EDITORIAL: Trump speech sets tone he should keep

Jan. 31--View Comments

Embattled by the Russia scandal, a Stormy and lurid porn star tale, a relentlessly hostile media, and record-setting disapproval ratings, President Donald Trump stood before Congress Tuesday to promote his accomplishments and a country he believes in.

"The state of the union is strong because our people are strong," Trump declared.

"Americans are dreamers, too."

He told of hurricane victims, and strangers helping strangers during gunfire on the Las Vegas Strip.

He said we have endured floods and fires and storms, during a year of trying to "make America great again for all Americans." He spoke of record-low unemployment and rising wages.

Trump highlighted a Veterans Administration reform bill, and the firing of 1,500 VA workers who failed to properly serve veterans.

"We have ended the war on energy," he said.

And the Obamacare mandate. And various other government rules and regulations Trump said were holding America back.

The camera panned to Democrats refusing to stand or applaud as Trump spoke of record-low unemployment among Hispanics and blacks.

"We enacted the biggest tax cuts and reform in American history," Trump said. "...Our massive tax cuts provide tremendous relief for the middle class and small business."

Between 2 million and 3 million employees have received generous bonuses employers attribute directly to the anticipated savings on taxes. Key word: anticipated. Tax cuts haven't kicked in yet, so the recent flurry of bonuses and raises may signal even better things to come.

Trump reminded us of his executive order that caused a record-setting reduction in regulation, emboldening investors and speeding approvals of major public and private projects that would otherwise remain bogged in studies and approval processes. Think I-25 expansion, and previous talk of a 10-year environmental study that would bog it down.

"America is a nation of builders," Trump said. "We built the Empire State Building in just one year -- isn't it a disgrace that it can now take 10 years just to get a permit approved for a simple road."

He asked for bipartisan support on giving the country "safe, fast, reliable, and modern infrastructure."

If slashing taxes and regulations continues causing bonuses, jobs and higher wages, they may finally rid society of the exhausted phrase "trickle down" and replace it with "downpour" economics. Time will tell.

Trump emphasized the need for immigration policies that help "struggling communities, especially immigrant communities," and American workers and families. Imagine the economic potential of bipartisan immigration reforms that control borders and establish generous "merit" quotas for immigrants with skills that produce wealth.

He boasted a foreign policy that has liberated "almost 100 percent of the territory" previously held by ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

"Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation," Trump said. "I will not repeat the mistakes of the past administrations that got us into this dangerous position."

Trump's policies, a good speech writer, and teleprompters, made for a substantive, unifying, inspiring and compassionate State of the Union address. He delivered it with a presidential tone Americans wish were a true reflection of this president's more consistent demeanor.

Trump's first year has been one of substantial change that shows signs of unleashing economic growth that could benefit the rich, the poor and all in between.

It has also been a year of bizarre behavior, erratic tweets, and bombastic rhetoric unbecoming a president. Tuesday's speech was the Trump who could win re-election, but Wednesday could bring self-sabotage.

Trump's success after 2018 depends on Republicans holding Congress in this fall's midterms. The election will be a referendum on Trump, giving little thought to one good speech in January. The vote will determine whether positive results and visions, as described Tuesday, overcome self-destructive and unfortunate childlike antics that keep much of the world awake at night.

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