We live in a great country
January 28, 2010 (Thursday)
What does the United States Constitution say about the necessity of a “State of the Union” address by the president? Here ‘tis:
“Article 2 – The Executive Branch
Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient…”
That’s a little different from saying he must appear before the nation in prime time with a television address to all branches of government, etc. But that’s the way we do it now.
No president of any party is going to pass up this golden opportunity to promote his projects before the world on such a grand stage. But is this what the Constitution meant?
An interesting moment in last night’s address came when the president expressed his disagreement with a recent Supreme Court decision with the entire court seated right in front of him. As the body stood to cheer his criticisms, one of the Justices mouthed the words, “Not true.” Is this a great country or what? In front of the whole world, that moment said, “It’s great to be an American, where you can agree to disagree without being beheaded or sent to jail.”