Educate me...

For those of you who are pro-Bush it would be interesting to know why.  Forget for a moment about the person he\'s running against.  I just want to know what Bush has done to make you believe he should run the country for another four years.  

Those of you who are anti-Bush perhaps you could shed some light on the issues.

Please be as objective as possible.  

Kerry is not to be brought up, thank you.  Oh and Gigashadow, if you could so kindly not throw your political savvy in our face that would be nice too.

Sorry you can\'t bring up why you like someone without mentioning the opponent for a comparison.  

Cut and paste of my post from another thead in this forum:

Actually in this election the Democrats don\'t have any solid issues or plans. In past elections - such as when Clinton ran he had a plan. Kerry on the other hand lacks any kind of plan because he is too busy trying to appease all the different factions within the DNC. This the precise reason I really liked the RNC in NY. Things I don\'t agree with the Republicans on - abortion and religion - where not talked about much - only hinted at. They focused on terrorism and I for one think that is the number one priority for this country. A lot will disagree with me and say that economy should be the number one issue. I would agree if I thought the economy were in worse shape than it was say 5 years ago. The truth is it isn\'t.  After 9/11 Bush reassured the country that we were safe and that those responsible would be brought to justice - granted it wouldn\'t happen overnight, but his speech at the ruins of WTC reassured Americans that we would be allright.

Homeownership is at an all time high and that includes record highs for minorities as well.  Bush has spent more than any other President on education and his "no child left behind" policy is making sure every child regardless of income or race will have the same education.  Instead of giving "special tests" for certain groups everyone will have the same test.  It takes work to get ahead in this country and those who work will succeed.  That is the way it should be.  We should be a country where people aren\'t graded academically on their race and where we reward hard work instead of laziness.  This country doesn\'t owe any one group anything.  You make your own way and that is what I like about the Republicans.

The only thing that could throw our recovery off track is another terrorist attack on US soil. So you see the economy and terrorism are related to each other in that keeping this country safe, which I think Kerry can not do adequately, is the top priority. Homeland Security and the Patriot Act which love to be focal points of liberal criticism have so far prevented another attack in our country. Do I believe we are safe just because Bush is in office? No. I believe we are safer with him in office as opposed to Kerry.

Homeownership is at an all time high and that includes record highs for minorities as well. Bush has spent more than any other President on education and his "no child left behind" policy is making sure every child regardless of income or race will have the same education. Instead of giving "special tests" for certain groups everyone will have the same test. It takes work to get ahead in this country and those who work will succeed. That is the way it should be. We should be a country where people aren\'t graded academically on their race and where we reward hard work instead of laziness. This country doesn\'t owe any one group anything. You make your own way and that is what I like about the Republicans.

This is what I was looking for.  I want to know more about what Bush is doing, says he will do.

I certainly don\'t care for his stance on gay marriage, the environment, or abortion rights.  I also don\'t care that he "talks to god" for answers, that\'s not comforting in the least.  He\'s a bit too conservative for my liking HOWEVER if he\'s the better man to do the job then he\'ll have my vote but I want to know what his objectives are first, both the high\'s and the low\'s.  

This is a thread about bush and that\'s all, NO KERRY, please.

Some more on Bush and his agenda for the next 4 years:

Reforming America’s High Schools: President Bush will provide $250 million annually to extend state assessment of student reading and math skills.

Tax Reform: President Bush will work to make the tax code simpler for taxpayers, encourage saving and investment, and improve the economy’s ability to create jobs and raise wages.

Helping the Working Uninsured by Expanding Health Savings Accounts: President Bush will propose a tax credit for Health Savings Account contributions to help individuals and families who work for small businesses fund their Health Savings Accounts.

Make Health Care Accessible: President Bush will call for a community health center in every poor county in America.

As much as we all would love free national health care.  It is simply not possible with our population.  If you know a Canadian ask them how long it takes them to see a doctor and then ask them if they have a choice in the doctor they see.  Personally, I don\'t feel like having to wait 6 months for a doctors appointment.  National health care is great for small (population) socialist countries, but it would never work in the US.  

Homeownership: President Bush will provide assistance to help America to meet his new goal of creating 7 million new, affordable homes in 10 years.

I have bought 2 homes since GWB has been in office.

Social Security Reform: President Bush will strengthen and enhance Social Security, guaranteeing no changes in benefits for current retirees and near-retirees, while giving younger workers the opportunity to use their Social Security payroll taxes to build a nest egg for retirement that can be passed on to their families.

The one thing I can say about Alabama that they do right is personal retirement accounts for all government employees.  In one year I have put aside $13k that is earning interest - it is a good idea.

Help Small Businesses: President Bush will help small businesses in a number of ways, including by allowing them to band together to provide more affordable health care for their employees through Association Health Plans.

This is a realistic goal - I work in a place that has less than 25 employees and I pay $445 a month for my families health insurance (spouse and 1 child).  If were able to combine our policy with another agency we would pay a much smaller premium.

Fight the War On Offense: President Bush will continue to lead a worldwide coalition to fight terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.

Intelligence Reform: President Bush will work with a new National Intelligence Director to improve the quality and quantity of our intelligence and our ability to disrupt and prevent terrorist attacks.

Troop Redeployment: President Bush will restructure American forces overseas to use existing forces more effectively and to support servicemen, servicewomen, and their families more efficiently.

Finally a plan for the post cold war era.

Welfare Reform: President Bush will continue to press for reauthorization of welfare reform and to build on its successes, strengthening families and helping more welfare recipients achieve independence through work.

I am all for this.  It encourages one to get off of welfare and be independent.  This not only strengthens individuals and gives them a feeling of self worth, but it also strengthens our economy.

Some things I don\'t like:

Faith-Based and Community Initiatives: President Bush will continue to support the good work of community and faith-based groups and help ensure that these charities can participate in Federal, state, and local programs without discrimination.

Don\'t really see a point in this...

Opportunity Zones: President Bush will create new Opportunity Zones, which will encourage public and private investment and provide priority consideration for Federal benefits to communities that are under economic hardship.

Mumbo jumbo about creating new jobs... I could be wrong, but I don\'t see this being very successful.

As I have stated before - I like a lot of things Bush does, but I don\'t like any religious overtones which is why I liked the RNC as it kept that to a minimum.

Thank you.

Being that I didn\'t pay much attention to the past four years, what all did Bush propose?  What did he follow through on and what did he fail to do?

Not looking for everythings, just some highlights

His three biggest domestic issues were:

Home ownership - very successful, interest rates are low and the various home ownership programs have made it easier for everyone to purchase a home.

No Child Left Behind - there were some kinks in that program, but I think it is more a state and local problem in getting funds to the schools and ultimately benefitting the children.

Tax Cut - I had a nice tax refund and basically I paid no Federal Income Tax this past year.

As far as other goals go... I think 9/11 pretty much interrupted anything else - how could it not?  It is not an excuse, but rather a fact.