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    February 8th, 2023. The State of the Union... According to Joe Biden.

    enFebruary 08, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Biden's State of the Union Address Met with Skepticism71% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, and only 37% of Democrats want Biden to run for a second term, shifting focus beyond his speech promises to a balanced assessment of his record on economy, immigration, education, and China.

      Despite President Joe Biden delivering his State of the Union address last night, a skeptical American public remains unconvinced. With 71% of Americans believing the country is on the wrong track and only 37% of Democrats wanting Biden to run for a second term, the focus is shifting beyond the words and promises to a more balanced assessment of Biden's record on key issues like the economy, immigration, education, and China. This analysis will keep Biden honest with polling and data, moving beyond the State of the Union speech to provide a more comprehensive view of America on February 8, 2023. And for those who missed the speech, don't worry. The tradition of delivering a State of the Union address to Congress is relatively modern, with presidents like Thomas Jefferson opting to write down their views instead.

    • Economy, Immigration, and Education are top concerns for AmericansAmericans are concerned about the economy, immigration, and education, with the economy being the top concern at 67%. Record inflation and unemployment, along with high credit card debt, have contributed to this dissatisfaction.

      A significant portion of the population, particularly those concerned about the economy, immigration, and education, express dissatisfaction with President Biden's performance. According to recent polls, the economy is the top concern for 67% of Americans, followed by immigration at 47% and education at 45%. The economy has been hit hard in recent years, with record inflation reaching 9.1% in June 2022 and 6.5% currently. This economic downturn can be attributed to various factors, including record energy prices driven by Biden's energy policies and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on employment. Despite some positive economic indicators, such as an increasing number of jobs and a historically low unemployment rate, many Americans feel they are worse off since Biden took office. Additionally, the total credit card debt in America reached a record 930.6 billion dollars in December 2022. These concerns highlight the need for an honest and data-driven conversation about the state of the union.

    • The economy and immigration are major concerns for Americans with significant challengesDespite optimistic statements, Americans face high credit card interest rates and believe economic policies aren't improving the situation. Meanwhile, the southern border saw 2.76 million illegal crossings in FY22 and an estimated 600,000 gotaways, posing national security risks.

      The economy and immigration are two major concerns for Americans, and both are currently facing significant challenges. Regarding the economy, despite President Biden's optimistic statements, the reality is that interest rates on credit cards are high, and only a small percentage of Americans believe his economic policies are improving the situation. The high number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border, which topped 2.76 million in fiscal year 2022, and the estimated 600,000 gotaways, is a significant concern for national security. These unvetted individuals include criminals, gang members, and even known terrorists. While some argue that most illegals are good people, it's important to remember that it only took 19 hijackers to cause devastating damage on 9/11. The data clearly shows that the current state of the border under President Biden is a cause for concern.

    • Effects of open borders, lockdowns, and remote learning on America's students and schoolsThe pandemic led to significant drops in testing scores, negative impacts on mental health and social skills, increased unruly behavior, teacher burnout, and understaffed schools, leaving America's kids struggling to learn and recover.

      The open border policy and the COVID-19 education policies have had devastating effects on America's students and schools. The data shows that lockdowns and remote learning led to significant drops in testing scores, particularly in math and reading, with the worst outcomes for disadvantaged students. The pandemic also negatively impacted student mental health and social skills due to isolation. When students returned to in-person learning, they exhibited increased unruly behavior, and many teachers reported feeling burned out and leaving their jobs. As a result, schools are understaffed, leaving students to learn in understaffed environments. America's kids are not doing well, and the education system is struggling to recover. It is crucial that we address these issues and provide the necessary resources and support to help students and teachers overcome these challenges.

    • Hollywood's changing landscape due to Chinese influenceChinese influence leads to censorship, altered content, and banned actors in Hollywood. Educational voucher programs offer an alternative to struggling public schools, gaining traction in some states.

      The film industry, specifically Hollywood, is undergoing significant changes due to external influences, particularly the Chinese Communist Party. This infiltration has led to censorship, altered content, and even banned actors. However, there's a glimmer of hope in the form of educational voucher programs, which are gaining traction in some states. These programs allow parents to use state funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or other educational expenses. Despite opposition from educators and unions, these programs are being implemented in several states, offering an alternative to struggling public schools. This is a complex issue with deep implications for the future of entertainment and education in America.

    • Dads on Duty: Involved Fathers Making a DifferenceInvolved fathers can decrease fights, halt gang violence, and improve overall school environment through simple presence during school hours.

      Involved parents, particularly fathers, can make a significant difference in reducing violence and improving the overall school environment. The "dads on duty" initiative in Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as a powerful example. When faced with escalating violence in their high school, a group of men took matters into their own hands by volunteering to spend time on campus during school hours. Their presence alone helped decrease fights and halt gang violence, leading to happier students, improved test scores, and elated teachers. This simple yet effective solution has inspired similar movements across the country, demonstrating the potential for positive change when families get engaged in their children's education.

    • Majority of Americans have negative views on Biden's leadership and foreign policiesA recent poll shows 47% of Americans believe Biden's policies make US less respected, 56-60% view him as incompetent, unfocused, ineffective, and 61% disapprove of his handling of China policies.

      According to a recent ABC poll, a majority of Americans do not hold a positive view of President Joe Biden's leadership and foreign policies. The poll indicates that 47% of Americans believe his policies make the US less respected, while only 32% believe they make the US more respected. Additionally, 56% of respondents deemed Biden incompetent, 57% described him as unfocused, and 60% considered him ineffective. Furthermore, 61% of Americans disapprove of how Biden is handling China policies, which is particularly concerning given China's status as a major global threat. Despite these findings, it's important to remember the enduring appeal of the United States to people around the world. For instance, a poll of South Africans revealed that about 35% of them would choose to immigrate to the US if given the opportunity, underscoring the country's global influence and prestige. Ultimately, this information serves as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership and effective foreign policies in maintaining America's standing on the global stage.

    • Emphasizing unity and truth amidst challengesDespite economic, border, and education concerns, there's hope for improvement and unity. Know the truth, strive for freedom, and enjoy discounted skincare.

      Despite the current challenges and concerns reflected in polls regarding the economy, border, and education, there is still time for improvement and unity in the country. This was emphasized during a morning brief, which concluded with a reminder of the importance of knowing the truth and striving for freedom. Additionally, Bill O'Reilly announced new episodes of "No Spin News" are now available on Samsung TV Plus for those seeking honest analysis and breaking news. On a lighter note, Osea's best-selling body care set is also available at a discount for those looking to elevate their summer skincare routine.

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    The period from 1988 to 2003, was one of extraordinary optimism. Every year the number of democracies increased, human rights improved, violent conflict reduced, there were fewer refugees and there was less global poverty. It was an era of triumph for the western liberal Democratic model for the United States and the politics of the centre ground.

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    A lecture by Rory Stewart OBE recorded on 8 June 2023 at The Old Library, Guildhall, London.

    The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/thomas-gresham-23

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