WASHINGTON – American Action Forum President Douglas Holtz-Eakin issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address:

“Tonight’s State of the Union address by President Obama was an illuminating window into his campaign for re-election, but shed little light on the travails of the beleaguered American taxpayer and small business.  The only ‘hope’ left was that we would be spared another pedantic lecture designed to distract from his abysmal domestic record and failure to deliver on countless campaign promises,” said Holtz-Eakin. “I fully expect to see some variation of this on the campaign trail throughout the year: lofty promises that can never be fulfilled by his policies.  The president has put out three budgets that lead to a Greek-style fiasco.  His Senate Democrat brothers-in-arms have gone one thousand days without a budget.  Those are real blueprints for governance – not empty speeches – and they are wanting.  He says ‘No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts.’  He bails out auto companies, promises new handouts to favored constituencies, and blames his predecessor and those in front of him for America’s difficulties.

“The middle class is hurting.  But another year with $3,735 more debt for every American is will not produce a ‘fair shot.’  Another $231 billion in regulatory burdens on American job creators is not a ‘fair shot.’  Another $145 billion in spending is not a ‘fair shot.’  Rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would create jobs now and improve long-term energy security, is not a ‘fair shot.’  Demanding that America’s companies bring jobs back to face higher taxes, higher debt, and greater regulation will not address their pain.

“The president’s proposal for a ‘Blueprint for an America that lasts’ is a great slogan.  But he wants to build an American that lasts that is living in the past – a past of unions, high taxes, and big-government programs.  President Obama rode into office in part on the strength of his inspiring rhetoric despite a very brief record of public service.  The middle class needs more than rhetoric.  It deserves a reality that is inspiring.”

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The American Action Forum is a forward-looking policy institute dedicated to keeping America strong, free and prosperous.  It seeks to promote common-sense, innovative, and solutions-based policies that will reform government, challenge out-dated assumptions, and create a smaller, smarter government that will serve its citizens better.