When I first saw this headline and story in National Journal, I checked to make sure it’s from 2011, not the early days of the Obama administration. Two years into the administration’s effort to focus like a laser beam on the economy, this is where we are as Mr. Obama prepares for the State of the Union address.

Obama to Make His Pitch on Solving U.S. Economy’s Troubles

Here’s hoping we won’t hear yet another pitch for “investment,” which is simply more spending, or another pitch for “protection,” which is simply more regulation. We’re already living with the impact of these failed policies, as well as others. After never-before-seen levels of deficit spending and government expansion delivered by this president and the former Congress — which has left us with a nearly $14 trillion dollar debt — I pray this administration will finally acknowledge which policies spur economic growth (those that focus on free markets, entrepreneurship, and limited government interference) and which ones crush growth (massive spending, government expansion, and onerous regulation).