The State Of The Union Address I'd Like To Hear
By Arianna Huffington
As President Bush's speechwriters are putting the finishing
touches on his State of the Union address, here is an extra
minute or so of material I'd love to see them work in:
"My fellow Americans, I come before you tonight to announce
a historic undertaking, to call on the American people to put an
end to our destructive and shortsighted dependence on oil.
"During World War II, President Roosevelt created the
Manhattan Project -- the remarkable wartime effort that enlisted
the greatest scientific and technical minds in the country to
help protect us from the tyranny of fascism. Today, as we fight
the war on terrorism, we need to commit the same all-out effort
to freeing ourselves from the nations and terrorists holding us
hostage through our addiction to oil.
"With this in mind, I call upon Congress to enact
legislation immediately raising the mileage standards for all
cars and SUVs to 40 miles per gallon -- a move that will save
American car owners $45 billion each and every year on their
gasoline bill. That is money that can be used right now to
stimulate our economy.
"Congress also needs to close the senseless loophole that
allows the biggest gas-guzzlers to get the biggest tax breaks.
I'm taking the lead on this issue by abandoning that component of
my new economic plan that would increase by 50 percent the
already substantial write-off available to buyers of the
least-efficient SUVs. People buying fully loaded Hummers,
Navigators and Land Cruisers should not be able to immediately
deduct the entire price of their vehicles.
"It isn't fair, it isn't smart, and it isn't safe -- as was
made refreshingly clear earlier this month by my auto safety
chief, Dr. Jeffrey Runge, who pointed out that, when it comes to
SUVs, size doesn't equal safety. The rollover death rate is three
times higher in SUVs than in cars. Please join me in saluting Dr.
Runge for his candor and his passionate commitment to passenger
safety.''
(Note: The president points to the VIP gallery, where Dr. Runge
will be seated next to the First Lady. Wait for Dr. Runge to
acknowledge the applause.)
"But those of us in Washington can't solve this crisis on
our own. That's why tonight I am challenging the American auto
industry to use the hybrid technology currently available to
produce a full line of socially responsible vehicles -- including
hybrid SUVs. More than ever, we need the talent and
entrepreneurial spirit Detroit has exhibited in the past. And we
need to mobilize the resources at our disposal to develop the
hydrogen fuel cell technology that will set us free from our
dependence on oil. We can't simply drill our way to energy
freedom -- it can only be achieved through conservation and
innovation. And rest assured, if American industry doesn't rise
to this mission, others will.
"Last year I told you that we were at war -- and asked you
to do your part by shopping and traveling. It wasn't enough. So
tonight I'm calling on you to commit yourselves to this large,
collective purpose -- and to the shared sacrifice needed to meet
this monumental challenge.
"I'm asking each of you out there to do your part by
switching to a more fuel-efficient car. An increase of just three
miles per gallon would save us from having to import 1 million
barrels of oil a day -- and from having to go begging, hat in
hand, to countries that harbor terrorists, like Saudi Arabia.
"We should all follow the example being set in Massachusetts
by my good friend and fellow Republican, Gov. Mitt Romney, who
wants to trade in his state's fleet of SUVs for cars that cost
less, pollute less and get better mileage. Take a bow,
Mitt!"
(Note: Wave to Gov. Romney, who will be seated on the other side
of the First Lady.)
"My friends, we have everything we need to win this war --
we just have to summon the strength, the spirit and the drive
that have defined the turning points of this great nation.
"We can do better. We must do better. We will do better.
"Good night -- and God Bless America."
A columnist can dream, can't she?
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If you have questions or comments, please contact me at
arianna@ariannaonline.com
.