The 2007 State of the Union Address

President George W. Bush met with both houses of Congress this evening to deliver his annual State of the Union Address. He was introduced by the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history. The President was very gracious in his congratulations to the first "Madam Speaker". He called for a bipartisan efforts in several areas.

The economy was first on the agenda. The President addressed the economy on three fronts. He called for a balanced budget in five years. He called for the full vote of Congress on "earmark" legislation, and a dramatic cutback on earmarks in general. Finally, on the subject of the economy, President Bush called for reform for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He called for the trimming of public entitlements.

Next, the President made a short statement on education. He cited successes of the No Child Left Behind legislation and called for it's reauthorization. He called for increasing efforts in math and science. President Bush also said that the Federal Government needed to give State and Local Governments the freedom to make the needed changes to bring failing schools up to standards. He also called for the ability to be given to students stuck in failing schools to transfer to better schools.

The third item in the President's Address was health care. He acknowledged the government's obligation to provide health care for the elderly, the disabled and poor children. President Bush offered a policy of tax credits or deductions for individuals who do not get health coverage through their employers and buy it as individuals. He proposed tax relief of $15,000 for families and $7,500 for individuals. He also said that the States should receive Federal funding for State provided health insurance. He called for expanding health care savings accounts. He said health care costs cut be reduced by the health industry updating to better Information Technologies so medical mistakes would be fewer. He called for reform of medical liability issues and lawsuits.

Concerning a comprehensive immigration reform, President Bush said that The Border Patrol has been doubled in strength. He noted that a "Guest Worker" program would allow workers to enter the country legally and release the Border Patrol agents to spend their efforts combating smugglers and terrorists.

President Bush then turned to energy policy with some aggressive ideas. He called for the enhancement of the use of clean coal technologies, wind, solar and nuclear power generation. He encouraged the further development of hybrid electric, diesel and biodiesel vehicles. The President called further enhancement of methanol production using wood chips, garbage and other renewable sources. He called for the enhancement of all renewable energy resources. He wanted a 20% reduction of gasoline use in 20 years and the doubling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserves.

Regarding the speeding up of the judicial process, the President called for the rapid filling of vacant Federal Judge benches with a quick up or down vote in the Senate.

The War on Terror and the war in Iraq were saved for near the end of the President's Address. He started with pretty much the same language that he has used for the past four years. Then he cited several instances where terrorist plots have been foiled. He continued to call for an escalation of the number of troops on the ground. President Bush urged the Iraqi government to step up its efforts to provide security for its own country. He called for Congress and the American public to support our troops in harm's way and those on their way. Next, the President said that he was going to set up a bipartisan commission to advise on the course of the war on terror. He asked Congress to approve the increase of Army and Marine troop level by 92,000 over the next five years. A Volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps to assist and aid the military troops both at home and abroad was a new and innovative idea. Then the president noted other issues concerning the war on terror including the U.N. sanctions on Iran, the call for an independent, democratic Palestinian State, and NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan.

President Bush ended the State of the Union Address by calling for the continuation of the successful efforts to fight AIDS and HIV in Africa, as well as expanding the efforts to the battle against Malaria. He then introduced several Americans who personify the ideals that make America great.