"The central fact of the [State of the Union] speech was the contradiction at its heart. It repeatedly asserted that Washington is the answer to everything. At the same time it painted a picture of Washington as a sick and broken place. It was a speech that argued against itself: You need us to heal you. Don't trust us, we think of no one but ourselves. The people are good but need guidance -- from Washington. The middle class is anxious, and its fears can be soothed -- by Washington. Washington can 'make sure consumers ... have the information they need to make financial decisions.' Washington must 'make investments,' 'create' jobs, increase 'production' and 'efficiency.' At the same time Washington is a place 'where every day is Election Day,' where all is a 'perpetual campaign' and the great sport is to 'embarrass your opponents' and lob 'schoolyard taunts.' Why would anyone have faith in that thing to help anyone do anything?" --columnist Peggy Noonan
http://www.peggynoonan.com/
