2008 Woodie Awards
Congress has changed, but not our responsibilities
Kyle Miller
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Op/Ed
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Many students may not be aware of a recent speech by President Bush that received a positive rating by 78% of viewers (CNN/ORC-Gallup). However, as one who watched President Bush's successful State of the Union speech, it was clear to see that there were many issues of great personal interest and importance to our nation. This was also the first time that the President faced a congress composed of a Democratic majority. With this in mind, he argued that "Congress has changed, but not our responsibilities."
Among those responsibilities is the challenge to keep our economy moving said Bush, "not with more government but with more enterprise." He cited the fact that our economy was in its 41st month of uninterrupted job growth with 7.2 million new jobs. However, at least three important reforms face the new congress, these include: balancing the federal budget, reforming earmarks and taking on the challenge of entitlements.
Another responsibility to our nation, which was also one of the major disappointments of the last congress, is immigration reform. Currently, America's borders are not secure and the problems associated with illegal immigration are burdening our government and society. The President proposed a temporary worker program, because many illegal immigrants participate in an important and necessary component of our economy. Rightly, the president urged congress to resolve this issue "without animosity and without amnesty." Any solution to this issue must retain the American tradition of the melting pot and the hope which freedom and opportunity project throughout the world.
The President proposed and reintroduced solutions to help alleviate the growing burden of healthcare. These include Health Savings Accounts, Association Health Plans to help small businesses and medical liability reform to reduce "junk lawsuits." However, it is important to remember "the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors."
Among those responsibilities is the challenge to keep our economy moving said Bush, "not with more government but with more enterprise." He cited the fact that our economy was in its 41st month of uninterrupted job growth with 7.2 million new jobs. However, at least three important reforms face the new congress, these include: balancing the federal budget, reforming earmarks and taking on the challenge of entitlements.
Another responsibility to our nation, which was also one of the major disappointments of the last congress, is immigration reform. Currently, America's borders are not secure and the problems associated with illegal immigration are burdening our government and society. The President proposed a temporary worker program, because many illegal immigrants participate in an important and necessary component of our economy. Rightly, the president urged congress to resolve this issue "without animosity and without amnesty." Any solution to this issue must retain the American tradition of the melting pot and the hope which freedom and opportunity project throughout the world.
The President proposed and reintroduced solutions to help alleviate the growing burden of healthcare. These include Health Savings Accounts, Association Health Plans to help small businesses and medical liability reform to reduce "junk lawsuits." However, it is important to remember "the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors."