President Bush gave his final State of the Union.
While some Americans honestly disagree with him out of convictions that are deeply held, many of his opponents despise him for being alive and existing. This is not because of the War in Iraq. It is because of the 2000 election that his opponent failed to steal.
As expected, President Bush was gracious to the end, and those that disagreed with him ranged from dour and beaten to downright rude and scowling. The scowler wants the job next year, and she will be in for a rude awakening of her own if she thins her lack of decorum will be forgotten.
Before getting to the speech itself, Fox News conducted a one hour interview with president Bush entitled, “Fighting to the Finish.” Here are some excerpts.
“Those who kill the innocent to advance their political agenda cannot recruit based on ideology, only where there is hopelessness, disease and hunger cause people to be hopeless.
The country has to make up its mind, confront the conditions causing radicalism, or retreat, say it costs too much to help others.
The biggest idea internationally is the advance of democracy and freedom. I fully recognize that some want to promote stability. Stability hasn’t worked. That does not address the underlying conditions to why people join radical groups.
I am a combination of idealist and realist. I believe in this fundamental truth, there is almighty, that gift of the almighty is liberty, which is freedom. Freedom yields peace. The ideology of freedom must trump the hatred of those who spread hate.
There are killers who want to stop liberty. The job of comfortable nations is to help others realize freedom. It is the calling of our time.
Victory in Iraq is going to be gradual. It takes awhile to recover from a tyrannical situation.
People criticize me for having a personal friendship with Vladimir Putin. I don’t see how you conduct foreign policy if you don’t have a personal relationship with Vladimir Putin.
The NIE did not say Iran is not a threat. In fact it confirmed that Iran is a threat and needs to be taken seriously. I don’t know what goes through the Iranian mind, but they have a choice to make.
Whoever the candidates are, they better be ready for pressure. They have to protect America and make sure we have a vibrant economy. The fundamental question will be whether the next president will use the Presidency to advance peace. Some say we don’t move until everybody is holding hands. The right way is to say here is the vision, here is the common goal, here is what we must work to achieve, and we will take the lead and work with you. If you come, we’d love to have you on board, but if not, the United States is still going to lead.
I hope immigration is not the debate for the next election, because if it is it will turn ugly if we start bashing immigrants. An emotional debate pitting people against each other could cost America to lose its soul.
I will gracefully exit the political stage at the proper time.
Washington is an ugly town, too ugly as far as I am concerned. I worked to be a uniter, and it didn’t work.
It is important to have a set of principles from which one will not vary. Faith helps develop a set of principles form which decisions should be made.
There is no question a President gets tested, but there are tests all throughout life. Faith can bring light in moments of darkness.
I want my administration to have written the hopeful and strong first chapter in this ideological struggle that will play out over the course of our lifetime. The best legacy a President can leave behind is to say to a dad that your young son is more likely to live in peace as a result of the policies I’ve put forward.
It is normal for people not to have a sense of urgency about an attack. It is not normal for someone in government not to have a sense of urgency. If you pay attention to the realities of the world, there is an enemy out there that wants to kill us.
Lincoln based his decisions on a fundamental moral truth that all men are created equal under God. I believe in the fundamental moral truth is that there is a God and the gift of that God is that every man, woman and child on the face of this Earth is freedom. Lincoln wanted to free the slaves, and I and other Presidents want to lift people from the bonds of tyranny.”
Now, for excerpts of the State of the Union itself.
“Issues call for vigorous debate. I think it’s fair to say we’ve answered the call.”
Harry Reid sat stone faced.
“Let us show that democrats and republicans can compete for votes, and cooperate for results at the same time.
We believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny, and shape the course of history. The most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens.
We must trust people with their own money, and empower them tog row our economy. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace.
Attempts to load up the (stimulus) bill will delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable. This congress must pass it as soon as possible.
Unless Congress acts, most of the tax relief we’ve delivered over the past 7 years will be taken away. Some in Washington will argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers, who will see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome your enthusiasm. I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.”
Many clapped at that remark, while Hillary Clinton was her typically ungracious self. I am not sure if this is because she lacks human emotion, or if she fears leftist voters so much that smiling at the President could cost her votes.
“There is only one way to eliminate uncertainty. Make the tax relief (from 2001 and 203) permanent). If any bill that raises taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it.
The budget I will submit will keep us on pace for a surplus by 2012.
If you send me a appropriations bill that does not cut the number and costs of earmarks in half, I’ll send it back to you with my veto. If these items are truly worth funding, congress should debate them in the open, and hold a public vote.”
The chamber all clapped, and not one of them was sincere. When he mentioned making healthcare more affordable, Nancy Pelosi smiled and clapped, Barack Obama studiously took notes, and Hillary Clinton maintained her angry look.
“The best way to achieve that goal (health care) is to expand consumer choice, not government control. Congress must also pass Health Savings Accounts, and confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits. Decisions should be made in the privacy of your doctor’s office, not in the halls of Congress.
6 years ago we came together to pass No Child Left Behind. Last year 4th and 8th graders had the highest scores on record. Last year African-American and Hispanic students reached all time highs.”
He then offered Pell Grants for kids.
“I applaud the Congress for approving a trade agreement with Peru. I now ask the Congress to approve agreements with Columbia, Panama, and South Korea. I we fail to pass these agreements, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere. We must show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life. Trade brings better jobs, better choices, and better prices.”
For those who did not know, an average nondescript bald white guy named Samuel Bodman is the current Energy Secretary.
“Let us generate new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of emissions free nuclear power. Commitments (to reduce greenhouse gases) will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride.”
He also mentioned the new skin cell breakthrough that replicates embryonic stem cells before turning to judges.
“The Constitution means what it says. I have submitted judges who will rule by the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel.”
He then delved into illegal immigration, refusing to back down from his views.
“By the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents. Yet we still need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we come up with a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy. This will allow law enforcement to concentrate on those who wish us harm. Illegal immigration must be dealt with in a way that upholds our laws and our highest ideals.”
He then shifted to foreign policy.
“In the last 7 years we have witnessed stirring moments in the history of liberty. We have seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to demand their independence. We’ve seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban…we’ve seen jubilant Iraqis holding up ink stained fingers and celebrating their freedom. These images of liberty have inspired us.
We have also seen the images that have sobered us. We have seen wedding guests blood soaked, staggering in Jordan, Afghans and Iraqis blown up in Mosques in Markets, and trains in London and Madrid ripped apart by bombs. On a clear September day, we saw thousands of our fellow citizens taken from us in an instant. These horrific images serve as a grim reminder…the advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists.
Since 9/11 we have taken the fight to these terrorists and extremists. We have stayed on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to our enemies.
For the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom.
We are adding 3,200 marines to our forces in Afghanistan.
While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and Iraq surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year ago. Many said that containing the violence was impossible. Killings are down. Al Queda had sanctuaries in Iraq. Today it is Al Queda searching for safe passage. Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Queda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.”
Somebody yelled from the balcony “You’re wrong,” which means that either Al Queda infiltrated the building, or a Moveon.org supporter burst in. Either way it is hard to tell the difference among these unwashed and unshaven creatures.
“(Turning to the soldiers in the room) In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our nation. Congress must meet our responsibilities to these men and women by fully funding our troops.
More than 20,000 of our troops are coming home. Any further drawdown will be based on conditions in Iraq. General Petraeus has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in the disintegration of the Iraqi security forces, Al Queda regaining lost ground, and a marked increase in violence. We must not allow this to happen.
The Iraqis have a distance to travel, but after decades of dictatorship, reconciliation is taking place and the Iraqi people are taking control o their future. It is in the vital interests of our nation that we succeed.”
He then reiterated why a free Iraq benefits us and a failed Iraq harms us.
“We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated. We must do the difficult world today so that years from now people will look back and say that this generation rose to the moment, prevailed in a tough fight, and left behind a hopeful region and a safer America.”
He then offered hopeful words regarding Israel and the Palestinians that I ignored.
“Wherever freedom advances in the middle East, the Iranian regime is there to oppose it. Iran continues to enrich uranium, which could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Our message to the Iranian people is clear. We have no quarrel with you. We respect your traditions and your history. We look forward to the day when you have your freedom. Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear. America will confront those that attack our troops, and America will stand by our allies, and defend vital interests in the Persian Gulf.”
“In the past 6 years we have stopped numerous attacks, including a plot to fly a plane into the tallest building in Los Angeles, and another to blow up passenger jets to America over the Atlantic.
We need to know who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and where they are planning. Unfortunately Congress set the legislation to expire February 1st. That means if you don’t act by Friday, our ability to track terrorists threats will be weakened, and our citizens will be in greater danger. Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the effort to defend America. We have had ample time to debate. The time to act is now.”
He then offered warm fuzzy sentiments about Darfur and other 3rd world nations in an attempt to make liberals like him. Of course, that will fail.
He called for buying crops from developing nations, and proposed another 30 billion dollars to fight AIDS over the next 5 years.
He then shifted to reforming Veteran’s benefits.
“Troops should be able to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or their children.”
“The secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that our greatness lays not in our government, but in the spirit and determination of our people. So long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the state of our union will remain strong.
So tonight, with confidence in freedom’s power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business. God Bless America.”
The history books will be very kind to this man. I will help right this history, and I will be right. I already am, but vindication will be sweeter when there is a more peaceful world. For some, it is not about winning elections, or tearing down good people. It is about actually improving the world.
Well done Mr. President.
Luv ya Dubya.
eric
“America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months…”
During Bush’s tenure, 6,000,000 jobs have been created. During Clinton’s tenure, it was 20,000,000. Just to keep up with the population, 150,000-160,000 jobs must be created ever month. During Bush’s tenure, that number was under 70,000, and if you leave out government expansion and the war, under 50,000. As usual, Bush spinned the facts to his favor and failed America.
“Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers, who will see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800.”
Average, maybe. but if you look at the mean tat number would be far, far lower. As usual, As usual, Bush spinned the facts to his favor and failed America.
It just goes on and on.
Worst president ever. Worst SOTU ever.
As a student of history, I can tell you with absolute certainly that history will most definitely not look kindly on this horrific failure of a president.
JMJ
Jersey, are you named after New Jersey, a state currently being depopulated by the Socialist policies of the Clintonoids you seem to admire. Bush will tower above the greasy and disgusting Clintons in history. I disagree with his many compromises but his administrative competence stands in stark contrast to the chaos and corruption that preceded him.
Tyger, even with all his flaws bush has done an excellent job in many ways. I’m fearful about what will follow.
Being a student of history does not qualify you to predict the future with absolute certainty. Anyone can read book and tell you what the book says happened when.
But I’m not going to take anyone seriously who says he can tell you with absolute certainty what the future holds.
I would have him locked up.
People like you have said the same thing about almost every president in our history.
It doesnt take a rocket scientist or historian to tell us these things.
Skep, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Micky, I’d bet my right arm on it.
JMJ
JMJ;
“During Bush’s tenure, 6,000,000 jobs have been created. During Clinton’s tenure, it was 20,000,000. Just to keep up with the population, 150,000-160,000 jobs must be created ever month. During Bush’s tenure, that number was under 70,000, and if you leave out government expansion and the war, under 50,000. As usual, Bush spinned the facts to his favor and failed America”
BS ! the numbers are right here,
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/data/UNRATE.txt
Since 911 unemployment rates have dropped with only a couple of bumps.
The link is Dept of labor stats that go as far back as 1948. It shows that unemployment has remained at a lower level in Bush’s administration than many others.
.
Civilian Unemployment Rate
Series ID: UNRATE
Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Release: The Employment Situation
Seasonal Adjustment: Seasonally Adjusted
Frequency: Monthly
Units: Percent
Date Range: 1948-01-01 to 2007-12-01
Last Updated: 2008-01-04 11:07 AM CT
Notes: Persons 16 years of age and older.
2001-09-01 5.0
2001-10-01 5.3
2001-11-01 5.5
2001-12-01 5.7
2002-01-01 5.7
2002-02-01 5.7
2002-03-01 5.7
2002-04-01 5.9
2002-05-01 5.8
2002-06-01 5.8
2002-07-01 5.8
2002-08-01 5.7
2002-09-01 5.7
2002-10-01 5.7
2002-11-01 5.9
2002-12-01 6.0
2003-01-01 5.8
2003-02-01 5.9
2003-03-01 5.9
2003-04-01 6.0
2003-05-01 6.1
2003-06-01 6.3
2003-07-01 6.2
2003-08-01 6.1
2003-09-01 6.1
2003-10-01 6.0
2003-11-01 5.8
2003-12-01 5.7
2004-01-01 5.7
2004-02-01 5.6
2004-03-01 5.8
2004-04-01 5.6
2004-05-01 5.6
2004-06-01 5.6
2004-07-01 5.5
2004-08-01 5.4
2004-09-01 5.4
2004-10-01 5.5
2004-11-01 5.4
2004-12-01 5.4
2005-01-01 5.2
2005-02-01 5.4
2005-03-01 5.2
2005-04-01 5.1
2005-05-01 5.1
2005-06-01 5.0
2005-07-01 5.0
2005-08-01 4.9
2005-09-01 5.1
2005-10-01 5.0
2005-11-01 5.0
2005-12-01 4.8
2006-01-01 4.7
2006-02-01 4.7
2006-03-01 4.7
2006-04-01 4.7
2006-05-01 4.7
2006-06-01 4.6
2006-07-01 4.7
2006-08-01 4.7
2006-09-01 4.5
2006-10-01 4.4
2006-11-01 4.5
2006-12-01 4.4
2007-01-01 4.6
2007-02-01 4.5
2007-03-01 4.4
2007-04-01 4.5
2007-05-01 4.5
2007-06-01 4.6
2007-07-01 4.7
2007-08-01 4.7
2007-09-01 4.7
2007-10-01 4.8
2007-11-01 4.7
2007-12-01 5.0
As you can see, with all adjustments accounted for , you are wrong Mr. McJones.
And please note how the rate drops beggining from 911 up till today.
Jersey,
I remember the ’90s. The jobs with good pay disappeared overseas or to the environmentalists pet projects. A friend of mine said, “It’s a good thing there are so many jobs out there. I’ve got three of them, so with my wife working I can just about feed my family.”
Micky, who’s talking about unemployment rates?
Charly, I never said the 90’s were a barrel full of monkeys either. But they sure beat the 00’s!
JMJ
JMJ;
“Micky, I’d bet my right arm on it.”
Now you will truly be a lefty. :-)
But I would rather you just back it up
JMJ;
“Micky, who’s talking about unemployment rates?”
You were jersey, it was you, honest;
“During Bush’s tenure, 6,000,000 jobs have been created. During Clinton’s tenure, it was 20,000,000. Just to keep up with the population, 150,000-160,000 jobs must be created ever month. During Bush’s tenure, that number was under 70,000, and if you leave out government expansion and the war, under 50,000. As usual, Bush spinned the facts to his favor and failed America.”
You said Bush was spinning emplyment rates.
All unemployment rates have the poulation and job creation figured into the totals. I’m not an idiot.
Eric, Nice job capturing both the highlights of the speech and the not-so-subtle undercurrent of unrest among the Bush-haters. He delivered a powerful message – one of accountability, common sense, and hope – and he guided us down the “hope” path with specific examples. I have always been somewhat outspoken and a maverick, but I can’t recall being blatantly disrespectful to others – yet the body language, sneers, and “asides” coming from the mouths of Clinton, Pelosi, and others were low class. Regardless of political leanings, we are talking about the POTUS – and a genuinely good-hearted man. Agree with your assessment – it will take time, but history will mark President Bush’s presidency as the beginning of global commitment to individual freedoms and hope.
Some classic lines: trust people with their own money to grow our economy… believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny, and shape the course of history.
“But who will pay for the government programs I rely on to survive???”
Sorry Micky, but unemployment rates have nothing to do with what I was talking about. Unemployment rates only represent people who have made claims on and/or are currently receiving UI benefits.
“Now you will truly be a lefty.”
LOL!!!
Al,
“But who will pay for the government programs I rely on to survive???”
Hopefully that’s what all the crooked contractors will be asking come 1/20/09.
JMJ
Jersey, if you dont have job creation parallel to population growth you have unemployment. Plain and simple.
The more unemployed people there are, the more claims that get filled.
Job growth is also determined by the amount of jobs that are actually needed vs created.
Job growth was high after Carter. Only because there were so many jobs needed.
Jersey, When I read others’ arguments, I use what I think I know and what I want to believe, but I also try to “get” their message…to see whether there is something I’m missing or a fact or logic trail I hadn’t previously considered. When you make blanket statements such as “Hopefully that’s what all the crooked contractors will be asking come 1/20/09.” it shows a narrow-minded lack of respect… of course, lest I jump to any conclusions, since we have been sparring for a couple weeks now, you may feel comfortable with a one-liner jab. Noted, and parried thusly…
In the grand scheme of things, don’t read into what I wrote earlier – just because one or two errant contractors are greedy doesn’t make all, most, or even several contractors crooked…but let’s not get facts confused with our biased talking points…
Al, c’mon, “But who will pay for the government programs I rely on to survive???” isn’t a one-liner jab??? C’mon man.
Micky, I don’t think you understand the nature of unemployment statistics. Perhaps Al can explain.
JMJ
Stop your dumb game, I understand very well jersey.
As far as statistics go. The ones I gave include job growth and all factors to determine the unemployment rate. If job creation were so poor the unemployment rate would be higher.
Get over it already.
Micky, using unemployment figures doesn’t work because they don’t take into account people who have been out of work beyond what UI pays them. In California, that’s 6 months and I assume it is pretty much the same everywhere. Thus, if someone is out of work for more than 6 months, they fall off the unemployment rolls and the unemployment rate goes down, but the person is still unemployed.
As for how historians will view Bush down the road, I remember the words of US history professor James Kettner at UC Berkeley, a specialist in colonial America, who was fond of saying that anything after 1826 was mere journalism. It will take awhile for Bush’s historical legacy to develop, but I have to agree with Jersey, I don’t think Bush will be judged kindly, falling in with the likes of Warren Harding and Andrew Johnson. I also think Clinton will fall somewhere in the middle, neither great but neither awful.
Also, UI numbers neglect under-the-table workers and account some scammers, further skewing the unemployment stats in who knows what direction. On the other hand, employers count as employed both people tat shouldn’t be and people that aren’t for the write-offs. So really, unemployment stats are pretty unreliable for anything other than calculating UI expenditures and the employment numbers of the most legit employers. These stats do have value, but they don’t give a realistic picture of actual joblessness, if such a picture actually exists.
Historians tend to be a little liberal (as is most of the academe) too, Micky, so Bush won’t fare well with most of them, anyway. On the other hand, Truman, for example, was rather loathed when he left office (and left a semi-unpopular war behind as well) and now is popular with historians and apparently even Bush himself. So, one never never knows. But I feel certain that Bush won’t be remembered kindly by anyone – right, left or whatever. His legacy of is rather obvious failure.
JMJ
Jersey – You stuck it to me that time! “But who will pay for the government programs I rely on to survive???” isn’t a one-liner jab??? C’mon man.” I’m laughing…and the real funny thing is, I wasn’t thinking of you when I wrote it… I was thinking of the 20 something white female who heard President Bush’s SOTU address, listened to tax payers discuss how cutting taxes leads to more tax revenue, then blurted, “But I depend on government programs for my well being” or words to that effect, totally missing the connection between tax cuts and tax revenue – which funds government programs!
Lest I sound like a heartless, clueless fool, let me bore you with history…Mom had an 8th grade education. Dad worked for a power company. Pole broke when he was up high, he became disabled. His lawyer, unbeknownst to him, also worked for the Power Company. His “settlement” was tuition to attend musical instrument repair school…he opened a business, lost his butt, and the house, and then I go into a sad story about how my brother’s death in Vietnam paid the bills for a short while…then Mom gets special treatment – an opportunity because she’s an over 40 female – a UNION job!!! And because of Dad’s disability, he qualifies for government subsidized housing… Dad eventually got a government-contracted mail run (he didn’t skim), and Mom got her HS diploma, and both became tax paying, fairly successful citizens – and relinquished the government subsidy and became Republicans. My point is this: I love what the government can do to help people help themselves. The “leg up” they gave my parents was great…and I like to use that “leg up” to mark my future territory.
Greg, Jersey.
The survey done by the Dept of labor was a household survey. Not an internal document survey.
As a student of history, I can tell you with absolute certainly that history will most definitely not look kindly on this horrific failure of a president.
You’ve got a lot of studenting to do before you can begin teaching.
On a more serious note, with this POTUS on his way out, we better start gathering around a candidate. With Thompson and The Mayor being out of it, we likely have to get behing Romney.
McCain is likely to throw a tantrum in the middle of a presidential election. We shouldn’t risk a stunt like that giving the election to Obomber or Monica Lewinskys ex-boyfriends wife.
I have no idea if you are for real or a “paid blogger”.
I hope you are getting paid to write this total and utter fiction, because you could command a high salary for producing level of fictitious literature.
*”As a student of history, I can tell you with absolute certainly that history will most definitely not look kindly on this horrific failure of a president.”*
I very much doubt that, he will be remembered as the president who was elected by fraudulent means, who presided over genocidal wars of aggression fought upon illegal basis, mass murder, torture, destruction of the US constitution and false flag terrorism.
However as a “student of history” you certainly are doing your best at distorting your alleged subject.
One thing is for certain your words will not form reliable historic source material in the future, unless being studied as part of a course on paid blogs, disinformation in the electronic age and as a general example propagandistic techniques in the 21st century.
For you to burn in hell for an eternity would be generous punishment.
Hallowed,
Silly caricatures aside (tantrum? puh-lease), you’d better get behind McCain. Theer’s no way the American people are going for another establishment Republican. not after the complete failure of the last one. Didn’t you see what happened yesterday? More Dems than GOPers came out to vote – in Florida, where the snubbed Dems get no delegates! And the McCain inw there shows that GOP voters know who can beat the Dems – and it ain’t Slick Mitty. McCain is the only GOPer who consistenetly polls better than the dems in the nationals – all the dems. Romney is just a Ken Doll, brighter version of the failed ideologue we have in office now.
Looks like your the one who needs more “studenting.” (and if you think Bush will fare well with historians – you’re living in la la land)
JMJ
JMJ;
“Looks like your the one who needs more “studenting.” (and if you think Bush will fare well with historians – you’re living in la la land)”
Only the historians that agree with you Jersey. And since when do we let historians decide who is worthy of our praise or not ? We all know that documenting history has always been subjected to opinions and perspective,
For example when you say something like you just did; ” There’s no way the American people are going for another establishment Republican. not after the complete failure of the last one.”
That is a blanket statement that condems you to write an unfavorable history about the man, even before his term is up. Besides that, in no shape way form or manner has his term been a “complete failure ” any more than it was a complete success. You just dont agree with the man.
Learn the difference.
No, Micky, by pretty much any measure, Bush has been a failure.
JMJ
Here is a list of accomplished tasks.
We haven’t been attacked since 911. Did that ever occur to you ?
Removed Saddam Hussein from power, and his sons.
1. Banned Partial Birth Abortion
2. Reversed Clinton’s move to strike Reagan’s anti-abortion Mexico Policy.
3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton’s policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act.
4. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004
5. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman
6. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents
7. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms)
8. Signed the Teacher Protection Act, which protects teachers from lawsuits related to student discipline
9. Signed two income tax cuts, one of which was the largest dollar-value tax cut in world history.
10. Supports permanent elimination of the death tax
11. Turned around an inherited economy that was in recession, and deeply shocked as a result of the 9/11 attacks
12. In process of permanently eliminating IRS marriage penalty
13. Increased small business incentives to expand and to hire new people
14. Killed Clinton’s “ergonomic” rules that OSHA was about to implement; rules would have shut down every home business in America
15. Passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account as a result of corporate scandals
16. Reduced and is working to ultimately eliminate the estate tax for family farms and ranches
17. Provided $20 million to states to help people with disabilities work from home
Should I keep going??? Oh- OK. If you insist.
18. Increased the annual contribution limit on Education IRA’s from $500 to $2,000 per child
19. Make permanent the $5,000 adoption tax credit and provide $1 billion over five years to increase the credit to $10,000
20. Changed the tone in the White House, restoring HONOR and DIGNITY to the presidency
21. Has reintroduced the mention of God and faith into public discourse
22. Is working to provide vouchers to low-income students in persistently failing schools to help with costs of attending private schools
23. Increased funding for the Troops-to-Teachers program, which recruits former military personnel to become teachers.
24. Killed the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty
25. Established a $10 million grant program to promote private conservation initiatives
26. Changed parts of the Forestry Management Act to allow necessary cleanup of the national forests in order to reduce fire danger
27. Killed Clinton’s CO2 rules that were choking off all of the electricity surplus to California
28. Provided matching grants for state programs that help private landowners protect rare species.
29. Disarmed Libya of its chemical, nuclear and biological WMD’s without bribes or bloodshed
30. Continues to execute the War On Terror, getting worldwide cooperation to track funds/terrorists. Has cut off much of the terrorists’ funding, and captured or killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network
31. Killed the old US/Soviet Union ABM Treaty that was preventing the U.S. from deploying our ABM defenses
32. Has been one of the strongest, if not THE strongest friend Israel has ever hand in the U.S. presidency
33. Pushed through THREE raises for our military. Increased military pay by more than $1 billion a year
34. Signed the LARGEST nuclear arms reduction in world history with Russia
35. Started withdrawing our troops from Bosnia, and has announced withdrawal of our troops from Germany and the Korean DMZ
You STILL want more? UUUGH!! OK.
36. Prohibited putting U.S. troops under U.N. command
37. Earmarked at least 20 percent of the Defense procurement budget for next-generation weaponry
38. Ordered renovation of military housing. The military has already upgraded about 10 percent of its inventory and expects to modernize 76,000 additional homes this year
39. Brought back our EP-3 intel plane and crew from China without any bribes or bloodshed.
40. Challenged the United Nations to live up to their responsibilities and not become another League of Nations (The only President since the founding of the UN to essentially tell that organization it is irrelevant. He said: “The conduct of the Iraqi regime is a threat to the authority of the United Nations, and a threat to peace. Iraq has answered a decade of UN demands with a decade of defiance. All the world now faces a test, and the United Nations a difficult and defining moment. Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?” We all know the outcome and the answer)
41. Killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court
42.Told the United Nations we weren’t interested in their plans for gun control (i.e., the International Ban on Small Arms Trafficking Treaty)
43. Told the Congress and the world, “America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country.”
44. Improved government efficiency by putting hundreds of thousands of jobs put up for bid. This weakens public-sector unions and cuts undeserved pay raises.
45. Led the most extensive reorganization the Federal bureaucracy in over 50 years: After 9/11, condensed 20+ overlapping agencies and their intelligence sectors into one agency, the Department of Homeland Security
46. Converted federal service contracts to performance-based contracts wherever possible so that the contractor has measurable performance goals.
47. Strengthen the National Health Service Corps to put more physicians in the neediest areas, and make its scholarship funds tax-free
48. Double the research budget of the National Institutes of Health
49. Signed Medicare Reform, which includes: A 10-year privatization option. Prescription drug benefits: Prior to this reform, Medicare paid for extended hospital stays for ulcer surgery, for example, at a cost of about $28,000 per patient. Yet Medicare would not pay for the drugs that eliminate the cause of most ulcers, drugs that cost about $500 a year. Now, drug coverage under Medicare will allow seniors to replace more expensive surgeries and hospitalizations with less expensive prescription medicine.
50. New Health Savings Accounts: Effective January 1, 2007, Americans can set aside up to $6,500 every year, tax free, to save for medical expenses
51. Has CONSTRUCTION in process on the first 10 ABM silos in Alaska so that America will have a defense against North Korean nukes
52. Launched Operation Tarmac to investigate businesses and workers in the secure areas of domestic airports and ensure immigration law compliance
53. Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has conducted more than 124,000 port security patrols, 13,000 air patrols, boarded more than 92,000 vessels, interdicted over 14,000 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, and created and maintained more than 90 Maritime Security Zones
Are you kidding me? You still dont think that’s enough? OK- but I’m going to end soon. There are literally thousands more I could list, but there’s no way I am going to list them all!
54. Split the Immigration and Naturalization Service into two agencies: one to protect the border and interior, the other to deal with naturalization.
55. Signed the workplace verification bill to prevent hiring of illegal aliens
56. Established a six-month deadline for processing immigration applications
57. Killed the liberal ABA’s unconstitutional role in vetting federal judges. The Senate is supposed to advise and consent, not the ABA
58. Is nominating strong, conservative judges to the judiciary
59. Supports class action reform bill which limits lawyer fees so that more settlement money goes to victims.
60. Ordered former Attorney General Ashcroft to formally notify the Supreme Court that the OFFICIAL U.S. government position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports INDIVIDUAL rights to own firearms, and is NOT a Leftist-imagined “collective” right
61. Signed TWO bills into law that arm our pilots with handguns in the cockpit
62. Currently pushing for full immunity from lawsuits for our national gun manufacturers
63. Started the USA Freedom Corps, the most comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities ever offered
64. Established the The White House Office and the Centers for the Faith-Based and Community Initiative — located in seven Federal agencies
65. The White House released a guidebook fully describing the Administration’s belief that faith-based groups have a Constitutionally-protected right to maintain their religious identity through hiring — even when Federal funds are involved
66. Revised the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 rent subsidies to disabled people, permitting them to use up to a year’s worth of vouchers to finance down payments on homes. HUD has started pilot programs in 11 states
67. Committed US funds to purchase medicine for millions of men, women and children now suffering with AIDS in Africa
68. Exempt food from unilateral trade sanctions and embargoes.
69. Grant a complete tax exemption for prepaid or college tuition savings plans.
70. Issued an EO implementing the Supreme Court’s Olmstead ruling, which requires moving disabled people from institutions to community-based facilities when possible.
Only your hateful measures jersey.
Credit must be givin where it is due, even to those we oppose. Its the adult thing to do
Micky, I don;t know where you get these lists from, but if you make them yourself, then you’ve officially lost your mind! ;)
I usually don’t dig into these sorts of lists, but I’ll take a peek this time…
1. Banned Partial Birth Abortion – there’s no such thing, clinically, as a “partial birth abortion.” Late term elective abortion was already illegal. Late term emergency abortion remains, just a couple of particular procedures were banned. Verdict – useless.
2. Reversed Clinton’s move to strike Reagan’s anti-abortion Mexico Policy. – I think you mean the “Mexico City Policy.” How that helps anyone is beyond me. Verdict – stupid, mean-spirited, ideological, international failure.
3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton’s policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. – Abuses young pregnant girls. Verdict – lowlife policy.
4. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004 – all studies show AO to be useless, if not making thing worse. Verdict – failure.
5. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman – mean-spirited and counter-productive, still not passed anyway. Verdict – failure.
6. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents – was already law. Verdict – benign.
7. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms) – Hasn’t accomplished anything. The federal gov’t simply doesn’t have the power to do much with the schools. Verdict – failure.
Well, that’s as far as I’m going.
Bush is a complete and total failure. The vast majority of the American people are worse off for his presidency. He will be remembered as a terrible, small-minded, ideologue of a president.
JMJ
.” Banned Partial Birth Abortion – there’s no such thing, clinically, as a “partial birth abortion.” Late term elective abortion was already illegal. Late term emergency abortion remains, just a couple of particular procedures were banned. Verdict – useless.”
Since it was first coined in 1995 by pro-life congressman Charles T. Canady, the term “partial birth abortion” has been used in numerous state and federal bills and laws. But really Jersey, who gives a rats ass what you call it. Its reprehensible
“2. Reversed Clinton’s move to strike Reagan’s anti-abortion Mexico Policy. – I think you mean the “Mexico City Policy.” How that helps anyone is beyond me. Verdict – stupid, mean-spirited, ideological, international failure.”
Much like his jury ?
3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton’s policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. – Abuses young pregnant girls. Verdict – lowlife policy.
Actually puts parents in charge of their kids futures ? Real abuse is a parent that is denied access to its own kids medical issues. Parents must give authorization before any medical procedure is performed on their children.
“4. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004 – all studies show AO to be useless, if not making thing worse. Verdict – failure.”
First year findings include:
Students in abstinence education programs were more supportive of abstinence and less supportive of teen sex than students not in the programs.
Students in abstinence education programs had an increased awareness of the possible consequences of teen and non marital sex.
Youth in both the experimental and control groups reported similar scores in areas such as support for marriage, self image, perceptions of peer pressure to have sex, and friends support for abstinence.
Not useless Jersey, not useless at all to teach kids to practice a little decision making
“5. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman – mean-spirited and counter-productive, still not passed anyway. Verdict – failure. ”
Not yet
“6. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents – was already law. Verdict – benign.”
Not benign at all jersey, amended. the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), as amended in June 2003, requires that every State conduct criminal background checks for all adults residing in prospective adoptive or foster family households.
See 42 U.S.C. 671(a)(20). States have had the option to opt out of these requirements if the Governor of a State has notified the Secretary of Health and Human Services in writing that the State has elected to make the title IV-E requirements inapplicable to the State, or if the State legislature, by law, has elected to make the requirements inapplicable to the State (42 USC 671(a)(20)(B). As of August 2006, Arizona, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Oregon had opted out. However, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-248) has eliminated the opt-out provision; States must be in compliance by October 1, 2008.
Noy benign by any stretch of yours or my imagination jersey
“7. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms) – Hasn’t accomplished anything. The federal gov’t simply doesn’t have the power to do much with the schools. Verdict – failure.”
Signed the Teacher Protection Act which protects teachers from lawsuits related to student discipline. The No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law by President Bush on January 8, 2002, includes a section called the “Paul D. Coverdell Teacher Protection Act .
Its law jersey, like it or not
Well, that’s as far as I’m going.
Bush is a complete and total failure. The vast majority of the American people are worse off for his presidency. He will be remembered as a terrible, small-minded, ideologue of a president.”
“Bush is a complete and total failure ”
I’m sorry but that is just one of the most unsubstantial and bias statements ever made.
It clearly shows nothing but radical ideological and juvenile hatred beyond compare.
Also, you seem to need to restudy the English language.
There is a huge difference between a “verdict” and an “opinion”
You are by no means a jury , a judge , or an executioner. You are just one man, to say the most.
You are a closed minded individual with no respect for a decent man.
I dont care if its one unknown citizen who says such nasty stupid things or if even Laura Bush said it. I will come after them.
The common sense is this (good luck)
Every president has had his failures and accomplishments.
Anyone who says that any president is a “complete and total failure ” is just a liar and a hate monger.
Jersey, Romney is still a relatively unknown quantity compared to McCain. Comparing national polling numbers is basically useless at this point. That’s expected from you since democrats live and die by polling numbers.
Besides that, it;s far too early to be making decisions based on polling numbers. We both know that.
And to be completely honest, If McCain gets the nod, we end up with two donks running for president. If that’s the case, I would vote for the real one. (Hillary(!))
Jersey, Romney is still a relatively unknown quantity compared to McCain. Comparing national polling numbers is basically useless at this point. That’s expected from you since democrats live and die by polling numbers.
Besides that, it;s far too early to be making decisions based on polling numbers. We both know that.
And to be completely honest, If McCain gets the nod, we end up with two donks running for president. If that’s the case, I would vote for the real one. (Hillary(!))
“Winston Farenheight” is a troll. He used an uncreative fake email address to spew hatred.
I let his comments stand because they remind me of what a typical liberal sounds like. I picture him as a college kid with empty pizza boxes in his dorm room and froth coming out of his unshaven mouth.
Further comments from him will be banned. He has outlived his usefulness here.
eric :)
““Winston Farenheight” is a troll. ”
Damn, I missed that one !
I would of loved to butcher some fresh meat.
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 01/30/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
Interesting article. ’ll check back for updates if you keep posting.
Thanks,
Dean