INSIGHT ON THE DOMESTIC ISSUES OF THE
2005 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

February 3, 2005

President George W. Bush illustrated his image of a better America for future generations relying on a plea to Congress that involved three major concerns for the United States . Bush addressed the state of the economy, specifically highlighting renovations necessary for America 's retirement plan, and emphasized maintaining values and free-democracy for the future. He stressed the pertinence of safety and protection particularly to secure values of free-democracy for the future . “Two weeks ago, I stood on the steps of this Capitol and renewed the commitment of our nation to the guiding ideal of liberty for all. This evening, I will set forth policies to advance that ideal at home and around the world.”

President Bush boasted of the State of the Union with a brief overview of the successful economy at hand. He continued to urge caution in particular areas of reform beginning with social security. “Social security was a great moral success of the 20 th Century, and we must honor its great purposes in this new century. This system, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy. And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security.”

With over 45 million Americans receiving social security, Bush warns that social security quickly approaches its demise. Social security was developed for an outdated world. In the early 1900's the experts behind social security accommodated the time and the needs of the present. The numbers of Americans who receive social security benefits have increased dramatically, while simultaneously the numbers of those in the labor force supporting these benefits have decreased drastically. Although initial construction of social security spending anticipated a deficit of this nature, the surplus that the government has received for compensation has been funneled to other expenditures. Bush's solution to the dramatic discrepancy between money raised and total costs of the programs involves a proposal that introduces personal retirement accounts. His proposition requires reasonable high transition costs, which he defended with programs such as Tim Penny's indexing benefits to prices rather than wages and Bill Clinton's suggestion to raise the retirement age.

Bush offered other attempts to cut government spending such as eliminating programs that have not yielded results in an attempt to secure taxes are allocated in a manner that produces more effective results. He commended the results of the No Children Left Behind Act, which has brought about higher standards in the education system and yielded higher test scores. He emphasized the progress yet to be made at the high school level, stating that “a high school diploma is a ticket to success.” Bush pledged to increase the number of Pell Grants awarded each year to help college students afford an education and assist in creating a more skilled labor force.

President Bush then addressed his next topic of concern, helping youths avoid gangs, violence, sex and drugs. He introduced a new plan to be directed by First Lady Laura Bush, which calls for a three-year initiative intended to safeguard youth from gangs and unfavorable conditions that promote violence or the mistreatment of women. He further emphasized the need for the reauthorization of the Ryan White Act to combat the effects of HIV and provide research for possible treatments in the future.

Bush also included a brief commentary on his Clear Skies legislation, which is ultimately aimed at cutting down on pollution from power plants in order to ensure a healthier environment in which to live. Bush further addressed concerns for the growing economy and discussed the growing concern about the rising cost of tort litigation in the American legal system The recommendations for tort reform include reform in class-action, medical liability, and asbestos lawsuits.