Bush Declines to Support Ban on Gay Marriages

Despite strong demands for a strong endorsement of constitutional ban on same-sex marriages from numerous conservatives, President Bush did not support such a ban. At the Roosevelt room, President Bush said that he does not know "if it's necessary yet" to endorse such a ban and to " let the lawyers look at the full ramifications of the recent Supreme Court hearing." The comments come in response to the 6-3 decision by the high court on Thursday to overturn Texas' ban on sodomy, a ruling that some conservatives fear will pave the way for the legalization of homosexual marriages. Bush also commented, "What I do support is the notion that marriage is between a man and a woman."

President Requests for More Funding for School Choice

On Tuesday, President Bush addressed an audience at the KIPP Academy, a private charter school in Washington, D.C., and spoke about the future of school choice in the United States. In his speech, the
President emphasized the need for the parents of students to decide where their child is best educated and the need for schools across America to develop better education. In order to facilitate this, the President wants the federal government to help parents pay for private school, if they so choose.

The President stated that he was asking Congress for $320 million for charter schools. He also requested that $75 million would be allocated to what he called a "choice incentive fund." This fund is a scholarship given to families to pay for the school they choose. The President also mentioned that Washington, D.C., would receive $15 million of those funds. Scholarships could provide up to $7,500 towards tuition for each student. The President believes that these programs will allow parents to hold both private and public schools accountable for the quality of education through competition.

II's Greetings for a Happy 4th of July!

The Islamic Free Market Institute would like to wish all fellow Americans a Happy 4th of July! Please have a safe and enjoyable weekend celebrating our nation's independence.

God Bless America.