Again...Sorry. I figured I'd end up being behind someday. From now on I'll try to be better.
-- STATE OF THE UNION --
I'm sorry to say, it's been too long for me to remember the State of the Union clearly, so I'll try to call up points from memory and the Internet.
Admission of Recession . . .
The President admitted that our country's economy is in recession. This is the first time I recall him actually saying that. Before he's denied it. This leads us to. . .
The Economy . . .
The Budget, the President said, will help three goals: winning the war; protecting our homeland; reviving our economy. He also asked Congress restrain spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (That will be hard!) Bush said he supports "extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage". He also encouraged "investment in factories and equipment, and speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend". He asked that Congress pass his stimulus package.
Education . . .
Bush called for an upgrade of "Teacher Colleges" & teacher training, so teachers will be more qualified. He also wants a to "launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom". Bush said that "we need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs."
Oil . . .
They say at one point or another, every American is addicted to something! Who would have thought it would have been oil? Bush called for increased energy production, so we be less dependent on foreign oil.
Homeland Security . . .
The President said that his "Budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, developing vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases...increased funding to help states train and equip our heroic police and firefighters...improving intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States". Stricter border enforcement," Bush said, "will help combat illegal drugs." (How 'bout protecting us against people who sneak over the border?)
Stand and applaud . . .
All the Democratic Congressmen stood up and applauded when Bush pointed ou that his privitazation of Social Security did NOT pass. Bush just stood there, looking at them, not knowing whether to smile or to make a mean face.
Healthcare and Retirement . . .
He wants to enact a patients' "Bill of Rights", modernize Medicare system to include coverage for prescription drugs, enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. He also called on corporate America to be more accountable to employees and shareholders.
USA Freedom Corps . . .
Bush encouraged people to help each other, their neighborhoods, their country, and the world. He invited people to join the new Freedom Corps, which focuses on responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.
The Environment and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina weren't talked about that much . . .
It boils down to this . . .
It sounds pretty good, but unfortunately, only half of what he called for will ever happen, and half of the things that DO happen will be screwed up, and NOT be as good as it sounds. You REALLY don't need me to sum up The State of the Union for you. It is, sadly, just like the other ones. It all sounds good, but you he doesn't get down into the facts of each of these things.
Where will all the money come from? What will be lost in comittees to get these programs passed? This speech promises the same things as last year.
To sum it up . . .
You either like it, or you don't!
For a transcript or to watch the speech, go to:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html
-- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT --
They just grow up so fast . . .
Justice Samuel Alito made his first vote late last week. He split with Conservative Justices Roberts, Scalia, & Thomas, instead voting with the Liberals on the Court, upholding a stay of execution in Missouri.
In a 6-3 decision, The Supreme Court stayed the execution of Michael Taylor, who was convicted in 1989 of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Ann Harrison, a 15-year-old in Kansas City, Missouri.
Conservatives are saying this shows that he can be non-partisan. But making one vote to uphold a temporary stay does NOT prove to me, nor many others, that he is the best for the job. I'm not convinced yet, but as I have said before, only time will tell . . .
IAEA Referral . . .
The IAEA, the United Nation's nuclear watchdog group, recommended sanctions against Iran to the U.N. Security Council. That kind of pissed off Iran. If the Security Council decides to enact sanctions, which could be cut-offs in trade, U.N. troops in Iran, etc., then Iran may raise oil prices, or even cut off oil supplies to the United States and other countries.
The recommendations for sanctions are due to the fact that Iran is, most likely, developing nuclear power. While this COULD be used for energy, they are probably trying to build their first Nuclear Weapon. They may use it, or provide it to another country or a terrorist group.
-Adam
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