The State of the Union: Theater, Tradition, and a Few Bright Spots

I’ll be honest: I didn’t watch the State of the Union this year. I had a strong feeling it would be the "same old, same old," and after catching the highlights, I wasn't wrong. We saw the usual spiel, a president who seems to enjoy the sound of his own voice and a script we’ve heard a dozen times before.

However, beneath the political posturing, there were a few moments that actually deserved the spotlight.

Credit Where Credit is Due

Even if you aren't a fan of the messenger, you have to respect the message when it comes to honoring our heroes. The President recognized several incredible individuals who represent the best of us:

• The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Vibes: Seeing the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team get recognized after their gold medal win was a rare moment of bipartisan unity.

  
  

• Generational Heroism: Bestowing the Medal of Honor on 100-year-old Navy Captain E. Royce Williams was long overdue. Whether you agree with the administration or not, seeing a veteran from the Korean War finally get that recognition is powerful.

  
  

• The Purple Heart: Honoring Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and the family of the late Spc. Sarah Beckstrom reminded us of the very real sacrifices being made by those in uniform right now.

Substance vs. Soundbites (Economy, Healthcare, and Ukraine)

While much of the night was a repetitive highlight reel, the President did lean into three pillars that impact every one of us. However, whether he provided actual solutions or just more rhetoric is up for debate.

The Economy: "Roaring" or Just Loud?

The President spent a massive chunk of his 108-minute speech—the longest in history—claiming the economy is "roaring like never before." He touted lower gas prices (claiming they’re under $2.30 in most states, though Monday my local pump was back up to $2.99) and lower mortgage rates.

• The Reality Check: While inflation has dipped slightly to around 2.4%, costs for essentials like groceries (up 2%) and electricity (up over 6%) are still stinging.

  
  

• My Take: It’s easy to stand at a podium and talk about "Golden Ages," but for those of us in Minnesota dealing with the reality of utility hikes and grocery bills, the "roaring" sounds more like a persistent hum of anxiety.

  
  

Healthcare: A House Divided

The President took a combative tone here, literally pointing across the aisle to tell Democrats, "You caused this problem" regarding rising premiums. He promoted the "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) agenda led by RFK Jr., focusing on clearing out "corruption" in the FDA and shifting away from traditional vaccine policies.

• The Friction: On the other side, Democrats were literally holding up signs saying "Save Medicaid" and "Healthcare Not Warfare."

  
  

• My Take: Again, instead of a plan to lower my deductible, we got a finger-pointing match. We need a bridge between these two sides, not a moat.

  
  

Ukraine: The Elephant (Not) in the Room

Perhaps the most glaring part of the speech was what wasn’t said. As we hit the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, the President gave it almost no attention.

• The Shift: He’s previously vowed to end the war "in 24 hours," but the speech focused far more on military actions closer to home, specifically the recent raid in Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro.

  
  

• My Take: Ignoring a major global conflict while celebrating new military interventions feels like a pivot that avoids the hard questions about our long-term role in Europe.

The Breakdown of Decorum: Representation vs. Respect

While the awards were a high point, the conduct of our elected officials was a low one. It’s hard to focus on these policies when the room feels like a middle school cafeteria. I take serious issue with the Democrats who chose to "boycott" the event. Regardless of who is in the Oval Office, the State of the Union is about the institution of our government. I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat—if you’re sent to DC to represent us, show up. Sit in the chair, listen to the person you disagree with, and then go do the work. The "screeching" and the boycotting are just two sides of the same unproductive coin.

As a Minnesotan, I again found myself particularly frustrated and frankly, embarrassed by Rep. Ilhan Omar. There’s a time and a place for policy debate, but "screeching" "You have killed Americans!" from the floor is a far cry from the productive leadership our state deserves.

Final Thoughts

Do I agree with most of what this President says and does? Absolutely Not! I believe that he's a immoral narcissistic fascist who is more worried what's in it for him than anything else. That being said, I’d still like to think I have enough self-control to sit there respectfully if I were in that room. We used to value "decorum" in the halls of Congress. Today, it feels like that’s been traded for viral clips and protests.

We can do better. We should expect better.