2005 State of the Union Address

After watching the 2005 State of the Union address. I think that the President, Mr. George W. Bush, has made it clear to the Speaker of the House, Vice President, Membe4rs of Congress, and the citizens of the United States that he has a clear plan to improve the welfare of the United States in present days and days to come.

The President put forth that he has now a plan for a budget that holds discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent, and to cut the deficit in half by the year 2009. The principle to his budget is, “ Taxpayer money must be spent wisely, or not at all.” It was also stated that education is a very important part of this nation and that the standards of the schools need to be raised, “…so every high school diploma is a ticket to success.” Later on he speaks of keeping young children and adolescents out of gangs and dangerous violence and encourages that more people be involved in a child’s life by increasing the number of programs to improve literacy and sports. He told of the nation wide effort to do this that would be lead by the First Lady, Laura Bush.

Also so the healthcare and costs of health care for lower income families was brought to attention. The President stated that the costs of healthcare should be made affordable to all families that need it. Stating that it should be available to people of every financial status and that there be a community health care center for every needy community. And that information technology should be improved so that fewer errors are made as well as needless costs. He believes that there should be association health care plans for small business owners and their employees and many measures to decrease healthcare costs.

The President talked to the Social Security system and how if it is unreformed that it will only lead to its own bankruptcy. He assured those that are now receiving or will be receiving Social Security in the near future that their Social Security would not be affected in any way. The President would like to prevent the deterioration of the Social Security system. According to the facts provided by the President, as of now there are a

diminishing number of workers paying an increasing amount of benefits to an increasing number of retirees. If it continues to be like this in the year 2018 the system would be paying out more than it takes in and in the year 2027 it will put the government into a hole of two hundred billion dollars for Social Security alone. By that time the only solution would be to dramatically raise taxes, borrowing, and cuts in benefits or government programs. He assures the people that he will not raise taxes and that all changes that are made will be gradual as to allow time for preparation. He states that he will work with Congress to come up with the best solution and, “I will listen to anyone who has an idea to offer.” He suggests that there be voluntary personal retirement accounts. Under this plan set portion of your money would go to the people that are now receiving benefits. Another small portion is set aside for you to grow interest. This way the money is yours and only yours and cannot be touched by the government. As I think it should be. This way if you would like to leave this money to someone you are free to. Up to thus far I think that the President has hit many bases that everyone wanted to hear and that appealing to people of all wealth statuses has also very well rounded him. I also approve of his plan for Social Security because I like the fact that the money that I set aside will be out of the hands of the government.

He spoke of marriage being a sacred institution and a foundation of society that should not be re-defined by activist judges and how he supports and amendment that will protect it. Also that medical research needs to be supported to improve our culture of life. He tanked Congress for doubling the funding of the National Institute of Health. I believe as he does that the medical technology needs to be increased