On Monday night, the president offered few real solutions to the problems that have developed since he came into office. In fact, the president shared a much rosier view of the conditions facing American families than reality dictates. While our country remains the greatest on earth, Americans are struggling with the rising costs of energy, gas, health care, education and housing. And the war in Iraq continues to drain our treasury and military, while our reputation among our allies steadily deteriorates. Over the past seven years, the president squandered the financial resources and international goodwill our nation had when he came into office. Because of this, American families are facing tough times, and they are ready for a change.

Unfortunately, the president’s State of the Union address offered little direction or inspiration for America’s future. His claim that No Child Left Behind is a success drew laughs from Republicans and Democrats alike. And one of the few ideas he had – privatizing public education – is a non-starters on both sides of the aisle.

Like many of my fellow Americans, I am looking for a president who offers bold solutions to problems like climate climate change, our dependency on foreign oil and the millions of Americans without health care. We especially need a president who will bring our troops home as quickly and safely as possible and will implement a diplomatic strategy for quelling and containing violence in Iraq. But most important, we need a president who values bipartisanship and problem-solving over political rhetoric and pandering.

Our nation faces many challenges, but with the right leadership, I am confident that the state of our union can once again be strong. Over the past year, Congress has begun to take our county in a new direction. We’ve made strides toward energy independence, better care for our veterans, lowering the cost of college and improved national security. However, Congress acknowledges we have much more to do. I look forward to working with a president who shares this commitment.

Congressman Mike Thompson represents the First Congressional District, which includes Lake County. Visit his Web site at http://mikethompson.house.gov/.

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