State of the Union in an Alternate Universe

Here's what I wish President Obama would have said in last night's State of the Union:

"The federal government cannot overcome the problems created or exacerbated by the sovereign states of this union. In fact, we're tired of trying and essentially failing. It's time to get back to the original concept that we are merely a union of sovereign states and it is the state's responsibility to educate their children and prepare them for the life ahead. As such, I am abolishing the federal Department of Education and sending back that portion of federal funding normally wasted by this department to the states. However, I am putting the states and DC on notice that if you fail to set high standards for your students, if you fail to make reasonable progress towards achieving those standards, and if you fail to equitably fund each student based on his or her needs in order to achieve those high standards, the federal government will withhold any and all federal funds from all agencies and departments until that situation is remedied."

Sigh. I can dream, can't I?