News Analysis Jeremy Martinez / The South Texan

President Bush leaves unfinished business

The South Texan

   On Jan. 28, President GeorgeW. Bush delivered his last State of The Union address to a Senate Chamber filled with a mixed crowd of supporters. Given the fact that the president has a dismal 30-31 percent approval rating, people are often reminded of the term “lame duck.”
   In his speech, the president addressed a variety of issues which many Americans are concerned about. The economy is a main concern. Many investors and people alike are concerned about the growing risk of a recession. Above that, there is concern that a few of the other important issues facing the U.S. like the housing market crisis and the lack of immigration reform are contributing to this potential economic downturn. In hopes of curtailing, what some consider the inevitable economic crisis; the congressional majority is considering allowing the tax cuts passed by the current administration to expire.
   President Bush seemingly disregarded all his unkept promises over the last six years, and was also keen on emphasizing the need to provide individual empowerment through decreased government intervention—perhaps evidence of yet another attempt to displace any blame that might fall on his administration’s already sore shoulders.
   President Bush, of course, discussed the war in Iraq. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Iraq’s defense minister stated that the Iraqi military would “not be able to fully keep the peace and defend their country until 2018.” The saga that is the military’s continuous involvement in an active war over the last six years is a somber reminder to some that their children have spent their entire lives under an administration defined by its “war on terrorism.” President Bush continued were he left off in his last State of the Union—not backing away from his commitment to democracy and the necessity of maintaining troop levels overseas.
   One of the topics the president has become more passionate about since the Republicans lost control of Congress in 2006 deals with the inclusion of earmarks in legislation. This is an important issue given that millions of extra dollars are written in by legislators to appease their constituencies back home. These stipulations, classified as “pork barrel” spending, have become a veto agenda for the president more recently. The lack of attention given to these types of measures prior to the Democrats taking control of congress adds to the argument that President Bush is catering to the partisan politics that has defined his presidency. For someone who promised the American public a more unified approach contrary to the typical partisan politics that have typifiedWashington, Mr. Bush is cementing his shaky and perhaps mediocre legacy as our 43rd president.
   It is important to mention the laundry list of other measures discussed by the president. Those issues are as follows: domestically —healthcare reform, education, immigration reform, research funding, environmental regulation, veteran assistance, judicial appointments, unemployment, and Medicare reform; foreign—genocide (Sudan), disease (Aids relief), Israel/Palestine peace, increased troops in Afghanistan, global hunger and education projects, and increased free trade agreements.
   These issues are indicative of a presidency defined by mounting problems and disregard for a comprehensive approach with real solutions. It would seem that the logical response to all these concerns is a look to the future and the possible change that comes with a new administration.
   Meanwhile, it is important to become involved in these issues while here at Texas A&M University- Kingsville and in our local communities.