesn't get too much credit from his hated news media for reading off a teleprompter and behaving reasonably like an adult. That, my friends, is not "presidential."
38
Historically, does the New York Times usually critique the President's State of The Union speech, right before he gives it? I agree he will gloat and take credit for a bunch of accomplishments, not entirely of his making! I would have waited to actually hear the speech! Nonetheless, he is an embarrassment to my nation by the content of his character and his demeanor! Ultimately, he's a real bore, and probably outdoes Coolidge in that! We can only hope for improvement from this speech onward! And despite the nature of his speech, I like many other Americans, do not sleep as comfortably, as when others were President of The United States!!!
12
He surely doesn't get what's right with our union, any more than whoever wrote the editorial gets what's wrong with it. You fail to note that the stock market has fewer investors than ever -- so while the rich get richer, more Americans than ever have not a penny to invest in it (and even though you mention income inequality, you make no attempt to note how this connects with the stock market). And the Fed that you praise is largely to blame for keeping interests so artificially low that us mere mortals can't even save enough to keep up with inflation. Moreover, our Congress was "feckless and cynical," Democrats as much as Republicans, long before Trump arrived.
7
Thank you for noting that most Americans do not own stock -- cannot afford it -- and when it goes this high, this fast, it is VERY volatile -- just as in 2005-2008 before the crash. That was also a huge boom! and nobody saw that crash coming. "Experts" were still telling people to invest, right up until the end.
I wasn't around in 1929, but I'll bet it was similar. "Irrational exuberance", etc.
Also: thank you for noting that much of this "boom" -- the escalating housing prices, the absurd stock market rises -- are balanced on ZIRP (zero interest rates on savings) which hit savers and retirees the hardest. Older Americans do not dare put their savings in anything as volatile as the stock market -- many who DID only 10 years ago, lost everything in the crash! -- the NYT has forgotten, but older Americans have NOT forgotten!
ZIRP is raping savers and senior Americans, in order to prop up a phony recovery and phony stock market bubble (and housing bubble in some areas) -- and this was true under Obama and it is true under Trump. Both parties have betrayed us. Both parties prefer illegal aliens to our own US citizens! we've been continuously screwed over by BOTH PARTIES!
Wondering how difficult it will be to learn to speak and read the Russian language. Anyone?
11
Atleechna!
(Excellent!)
2
Trump's invitation said that he will be reading about the state of the Uniom. His speech may have little to do with the Union. He will claim credit for the stock market for the past year except for this week's decline (which he might blame on Obama).
11
That lede is a grand and beautiful sentence, written by a master.
2
Is the country awakening? Perhaps, but the awakening is from a failure of consciousness about the many profound problems that the U.S. presently suffers. The greatest of these is the Republican Party, followed by the celebration of greed and the disparity of wealth and well-being that the vaunted "freedom" permits; a freedom free of responsibility that has been embraced by the powerful. The cultural, political and social realities of the U.S. are so obviously degraded that we, as neighbors of the U.S., despair for your future. Yes, please, it is time to wake up.
21
Trump could care less about the state of our union because he only cares about how he is doing in his altered state. According to him we have gone from "carnage" to "morning in America" and the only thing that has changed is the rhetoric from the right wing propaganda machine. The GDP grew at a faster pace in 2014 and 2015 than in Trump's first year but that growth was anemic compared to the heroic strength of our economy under Trump. Obama tripled the stock market with his best year being a 34% increase but that was depression level growth compared to the monumental 18% increase of Trump's first year. Obama halved the stock market but FOX and their friend the president didn't believe those numbers until Trump continued riding the trend and now, they are not only believed, they are touted as a miraculous turnaround. Thank you for pointing out the realities, unfortunately 38% of the population remains immune to them and they no exactly where to turn for their false narratives.
8
The naval gazing going on around the State of the Uniom is intense. Will Trump be presidential, and inspire the American people to set aside their differences so as to build a better... just kidding (as Colbert would say). This reader won't be watching. Worse than the hypocrisy, the treachery, the malfeasance - is that whiney voice! Cannot wait for nonsense to be over.
14
How can anyone argue that "the state of the union is strong" when this dysfunctional system produced a ruling party like the Republicans and a president like Trump?
Americans need to abandon their worship of the sacred constitution and rebuild government institutions from the foundations up...
10
What you suggest is treason! Our Constitution is fine.
3
From "American Carnage" to "I Alone Can Fix IT" all in only 365 days!! Trump is our Savior.
Accompanied by hate and vengeance, Trump gave himself a multi-million tax cut (and his family too) and read off a list of Heritage Foundation nominees for judicial appointments. So thanks to the Koch Brothers for their input. He awoke in the GOP a level of greed and an assault upon the foundations of our democracy.
It's civic horror at Trump's malignant narcissism. It's all we have. Trump has taken a razor blade to our ideals and institutions. The STOU address can only serve to divide us even more profoundly. Oh, and give trump the TV ratings he lives for.
18
Despite all that you say, the greatest damage done to the country is his destruction of the office of the presidency and the country's good name throughout the world. His actions (and the actions of his Republican supporters in Congress) have tarred us all. No amount of good economic news will fix that. Those people who think that it's all about money are wrong. Money can't buy you a good name or morality or ethics...or love, when you come right down to it. So those that "trumpet" Trump's "achievements" might want to re-visit their own sense of right and wrong...their own values.
694
For people like Trump "values" are for chumps.
1
We are only "tarred" if we allow ourselves to be. I submit that we have the power to rid ourselves of Trump and Republicans. All it takes is voting them OUT!
Etienne you have been able to say everything I feel and believe better than I can as my anger and horror get in the way. I posted your comment on Facebook. Thank you.
1
With the Speaker of the House, now aligned with Trump co-conspirator Rep. Devin Nunes in his incessant attack on the most fundamental of our institutions--the Constitutional "rule of law"--the State of the Union is in its greatest jeopardy since the Revolution and the treason of Benedict Arnold. Everything else does not compare to the Constitutional crisis we now find ourselves in. With the Republican-controlled Congress refusing to even listen to the FBI, they have abrogated the "separation of powers" essential to our democracy. The threat is ever more palpable as Congressional Republicans have ceded power to Donald Trump and have taken our union to the very precipice of an autocratic state.
72
Ryan is also worried about the "investigation". He was recorded telling his House members to shush when they were talking about how some of their members were doing a lot of work and could be getting paid from Russia. Given that Ryan ould be worried he will be implicated.
4
Aren't you a little bit curious?
Can the Donald be Presidential in his first State of the Union address?
Can he last longer than 17 minutes of his Inaugural speech?
He promised a lot in his first year and it doesn't look like he has even made a start of it on any of it.
What is there to talk about?
8
The State of The Union is Strong.
The Nation survived with Flying Colors a year of assault on Democracy and Modern values by a 'Bird Nest Hair President' and equally skilled 'Empty Nest Senate' and the 'House'.
Nothing has shattered the Resolve of this Great Nation and its People's values.
Long Live America!!
6
I am sure Trump will find a way to take credit for the advancements in the oil field that are turning America into oil exporters even though he had nothing to do with the advancements and the resulting boom all of which began under the Obama regime. He will also take credit for the booming economy , which of course was in full boom long before he took office. His only claim to fame is a tax cut, and really, how hard is it to legislate tax cuts, especially when they are deficit funded. It’s very easy to give out tax cuts... the hard thing is to pay for everything with less revenue coming in.
33
It would be easier to give Trump credit if he (a) weren't so dismissive of giving President Obama credit, too; (b) weren't so self-congratulatory; (c) weren't so hostile to even constructive criticism. But Trump insists that he "inherited a mess;" praises himself undeservedly (most productive administration, ever, record-breaking crowd sizes, etc...; Twitter attacks on and dismissing anyone who questions him.
Trump has set up a dynamic where he isn't going to get what he most craves - praise. Now that's quite a feat.
30
@NM -- as always, your comments are excellent. Wouldn't it be something if a Democratic Senator or Congressman shouted "you lie" at the president tonight the way Joe Wilson did during President Obama's first State of the Union address? He'll lie plenty during his address this evening. Thanks again for your kind words...they're always appreciated.
3
I thought it was Jim de Mint.
So you mean that "with a shot at shedding the civic apathy that has afflicted it for far too long. It is with backhanded gratitude that we might all thank President Trump," #45 is Henry David Thoreau's Gadfly?
What evil irony spins his grave?
2
What do you mean by a coherent message?
Do you mean many people identifying several ends, like a strengthened social security, medicare and medicaid, access to good and affordable healthcare, a strong safety net, pro-family policies, a vigorous economy, etc. but which may require debate and discussion as to the means to those ends?
Or do you mean a couple of overlords handing down some talking points to their minions, talking points which may or may not have any basis in truth or reality or may not even agree with most citizens' opinions, which the minions must spout continally under pain of political execution?
8
Trump is an utter monster who is only interested in accumulating personal wealth and power at the cost to the taxpayer. He has no interest in the rule of law and in fact is trying to subvert it, probably worse than any politician in history. He has accomplished absolutely nothing except proving that conservatives have no interest in governing anyone who is not exactly like them, usually well to do and white. He neither knows nor cares why certain regulations are needed to protect Americans from the toxic byproducts of big business, as well as from those who want to turn every aspect of American life into a profit center. Most horribly, he has infected all his supporters and spokespeople with his own toxic brand of lashing out and attempting to destroy anyone who crosses them. Actually, he has accomplish exactly one thing: uniting the majority of Americans to defeat him and everything he stands for. And they will hopefully prevail.
25
As disgraceful as his campaign was, all he had to do was back off from the hateful rhetoric it and show some contrition for it, and at least try to reach out to the millions and millions and millions of Americans who he antagonized, and we might--might--have had something. It would have cost him nothing, and gained him and the country incomparably more. But he failed, as his his wont, on Day One, with his inaugural address. He dug an even deeper hole for himself with that sickening press conference in February and his despicable attacks on the First Amendment, to say nothing of personally attacking non-politicians and private and public citizens who spoke out against him. But when he really lost all Americans of conscience was his response to Charlottesville when he praised murderous, marauding neo-Nazis and white supremacists, and verbally attacked those who stood up to them.
He's not a leader. He's not remotely qualified, so he will never be a real president. He is illegitimate, irredeemable and weak of mind and body. No American of decent morals or conscience supports him. The sooner he's pulled out of office like the malignant tumor he is, the better.
107
And how about that other malignant body, the Republican congress?
There are only two qualifications for President:
1. be over 35 years of age on Inauguration Day
2. be a native born US citizen
That's all. Trump easily satisfies both of these.
Let's address DT'S mental state.
7
The state of the union is strong and it is very apparent that Progressives find that very disappointing. President Trump has many faults and failings as we all know. But continually bashing him for the next three years will accomplish nothing, as he is not going away. Perhaps it is time for a little positive thinking. Our country has gone through far more trying times in the past and has always recovered.
6
"Our country has gone through far more trying times in the past and has always recovered."
Our country has indeed gone through more trying times and recovered--most recently, in 2008-2010. But at that time the president wasn't the source of the tribulations. He was largely responsible for the recovery.
17
Worthwhile to note President Obama's impressive accomplishments--that brought America back from the brink of destruction when it was headed for a Depression. Accomplishments with citations are noted at this link. These were achieved despite an obstructionist Congress.
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishment.
7
Thank heavens we were a democracy before little hands in the white house "stole" the vote. What he has been doing is setting this country so far back that it will take generations to dig us out. One can only hope the voters get out, in the coming elections, and rid ourselves of the muck that has become the white house and congress.
25
The notion that you try to link Trumps successes to the prior administration is utterly laughable. Consumer sentiment, capital spending, stock market gains, degradation of ISIS are solely the result of Trumps policies. Sorry.
6
It's laughable that Republicans imagine that all of the gains you cite occurred in the past twelve months. The stock market, for example, was riding a wave for years before Donald Trump came on the scene. He entered office when the market was already bullish. Yes, it's gone up since then, thanks largely to his delivered promise of a huge corporate tax cut. But the Dow rose 140 percent under Barack Obama. Remember where it was when he was elected, and what direction is was headed?
The true measure of a president's success is the following: what shape is the country in when he leaves office relative to where it was when he first took the oath. Not only is the jury still out on the Trump presidency, they're barely talking. The verdict is already in on Obama. He pulled us back from the brink.
29
I can't tell if you're just trolling or you're serious. The one thing you're right about is that Trump gave the economy a crack hit with the tax giveaways. But like all crack hits, eventually you come down from it, and you come down hard. When the economy tanks in a year or so from Trump's policies, will you blame him or the previous administration that you want to give no credit to?
1
I don't think he has enacted any policies. So, please explain.
11
I think it would be best for the country if the President were to keep the speech to a more manageable length than previous speeches. I wrote a draft of the speech which would work best, and thought I'd share it here.
In it's entirety, my draft speech for the President is this;
"i resign, effective immediately."
There.
I can think of no other speech which would help the country more.
320
I'm sure Pence would agree with you.
5
Presidents are not and should not be gauged by short term profits. Yes the markets are soaring, today. It's easy to spike a rally when corporate profits get a huge overnight boost. That boost is being financed on credit card that future generations will have to pay for. But more to the point. What condition will Trump leave this nation in when he leaves office?
He has trashed our institutions. These organizations form the backbone of our nation.
He has devastated the truth. Instead of being a true leader and telling us what we need to hear, he just tells us what he thinks we want to hear, which is whatever makes him look terrific. Without standing by the truth and lying five times a day about everything, our republican democracy ceases to function. The people can't make good decisions if they don't have the truth to work with.
He has opened the door to racist extremist and normalized their positions. In doing so he legitimizes them. He gives them a seat at the table.
His policies have lined the pockets of the super rich on the public's debt. Then throws us a few crumbs.
He is trying to squash global trade, which is the true engine of growth. The free exchange of goods and talent grows nations, not walls and barriers.
He set us upon each other like we were packs of dogs fighting over carrion.
He has set back the battle against climate change which will cost us dearly, in property and even lives.
Was it all worth a stock market rally?
146
David I think it is a big mistake to say Trump or "he" instead of Trump and the Republicans. I am sickened by McConnell and Ryan.
The really sad thing about it is that the stock market rally has built throughout the Obama years and has very little, if any, to do with anything Trump has done. His awful tax deform bill will only throw gasoline on a bonfire and hasten and worsen the inevitable correction. Watch the employment numbers tank, and tax revenues plummet, then. Market crashes always have collateral damage.
I love your editorial, spoken with the strength and courage of resolve.
I cannot in any way accede to absolving this President of the suffering and cruelty he has spawned and all with a fat smile on his face.
Who has not been humiiated by the bully? We have laws to protect us against unreasonable search and seizure. Did the ones who voted for him know they were paying dearly for a dictator. This too shall pass.
13
I wonder if he'll out do his pinnochios from the first one?
4
Amen to this, and especially "the Democrats have yet to find a coherent and appealing voice" which is, therein, the problem.
Unless that voice emerges, we will have the Dotard until 2024.
Is it not remarkable in a country of over 300 million we have not another Obama?
8
It is the Democrats not having a voice and backbone that put Trump in the Oval in the first place
1
Nope. Trump was put in the oval office in large part by the American media. The 'media' covered Trump during his campaign to the almost total exclusion of the other Republican candidates running and the media is doing the same thing now. It is "Trump did this", or "Trump did that". There is no discussion of anything except Trump!!!
3
Not that he was all that great, but if you mean "a handsome, well-spoken, tall & charismatic mixed-race politician who is very photogenic, and has few if any skeletons in his closet such as @metoo accusations" .... then no, the Dems have nothing.
How can we talk about a strong country whose citizens shoot each other with sickening regularity, while the so-called president and his henchmen block every attempt to do anything about it?
How can we talk about a strong country that faces a futrue of floods and climate change, while the Know-Nothings do nothing?
How can we forgive the liar-in-chief for caring so little about any of us as to make health care unaffordable except by those wealthy enough to be in his Cabinet?
There is nothing worth boasting about, here.
1002
Correction: Trump supporters don't shoot "each other" ... they shoot defenseless children and country music fans.
5
Yes. Nothing to boast about except for those of us who are fighting every day to ensure progressive candidates in 2018!
1
We the People are America. And I am proud of what they have been doing at the polls in Alabama, Virginia and other locations in special elections. I also hope to be proud of what they will do in 2018 and 2020.
Uh. It's year one. I would curb your dis-enthusiasm for another year.
3
This country can't survive another year of Trump.
7
To Donald J. Trump's credit, he has made many American citizens active in politics, to the point where some are no longer looking for a "savior" or "The Lone Ranger" to make things right.
If I may speak for more than one, we now know that saving American democracy is up to each one of us: We will save ourselves and in doing so, will save the USA. Period.
162
Please, there can absolutely be no false equivalence. There is no "feckless and cynical Congress" - only a feckless and cynical Republican party that is driving our democracy into the ground to the highest bidder.
707
Well put criticism of the editorial. The NYT will now publish more breathless stories about Hillary's emails...
1
The optimism is in the awakening -- oddly, his great achievement, but if not enough congressional turnaround occurs in 2018, it may take decades to undo the damage to air and water, climate and health, education and infrastructure, to the rights of women, of non-white human beings, and the unwritten right of all species to exist.
I don't think we have decades of dithering to undo the damages we have wrought upon the planet. We need leadership right now to show the way for all peoples to work together to cure our planet's ills. The divisiveness and blame must end. Unbridled militarism does not lead anywhere we need to go. It is, in the truest sense of the words, a dead end.
579
I agree things are bad, but it won't take decades to put things right except on the case of justice nominations. The auto industry isn't suddenly cranking out V12 gas-guzzlers because Trump has said he'll reduce CAFE standards and the energy production industry isn't suddenly building more coal-fired plants because Trumps eased anti-pollution regulations.
We The People will take back our country over the next 2 election cycles. In some ways, Trump's terrible presidency has underscored how bad things could get if We allow government by and for the highest bidder to continue.
1
I am active in the NH Sierra Club and have been vocal about climate change for years. But at present, I am more worried about our democracy than about environmental issues. The White House has turned around the investigation of possible collusion with a foreign power by the Trump campaign, transition and administration with into an attack on the FBI. I fear this technique is undermining our institutions and Constitution.
Ted Morton - People are once again buying more pickups and SUVs, so the auto industry is indeed "cranking out" gas guzzlers--or preparing to, at least, and reducing production of regular cars. The energy production industry may not be building more coal-fired plants BUT they have stopped installing anti-pollution equipment. Further, the tariff on solar panels means that the growing solar energy industry will take a hit as plans for new installations are cancelled. Can these things be reversed? Probably, but at best it will take time, meaning we will have failed to make progress in areas that are critical in combating climate change and even efforts to reduce pollution that's damaging to our air and water. But then, maybe it won't be all that many kids who die or whose lives are negatively impacted by asthma caused by polluted air. Maybe the coal ash problem in West Virginia won't result in another containment pond bursting. Maybe.
Democrats have yet to find a coherent, appealing voice.....
Their insistence on supporting the witch hunt described as "a national reckoning" over the treatment of women forces reasonable people (not feminists) to have to chose between injustice and incompetence. The Democrats, I fear, are going to blow it again. The feminist anti-male campaign is a large reason for the backlash that put Trump in office. And they (and the NYTimes) seem determined to keep doubling down.
7
That's right. The Democrats forgot that the majority of voters in this country is still the white male working stiff. The Democrats catered to the illegal immigrants and those who rioted, vandalized and started fires because of the police shootings. The nation saw it on national tv. Although I didn't vote for Trump I saw that coming a year before the election. And if the Dems don't wise up and learn from their mistakes they will lose the next two elections.
2
Correction!! The majority of votes in this country are WOMEN!!!!
6
I'm so tired of winning.
Make it stop.
Please.
44
The State of ‘The Onion’ is strong!
Delusions are rife.
Lies are abundant.
Reverse Robinhood is in style.
Deals are back. Broken ones that is.
Taxes for wealthy and corporations mean you and I are in hock for thousands.
Special Prosecutor & Crew are proceeding apace.
Evil is loose in the land. White House cesspool is participating.
9
It takes much irony in thanking this "ugly American" (ignorant, arrogant, and stupid) for waking us up from a dangerous sopor (deep sleep) of complacency...while the country is being wasted by a mafia in government (a pluto-kleptocracy, in brief). Tonight, in Trump's State of the Union scripted 'niceties', do not harbor any illusions that any of it will come to pass, as his demagoguery is rampant. He is such a smooth liar that, by repetition, it will appear as dogma truth to his misinformed, and likely prejudiced, 'base'. That the entire republican party has chosen to be blind an deaf, so to remain enablers of his graft, remains a deep mystery...unless you think they are hypocrite idiots trying to stick to undeserved power.
15
Actually, Democrats have a vision and concrete plans, if you count those in Congress who signed on to Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All bill and even Hillary Clinton, who talked about helping our college students avoid or get out of debt so they could start buying homes and cars to stimulate the economy. Democrats are also serious about infrastructure and about moving faster forward with alternative energy to forestall climate apocalypse. The problems isn't their lack of plans, it's the media's lack of covering anything but Donald J. Trump's tweets and temper tantrums and every juicy tidbit of the Russia investigation they can glean from unnamed sources. Bernie Sanders held am online town hall meeting on Medicare for All which was very informative just a week ago, but not a word of it got through the All Trump, All the Time mainstream media. See what I mean?
246
Great comment!
6
That's because Bernie held the town hall. Do you think it would have received media coverage if it was hosted by HRC???
I really need to say something about college students and avoiding or getting out of debt....My two sons had debt of 50,000 dollars, respectively. They got out of school; got jobs in their field. One has paid off his remaining debt just as of this year...he graduated in 2010 with a degree in digital design. The other still owes because he pursued an advanced degree, but will pay it off within the next three years. Really....I taught my kids responsibility. The government does not need to bail them out and it was never a point of conversation. My gosh, where oh where does RESPONSIBILITY for what one does enter into this?
MY sons were taught to study, work, deal with it, lets talk and talk about where YOU, as a young person needs to get it, take a job that pays far less but will get you experience...blah, blah, blah....I did my job....a parent.
2
The Democrats play small ball with criticism and support of various liberal causes and groups. They have no plan and no coherent message.
Try this. First, replace the leadership...all of it. Then, reduction of the wealth inequality with economic benefits to the low and middle class while treating the rich fairly. Free trade where we benefit equally. Affordable healthcare for all. Smart regulation that makes sense. Government that gets smarter and leaner and spends your tax dollars in a fiscally conservative manner. Reduce the debt load we are passing to our children. Work with business to improve the business climate. Work with business to make us the leader in Tech, hardware, software, renewables and other businesses of the future. Do infrastructure right. Improve the military but make it leaner and more efficient. Represent Archie Bunker as well as the East Coast MFA. Stop the moral crusades and let the states sort out abortion, gay, religious and other issues.
5
I would like to know what "treating the rich fairly means". Is it the conservative ideal of fairness; that progressive taxation is unfair, and despite the enormous disparity in wealth and income everyone should have some "skin in the game". Or do you mean that the wealthy have had their way for far too long now and it's time to deny some of the "privilege" they've mostly bestowed on themselves while shifting the balance of wealth to the highest disparity since the gilded age.
I'm for treating the rich fairly, too--let's treat them equally as fair as we treat the poor in this country.
1
Very sensible. Unfortunately, the Dems are committed to identity politics, and special interest groups, and political correctness. Therefore, they have proven they will give up every other important thing in order to keep 800,000 cynical, spoiled, whinging demanding "Dreamers" in the US -- adults who are mostly citizens of MEXICO -- so that they can compete with our American young people for jobs and housing and college spots.
Oh and transgender rights. So that's while they will lose again.
CC - You want to explain this "identity politics" to me? Do you mean the effort to make sure that people who are not in the majority, like African-Americans, Muslims, and LGBQT people, have equal access to the opportunities that white Christian Americans do? The efforts to make sure that women, who are actually the majority in this country, are not second-class citizens? Is that what you mean by "identity politics"? The label is a ridiculous one, developed by the right-wing to sow dissension and, unfortunately, it has worked all too well, helped along by bitter right-wingers like you have repeatedly shown yourself to be and by Democrats who sometimes have difficulty refusing to take the blame for things that aren't their fault.
In short, the state of our union is strong not because of Trump, but in spite of him (somewhat literally).
21
Yes, our nation is still strong. However, every day Mr. Trump, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Ryan are deceitfully chipping away at truth and the rule of law. The next election will be more important than any in my 65+ years. We must hope that Americans are indeed waking up to stop this abuse of the public trust.
219
Yes I think Trump can say that the state of our union is strong, in that despite all his attempts to make a dictatorship and ignore the constitution that he swore to uphold, the press and judiciary have stopped him. The checks and balances have worked....so far. We the people need to safeguard our union by calling out this president when he lies and contacting our representatives to do the right thing.
13
What truly dismaying is that when listing Trump's failures, the Times doesn't even mention his total refusal to say literally ANYTHING about the endemic gun violence or global warming, two of the greatest (if not THE) greatest challenges facing the US today.
We've gotten so used to the gunfire and inevitability of global worse that we don't even mention that Trump seems dedicated to making both worse.
131
The state of which union will be uppermost in his mind?
8
The state of this so-called 'Union' can hardly be called healthy when our elected national representatives are more interested in scoring political points and wins (as though this were a football game) than in focusing their energy on solutions to the problems we all sent them there to address. The rest of us have families to raise, and our own work (hopefully) to do - it is inexcusable that these so-called Public Servants are clearly more interested in kowtowing to their biggest donors & furthering their own well-off lifestyle
19
I do not know why anyone should listen to a speech by the man who generates such volumes of lies that can be matched only by the flow of water from a fire hose. I am not going to waste my time.
166
Even if Trump is thanked only "with backhanded gratitude" as he helped with "shedding the civic apathy," it is a start towards the realization that at least some good comes out of a bad situation.
5
I’ll be watching “the twilight zone “ reruns on Netflix. Pretty much the same thing, but more entertaining.
26
The worst thing Trump is doing is not mentioned here, which is literally poisoning us through Scott Pruitt's dismantling of the EPA.
123
With Ryan Zinke helping....
8
The Democratic message, it's 'appealing voice' as this Editorial begs for, should simply be about patriotism. Democrats should drape themselves in the flag, and take it back from the GOP. they should talk about the constitution and say there's one party that is aligning its interests with Russia, which tolerates an unhealthy connection with Moscow oligarchs, and another still fighting for Democratic ideals. One party that has become increasingly authoritarian and racist, and another open to all peoples and ideas. Democrats should own the fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence, the legacy of Washington and Jefferson who would undoubtedly be repulsed by this president. The Hannity's and Devin Nunes's of this world should be asked to remove their flag pins, and Democrats should wear theirs proudly. This is the message. Shout it from the rooftops.
1365
Well said! This must be the essence of the Democratic voice and its message. It will provide the strength and backbone to stand up to the GOP and their kleptocratic mascot.
5
I agree 100% with Democrats taking the mantle of patriotism away from the Republicans, who apparently accept treason in exchange for upper-class tax cuts.
But they should say much, much more about the environment. Pollution of water and air, toxic chemicals in food and household products, and climate change are a huge deal. As is public health, including safe workplaces. And affordable education. None of these things should be at all controversial, unless you put private profit ahead of the general welfare.
“Getting rid of regulations” should be called by Democrats “getting rid of consumer protection” or “guaranteeing freedom to pollute” - nothing to be proud of. “Tax cuts” should be consistently linked to irresponsible borrowing that will burden the next generation.
Democrats should talk policy, not Trump. People can see what’s wrong with DTJ without any Democrats’ help.
If the Democrats then get rid of litmus tests related to guns, abortion, and immigration - allowing candidates to represent their constituencies - they’ll be unstoppable.
7
Yes, we on the left have allowed the right to define patriotism in a way that excludes and disparages those who disagree with them. Maybe we need a new kind of lapel pin that combines the patriotism symbolized by the flag with some other symbol that symbolizes truth and unity in diversity to define patriotism in a new, honorable way?
1
Oh the Repubs swept down
Like a Wolf on the fold
Their false memos gleaming
In scarlet and gold.
They had the Don’s back
And protect him they would
Shut down FBI
Like all good toadies should.
The Dems waved their Memo
And it Repubs spurned,
Had they a fire going
That memo’d been burned.
Constitution mocked,
But the Don’s rear end saved,
Not sorry the Donald
So badly behaved.
87
The state of our nation today is strong – in spite of Donald Trump being the president. That it is so, is a tribute to the strength of our democracy, the efforts of those who came before us, our success in recognizing our shortcomings - and striving to correct them (a job that will never be done), and every hard-working American citizen. We will get through this.
62
We will get through this only if we don't take our eyes off the ball no matter how tired and depressed we may be.
6
Pride is not helping at this moment.