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August
27, 2004
Introduction:
President
George W. Bush’s first term has been among the most consequential and successful
in modern times. Under his leadership, the United States is waging and
winning the war against global terrorism. The United States and its coalition
partners liberated more than 50 million people from two regimes of extraordinary
brutality that had provided safe haven to terrorists. And we are promoting
democracy in regions of the world that have never known it.
The
United States military is receiving the strongest support from a commander-in-chief
in two decades. President Bush has taken unprecedented steps to stop the
spread of weapons of mass destruction – and he has signed one of the most
sweeping arms reduction pacts in history. America is in the process of
deploying a missile defense that will help protect the United States and
its allies from catastrophic attacks. President Bush signed into law landmark
legislation that better prepares our defense establishment to meet the
challenges of the 21st century – and he announced the most comprehensive
restructuring of US military forces overseas since the end of the Korean
War.
During
his first term, President Bush has signed into law three major tax cuts,
including the largest in two decades – and since the summer of 2003, America
has had the fastest-growing economy of any major industrialized nation
in the world. Under President Bush’s leadership, the economy has been growing
at rates as fast as any in nearly 20 years. The homeownership rate has
been at a record high. Interest and mortgage rates have been near historic
lows. The core rate of inflation over the past year ranks among its lowest
in 40 years. The rate of growth of Federal spending is slowing, jobs are
being created at a brisk pace (1.3 million jobs in the first six months
of this year), and the unemployment rate today remains below the average
unemployment rate of the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s.
President
Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act, the most important Federal
education reform in history, one that insists that testing, accountability,
and high standards will accompany record new resources. Medicare has been
modernized, prescription drug coverage has been added, and Americans now
have the opportunity to use Health Savings Accounts, tax-free accounts
designed to help individuals save for health expenses. Faith-based groups
are receiving unprecedented support and encouragement. And President Bush
signed into law the most far-reaching reform of American business practices
since the time of Franklin Roosevelt.
To
ensure the safety of our citizens, President Bush has implemented the most
sweeping changes in the organization of our national security institutions
since World War II. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security,
America has seen the most extensive reorganization of the Federal government
since President Truman. President Bush has proposed the most thoroughgoing
reorganization of the intelligence community in more than a half century.
And thanks to the USA PATRIOT Act, Federal law enforcement agencies can
better share information, track terrorists, and protect American lives.
President
Bush has strongly advocated open markets for American goods; affordable,
reliable, and secure energy supplies; and environmental standards that
are making America’s water and air cleaner. In the social realm, he has
championed a culture of life and a new culture of responsibility; the strengthening
and defense of marriage; judges who strictly and faithfully interpret the
law; and stronger work requirements for welfare recipients. He has made
civility a touchstone of his rhetoric. He has put together an Administration
comprising enormously talented men and women – and one with more diversity
in senior positions than any in history.
These
achievements are anchored in a set of core beliefs: America is a defender
and promoter of freedom – and the advance of freedom brings peace. We must
lead the world with strength and confidence. Religion should not be banned
from the public square. Government should encourage ownership and opportunity,
compassion and responsibility. The proper role of government is to create
the environment in which small business owners and entrepreneurs will take
risks and invest, hire workers and spark economic growth.
The
last four years have been a time of extraordinary challenges. They include
the horrific terrorist attack on the American homeland; global wars; an
economy that was sliding toward recession when President Bush took office;
and the revelation of corporate scandals long in the making that undermined
investor confidence.
Such
times demand a leader of clear convictions and determination, hope and
vision, integrity and the courage to act. These qualities are the hallmarks
of the Bush Presidency. There is much that remains to be done – yet as
this document illustrates, an enormous amount has already been accomplished.
President George W. Bush put forward a historically ambitious agenda and
restored dignity to the office he holds. He has provided steady leadership
in the face of unprecedented challenges. The United States is safer and
stronger, more resilient and better for his efforts
**I
have broken these chapters to individual pages or you can open the .pdf
file which takes aprox. 3 minutes to load depending on your internet connection.
Click
here.
Image
above
National
World War II Memorial
Memorial
Day weekend, May 29, 2004
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