I had real problems with the mentions of clean coal and off-shore drilling last night, but this was actually my least favorite part of the address:
[F]amilies across the country are tightening their belts and making tough decisions. The federal government should do the same.
Let's use the "government is like a business" metaphor. Imagine if you own a small business and your employees are having trouble making ends meet. What do you do? Do you suddenly cut back on costs as well? Maybe cut salaries or freeze expenses, just because your employees are struggling? No way. That makes no sense.
If you want to keep your business humming along with productive, happy employees, you do what you can to help them out -- to make their lives easier -- with either temporary or ongoing measures. You don't suddenly announce, "Hey, you're all struggling to make ends meet, so we're going to tighten our belts here. From now on, no more free coffee and pay reductions all around!" Not smart.