Reagan’s State of the Union

Peel away the rhetoric in President Reagan’s State of the Union address, and you will find hyperbole, superpatriotism but little substance. He begins by reminding us that he doesn’t plan to take it easy in his last year in office. If he doesn’t choose to take it easy, that will be a definite change in his behavior.

Reagan tells us that more people in the last year have climbed out of the hole of poverty than in 10 previous years. This sounds like something he concocted to suit himself. Thirty-three million people in this country reside in that hole of poverty.

He tells us that thousands of new jobs have been created. He doesn’t tell us that six out of 10 of these jobs pay less than $7,000 per year. He tells us that we must gain control of the federal deficit. He doesn’t tell us that the federal deficit has more than doubled under his presidency. He tells us that we must give more aid to the Contras so that they can spread democracy throughout Central America. He doesn’t tell us that the Contras are racketeers and murderers and that they are a definite embarrassment to those who seek to implement the Arias peace plan.

Next year a new President will be giving a new State of the Union address. Let’s hope it’s more meaningful than this one.

DON RADEMACHER

Los Angeles