COLUMN: The right side of the State of the Union
“Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: America, this evening, is a nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them.” These are the words President Bush used to open his State of the Union Address. In his address, he discussed the challenges facing this nation today. The president spoke on many topics, including the war on terror, the economy and social issues that are challenging America today.
Homeland Security and the war on terror were major highlights of the president’s speech. He called for continued action at home and abroad to defeat the terrorists and pursuit of a forward strategy of freedom to promote democracy throughout the Middle East. He called for Congress to renew the Patriot Act so law enforcement can share information, and better track terrorists.
America, with the help of other nations has ended the rule of Saddam Hussein and the people of Iraq are free. Collation forces are currently working to draft a basic law, with a bill of rights, giving those people something they have only dreamed of achieving. President Bush laid out the path of America and its role in the world when he said “America is a nation with a mission, and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace – a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and women. America acts in this cause with friends and allies at our side, yet we understand our special calling: The great republic will lead the cause of freedom.”
In the last three years America has had some trying times on our economy, we have faced a recession, terror attacks, and corporate scandals. Because of the tax relief the economy is stronger and in the third quarter of 2003 grew the fastest in nearly 20 years. Interest rates are down; home construction rate is up and over all production is increasing. President Bush called on Congress to make the tax breaks permanent, showing that Americans can spend their money more wisely then the government.
On social issues that surround this nation, President Bush took a moral stance. In his view, a strong America should value the institution of marriage. He rebuked the court and the “Activist judges” for their descions. He called upon the people with this statement. “If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.” I found it refreshing for a president to take a moral stance; especially where our current social structure is being challenged.
This State of the Union address did not have bold statements like his last ones, yet I feel he set the tone of the country in a positive way. He helped to motivate the nation and preserve some of its fundamental ideologies. To read over what he president said look on www.whitehouse.gov.
Spencer Lloyd is a junior majoring in business information systems. Comments can be sent to shlloyd@cc.usu.edu.