The Real State of the Union?

With reference to the US President George W. Bush's State of the Union address for the year 2003, "The Atlantic Monthly" published a sepcial report under the title "What is the Real State of the Union?". It contains analyses of critical issues such as national unity, health care, wealth inequality, race relations, education, welfare and poverty and others. In stark contrast to the more powerful media (CNN-ABC-NBC-Fox News) that carries the strongly nationalistic, often jingoistic message from the president and his administration, the Atlantic series focuses on the fundamental issues facing the American people.