State of the Union Address - United States of America

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Distinguished members of Congress, Honored guests, fellow citizens:

        At this time of year, by custom and law we assemble here to consider the state of this great nation. This year, we do so with a dark cloud looming above, and turbulent times ahead.

Gathered here are the people who guide this country, and now more then ever we live in a time of great consequence. During the days that stretch before us we will have the opportunity to address domestic programs vital to our freedom… and we have the unique opportunity to prevent the pain and suffering of millions abroad.  We will work towards a shared prosperity both here at home, and in the nations less fortunate then our own. And under one banner of cooperation and peace we will answer every threat and danger that jeopardizes the peace.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed what can be brought to fruition through determination and focus. With a unified goal in sight, there is nothing that we, as a nation of individuals, cannot accomplish. We have raised the standards of living across the country, both for the individual and for the masses. We have reformed our education and medical systems to ensure that every man, women and child in America has access to the best services possible. But we have more to do. We must ensure that every child in America has the opportunity to learn and succeed in life. To protect out country, we have reorganized our government and created programs to ensure that America stands tall and free, even in the face of terror.  And in doing so, we have guaranteed that we will be able to meet any threat of a new era. We have begun the process of economic reforms, to bring our economy out of its recession; we delivered various tax relief, incentives and rebate programs. All of these together are the most aggressive reforms seen this generation.

Some of my critics might call this a risky move. Placing too much uncertainty in a global market threatened by war. I say that this is only the beginning, now we must band together and bring America out of its dark age. Tonight I ask the House and Senate to join me in bringing forth the next bold steps to serve our fellow citizens.

The first goal that we must strive for is simple. To posses an economy that grows in time with the demands of our country. It must be a strong economy that has the capability of employing every man and woman who seeks a job.

After the threats of recent months, our battle from a short recession, and recent declines in investor confidence in our stock market, our economy is beginning to recover – yet it is not growing fast enough to keep pace with our needs. It is not yet strong enough. I am therefore making it, this administrations goal to help create more small businesses, more companies to invest and expand, more employers to diversify and to ensure that every citizen who wishes to work has a job.

Our second goal is to revolutionize our healthcare system. To ensure that it is the preeminent healthcare system in the free world.

Currently the American system of medicine is a world leader of innovation and skill. Recent advances in medical technology and pharmacology have help add years onto the average lifespan of every American citizen. Yet many of our own people, and those the world over must wait to receive proper care. Worse yet, there are still pockets of people out there that have little or no access to modern medical care. These problems will no be solved through bureaucracy, or good intentions. Instead we must work towards a unified medical care system, one that treats all patients as equal. One that is accessible to even the most restricted patient, or distant citizen. A revolutionary healthcare system that will ensure that local doctors have the training, supplies and equipment needed to treat the elderly, the infirmed, and especially those low-income Americans who need it the most.

To this end, I am committing this administration to streamlining the medical care systems. Years ago we instituted a fair system, governed by strict rules and regulations. That same governing body that made healthcare affordable to everyone also stifled its growth. Unnecessary red tape slowed the application of the care needed; now we must revolutionize how we handle that care, to make it available, fast and fair. With that goal in mind, I am happy to announce that within the next few years we will dissolve the existing HMO and Medicare structures, and replace them with a centrally administrated National Care Administration (NCA). The NCA will regulate medical licenses, training, logistics, research, funding and distribution. Bring all medical care systems under one roof, and reducing redundancy and delays in the application of healthcare.

Our third goal is to address the dependency we have on foreign resources. To make the United States as independent of foreign support as possible. The first step is to address our current energy resources, especially with the every dwindling supply of fossil fuels.

In recent weeks I have delivered a variety of initiatives designed to prevent pollution, clean the air, protect the water and ensure the survival of several endangered species. I will continue to press for environmental reforms. We must ensure that the world we leave to our children is habitable. Furthermore, I am authorizing the rezoning of several thousand acres of land, to create several more natural habitat preserves.

Our forth goal is a two part program that requires the compassion of the American public, and the diligence of its police and authorities. For decades we have waged a war on drugs and drug addiction. Now, more then ever, we need to put a stop to drug trafficking within our boarders. The latest generation of designer drugs is rapidly becoming a dangerous cancer within our boarders. With near 100% addiction rates occurring after the first dose of these new drugs, many fear for the safety of their children, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. For those poor souls who have fallen victim to this new threat we must open our hearts to them. We must help those that cannot help themselves. So I put it to you, the Congress of the United States, to pass my programs for increased anti-drug training and drug treatment programs.

The second part of this mandate is the active detection and destruction of organized drug cartels, back ally labs and street pushers. It is my intention to crush this illegal industry and to seek out its sources both home and abroad. To accomplish this I have tabled legislation that would empower the DEA to deal with these issues permanently. I will outline a new plan that would untie the hands of the DEA, allow them broader powers of search and seizure. Increase the fines and penalties for those caught distributing or manufacturing narcotics. As well as allow DEA agents and Military Personnel to execute seek-and-destroy missions both here at home, and in the heartlands of other nations crippled by this same disease. The basis of this plan is a multi-national anti-drug agreement, authorizing U.S. personnel to enter a foreign country and to execute a legal warrant without unnecessary delays of bureaucracy. It is my hope that the war on drugs finally comes to a close.

Our nation is blessed with a sense of security and peace, which unfortunately, not everyone shares. Our flag stands for freedom, peace and independence. Recent days have seen our flag; our country and our very way of life come under attack. It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that dark days lay ahead. For too long we have hoped and prayed that our distant neighbors would rethink their agendas. That peace would prevail over madness, and that open conflict could be avoided. Recent events makes that seems less and less likely with each passing day.

Not a single day goes by now that I do not receive a report regarding the mounting threat to the east. Each day I am forced to give orders that I do not want to give. Orders that place our sons and daughters in harms way. Decisions that I must make to ensure our continued freedom form tyranny.

To date we have arrested, detained, tried and judged over 3,000 men and women throughout the United States and our allies suspected of working for the Axis. Many work as spies, funneling information to our enemies. Others perform acts of terrorism in an attempt to disrupt our lives. Regardless of their function, or their purpose, it is the primary concern of this administration to route out these operatives of terror and bring them to justice.

To that end, we are cooperating with several other nations to prevent further disruptions to our industries, communications, economies and infrastructures. In recent months we have uncovered and stopper conspirators from targeting international embassies, military bases and assets, commercial ships, civilian air travel, and places of historical interest.

However, all these individuals and more represent only this tip of the iceberg. Presently, the single greatest threat to international peace and American interests lays far to the east, with outlaw nations acting in their own interest. Those nations that seek out and possess weapons of mass destruction, biological agents and chemical weapons. These nations use such weapons for terror, pressure, profit or extortion. Worse yet, they might use these weapons and slay hundreds, thousands or perhaps millions of innocent bystanders in their mad quest for power.

Now, in this century, the threat of power and domination has appeared again, and seeks to overrun the globe. This threat is not new. It is one that the world has seen before. Nearly a century ago similar machinations were attempted, and a great alliance of free people banded together to stop them. Now a new threat grows, old wounds long though closed have opened again. It will take another coalition of allies to defend us against the threat. World history is littered with stories of small groups of men who attempt to seize control of great nations, and like those stories of old they will be defeated by the strength of our convictions. From the flames of conflict we will rise as a renewed nation, with the strength of our great alliance.

America and our allies are taking the first steps both here and abroad to confront these dangers. We have called on the world leaders to fulfill their moral obligations. To place political, economic and military pressure on those that would destroy the peace we have enjoyed for so long. It is my desire that America lead the world in its effort to end these threats to the civilized world. Every peace-loving nation has an interest in preventing a sudden and unprovoked catastrophic attack. However should the moral fortitude of our neighbors and allies waver, we will be ready to stand strong. It is my sworn duty to defend the United States of America, as it’s President I will defend the freedom and security of every American citizen.

In Cuba we continue to see a dictatorial regime that suppresses even the most basic of human rights. It is a country marred in fear and repression. Its leaders seek to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction. Provide safe haven for terrorists, criminals and drug-czars. On a daily basis I see reports of Cuban citizens risking imprisonment or death for speaking out in the name of liberty, humanity and democracy. These poor people are entitled to choose their own government, determine the course of their own history and discover a destiny of their own free from fear. We must support these brave freedom fighters in their support for freedom.

On the eastern seaboard of Europe, a communist autocracy rules a people living in squalor and starvation. The leaders of the Chinese military, with the support of its monarch, deceived the world. For decades they insisted that they are indeed attempting to reform their infrastructure. All the while, the military maintained the status quo. They have used the good nature of the world around them to convince every one of their good intentions. Under the cover of this lie, they Chinese secretly developed powerful weapons of mass destruction, even though previous treaties expressly forbid them to. Now they are using the weapons programs to threaten their neighbors, seeking territorial concessions, economic resources and political power. They have blackmailed the countries around them with the threat of massive attacks and weapons capable of devastating entire nations in a single blow.

A few years ago our intelligence communities warned us of a growing threat in the Middle East. We communicated this information to other world leaders, who in turn independently confirmed our information. To prevent a major military incident, the governments of the civilized world imposed sanctions against Iraq. A unified voice demanded that Iraq step down it arms build up programs, and allow an independent body to enter their country and monitor the disarmament. Over the last few years since then, the Iraq leadership headed by Hassid Hessian has stalled the disarmament process, falsified documents, threatened inspectors, violated sanctions and secretly continue to amass a large arsenal. Which our latest intelligence suggests may include one or more weapons of mass destruction.

Our inspectors have sent back reports that indicate Hassid Hessian may have secretly developed advanced biological and chemical weapons. Several reports indicate that raw materials used in the manufacture extremely powerful weapons have been purchased. That Iraq has sought Black Market aid in developing these weapons, and that there domestic industries have been forced to develop, acquire or, according to at least one report, illegally acquire such technology.

        Almost three months ago, the world nations set a deadline for Iraq to disarm. That deadline is rapidly approaching, and while Iraq appears to be cooperating with that mandate. They are doing so in an extremely untimely manner, delaying operations in political red tape, and stalling for more time. All the while secretly moving their most powerful weapons and materials to secret secured locations where they can continue to be developed or manufactured.

        Currently there are 126 foreign weapon inspectors searching Iraq, conducting a deadly scavenger hunt for missing weapons materials listed in the Iraqis weapons inventories. To date, or 35,000 short, medium and intermediate range missile systems known to exist in Iraq, 281 have been accounted for. This leaves an enormous number of weapons unaccounted for. Even if these rockets were outfitted with traditional warheads, the death toll would be innumerable. Fitted with biological or chemical weapons the toll would surely reach tens of millions. Or worse yet, if even one was fitted with a weapon of mass destruction.

Recently this administration has learned from our allies, that thousands of Iraqi security personnel are at work hiding documentation and materials from the world and weapons inspectors. They are cleaning and in some cases destroying suspected weapons sites, monitoring the inspections teams and those who the inspectors question. Many Inspectors have reported that the Iraqi Officials accompanying them have used subtle intimidations tactics on those the Inspectors whish to question. In some cases the scientists and site personnel have had their persons or their family threatened if they cooperate with the Inspectors. They have even been told that if they cooperate, they will find their families imprisoned, tortured or killed.

Again and again, Hassid Hussein has gone to extraordinary lengths, spent enormous sums of money, and taken great risks, all in an attempt to conceal his countries weapons built up. But why do this? Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one possible explanation as to why. Hassid Hussein plans to threaten, dominate, intimidate or attack.

To make matters worse, Hassid Hussein is only the latest in a line or power hungry dictators. In the last two decades we have sat idly by as others have ascended to positions of power, Iraq is only the latest. TO the north is Russia. Its former glory a thing of the past. In the end it was not a war that brought this once daunting nation to its knees. As you all know the U.S.S.R. officially disbanded at then end of the last century – and in the end it was due to economics, not war or invasion. Internal strife has accomplished what a world war and a cold war could not accomplish. However, the former Soviet Union did no pass into the night quietly.

Our own Intelligence community, in conjunction with the British and French has witnessed a great change in political power within Russia. What this means exactly has yet to be determined, however Russia has made economic strides in the last quarter century, and it is our belief that they are also beginning a major rearmament process. We have photographs and documentation that the Russian government has instituted conscription to anyone within the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, with the ability to expand the age range to sixteen to thirty-five, or beyond. Like the threat further south, the Russian governments motivations cannot be mistaken. Its conscription, weapons development programs, and new military regime can only mean one thing. Russia once again plans to bring its wayward countries back into the fold.

In a time of peace we are faced with the impending shadow of war. We face threats from the Far East, Middle East and North East. We cannot deceive ourselves, if we count on the sanity of madmen we will find ourselves ill prepared for the dark days that lay ahead. Sending our citizens into battle is the most difficult and profound decision anyone can make, the technologies and strategies of war have changed. If we are forced into a war it will be the first time that we have fielded our military this century is a major conflict. But never the less we must be prepared for the days ahead. The risks and suffering that war will mean cannot be avoided, but we can do our best to control it. For those brave Americans and allies that face it, they will be equipped with the best protection, technology and information we can provide. This nation fights reluctantly, but make no mistake we will fight. I am putting the world aggressors on notice. You thought the United States was weak, you thought wrong.

We strive for peace, we pray for peace. But sometimes we must defend the peace. Any future lived under the oppressive thumb of a foreign dictator is no future at all. If war is forced upon us, we will fight tooth and nail to the last standing American. We will make those enemies of freedom pay for every mile of soil, every inch of sky, every person they threaten - and we will make them pay dearly.

In the last quarter century, our nation has gone from a sense of security, to a real sense of danger. We have been lax in our attentions of the world’s leaders, and now we are paying for that mistake. Adversity has revealed itself, and we must rise to the occasion. America is a strong nation, but we are strong with our allied. We will be just in the execution of that strength. We will sacrifice our peace for the freedom of others, we will exercise our power without conquest, and we will defend the weak and protect the innocent.

America is a nation of freedom; we respect the rights of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty, peace and freedom we so cherish shall be our gift to the world. Our allies and we must put a stop to the dark ambitions of dictators and madmen the world over. We cannot do these things alone, but together we are a united force of good. We shall bring light where there is darkness, peace where there is war and prosperity where there is dissolution.