No State of the Union For You

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced today that if the shutdown continues there will be no State of the Union Address delivered. She cited security as one of the chief concerns. Our entire national government, except for one designated survivor, attends this annual event which was scheduled for January 29th. The Secret Service has the primary responsibility for securing this event. Did you know the men and women of the Secret Service aren't being paid right now? Pelosi's point is a valid one but really it's a political rebuke and a good one.

Now some important facts. The President of the United States is not Constitutionally or by Statute required to appear in front of Congress to deliver a State of the Union, it can and traditionally was, delivered in written form. Remember writing? How quaint. It became a tool of the President in modern times because it's a great way to appear on television and deliver a wish list for the upcoming year. The President has no authority to command an audience with Congress. He or she cannot simply appear in the Well of the House and start speaking, they must be invited to do so.

Donald Trump loves T.V. and an audience so whether or not he admits it, this stings bad. Pelosi's decision is the correct one. President Trump should not be granted the privilege of delivering a speech from the People's House when he has shown nothing but callous disregard for the people and our nation's vital institutions.

Personally I believe the President should only address joint sessions of Congress at times of great national crisis, such as war. As stated previously, we are not in crisis on the southern border.

Mr. Trump fails to recognize the damage he is doing to the country with his shutdown and he never will because he doesn't care.