Tempus Fugit

The State of the Union

President Bush’s State of the Union Address delivered a message of hope, a reaffirmation of America’s commitment to freedom, and showcased a bold progressive domestic agenda.

President Bush said that his budget will move to eliminate or substantially reduce 150 government programs “that are not getting results, or duplicate current efforts, or do not fulfill essential priorities.” He continued, “The principle here is clear: a taxpayer dollar must be spent wisely, or not at all.”

A-freakin’-men. It’s about time that a Republican started working for fiscal responsibility.

The President had this to say about small businesses:

To make our economy stronger and more competitive, America must reward, not punish, the efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs. Small business is the path of advancement, especially for women and minorities, so we must free small businesses from needless regulation and protect honest job-creators from junk lawsuits.

On health care, the President said that health care must be more affordable, and more control should be given to families over health care decisions:

To make our economy stronger and more productive, we must make health care more affordable, and give families greater access to good coverage, and more control over their health decisions. I ask Congress to move forward on a comprehensive health care agenda - with tax credits to help low-income workers buy insurance, a community health center in every poor county, improved information technology to prevent medical errors and needless costs, association health plans for small businesses and their employees, expanded health savings accounts, and medical liability reform that will reduce health care costs, and make sure patients have the doctors and care they need.

On environmentally responsible energy:

Four years of debate is enough - I urge Congress to pass legislation that makes America more secure and less dependent on foreign energy.

On a progressive tax code:

To build the prosperity of future generations, we must update institutions that were created to meet the needs of an earlier time. Year after year, Americans are burdened by an archaic, incoherent federal tax code. I have appointed a bipartisan panel to examine the tax code from top to bottom. And 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’s thoughts on immigration:

America’s immigration system is also outdated - unsuited to the needs of our economy and to the values of our country. We should not be content with laws that punish hardworking people who want only to provide for their families, and deny businesses willing workers, and invite chaos at our border. It is time for an immigration policy that permits temporary guest workers to fill jobs Americans will not take, that rejects amnesty, that tells us who is entering and leaving our country, and that closes the border to drug dealers and terrorists.

Reassuring retirees that their benefits will not change:

Today, more than 45 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, and millions more are nearing retirement - and for them the system is strong and fiscally sound. I have a message for every American who is 55 or older: Do not let anyone mislead you. For you, the Social Security system will not change in any way.

On Social Security’s upcoming loss of liquidity:

Thirteen years from now, in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. And every year afterward will bring a new shortfall, bigger than the year before. For example, in the year 2027, the government will somehow have to come up with an extra 200 billion dollars to keep the system afloat - and by 2033, the annual shortfall would be more than 300 billion dollars. By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt. If steps are not taken to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be drastically higher taxes, massive new borrowing, or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs.

He continued, with a pledge to listen to anyone who has a good strategy proposal for fixing the Social Security system:

But we have to move ahead with courage and honesty, because our children’s retirement security is more important than partisan politics. I will work with members of Congress to find the most effective combination of reforms. I will listen to anyone who has a good idea to offer. We must, however, be guided by some basic principles. We must make Social Security permanently sound, not leave that task for another day. We must not jeopardize our economic strength by increasing payroll taxes. We must ensure that lower income Americans get the help they need to have dignity and peace of mind in their retirement. We must guarantee that there is no change for those now retired or nearing retirement. And we must take care that any changes in the system are gradual, so younger workers have years to prepare and plan for their future.

As Bush mentioned the Social Security bankruptcy that will come in 2042, a few Democrats booed. As the President finished his words on Social Security, roughly four Democrats applauded.

The President had some words on homosexual marriage, although he cleverly avoided mentioning it by name:

Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be re-defined by activist judges. For the good of families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.

To me, those two sentences seemed out of place in the speech. They really didn’t fit in with any other issues, and no case was made as to why homosexual marriage is bad for society.

Bush had words to say about the dignity of human life, and ethics in medical research:

To build a culture of life, we must also ensure that scientific advances always serve human dignity, not take advantage of some lives for the benefit of others. We should all be able to agree on some clear standards. I will work with Congress to ensure that human embryos are not created for experimentation or grown for body parts, and that human life is never bought and sold as a commodity. America will continue to lead the world in medical research that is ambitious, aggressive, and always ethical.

Mr. Bush had a reprimand for the Democrats who blocked his judicial nominees from getting a chance to be confirmed.

The Constitution also gives the Senate a responsibility: Every judicial nominee deserves an up or down vote.

Bush renewed his promise to fight terrorists worldwide:

The al-Qaida terror network that attacked our country still has leaders - but many of its top commanders have been removed. There are still governments that sponsor and harbor terrorists - but their number has declined. There are still regimes seeking weapons of mass destruction - but no longer without attention and without consequence. Our country is still the target of terrorists who want to kill many, and intimidate us all - and we will stay on the offensive against them, until the fight is won.

The President stressed that the goal of the United States shouldn’t seek to impose our particular form of government on anyone else:

The United States has no right, no desire, and no intention to impose our form of government on anyone else. That is one of the main differences between us and our enemies. They seek to impose and expand an empire of oppression, in which a tiny group of brutal, self-appointed rulers control every aspect of every life. 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. And because democracies respect their own people and their neighbors, the advance of freedom will lead to peace.

Bush had a message of hope for young Democratic hopefuls in the theocratic country of Iran:

Today, Iran remains the world’s primary state sponsor of terror - pursuing nuclear weapons while depriving its people of the freedom they seek and deserve. We are working with European allies to make clear to the Iranian regime that it must give up its uranium enrichment program and any plutonium re-processing, and end its support for terror. And to the Iranian people, I say tonight: As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you.

One of Iraq’s leading democracy and human rights advocates is Safia Taleb al-Suhail. She says of her country, “we were occupied for 35 years by Saddam Hussein. That was the real occupation. … Thank you to the American people who paid the cost … but most of all to the soldiers.” Eleven years ago, Safia’s father was assassinated by Saddam’s intelligence service. Three days ago in Baghdad, Safia was finally able to vote for the leaders of her country - and we are honored that she is with us tonight.

As President Bush mentioned al-Suhail, and the recent democratic election in Iraq, the human rights advocate was given a standing ovation. She held her finger aloft, mimicking those in Iraq who showed their pride of the blue ink that marked them as having voted. Her hand was trembling as it was held aloft. Overcome with emotion she wiped away a stray tear.

A few minutes later, the President extended his gratitude to the American soldiers who have given their lives abroad. The family of Byron Norwood, a slain American soldier were mentioned, and rose for applause. Safia Taleb al-Suhail, the Iraqi woman, turned around and offered a long-lasting hug to the mother of the slain soldier, as the audience gave their longest standing ovation during the President’s speech, ended only when Mrs. Norwood and her husband sat realized that it wouldn’t stop unless they sat down.

Overall, the President’s case for Social Security reform and for personal retirement accounts was very strong. Expect lots of bitching from extremists who oppose allowing workers to be in control of their retirement funds. Personal retirement accounts are accounts that politicians can’t get their filthy hands in, so those who seek to perpetuate the special interests status quo by pilfering Social Security are strongly opposed to giving Americans control of their own money.

President Bush’s words of support to the Iranian people seem to indicate that he might offer support to the democracy movement there, should civil war break out, as it has been threatening to do.

Alright, that’s all for now.