We saw a couple of fascinating stories about the state of the nation.  Unfortunately, President Obama did not mention them when he delivered his State of the Union speech.   

On the issue of race relations, half of the country believes that race relations are getting worse, according to Rasmussen Reports:

Confidence in race relations in America continues to fall, with hopes for the future at their lowest level yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults now think race relations in this country are getting worse, up from 44% a year ago and 30% as recently as January 2014. Only 20% believe race relations are getting better, a new low that compares to 38% five years ago. Twenty-six percent (26%) say race relations are staying about the same. 

The timeline in this survey is interesting.  What happened since January 2014 to make matters worse?  I would say Attorney General Eric Holder connecting voter ID cards with racism, "Black Lives Matter," Ferguson, and the recent problems in Baltimore.  Furthermore, the PC climate intimidates people from sitting down and have a frank discussion of race relations.   

On the deficit, we are also going in the wrong direction, according to news reports:

The tax-cut deal inked by President Obama and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan last month has put a major dent in the federal budget, helping send the deficit soaring by 24 percent, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday.

The $544 billion deficit projected for 2016 marks the first year since 2009 that the red ink has grown, and it powers the deficit back up over the half-trillion mark, where it had been for most of Mr. Obama’s tenure.

Do you understand why people are so cynical?  We had a "deal," and the net result is that the deficit will shoot up again.    

Our next president will have to address the deficit and race relations.  Both require some honest talk, a president willing to tell us what we don't want to hear.

On race, we need more conversation between the races.  We've been shouting "racism" too easily in the country.  We need to sit down and talk.   

On the deficit, we need more presidential courage, or someone who will say what most of us know.  In other words, we can't spend money that we don't have.

Race relations and the deficit, plus ISIS – just a few of the challenges facing #45.

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