Boring State of the Union address leads to drinking games

Tuesday evening, we crowded around our TVs for the State of the Union address, eager to watch President Barack Obama deliver a rousing speech. But, as is the case with most situations in life, it was really another excuse for Americans to get our drink on.

Why wouldn't we? Sitting through any politically-based speech is about as entertaining as listening to someone read a dictionary cover to cover; both are informative experiences, but they're unnecessary.

Reflect on Tuesday and the keys points President Obama made. Can you remember exactly what he said?

Unless you were already mentally invested, my assumption is that you don't remember much because you didn't care. And it's likely that you were apathetic because you've got 24-hour access to the news—the media told you everything you needed to know.

Or you didn't pay attention because the speech is the same each year: "[Obligatory, long-winded story about war efforts], [premature assurance that we're winning the fight against terrorism], [something about how great America is, but how we could be better], [empty promises and plans for the future], [pauses for applause and standing ovations]."

So, with every predictable speech, a drinking game is born. There are multiple versions floating about on the Web, but most games have a common thread: take a shot when the president says [insert buzzword] or when the president [insert action].

This isn't a column about America's obsession with booze. If you're of age, and you're responsible, what and how much you consume is your business. What's disturbing is that these drinking games have existed for years. Clearly, the method our nation's leaders have adopted has become outdated, boring and ineffective.

Although it's crammed with political fluff and false hope, the speech does cover the president's legislative blueprint and the country's condition. As citizens, we should have access to our president, as well as his intentions.  However, there's a difference between keeping the nation informed and beating a dead horse annually.

When we pulled out the shot glasses and liquor Tuesday night, we were making a statement of our own. We were collectively saying, "Mr. President, if you don't get to the point and give us some fresh ideas, you're going to drive us to drink."

The State of the Union address doesn't need theatrics. But if the president expects us to watch this speech and think with sober minds (as we should), he had better make good use of his time.

Over the decades, this special report has become an opportunity for the president to bond with his people—it's supposed to create a conversation between leader and follower—but  that exchange has grown stale.

And we've begun using alcohol as, well, a social lubricant, just as we would at a dull party. President Obama must be aware of the drinking games, and, perhaps, he finds them humorous, but he should recognize them for they really are—a cry for reform.