He may talk about diabetes drugs. But what about the other life-saving and life-prolonging drugs with ridiculous prices that Government insurance programs like Medicare (and private insurance) don't cover? Heart disease (not drug overdoses) is still the leading cause of death in this country.
Obesity (with or without type 2 diabetes) is a strong indicator for risk of serious heart disease, but new drugs that treat obesity are out of reach of millions because of the $1,000. a month price tag. I'm glad that Oprah can afford it, but what about everybody else? What help will Biden promise for the poor?
He's going to go after the portions of voters he can count on and those he thinks he can win over: He'll be strong on Roe v. Wade for women. He'll say we need to continue supporting the Ukraine. He will remind Israel he supports Palestine becoming a state. He'll support labor. He'll have statistics that will differ wildly from Trump's.
If he talks about the economic progress we've made since COVID-19, and says jobs are up and inflation is falling and all is right with the world, I think the Secret Service should take him shopping at a supermarket. That just is not true and we all know it. The prices for groceries and household products have soared. And show no sign of stopping.
In the end, none of it matters because there will be no change. As María in Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays would say, "Nothing applies".
What does matter: Biden is poised and has the demeanor of a statesman rather than a carnival barker. He can continue to restore the international respect we lost during Trump's last foray. Biden can work with an opposition Congress, he did it for decades. Biden honestly believes the country needs his ideas and that he has a job to finish. Given the alternative, I think he should have the chance.
Since none of the issues I most care about are on tonight's agenda, and Donald Trump is too batsh*t crazy to take seriously, I'm not sure I'll have strong opinions on tonight's speech.
For Biden's sake, and America's, I hope it goes well.
If you are watching the speech, here's a place to discuss it.