Tuesday’s State of the Union was a moving yet divisive affair. With the notable exception of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Democrat representatives and senators attending refused to applaud at any point in the speech, even going so far as booing the president several times.
While a dearth of applause at the address’s more political moments would be expected in the lead-up to an election year in increasingly polarized times, comments that should gain widespread, bipartisan support met glares and disdain.
President Trump gave a ten-year-old girl from Philadelphia an opportunity scholarship, which would allow her to leave her bad school district in favor of a superior public or private school. Democrats were clearly offended by the idea of this bright fourth grader gaining the chance to attain a better education. Regardless of one’s thoughts on school choice, a young girl’s future being brightened by access to improved education is a good thing.
Under Trump’s economic policies, unemployment has reached its lowest rate in 50 years. Further, unemployment levels have reached record lows for black Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, women, military veterans, disabled people, and young people. In the address, Trump praised the opportunity zones that brought tax credits for investments in poorer communities, a policy created by Sen. Tim Scott. With the exception of Sinema, no Democrat deigned to applaud for dropped unemployment.
It never ceases to frustrate and amaze how far the left will take partisan differences. I am dismayed to report that not even a child’s education, the honoring of a pioneer and war hero, or a reunited family can break Democrats out of their polarized trenches.
