>>March
      2, 2001

      
Congress, make love, not war

      
It's a new day on Capitol Hill.
      President Beorge W. Bush addressed Congress for the first time
      Tuesday evening with a clear direction and purpose, backed by
      simple, logical steps and plans. 

      


      His demeanor was calm, collected and confident as he spoke boldly
      about his federal budget plan. The logic was clear and simple
      as when he said, "education is my top priority." And
      his vision was obvious as he broke down the necessity of Medicare
      and Social Security reform. 

      


      According to the Washington Post, the "tax cut battle will
      shape the first phase of Bush's presidency." Many fear that
      the President's plan is too risky and will not leave room for
      our nation's needs. 

      


      Ultimately, they fear it will force us to go even further into
      a deep pit of national debt. Adversely, the other side wants
      more than what the president has laid on the table, calling for
      an even larger tax cut than his current plan. 

      


      After a cunning recognition of these conflicting views during
      his speech, the president said that his budget, boasting a $1.6
      trillion tax cut, was "just right." 

      


      He reassured the public it was responsible and appropriate. From
      this it was clear that the important thing we need to look at
      here is not what we're afraid of but what the numbers actually
      say, and what promises to bring the brightest and most stable
      future.

      


      When he spoke of education, disapproval could be read on the
      faces of a silent, mirthless group among the Democrats. However,
      he reiterated the platform on which he campaigned: if public
      schools cannot make the grade, then a form of education that
      can should be made available for those children. 

      


      Bush's proposal is a form of accountability that forces public
      schools to do their homework and provide students with an education
      they can be proud of. This proposal alone lays bare the president's
      true heart for America's children and his commitment to see education
      rise to peak performance. 

      


      Medicare and Social Security are bi-partisan concern. Although
      both parties recognize the need to provide for America's population,
      the controversy continues as all sides argue over spending and
      tax cuts. 

      


      Again, the President's plan makes sense. It has the potential
      to be fruitful as the "baby boomers" leave the work
      force and claim the benefits they have earned.

      


      In the end, the speech truly showed who George W. Bush is. He
      is a caring man, an intelligent man but most of all, he's our
      nation's commander in chief and he is doing something we haven't
      seen in a while­ leading.

      


      The issues he is addressing are complex and intertwined. With
      logical steps and plans he is breaking these issues down to make
      everything work. Can we expect his plans and results to be perfect?
      Of course not. 

      


      He would probably be the first to say that. However, what has
      been laid out is a solid rock to begin building the house of
      the new Bush administration and the bright future of this nation
      on which our future rests.

      


      The President has spent a good deal of his time since he took
      office, doing his part to bring about unity and bi-partisan cooperation
      on the issues of spending, education and Social Security. His
      proposal to Congress on Tuesday was the next step toward building
      on what can be a unified government. 

      


      The ball is now in Congress' court and there is no time to dribble
      around. They need to move quickly and efficiently, stowing the
      unnecessary baggage of disagreement, in order complete what needs
      to be done. 

      


      The clock is ticking. Let us not wait until time is almost up
      to try to put life-sustaining points on the board. The time for
      unity and progress is now.
 

      
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