President Bush delivered his State of the Union address to Congress Wednesday night, touting his plans for Social Security and U.S tax code reform while praising the worldwide spread of liberty and domestic
economic improvement.
The President covered an array of topics as he laid out the agenda for his next year in office and reflected on advancements made in the past four years.
He voiced his support for a
constitutional amendment on marriage; the reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, which helps subsidize health care for HIV and AIDS patients; the establishment of an initiative to help keep people out of gangs; and continuing the war on terror. He commended the Iraqi people for their courage during Sunday’s election and promised to nominate judges qualified to serve on the bench.
“Tonight, with a healthy, growing economy, with more Americans going back to work, the state of our union is growing and strong,” Bush said. “Let us do what Americans have always done and build a better world for our children and grandchildren.”
Bush dedicated a substantial portion of his speech to his plan for Social Security reform. He emphasized voluntary personal retirement accounts that will offer a far better growth rate than anything the current system can manage, particularly for young people.
“The system, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy,” Bush said. “Thirteen years from now, in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. We must pass reform that solves the financial problems of Social Security once and for all.”
Young people will eventually be able to divert up to four percentage points of their payroll taxes to the accounts, Bush said.
“If you are a younger worker, I believe you should be able to set aside part of that money in your own retirement account, so you can build a nest egg for your own future,” he said.
Bush said it was his priority to avoid increases in payroll taxes and ensure that any changes are gradual. He promised to protect low-income workers and to make no change in the system for those now retired or nearing retirement.
“We must join together to strengthen and save Social Security,” Bush said, promising to work with Congress to find the most effective solution. “Our children’s retirement security is more important than partisan politics.”
Democrats did not applaud the President’s plans for Social Security. Democratic Minority Leaders
Sen. Harry Reid, Nev., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Calif., responded on national television shortly following the President’s address.
Reid described Bush’s plan for the program as “Social Security roulette.”
Bush referred to the federal tax code as archaic and incoherent.
“I have appointed a bipartisan panel to examine the tax code from top to bottom,” he said. “When their recommendations are delivered, you and I will work together to give this nation a tax code that is pro-growth, easy to understand and fair to all.”
Bush targeted small business laws and medical liability for reform.
“Justice is distorted and our
economy is held back by irresponsible class actions and frivolous asbestos claims,” he said, urging Congress to pass liability reform this year.
On education, the President promised to increase the size of Pell Grants to make it easier for Americans to afford college while strengthening community colleges and reforming the job training system.
“To make our economy stronger and more dynamic, we must prepare a rising generation to fill the jobs of the 21st century,” he said.
Bush gave Americans a glimpse of his ideas for controlling the deficit.
“America’s prosperity requires restraining the spending appetite of the federal government,” the President said. “I welcome the bipartisan enthusiasm for spending discipline, so next week I will send you a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.”
Bush said he plans to eliminate or reduce more than 150 government programs he considers to be ineffective and inefficient.
“The principle here is clear,” he said. “A taxpayer dollar must be spent wisely.”
Bush reiterated his support for a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, adding that “it was for the good of families, children and society.”
“Marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society,” he said. “It should not be re-defined by activist judges.”
Bush cautioned that the United States is still the target of terrorists, and he emphasized the importance of continuing the war on terror and fighting tyranny abroad.
“In the long-term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder,” Bush said. “The only force powerful enough to stop the rise of tyranny and terror, and replace hatred with hope, is the force of
human freedom.”
He explained that the United States has no desire and no right to impose our government on anyone else.
“Our aim is to build and preserve a community of free and independent nations with governments that answer to their citizens and reflect their own cultures,” he said.
Bush promised $350 million to support Palestinian political,
economic and security reforms and promised to promote peace in the Middle East by confronting regimes that harbor terrorists and pursue weapons of mass destruction.
Bush spoke about the danger of gangs for young people, especially young men in cities, and suggested a three-year, nationwide initiative to support organizations to keep them out. First Lady Laura Bush will head the effort.
The President also praised the recent election in Iraq, bringing attention to audience member Safia Taleb
al-Suhail, an Iraqi woman who voted in the election. The praise was
followed by the President’s commendation of the men and women of the military and expression of gratitude to Janet and Bill Norwood, whose son Byron was killed in Iraq.
The two women embraced in a hug, accompanied by thunderous applause from the audience.
University senior and College Republicans vice chairman Dean Scrutton said he saw the interaction between the two women as the highlight of the evening.
“The most historic thing was that interaction and discussion on Iraq,” Scrutton said.
The College Republicans usually watch the State of the Union address as a group, but the inauguration celebration and counter-protest 13 days ago and the fact that many members were in class at the time of the address overshadowed the address, Scrutton said.
Scrutton said he saw many important points in Bush’s speech, ranging from his push for Social Security reform to his praise for faith-based programs that help youth.
“Just because we have a separation of church and state doesn’t negate those programs,” Scrutton said.
Bush’s plan for Social Security
reform is a necessary one that too few citizens understand or appreciate, Scrutton said.
“People don’t want to realize the gravity of the situation,” Scrutton said.
Kevin Curtin, co-chairman of the College Democrats, said he disagrees with Bush’s plan to privatize Social
Security and feels the Republican party is making a crisis out of nothing.
Curtin said he hadn’t heard much interest in the speech from his friends and peers.
“They pretty much know what Bush is going to say,” Curtin said.
“I think a lot of people are really
disenchanted by what’s going on.”
College Democrats co-Chair Kristina Edmunson said Bush did not address all the issues she feels are important to college-age people. Bush’s brief
mention of the Pell Grant was not an adequate discussion of the college funding crisis, Edmunson said.
Edmunson also said the President should have spent more time addressing the internatio
nal economy and the political issues that go along with it.
“If we don’t start looking at this problem we unfortunately aren’t going to be one of the strongest economies in the world,” Edmunson said.
Laura Jenkins, chairwoman of
the College Republicans, said she
thoroughly enjoyed the President’s speech and was “inspired by his
optimism and leadership.”
“I really thought he laid out a really hopeful message,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said Bush’s plan to
increase the Pell Grant fund was the most pressing issue for University students and also praised his plan to reform Social Security.
“Social Security will have a really big impact for us as students in the future,” Jenkins said.

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