Radio Address by the President to the Nation, 06-11-05

WhiteHouse.gov ^ | 06-11-05 | George W. Bush

[Salvation]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 11, 2005

President's Radio Address

     Audio

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. As we enter the summer season, my administration is working hard to keep our economy growing and creating jobs. Next week, I will talk about some of my plans to help American families achieve long-term economic security.

On Tuesday, I will discuss Social Security reform with young people in Pennsylvania. I will remind them that the Social Security system is in good shape for their grandparents and for anybody born prior to 1950. I will also tell them that we must act now to strengthen and modernize Social Security so these young people can have a secure retirement. Our young people understand that if we fail to act, Social Security will not be sound when they need it. They know that the millions of baby boomers about to retire will live longer and collect benefits that the system cannot afford.

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As we make Social Security permanently sustainable, we must also make it a better deal for younger workers, by allowing them to set aside a portion of their payroll taxes in voluntary personal savings accounts. These accounts would provide the opportunity to earn a higher rate of return than the current system can offer. Personal accounts would contribute to the economic security of Americans by allowing them to build up a real nest egg, something they own and can pass on to their spouse or children, and that government cannot take away.

On Wednesday, I will address the Energy Efficiency Forum here in Washington, and renew my call for Congress to act on the energy plan I proposed four years ago. Today's high energy prices are like a tax that drags on our economy. We must ensure that American families and small businesses have access to a reliable supply of affordable energy. My energy strategy will lessen our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging conservation, promoting domestic production in environmentally friendly ways, and funding promising new sources of energy such as hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel. It will also modernize our aging electricity grid.

The House has passed a good energy bill; now the American people expect the Senate to act. For the sake of our economic and national security, Congress needs to get a good energy bill to my desk by August.

On Thursday and Friday, I will discuss a key element of ensuring health care security for our nation's seniors. The Medicare modernization bill I signed into law in 2003 created a new prescription drug benefit, so our seniors could have more choices and receive the affordable modern health care they deserve. This voluntary benefit begins next January, and seniors will be eligible to enroll starting this November. The plan will provide many options for dependable prescription drug coverage through Medicare. During the coming months, we will work to educate all of our seniors about this new benefit, so they can choose confidently the drug plan that best meets their needs.

Finally, to ensure economic security for all Americans, Congress needs to keep your taxes low and be wise with taxpayers' dollars. I proposed, and the House and Senate passed, a responsible budget resolution that meets our priorities and keeps us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. The weeks ahead will bring important decisions on government spending, including the highway bill. Congress needs to soon send me a fiscally responsible highway bill that modernizes our roads and bridges and improves safety and creates jobs.

Achieving economic security for all Americans requires us to confront challenges now, not pass them on to future generations. In the coming weeks I will work with Congress on all these priorities, so we can strengthen our nation's prosperity for generations to come.

Thank you for listening.

[Salvation]

For your reading pleasure as well as your comments!

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

** My energy strategy will lessen our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging conservation, promoting domestic production in environmentally friendly ways, and funding promising new sources of energy such as hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel. It will also modernize our aging electricity grid.**

What doesn't the Senate like about this?

[Dog Gone]

I think it sets out his priorities well. Get busy, Congress!

[Salvation]

** This voluntary benefit begins next January, and seniors will be eligible to enroll starting this November. The plan will provide many options for dependable prescription drug coverage through Medicare. During the coming months, we will work to educate all of our seniors about this new benefit, so they can choose confidently the drug plan that best meets their needs.**

So are the dems lying? Is there REALLY help for the 'social security' generation?

[Salvation]

**Get busy, Congress!**

Definitely bump that thought!

Maybe we all need to email our Representatives and Senators!

[Salvation]

U. S. Senate

U. S. House of Representatives

[blackeagle]

How can you expect to cut the budget in half by 2009 but yet have rampant pork barrel spending.. I see it as just another pipe dream. STOP THE DEFICIT SPENDING for the debt is a tax upon further generations!

[Founding Father]

I especially appreciated his strong stance against illegal immigration.</sarcasm>

[Christian4Bush]

** My energy strategy will lessen our dependence on foreign oil by encouraging conservation, promoting domestic production in environmentally friendly ways, and funding promising new sources of energy such as hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel. It will also modernize our aging electricity grid.**

What doesn't the Senate like about this?

That a Republican President submitted it? /opinion

[raybbr]

I want to know why he isn't pushing for more nuculer plants.

[Just A Nobody]

I want to know why he isn't pushing for more nuculer plants.

I believe that is covered in the following statement.

It will also modernize our aging electricity grid

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

"...and keeps us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009..."

What does this mean? I think he means to 'cut deficit spending' in half. What is wrong with having 'balanced spending' - no spending greater than income? If there is a finite limit on income (and there is), why not the same finite limit on spending?

[Just A Nobody]

That a Republican President BUSH submitted it?

You left out the key word!

[raybbr]

It will also modernize our aging electricity grid

I don't take it to mean that at all. To me, it means we will dump more money into the failing infrastructure while ignoring nuclear energy. Are there even any plans to build a new nuclear plant anywhere in the U.S.?

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

renew my call for Congress to act on the energy plan I proposed four years ago

Realize how happy people are to get a few nominations are that period of time, why the rush?

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

"...modernize our aging electricity grid..."

One clean, economic solution that can be done quickly is to pull out the stops on building nuclear power generation stations. By now we know how to build them without a 'three-mile-island' syndrome, and we know how to manage 'waste' from these new facilities. All we have to do it get the politics out, and maybe even get the private sector out. TVA was and is a viable, non-private sector entity. Something similar could be done for new power generation around the country. Grids could then be operated in a unified manner, reducing the probability of blackouts.

The second viable alternative is to develop 'wind generation farms' around the country. Obviously they should be located where wind is somewhat reliable. The latest wind turbine technology teaches that low RPM, with multiple blades is most efficient, and also operates effectively at much lower wind speeds. Low RPM is also beneficial from a maintenance consideration. Lubericants are available today that further minimize maintenance.

[Christian4Bush]

"That a Republican President BUSH submitted it?"
You left out the key word!

You're right...my bad. Just figured that they'd have a problem with any (R) president, unless he was a "moderate". I stand corrected.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

"...modernize our aging electricity grid..."

A further thought on this - the largest single item on my electric bill each month is 'Transition Charge'. This is everything the power companies could find and lump together when 'deregulation' occurred that has nothing to to with the current cost of generation or delivery.

Before regulation they could spend for just about anything and lump it into the cost of producing and supplying electricity. Then the various PUCO's would grant them rate increases based on all that, so there was no desire to be efficient or prudent in their spending.

When 'deregulation' came along, mandated by Congress, these utility companies were allowed to write all that off on our bills as 'Transition Charge' (Transition from 'regulation' to 'deregulation'). This is just a big rip-off for the consumer. And they still get to add this to your bill if you choose a different energy supplier.

With 'Transition Charge' out of the equation, we could have some of that money included to help underwrite the cost of 'modernizing the grid'.

[Just A Nobody]

Just figured that they'd have a problem with any (R) president...I stand corrected.

You are and were absolutely correct. I was just messin' with ya. We ALL know EVERYTHING is President Bush's fault!
;*)