George W. Bush should be damn mad at his speechwriters. His final State of the Union speech was pedestrian. And it was irrelevant. After all, at this point, his deeds drown out any words he could issue. As he faces the last year of the presidency, he really has nothing new to say: win, win, win in Iraq; tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts; freedom, freedom, freedom. He certainly is not in any position to propose major new policy initiatives. He cannot move anything significant through the Democratic-controlled Congress in the next eleven months--except the continuation of his unpopular war. So the speech barely warrants analysis. That said, here are portions that stood out and the obvious commentary.

"As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. So in all we do, we must trust in the ability of free people to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives and their futures."

Then why won't the Bush allow the U.S. Senate--which represents the people--to authorize or not authorize the agreement the Bush administration is now negotiating with Iraq concerning the U.S. military presence there? Democrats maintain this accord should be treated as a treaty and put to the Senate for a vote. Bush says he can do it on his own. How's that for empowerment?

"Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other pressures on their finances, American families should not have to worry about the federal government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There is only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent."

He keeps calling tax breaks for millionaires "relief." Why do people making over $250,000 need "relief"?

"Next week, I will send you a budget....And this budget will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets, and so should their government."

Just not during Bush's entire time in office and not for the four years after he departs the White House. He will be leaving his successor $9.2 trillion in national debt.

"I ask you to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. These are difficult times for many American families, and by taking these steps, we can help more of them keep their homes."

What about the predatory lending industry that created the subprime mess? Nothing.

"We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not government control. So I have proposed ending the bias in the tax code against those who do not get their health insurance through their employer. This one reform would put private coverage within reach for millions."

But not for all of those millions of Americans who are uninsured. Bush's plan would give a modest tax credit to people who can afford to buy their own plans. If you can't, well....

"Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil."

After seven years of the Bush II administration, is the nation significantly closer to energy independence?

"And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases."

Complete an agreement? How about getting one going? The Bush administration has demonstrated no urgency on this front, repeatedly blocking international steps toward redressing global warming.

"Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources."

This was Bush's only mention of China in the speech. China presents perhaps a fundamental challenge of this century. And what about freedom in China? Apparently, that issue didn't make the final cut for this address.

"To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow."

But it's okay to censor the work of government scientists when it involves climate change.

"Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight I am pleased to announce that in April we will host this year’s North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the great city of New Orleans."

If it's a march, it's a rather slow one. Much of New Orleans is still a wasteland. At least Bush is sending the city diplomats.

"Every Member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford. And we all know the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path: massive tax increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling deficits. I have laid out proposals to reform these programs. Now I ask members of Congress to offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan solution to save these vital programs for our children and grandchildren."

Translation: I give up.

"Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals."

Translation: I have no idea what to do next.

"Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace."

See Hamas.

"We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to the enemies of America."

Haven't we heard this before? Paging Osama bin Laden.

"And we gave our troops [in Iraq] a new mission: Work with Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people, pursue the enemy in its strongholds, and deny the terrorists sanctuary anywhere in the country."

That mission, Bush said a year ago, was to create breathing space for the Iraq government. In this speech, Bush did not mention breathing space for the Iraq government. Nor did he note that 2007 was the deadliest year overall for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. He did say that "American troops are shifting from leading operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission." A "protective overwatch mission"? Bush did not define what that meant? But it sure sounds like mission creep.

"Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated."

Bush always talks about the war in Iraq as if the primary battle is against al Qaeda, though numerous military and terrorism experts have repeatedly said that al Qaeda is a rather small slice of the insurgency in Iraq.

"Reconciliation [in Iraq] is taking place."

That remains debatable.

"A free Iraq will deny Al Qaeda a safe haven."

In Saddam Hussein's unfree Iraq, al Qaeda had no safe haven. And there is little chance that should the U.S. withdraw troops from Iraq, the Shia, Sunni, and Kurds would hand over the country to the small and unpopular al Qaeda outfit in Iraq.

"This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to help them achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of this year."

It just took Bush a little while to get around to working on the Middle East.

"America is using its influence to build a freer, more hopeful, and more compassionate world."

That must be why the United States' standing in the world is so low.

"America is leading the fight against global poverty."

Other Western nations devote a higher percentage of their gross national product to foreign assistance. By the way, there was no mention of American poverty in the hour-long speech.

"So long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State of our Union will remain strong."

We just cannot trust the people when it comes to war. Two-thirds of the American public now say the Iraq war was a mistake. Bush refuses to acknowledge that. This profound gap between the people and the president was not part of his assessment of the state of the union. Then again, how could it be?