Challenges facing the president: President George W. Bush has ambitious goals for his second term. But he faces many difficulties in meeting them.The day after President George W. Bush scored a decisive re-election victory, he held a rare press conference. "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it," the President said, using an economic metaphor for power. "When you win, there is a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view." In the coming months, President Bush will look to ride the momentum of his Election Day win. But if he is to have any success with his political agenda, he must act quickly, says Larry Butler
1. , an assistant professor of political science at Rowan University Rowan University is a public university located in Glassboro, New Jersey comprising 49 buildings. There is also a satellite campus in Camden, New Jersey. The school was founded in 1923 as Glassboro Normal School with the mission to train public school teachers. in New Jersey. "Bush has two years to pass his reforms," Butler told JS. "By 2006, he's a lame duck An elected official, who is to be followed by another, during the period of time between the election and the date that the successor will fill the post. The term lame duck generally describes one who holds power when that power is certain to end in the near future. ." The President's power was tested within weeks of his re-election. Some Republican leaders in the House of Representatives tried to block the White House-backed intelligence reform bill, which has since passed. By initially opposing the legislation, these leaders in Bush's party showed that they were willing to act independently. The bill grew out of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and is designed to improve homeland security Noun 1. Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Department of Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States , an item at the top of President Bush's domestic "to do list." Saving Social Security Overhauling (repairing) the troubled Social Security system is another priority. Bush's plan would allow Americans to invest a portion of their payroll taxes Payroll Tax Tax an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee. In most countries, including the U.S., both state and federal authorities collect some form of payroll tax. in personal accounts. The President believes that such a program would ensure Social Security benefits--the income workers receive when they reach retirement age--for future generations, including yours. But not everyone agrees that private investment accounts are the answer. One problem is that hundreds of billions of dollars would be needed to set up such accounts. President Bush also wants to reshape the federal tax code. His main objective is to cut--or even eliminate--taxes on savings, including interest, dividends, and capital gains. The President says that such a plan will help stimulate economic growth. But he has not made a final decision on what deductions to eliminate in order to pay for this loss of revenue (government income due to taxation). Cutting the Deficit President Bush would also like to cut the federal deficit in half. The national debt has swelled to more than $400 billion--the largest in U.S. history (see graph, p. 15). What caused the huge deficit? Spending on homeland security after 9/11 and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq are partly to blame. Large tax cuts also added to the shortfall. Cutting the deficit will not be easy, says Marc Lendler, an assistant professor of government at Smith College in Massachusetts. The President "would either have to raise taxes or cut all spending, including defense spending, substantially," says Lendler. "It's unlikely he will want to do those things." The High Court The President may have more success in Shaping the future of the Supreme Court. As many as four Justices are now considering retirement. "Right now, the Court is divided evenly between moderate liberals and conservatives," says Lendler. "After the next four years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Court will almost certainly lean in a more conservative direction." President Bush also has the chance to alter the course of history in Iraq. The President hopes Iraq's national elections, which are scheduled for January 30, will help bring the nation a democratic government. Pulling off elections will be difficult, but establishing long-term peace in Iraq will be even harder, says Allan J. Lichtman, a professor of history at American University American University, at Washington, D.C.; United Methodist; founded by Bishop J. F. Hurst, chartered 1893, opened in 1914. It was at first a graduate school; an undergraduate college was opened in 1925. Programs provide for student research at many government institutions. in Washington, D.C. "The insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. [rebels] are going to [try] to make it impossible to establish a stable democracy," Lichtman told JS. President Bush's ability to deliver on his promises will not only affect the lives of every American, but also shape his place in history. "Bush has to leave behind a stable, democratic Iraq and protect the nation from further terrorist attacks," says Lichtman. "He has to establish policies that promote ... economic well-being ... and an energy policy that doesn't degrade TO DEGRADE, DEGRADING. To, sink or lower a person in the estimation of the public. 2. As a man's character is of great importance to him, and it is his interest to retain the good opinion of all mankind, when he is a witness, he cannot be compelled to disclose [harm] the environment. A failure in any one of these [areas] could tarnish tarnish, n 1. surface discoloration or loss of luster by metals. Under oral conditions, it often results from hard and soft deposits. 2. a chemical process by which a metal surface is discolored or its luster destroyed. his legacy." Words to Know * agenda: a list of items to be addressed. * lame duck: an elected official still in office but not slated to continue. Your Turn
WORD MATCH
1. agenda A. income
2. lame duck B. rebel
3. insurgent C. reduce the
value of; harm
4. degrade D. elected official
who will soon
be out of office
5. revenue E. list of items to
be addressed
1. E;2. D;3, B;4. C;5. A THINK ABOUT IT What is the greatest challenge President Bush faces? Why? * OBJECTIVE Students should understand * President Bush's agenda for his second term includes partially privatizing Social Security, reshaping the tax code, reducing the deficit, and helping Iraq create a stable democracy. * TEACHING STRATEGY Ask students: "What kinds of decisions does the President make? What interests does the President have to balance in order to govern?" * BACKGROUND The U.S. Constitution states that a President must be at least 35 years old; have been born a U.S. citizen; and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. Of our 43 Presidents, 14 previously served as Vice President, 17 as Governor of a state, 15 as U.S. Senator, and 18 as U.S. Representative. * CRITICAL THINKING COMPREHENSION comprehension Act of or capacity for grasping with the intellect. The term is most often used in connection with tests of reading skills and language abilities, though other abilities (e.g., mathematical reasoning) may also be examined. : Why does President Bush say that he has earned "political capital"? (President Bush decisively won re-election last November. He believes this means a majority of Americans gave him their approval to act--as if it were "capital," or money to spend--as he sees fit.) MAKING INFERENCES: How would Congress's failure to pass the White House-backed intelligence reform bill have affected the President)) political capital? (The legislation's demise Death. A conveyance of property, usually of an interest in land. Originally meant a posthumous grant but has come to be applied commonly to a conveyance that is made for a definitive term, such as an estate for a term of years. in the House would have been embarrassing to the President and called into question his influence among congressional members from his own party.) * ACTIVITY PRESIDENT FOR A DAY: Ask students to imagine that they have just been elected President of the United States The head of the Executive Branch, one of the three branches of the federal government. The U.S. Constitution sets relatively strict requirements about who may serve as president and for how long. . Have students write an essay explaining how they would lead the nation and the world. STANDARDS SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * Power, authority, and governance Governance makes decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists either of a separate process or of a specific part of management or leadership processes. Sometimes people set up a government to administer these processes and systems. : How the U.S. President has many roles and duties, such as enacting legislation, commanding the military, and uniting the nation in working toward common goals. * Global connections Global Connections is a charitable organisation acting as a UK network of mission agencies, churches, colleges and support agencies involved in evangelism around the world. Amongst the several hundred organisations and churches that are members of the Global Connections network are many : How the U.S. President often makes decisions that affect the American people An American people may be:
RESOURCES * Bausum, Ann, Our Country's Presidents (National Geographic, 2005). Grades 5-0. * Dallek, Robert, Hail Hail, city, Saudi Arabia Hail (hä`ēl, hīl), city (1993 pop. 176,757), N central Saudi Arabia. The city grew because of its location on a pilgrimage route from Iraq to Mecca. to the Chief (Oxford University Press, 2000. Grades 7-8. WED WED. A covenant or agreement; whence a wedded husband. SITES * The White House www:whitehouse.gov * The American President
USA: CHALLENGES FACING THE PRESIDENT, PAGES 10-11 * Match the clue in Verb 1. clue in - provide someone with a clue; "Can you clue me in?" hint, suggest - drop a hint; intimate by a hint the left column with the answer in the right column. USA: CHALLENGES FACING THE PRESIENT, PAGES 10-11 * Match the clue in the left column with the answer in the right column.
--16. President Bush A. money; used as a
metaphor for political
power
--17. U.S. Congress B. have contributed to
the national deficit
--18. private investment C. did not pass the
accounts intelligence reform
bill on the first
attempt
--19. large tax cuts D. should experience a
decrease in political
power by 2006,
according to some
experts
--20. capital E. part of a Social
Security plan that
would allow workers
to invest a portion
of their payroll taxes
16. D 17. C 18. E 19. B 20. A |
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