On terrorists:
"In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat. And there is no honor in retreat. By allowing radical Islam to work its will – by leaving an assaulted world to fend for itself – we would signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals, or even in our own courage. But our enemies and our friends can be certain: The United States will not retreat from the world, and we will never surrender to evil."
A valid point the liberals keep missing.
Just a darned good quote:
"Yet there is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success, and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure. Hindsight alone is not wisdom. And second-guessing is not a strategy."
On the federal budget:
"Keeping America competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars. Every year of my presidency, we have reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending – and last year you passed bills that cut this spending."
I have no clue what the speechwriter was drinking or smoking when they added these lines. Either that, or they think "non-security discretionary spending" does NOT include pork or government entitlements, such as Medicare.
This is a bald-faced lie. Period.
If the Democrats want to harp about "Bush lied", here is a good example. Although I doubt they care about fiscal responsibility.
On earmarks:
"I am pleased that Members of Congress are working on earmark reform – because the Federal budget has too many special interest projects. And we can tackle this problem together, if you pass the line-item veto."
Mr. President, if the Congress eliminates earmarks (I know, wishful thinking), you won't need the line-item veto.
Regardless, you would need a Constitutional amendment for a line-item veto: the Supreme Court has already thrown it out once before.
On Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid:
"Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security, yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away – and with every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse. So tonight, I ask you to join me in creating a commission to examine the full impact of Baby Boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid."
Been there, done that, got nowhere. Until the majority of our politicians get a spine, nothing will happen.
"Creating a commission" is politico-speak for "procrastinate".
On illegal immigration:
"Keeping America competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values, and serves the interests of our economy. Our Nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest worker program that rejects amnesty … allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally … and reduces smuggling and crime at the border."
Good statement of the problem. However, I noticed there is no suggested solution. This tells me that illegal immigration is NOT a priority for the Bush administration.
On energy:
"Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. Here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.
The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly 10 billion dollars to develop cleaner, cheaper, more reliable alternative energy sources – and we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative – a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants; revolutionary solar and wind technologies; and clean, safe nuclear energy."
The only problem I have with this is that most of our imported oil does NOT go to power "homes and offices".
Fortunately, the President goes on:
"We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We will also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn but from wood chips, stalks, or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years. Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment … move beyond a petroleum-based economy … and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past."
The solution is in there. Unfortunately, something has to actually be DONE. Talk is cheap, Mr. President.
On education:
"Tonight I announce the American Competitiveness Initiative, to encourage innovation throughout our economy, and to give our Nation’s children a firm grounding in math and science.
First: I propose to double the Federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next ten years. This funding will support the work of America’s most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources.
Second: I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit, to encourage bolder private-sector investment in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life – and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come.
Third: We need to encourage children to take more math and science, and make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We have made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers, to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science … bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms … and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America’s children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world."
Mr. President, as long as the NEA exists in it's present form, they will fight you tooth and nail every step of the way. Even if you accomplish your goals, they will continue to fight to have them withdrawn.
Like most liberal theories, it sounds great. In reality, you are rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
On medical research:
"Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research – human cloning in all its forms … creating or implanting embryos for experiments … creating human-animal hybrids … and buying, selling, or patenting human embryos. Human life is a gift from our Creator – and that gift should never be discarded, devalued, or put up for sale."
More nanny government.
Mr. President, I have no problems with outlawing specific activities within medical research. What you are outlining here is complete abolition of certain types of medical research. This is wrong, as well as shortsighted.
Summary:
I am so glad I read the text this morning instead of staying up to watch this politicial tripe.
Sure, there are some good ideas in there. But I want to see them done before I start patting the President on the back.
Overall, I give Bush a "D" for this one. This is the kind of speech I would expect from a Democratic Party's president. Too much fluff.
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