George W. Bush on the Issues
Also See: Al Gore on the Issues
Election
2000 Online Discussion Group
This is the place to discuss the candidates and issues of the 2000 Election.
It is politics, so almost anything goes,
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Budget & Economy
Public Statements
"I agree with the idea of trying to trim down budgets, John (McCain). But the best way to reduce the fat in Washington is to send money back to the people who pay the taxes. And that's exactly what I intend to do." -- Iowa GOP Debate 1/15/2000"Not only are my tax cuts real, they've reduced the baseline of the budget. And that's why it's important to cut taxes. It's important to cut taxes to give -- make sure the economy continues to grow. But John, it's also important to cut taxes to make sure that the federal budgets don't become bloated and don't grow." -- Iowa GOP Debate 1/15/2000
Defense
From Candidate's Web Site
"Governor Bush believes that a strong, capable and modern military is the foundation of the peace we enjoy today and hope to extend for future generations. The military of the present must be better supported and respected. It must also be challenged and transformed to become the military of the future. The right choices must be made to renew the bond of trust between the President and the military, protect America with an effective national missile defense, and create a military capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st Century."Public Statements
"The current administration inherited a military ready for the dangers and challenges facing our nation. The next president will inherit a military in decline,'' Bush said. "The best intentions and the highest morale are undermined by back-to-back deployments, poor pay, shortages of spare parts and equipment and rapidly declining readiness." -- Reuters - Aug, 21, 2000"'As president, should I become the president, I will rebuild the military power of the United States of America,' Bush told the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Milwaukee.'" -- Reuters - Aug. 21, 2000
"This is still a world of terror & missiles & madmen. We are challenged by aging weapons and failing intelligence. I will rebuild our military power - because a dangerous world still requires a sharpened sword. I will move quickly to defend our people and our allies against missiles and blackmail. And I will have a foreign policy with a touch of iron - driven by American values and American interests." -- Candidacy Announcement Speech 6/12/99
Free Trade
From Candidate's Web Site
- Would redefine relationship between China and U.S. as one of competitors, not strategic partners
- Supports 'one-China' policy
- Supports the Taiwan Relations Act
- Supports the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
Public Statements
"I’ll work to end tariffs and break down barriers everywhere, entirely, so the whole world trades in freedom. The fearful build walls. The confident demolish them. I am confident in American workers and farmers and producers. And I am confident that America’s best is the best in the world." -- Candidacy Announcement Speech 6/12/99Discuss Free Trade with China
Read the opinions of others or share your own in this online forum.
Government Reform
From Candidate's Web Site
"Governor Bush believes a strong leader focuses on solving problems, not settling scores. As President, he will restore honor and dignity to the White House, and set a new tone of respect and bipartisanship in Washington. To restore confidence in government, he will: reform the budget process to encourage cooperation and prevent government shutdowns, attack pork-barrel spending, and return civility to the nomination process."Public Statements
"By trying to do too much, government has undermined one of America’s greatest strengths: individual potential. A government that overtaxes its workers limits the incentive to earn and to save. A government that hands out check after check undermines the incentive to work. Part of our legacy must be to restore government to its proper scope and role. A government whose tax policies create incentives to work, invest and save. A government that respects and nurtures individual liberty and responsibility." -- Powell Lecture Series, Texas A&M University 4/6/98
Gun Control
From Candidate's Web Site
- Supports stronger enforcement of existing gun laws, would provide more funding for aggressive gun law enforcement programs such as Project Exile in Richmond, Virginia
- Supports automatic detention for kids who commit crimes with guns
- Supports requiring instant background checks at gun shows by allowing gun show promoters to access the instant check system on behalf of vendors
- Supports law-abiding American's constitutional right to own guns to protect their families and home
- Supports the current ban on automatic weapons
- Supports banning juveniles from possession of semi-automatic "assault" weapons
- Supports increasing the minimum age for possession of a handgun from 18 to 21
- Supports banning the importation of foreign made, "high-capacity" ammunition clips
- Governor Bush supports voluntary efforts to equip all handguns with child safety locks. If Congress passed legislation requiring mandatory trigger locks for all new handguns, he would sign it. He is concerned, however, that such legislation not be seen as a panacea, because adults still have to be responsible for using the trigger locks and for monitoring their children's actions.
- Opposes government mandated registration of all guns owned by law abiding citizens
Gun Control Online Debate
Read or join in a free online forum dedicated to the gun control issue hosted by your About Guide.Public Statements
"Q: You are in favor of some gun controls? A: I’m in favor of keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them like felons & juveniles. I’m for enforcing the laws on the books. In Texas, we’ve armed D.A.’s with extra money to prosecute people who break the law. We need to send a signal to people, don’t be illegally selling guns and don’t be illegally using guns. The best accountability for somebody who breaks the law with a gun is called jail, certain jail." -- Iowa GOP debate 12/13/99
Social Security
From Candidate's Web Site
"Governor Bush believes Social Security is a defining American promise that must be kept. He will not change benefits in any way for current retirees or those near retirement. But to save Social Security for the next generation, he will lead a bipartisan effort to reform it by giving individuals the option of voluntarily investing a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes in personal retirement accounts. These accounts will earn higher rates of return and generate wealth that can be owned and passed on from parents to their children."Public Statements
"We need to take all the payroll taxes aiming for Social Security and dedicate it to only Social Security. We need personal savings accounts for younger workers. We’re going to keep our solemn commitment to people who’ve retired regarding benefits. I definitely wouldn’t [raise the benefit age] on people near retirement. I hope we’re able to keep the benefits the same for younger workers, as well. But the key thing is to have a leader to bring people together to solve the Social Security system." -- New Hampshire GOP debate 12/3/99Discuss Social Security
Read or join in a free online forum on Social Security hosted by your About Guide.
Tax Reform
From Candidate's Web Site
"Governor Bush believes that roughly one-quarter of the surplus should be returned to the people who earned it through broad tax cuts -- otherwise, Washington will spend it. His plan will promote economic growth and increase access to the middle class by cutting high marginal rates. It will also double the child credit, eliminate the death tax, reduce the marriage penalty, and expand Education Savings Accounts and charitable deductions. The largest percentage cuts will go to the lowest income earners. As a result, 6 million families will no longer pay federal income tax."Public Statements
"I’ll have a plan that reduces marginal rates to create jobs, but a plan that also helps struggling families on the outskirts of poverty. I believe that after we meet priorities, all that remains must be passed back to Americans, so it will not be spent by Washington." -- Candidacy Announcement Speech 6/12/99
Issues covered by other About Guides: (Select below)
- Abortion - John Aravosis
- Abortion (Pro-choice) - Margaret Sykes
- Abortion (Pro-life) - Christina Dunigan
- Civil Liberties - J.D. Tuccille
- Gay/Lesbian Rights - Deborah Levinson
- Health Care - Clare Saliba
- Immigration Policy - Jennifer and Peter Wipf
- Women's Issues - Karen J. Gould
Other Candidates' Web Sites
- Pat Buchanan (Reform)
- Dr. John Hagelin (Reform)
- Harry Browne (Libertarian)
- Larry Hines (Libertarian)
- Dave Hollist (Libertarian)
- Ralph Nader (Green)
- Howard Phillips (Constitution)
Election
2000 Online Discussion Group
This is the place to discuss the candidates and issues of the 2000 Election.
It is politics, so almost anything goes,
Presidential
Poll - NEW
Vote for: Browne, Buchanan, Bush, Gore, Hagelin, Nader or Phillips. See the
standings instantly.
More Election Resources 
Voter Information
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