Jan
29
2008
George W. Bush 2008 State of the Union Redux
Here is a comparison of the 2003 State of the Union speech and the 2008 speech. Looks like there was a lot promised back in 2003, as well as some “promises”…Too much FUD here for me to enumerate one by one. Come to your own conclusions. I think the key words though are:
Terrorists
Iran
Uranium
Defend
| Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens. | You and I serve our country in a time of great consequence. During this session of Congress, we have the duty to reform domestic programs vital to our country, we have the opportunity to save millions of lives abroad from a terrible disease. We will work for a prosperity that is broadly shared, and we will answer every danger and every enemy that threatens the American people |
| Yet history will record that amid our differences we acted with purpose, and together we showed the world the power and resilience of American self-government. | In all these days of promise and days of reckoning, we can be confident.During the last two years we have seen what can be accomplished when we work together. |
| To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. | Our first goal is clear: We must have an economy that grows fast enough to employ every man and woman who seeks a job. |
| We have other work to do on taxes. Unless Congress acts, most of the tax relief we’ve delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. | If this tax relief is good for Americans three or five or seven years from now, it is even better for Americans today. |
| Next week, I’ll send you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs, totaling more than $18 billion. The budget that I’ll submit will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. | The best way to address the deficit and move toward a balanced budget is to encourage economic growth and to show some spending discipline in Washington, D.C. |
| Congress must also expand health savings accounts, create association health plans for small businesses, promote health information technology and confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits. | To improve our health care system, we must address one of the prime causes of higher cost: the constant threat that physicians and hospitals will be unfairly sued. |
| To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. | I have sent you a comprehensive energy plan to promote energy efficiency and conservation, to develop cleaner technology, and to produce more energy at home. |
| Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future.To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. | With a new national commitment, our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles to taking these cars from laboratory to showroom, so that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free. |
| And so I call on Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting or cloning of human life. | And because no human life should be started or ended as the object of an experiment, I ask you to set a high standard for humanity and pass a law against all human cloning. |
| My fellow Americans, we will not rest either. We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated. | Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people. |
| Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas’ efforts to undermine peace in the Holy Land. | Different threats require different strategies. In Iran we continue to see a government that represses its people, pursues weapons of mass destruction and supports terror. |
| Tehran is also developing ballistic missiles of increasing range and continues to develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon. | The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon and was working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a bomb.The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. |
| Our message to the people of Iran is clear. We have no quarrel with you. We have respect your traditions and your history. We look forward to the day when you have your freedom. | We also see Iranian citizens risking intimidation and death as they speak out for liberty and human rights and democracy. Iranians, like all people, have a right to choose their own government, and determine their own destiny, and the United States supports their aspirations to live in freedom. |
Here is the 2008 Speech…
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