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State of the Union: The World’s Biggest Pep Rally
The United States’ annual State of the Union address tends to be an excercise in standing, sitting, clapping, not clapping for your team.
Every year, the President of the United States delivers a speech to Congress known as the State of the Union Address.
This speech is intended to be an update on the current state of affairs, but in reality it has become nothing more than a grand show for political gain. It’s a chance for the President to take credit for any successes and deflect blame for any failures.
It’s Almost Time for Kickoff
The President takes center stage and is surrounded by members of Congress from both parties — all of whom are eager to show their support and enthusiasm.
There’s plenty of clapping and cheering at all the right moments, but few people are actually listening to what is being said. After all, it’s unlikely that anyone will hear anything new or groundbreaking during this annual event.
This event has also become a platform for grandstanding and pandering to special interests. Both Democrats and Republicans use this opportunity to promote their own agendas while ignoring potential areas where they could work together in order to move our nation forward. Instead, they choose petty partisan squabbling over…