Biden’s State of the Union Highlights Absurd Reach of Federal Government

President Joe Biden gave his second State of the Union Address last night. It was, above all, a testament to the ridiculous breadth of issues we expect our executive branch to be involved in and the absurd reach of the federal government into all aspects of American life.

Biden delved into everything from the price of insulin to protecting Roe v. Wade, safeguarding kids from social media ads, lowering consumer prices, getting more Americans mental health services, ensuring better patient treatment at nursing homes, raising the minimum wage, subsidizing childcare, stopping drug trafficking, helping young transgender people reach their potential, creating manufacturing jobs, combating cancer, and more. (You can read the whole thing here.)

One of the most notable—and libertarian-friendly—sections of the speech related to COVID-19 and the pandemic, with Biden (in a test of new Democratic messaging on the issue?) promising a return to normalcy. “COVID-19 need no longer control our lives,” he declared, while still touting the efficacy of vaccines, the importance of testing, and the need to stay vigilant about new variants.

“Most Americans in most of the country can now be mask free,” said Biden, pointing to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. He also commented: “Our schools are open. Let’s keep it that way.”

But Biden’s State of the Union hit way too many notes that would’ve been right at home in an address from former President Donald Trump. He called for more police funding, talked about the need to strengthen our southern border, and went on at length about America-first trade policies and buying American.

“This is more a populist than a left-wing speech: trade protection, business subsidies, transfer payments, more money for police, secure the border,” commented Cato Institute’s Executive Vice President David Boaz.

Here’s more State of the Union analysis from Reason writers:

• Criminal Justice Campaign Promises Absent From Biden’s State of the Union Speech

• Biden Says No Troops to Ukraine, Is Silent on Ukrainian and Russian Refugees

• Biden’s State of the Union Offers More Useless Solutions to Gun Violence

• If COVID-19 Is Over for Congress, It Should Be Over for School Children Too

• Biden Praises Ukrainian ‘Iron Will’, Refuses To Use Ukrainian Iron in Infrastructure Projects

• Biden Tries To Twist His Domestic Agenda Into a Form Joe Manchin Will Support

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