We're out of Iraq? The last I heard there were about 13,000 US troops in Iraq as of November. A number of them would be staying to "train" and modernize Iraq's own army and police. I guess those guys don't count as real troops.

I tuned in to the speech for about ten minutes. All I kept hearing was how we need to spend more money on different projects. It sounded like he wanted tax breaks for everybody and increased spending on every project he could imagine.

Then he started talking about education. He made a big to do about education, but he never adressed the fudamental issue that is hindering education. He never spoke about how the monopolistic control of education by the government has stiffled competition that spurs growth. If you don't have $13,000 a year for a private school there is a sever lack of options. That means there is no incentive for the teachers, principals, administrators, or counselors to give the best they can. It also opens up the doors for corruption and patronage. (I know there are great teachers out there, I had a few.)

I would say it really was just more rhetoric from another career politician trying to keep his job. It has become a matter of spectacle and not much more. The State of The Union has become a chance for presidents to give a yearly campaign speech.