George W. Bush 2004 On The Issues

President Bush's Agenda for Building a Safer, Stronger and Better America

In his 2003 State of the Union Address, President Bush told the nation, "We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, other presidents, and other generations." He has followed through on this commitment by delivering a bold vision that meets America's challenges at home and abroad.

Economy:
The President’s Economic Security Agenda
On May 28, 2003, President Bush signed into law a bold jobs and growth plan to strengthen America's economy and ensure its continued growth.

Homeland Security:
Protecting the American People
The President’s most important job is to protect and defend the American people. Last year, President Bush proposed and Congress approved a single, unified Department of Homeland Security to improve protection against today’s threats and be flexible enough to help meet the unknown threats of the future.

Compassion:
The President’s Compassion Agenda
In his Inaugural Address, the President called on every American to be citizens, not spectators—to work together to improve their communities and touch the lives of their neighbors. For the past two-and-a-half years, compassionate conservatism has been the President’s governing philosophy as his Administration has tackled some of society’s toughest assignments, such as educating our children, fighting poverty at home, and helping poor countries around the globe.

Health Care:
Health Care and Prescription Drug Choices
President Bush’s comprehensive health care agenda improves health security for all Americans by building on the best features of American health care. Our health care system can provide the best care in the world, but rising costs and loss of control to government and health plan bureaucrats threaten to keep patients from getting state-of-the-art care.

Education:
Leave No Child Behind
President Bush promised to make educating every child his top domestic priority and reform a system that has failed the most needy students in our nation's classrooms. He proposed a comprehensive, bipartisan plan to improve overall student performance and close the achievement gap between rich and poor students in America's more than 89,599 public schools. The President’s No Child Left Behind Act was passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority and is already showing results for America’s children.

National Security:
A National Security Strategy that Meets the Challenges of Our Time
Defending our nation against its enemies is the first and fundamental commitment of the federal government. On September the 11th, 2001, America learned that oceans will no longer protect us from the threats of a new era.

Environment:
Preserving the Beauty and Quality of Our Environment
President Bush believes that good stewardship of the environment is not just a personal responsibility, it is a public value. Americans are united in the belief that it is important to preserve our natural heritage and safeguard the land around us.

Social Security:
The President's Plan to Strengthen Retirement Security
President Bush believes that we need to explore new ways to ensure that Social Security remains strong and financially secure for America’s children and grandchildren. The President formed a bipartisan Presidential Commission to review Social Security and recommend reforms to put the system on sound financial ground. He has repeatedly stressed the need for modernization of the Social Security System. In addition to saving Social Security, President Bush has proposed solutions to strengthen pension plans and enhance retirement security for all Americans.