Tonight President George W. Bush delivered his seventh, and final, State of the Union Speech. For the transcript of the 2008 State of the Union address click HERE. That link will take you to the New York Times where they have published the full text of the 2008 State of the Union speech.
During this speech the president reminded Congress to trust and empower the American People, he recognized there is a bit of a slowdown in some aspects of the economy, stated that in regards to housing "We must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market," said a few words about his beloved "No Child Left Behind Act," emphasized his opinion of the importance of free trade, commented on improving our energy security, offered ideas regarding combating climate change, warned about spending on entitlement programs, and offered his two cents regarding illegal immigration. Then, President Bush turned his speech to the Surge in Iraq, and completed his address on our 2008 objectives in Iraq.
I agree that the Congress, and government as a whole, should trust and empower the American People, but I am not sure Bush, or the rest of those in office, fully realize that means in relation to the intentions of the founding fathers of this nation. "We the People" means more than just our ability to elect representatives and live our lives. "The People" is who the government is for, and by. . .
Acknowledging problems in the economy seems to be huge with the political pundits other than myself when it comes to Bush's speech. I do recognize a slowdown in the housing industry, and that the economy as a whole has become sluggish, but unless there is government intervention, I don't believe we are heading toward a recession in the immediate future. That's right, you heard me correctly. The economy will correct and adjust itself without the government sticking their noses into it, but I hardly expect that to happen, and because of government's tendency to want to save everyone with federal intervention, they will send us into a recession. Bush's stimulus package is one such government interference. Granted, eventually our economy will fall apart under the weight of the current habits of consumers, and any attempts to save it is actually like putting a bandage on a cancer. We have become a borrow and spend society - just like our trusted leaders when dealing with the growing global economy, hence one of the reasons for our large national deficit.
I do applaud President George W. Bush for his call to make the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 permanent, but the question is, will he be willing to fight for them? Tax cuts grow economies. Reagan proved it, and John F. Kennedy believed it. Today's liberal does not understand it, nor do they wish for it.
Balancing the budget was also a topic he mentioned at one point, but I wonder why President Bush waited seven years before determining that balancing the budget is suddenly a good idea? Is he suddenly fearing that history would notice he never made an attempt when it came to balancing the budget?
I agree with Bush that we must trust students to learn if given the chance, and that we must give the parents the power to demand results from our schools. A big government program like the "No Child Left Behind Act" is not the way to accomplish that, however. Unfortunately, Bush is a big spender, and is willing to pile up dollars on the attempts to find solutions to problems, rather than just solve them. So tell me this: How can a government eliminate a deficit when every time there is a problem they throw money at it?
Trade is an important component in surviving in this growing global economy, but when free trade agreements are not structured properly, like NAFTA, they can spell disaster for economies. The current tendency of corporations to open operations elsewhere rather than here in the U.S. is one such consequence to such poorly written agreements. George W. Bush is a globalist, and cannot be trusted to protect the sovereignty of this nation. Hopefully the next president can be trusted to do so.
President Bush stated in his speech that we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on foreign oil. I agree, but feel the need to add two additional comments. First, we must be willing to use some of our own oil (such as drilling in Alaska); and second, government interference will not create the environment necessary for our researchers and entrepreneurs to succeed in their tasks. As the free market economy has proven over and over, the driving force for new inventions is necessity and profit, not government mandates.
When the president addressed climate change, I shook my head. The idea of man-made global warming is not only idiotic, but has been proven to be false. In fact, a Russian Scientist has determined that the natural warming cycle has come to an end, and we are heading into a cooling cycle which will peak in 2041. So, Bush (and McCain) is in error to jump on the global climate change bandwagon, and I believe did so out of an attempt to appease the other side - a poor choice in my opinion.
Entitlement reform. Congress fails to address this issue because Congress desires to expand entitlement programs. Spending on these programs is growing faster than we can afford, and the solution does not lie in more government programs as the Democrats desire.
Illegal Immigration was not called by the proper name by the president, in my opinion. Illegal Alien Invasion is the term that better fits this problem. Problem is, the complexities of this issue are not complex at all. President Bush's globalistic leanings once again cloud his vision on this issue. The solution is simple. Seal the borders, and enforce the laws on the books. With no work available, and benefits withdrawn, we will not have to worry about the millions of illegals in this country, because with the opportunities and freebies withdrawn, they will deport themselves, and return whence they came.
The evidence that the surge in Iraq is succeeding is so strong that even the Democrats are beginning to admit the success. Bush was careful when speaking of the surge, however, trying to be careful not to be misunderstood as he was during his "Mission Accomplished" speech. Back then the mission was accomplished, but he failed to explain the necessity of continuing our presence. Saddam Hussein was like a cancer, and after being removed, it was not prudent to leave the body open and susceptible to infection, but the Democrats failed to recognize that because Bush did not verbalize it properly. The statement that summed up the surge best was this: "Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists, there is no doubt."
The 2008 State of the Union speech was not the best speech Bush has delivered by far, but it was accompanied by sitting Democrats refusing to rise and clap, and by Pelosi behind the president seemingly put out by having to attend the speech.
Looked like more of the same in Washington.
Perhaps that is why the focus of the upcoming election for president seems to be "change."
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