Paul Hackett was quick to email me tonight with his response to the rhetoric from
Bush's Mess of the Union Address.
Heres what Paul says:
Addicted to Rhetoric: Bush's State of the Union
Senate Candidate Calls President Out for Empty Rhetoric
Cincinnati, OH - Paul Hackett, Iraq War veteran and Democratic candidate for Senate in Ohio, responded this evening to President Bush's State of the Union address.
Heres More....
ADDICTED TO OIL?
The President said America is addicted to oil and far too energy dependent.
Paul Hackett said, "A former oil executive telling us we are addicted to oil is like a tobacco company executive complaining that their employees take too many smoke breaks. Exxon made almost $11 billion last quarter, while Americans are paying surging prices to fill their gas tanks and heat their homes. The President should stop blaming Americans and put pressure on his cronies in the oil industry to develop and sell the technology we need to become less energy dependent on foreign AND domestic oil."
HEALTH CARE
The President wants to change the healthcare industry in America.
Paul Hackett said, "The last time this President `fixed' healthcare, senior citizens were left with a confusing Medicare prescription drug plan. Here in Ohio only 11 percent of our seniors that need drug benefits have actually signed up. That is no way to `fix' healthcare."
The President said "we must confront the rising cost of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help people afford the insurance coverage they need."
Paul Hackett said, "How? The 1.3 million Ohioans without insurance would like to know. The hard working men and women of Ohio wanted to hear specific plans to help them, not more meaningless political rhetoric. I believe every single American should have access to the same healthcare offered to members of Congress."
JOBS & THE ECONOMY
The President said that he would strengthen our economy "by strengthening our economic leadership in the world."
Paul Hackett said, "Well, the 347,000 unemployed Ohioans would disagree with him. You strengthen the economy here in Ohio by keeping plants open, keeping jobs in Ohio instead of sending them to China and Mexico and giving people a living wage, healthcare and educational opportunities so they can provide for their families and improve their lives."
IRAQ & THE WAR ON TERROR
The President said, "If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone."
Paul Hackett said, "One question for the President: Where is Osama bin Laden? And why did you direct American forces to stand down when he was trapped at Tora Bora?"
The President said "to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change."
Paul Hackett said, "Well, Mr. President, you surely don't do that at the business end of an M-16. At this point, we have accomplished all we can militarily and are doing little to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, and THAT is how you bring about true political freedom and peaceful change. Our armed forces are painting schools in Iraq - a terrible misuse of American military power. We need to let the military set a timetable to bring our troops home safely."
REPUBLICAN CULTURE OF CORRUPTION
The President's lack of attention to the culture of corruption on Capitol Hill and in his White House.
Paul Hackett said, "President Bush recycled ideas from State of the Unions past and threw in some empty political rhetoric. He helped spread the crisis of confidence Americans have in their government by ignoring rampant corruption and cronyism on Capitol Hill and the White House. It is unfortunate that the President did not take head on the Republican culture of corruption with a true plan for reform."
That's my next Senator!!!!
Oh...Kos stated tonight in a diary that Paul was running way behind in raising money. If you have a buck or two it would be great to lend it over to Paul ... the payback will be 100 fold.
Go here to donate:
Paul Hacket for Senate