STATE OF THE UNION: 2008

By: Paul Lim
College Press Staff Writer


With the economy on everybody’s mind and the candidates for President coming up various plans of directing America’s future, President George W. Bush hopes to shed some light on his plans for the economy in his final State of the Union Address.  

It is also a time for reflection, as the President stated, “I will report that, over the last seven years, we have made great progress on important issues at home and abroad,” said President Bush. “I will also report that we have unfinished business before us, and we must work together to get it done.”

He underlined the basis of his economic ideology, “consumer choice, not government control.”

The President pushed for making the Bush tax cuts permanent.  By allowing Americans to keep more of their money, he says America needs to “trust people with their own money.”  He then pledged to veto any bill that created a tax increase.  Bush said the government needs to “earn the trust by spending tax money wisely.”  With that he also pushed for the cutting of several federal programs totaling in the billions of tax dollars.

The President described the economy like this, “Our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty.” A huge part of Bush’s plan for the economy is his $150 billion economic stimulus package.  The plan, which has been endorsed by Democrats, hopes to distribute rebate checks to millions of families.  This tax-cutting style economics gives Americans the opportunity to invest and the power in determining their financial future, the President said, “In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth.”

Besides the economy, the President also touted the successes and positive movement combating terrorism in Iraq.  Bush walked the listening audience through a timeline of terrorism during his administration from political assassinations in Lebanon and Pakistan to 9/11.  The President said, “They [Al-Qaeda] are not yet defeated and we can still expect tough fighting ahead,” but he exuded solid optimism on Iraq saying, “Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.”

Bush described the progress made by the Iraqi forces and government.  Recounting the doubt that hung around legislators in Washington during the last State of the Union, the President contrasted it with renewed progress and success in Iraq.  He discussed the growing strength of coalition forces that was remarked on in a recent tape by Osama Bin Laden.  

The President went on to give a guarantee to the military saying, “You will have all you need to protect our nation.”  He then urged Congress to approve military appropriations for the troops.  He made a mention of troop draw downs, but only based on the conditions on the ground and from advice of military commanders.

He also made a point to single out another terrorist haven, Iran.  “Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin.”  The President made this declaration, “But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops.”

In order to protect the homeland, the President pushed for Congress to approve the renewal of an element of the Patriot Act which would allow government surveillance of suspicious telephone calls.  The law is set to expire February 1, 2008.

President Bush also noted his recent trip to Israel and praised the progress in the Palestinian state.  He declared that it is “the time for a Democratic Israel and a Democratic Palestine to stand side-by-side.”  This was followed by a standing ovation from both sides of the chamber.

Bush also made a mention of the need to end dependence on foreign oil.  The growing demand from countries like China and India diminishes the need for petroleum all over the world.  The President said, “To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology.”

The President also vowed to support a $300 million school voucher program for low income families (coined “Grants For Kids”) and to decrease legislative earmarks and promised to veto any bill with added earmarks.  He made an executive order for federal agencies to ignore proposals that have not been properly voted on by Congress.

The speech went for 53 minutes.