Status Report to the Stakeholders

Let’s say we’re going to look at the status of our nation, in a way similar to a report to the governing board of a corporation. Let’s say “We the People” are both the stakeholders and the board in this analogy, although technically it’s a report to the Congress as board. We have met together to hear the CEO report the status of what’s important to our “corporation.”

What is important to us? How are we doing on our mission? What are the relevant business results that show our level of success?

We need to know our mission, which is provided in our founding documents.

There’s the overall mission, from the Declaration of Independence, to protect life, liberty, and property.

There’s the granting of limited powers with which to accomplish that mission, summarized in the Preamble to the Constitution:

·         Establish justice

·         Insure domestic tranquility

·         Provide for the common defense

·         Promote the general welfare (well-being for all the states)

·         Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

We enable the government to do these things through certain enumerated powers, which are listed in the Constitution. (I’ve detailed them here.) And we’ve also delineated limitations to that power—boundaries—some of which are spelled out in the Bill of Rights.

So if our “corporation” is doing well, we should be able to see that. There should be metrics that show it. The relevant business results are going to include things related to the economy, including economic growth, employment statistics, and meeting revenue and budget expectations.

There will also be national security metrics, concerning things such as peace vs. war, and boundary security. And our nation’s security will also include measures of judicial system success.

We will want to see that things are being run well, and that the good things will be perpetuated.

This is the kind of report that the State of the Union address is expected to be. It hasn’t always been that. Often it has been a list of goodies a president promises to pass out, pandering to as many constituencies as possible in order to secure their votes in the next election. The success of such a speech is based on how many constituencies got their gifts.

That’s not really ever acceptable. While there is some future-speak that might be acceptable when the SOTU comes up just weeks after a president’s inauguration—when he’s laying out plans but hasn’t had much chance to have anything take effect yet—during all other years the SOTU ought to be mainly a progress report.

President Donald Trump, State of the Union 2020
screenshot from here

So let’s look at the progress markers laid out Tuesday night. (I got the transcript here.) 

President Trump starts right in with an overview of the progress report to come:

Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling, confidence is surging, and our country is thriving and highly respected again. America’s enemies are on the run, America’s fortunes are on the rise, and America’s future is blazing bright….

I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been. Our military is completely rebuilt, with its power being unmatched anywhere in the world — and it is not even close. Our borders are secure. Our families are flourishing. Our values are renewed. Our pride is restored. And for all these reasons, I say to the people of our great country, and to the Members of Congress before me: The State of our Union is stronger than ever before!

Sounds good. Is there data to back this up? A good presenter in a board meeting would have some.

I’m doing this as an exercise. The reported items in the speech come under three categories: economic, national security, and domestic culture. Some items have more hard data attached than others. And I’m sure the fact checkers are hard at work to parse them. I’m not doing that at this point. (When I do, I’ll be looking to JustFacts.com, which I trust more than the more biased media fact checkers.) If the president offers data, I’m assuming it’s essentially accurate. If he’s projecting something for the future, I try to identify it as a projection or promise.

Houston Chronicle front page, Feb 5, 2020

It was a long speech, 78 minutes. And I’m trying to be thorough in this exercise. So feel free to skim the lists. You can see at a glance, for example, that there’s a whopping amount of economic good news in this first list. I mostly offer the items in the order he gives them. Some might apply to more than one category, so in those cases I made a judgment call.

The Economy

Here’s the economic data he offers:

·         7 million new jobs—5 million more than government projections.

·         Unemployment rate is the lowest in over half a century.

·         Average unemployment rate lower than any administration in the history of our country.

·         Record low unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans.

·         Unemployment rate for women at 70 year low.

·         Unemployment rate for veterans dropped to record low.

·         Unemployment rate for disabled Americans reached all-time low.

·         Unemployment rate for workers without a high school diploma reached lowest rate in US history.

·         Women filled 72% of all new jobs added last year.

·         Record number of young Americans are now employed.

·         African-American poverty rate lowest ever recorded.

·         In contrast to the last administration, which added 10 million to food stamp rolls, 7 million have come off food stamps, and 10 million have been lifted off welfare.

·         In the last 8-year administration, 300,000 working-age people dropped out of the workforce; in 3 years of this administration 3.5 million working age people have joined the workforce.

·         Net worth of bottom half of wage-earners increased by 47%—which is 3 times faster than increase for the top 1%.

·         Wages are at last rising—and rising fastest for low-income workers: 16% pay increase during 3 years of this administration.

·         Real median household income now at highest level ever recorded.

·         Stock markets have risen 70%—adding $12 trillion to the nation’s wealth.

·         Stock market rises has meant the millions of people with 401(k)s and pensions are doing better than ever, with increases of 60% to as high as 100%.

·         Stock market rises have allowed other countries to also do well.

·         Consumer confidence is high.

·         Tax breaks for designated Opportunity Zones have meant wealth from individuals and companies has been invested in 9000 previously neglected poor neighborhoods, creating jobs, energy, and excitement.

·         Regulatory reduction has led US to become number 1 producer of oil and natural gas.

·         America is now energy independent, and energy jobs are at a record high.

·         Under last two administrations 60,000 factories were lost; under this administration, 12,000 new factories added, with thousands more planned or being built.

·         Over half a million new manufacturing jobs created.

·         Companies that had left the US are returning.

·         USMCA signed 6 days ago, projected to create nearly 100,000 American auto jobs, and to boost exports for farmers, ranchers, and factory workers—with greater level of fairness and reciprocity.

·         Tariff strategy to confront China’s theft and product piracy has worked; days ago a new agreement was signed with China expected to protect our intellectual property, bring in billions of dollars to the treasury, and open up new markets for US products.

That’s a pretty good list—all of it on record, and nearly all of it already accomplished and measurable. Just a few are new with projections. Among the other good news, we’ll remain hopeful that those projections will become reality as well. But mostly, I just want to say, "Wow!"

 

Rush Limbaugh is given the Medal of Freedom during the speech
screenshot from here

National Security

Next comes national security, which includes America’s standing in the world, international relations, military, border security, and maintaining lawfulness. In this category, what he’s done can be listed as an accomplishment, but it may take some time for measurements (history) to show results.

·         Failed policies on Cuba have been reversed.

·         Policies now support restoring democracy for Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

·         US leads 59-nation diplomatic coalition against socialist dictator Maduro in Venezuela, and supporting legitimately elected president Juan Guaidó (who was present at the speech).

·         Investing $2.2 trillion in US military—for planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and equipment.

·         NATO contributions from allies has been raised by $400 billion; number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled.

·         New branch of US Armed Forces has been created: The Space Force. This is the first since the creation of the Air Force 70+ years ago.

·         Over 100 miles of new border wall completed on southern border, projected to be over 500 miles by early next year, adding to “our already very-strongly guarded southern border.”

·         And as the wall goes up, drug seizures rise, and border crossings go down.

·         He supports ICE officers, who last year arrested more than 120,000 criminal aliens charged with nearly 10,000 burglaries, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 violent assaults, and 2,000 murders.

·         In the last 3 years ICE has arrested over 5,000 human traffickers; 9 pieces of legislation have been signed to stamp out human traffic here and globally.

·         He warns of damage caused by sanctuary city and state policies, and he supports passing the Senate’s Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act.

·         His administration has ended Catch-and-release policies for illegal aliens. We now have cooperation agreements with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, resulting in a drop in illegal crossings: down 8 straight months, down 75% since May.

·         He is working on legislation to replace outdated and randomized immigration system with one based on merit, following the rules, contributing to our economy, and upholding our values.

·         The administration is restoring the rule of law; so far 187 new federal judges who will uphold the Constitution have been confirmed, including 2 Supreme Court Justices.

·         This administration defends religious liberty, including right to pray in public schools; we don’t ban symbols of faith or muzzle preachers and pastors.

·         He promises to always protect our 2^nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

·         This administration defends our national security and combats radical Islamic terrorism.

·         He announced a plan last week for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

·         Before this administration, ISIS held over 20,000 sq. miles in Iraq and Syria; today ISIS as territorial caliphate has been eliminated, and ISIS found Al-Baghdadi is dead.

·         We are willing to support the Iranian people if they ask for help against their oppressive regime, by easing sanctions.

·         Peace talks are underway in Afghanistan. We have no will to kill innocent Afghanis, and our military must either fight to win or not at all; we are working to bring our troops home.

He’s reporting that these policies are in place. The outcomes are mostly to be measured in the future. But, with what he’s already actually accomplished, the America First theme is persuasive.

Domestic Culture

Next come cultural things. How are the people doing in their lives? This is where the Constitution is mostly silent, and our government has overstepped. So I look for reduction of federal interference—there is some. And I look for encouraging state and local responsibility in place of a federal government that usurps powers not granted—and there is some of this as well. Still, this category is where I’m likely to have more things I disagree with. I’m pleased that at least the government giveaways list isn’t longer. I considered color-coding this list, but I’ll let you think through what is government overreach. Let’s see what he says:

·         Education is encouraged, so school choice is encouraged. He praises the 18 states that have created Opportunity Scholarship programs, with tens of thousands on waiting lists. He calls out Pennsylvania’s governor for vetoing school choice expansion for 50,000 children.

·         He calls on Congress to pass the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act to give one million children in failing schools the opportunity of school choice.

·         He praises the First Lady’s “Be Best” initiative—"to advance a safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free life for the next generation, online, in school, and in our communities.”

·         Through Pledge to American Workers, over 400 companies have promised to provide new jobs and education opportunities to 15 million Americans.

·         He asks Congress to support his budget plan to offer vocational and technical education in every high school.

·         He touts achieving “record and permanent” funding for historically Black colleges.

·         In 5 years prior to this administration (once Obamacare was implemented), health insurance premiums more than doubled; new plans under this administration are 60% less expensive.

·         He pledges to protect patients with pre-existing conditions.

·         He promises to protect Medicare and Social Security.

·         He signed an executive order requiring price transparency in medical billing.

·         Pledges to protect Americans from socialist takeover of American healthcare—as has been endorsed, he says, “by 132 lawmakers in this room,” which would wipe out private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans.

·         He warns that the plan endorsed by those 132 lawmakers would provide free taxpayer-funded healthcare to millions of illegal aliens, enticing unlawful border crossing, and raiding Medicare benefits to pay for that. He calls for legislation to prevent free healthcare to illegal aliens.

·         This administration has approved a record number of affordable generic drugs; medicines are being approved by the FDA faster than ever before.

·         Last year, first time in 51 years, costs of prescription drugs went down.

·         He calls for legislation to dramatically lower prescription drug prices.

·         Drug overdose deaths declined for first time in nearly 30 years. Hardest hit states down: Ohio down 22%, Pennsylvania down 18%, Wisconsin down 10%. Asserts commitment to beat the opioid epidemic.

·         The administration is coordinating with China to safeguard against Coronavirus outbreak; he pledges to safeguard our citizens.

·         His administration offers initiative to help with kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and mental health challenges.

·         Congressional funds he requested are being applied in pursuit of cures for childhood cancer and the AIDS epidemic within a decade.

·         He asks Congress for $50 million more to fund neonatal research, where 50% of very premature babies now survive.

·         He has offered Federal workforce paid family leave, as a model. He calls for Congress to pass Advancing Support for Working Families Act to extend family leave to American mothers and fathers.

·         40 million families receive an average $2,200 extra in child tax credit.

·         He has overseen historic funding increases for childcare, enabling 17 states to reduce or eliminate their waitlists, and he urges expansion of such funding.

·         Days ago he announced the One Trillion Trees Initiative, working with private sector to plant new trees in America and around the world, to help protect the environment.

·         He supports passing Senate infrastructure bill for new roads, bridges, and tunnels.

·         He commits to ensuring high-speed internet to every citizen, including rural America.

·         He asks for full funding of the Artemis program, returning American astronauts to the moon and going to Mars.

2-year-old survivor of very premature birth,
Ellie Schneider, with her mother, Robin
screenshot from here

There was a lot that was inspiring. No one but Reagan ever did the presentation this well—the show-rather-than-tell strategy. The guests in the gallery, from a 2-year-old survivor who was born at 21 weeks’ gestation; to a soldier who got to surprise his family with his return from deployment; to radio legend Rush Limbaugh being given the highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom; these were touching moments, with people who connected us to the otherwise abstract.

President Trump does ceremony well. He clearly loves and respects our great nation.

The speech wasn’t all data. It was often inspiring. Because there is something real that we call the American Dream, I want to share some inspiring words near the end of the speech:

The American Nation was carved out of the vast frontier by the toughest, strongest, fiercest, and most determined men and women ever to walk the face of the Earth. Our ancestors braved the unknown; tamed the wilderness; settled the Wild West; lifted millions from poverty, disease, and hunger; vanquished tyranny and fascism; ushered the world to new heights of science and medicine; laid down the railroads; dug out canals, raised up the skyscrapers—and, ladies and gentlemen, our ancestors built the most exceptional Republic ever to exist in all of human history. And we are making it greater than ever before.

This is our glorious and magnificent inheritance.

We are Americans. We are the pioneers. We are the pathfinders. We settled the new world; we built the modern world; and we changed history forever by embracing the eternal truth that everyone is made equal by the hand of Almighty God.

America is the place where anything can happen. America is the place where anyone can rise. And here, on this land, on this soil, on this continent, the most incredible dreams come true.

He did not mention the impeachment. Not a word. He did occasionally mention the failures of his predecessors, but not as much as he might have. This was a speech worth saving. Even if it must be in the ripped form the Speaker of the House left it in.

Behind President Trump, Speaker Pelosi rips up the speech
screenshot from here

As a report to the stakeholders, we ought to like the data. Our typically anti-conservative Houston Chronicle even admitted he’d made the case for a second term (photo above), although the article is pretty grudging about giving him any credit. 

As a stakeholder, though, I look especially at the economic and national security data above, and I really want more of that.