President Bush's State of the Union Address

In the “State of the Union Address” on the evening of Tuesday 23, 2007, President George Bush proposed a tax cut as his first priority; the economy, “Our first goal is clear: We must have an economy that grows fast enough to employ every man and woman who seeks a job…Jobs are created when the economy grows; the economy grows when Americans have more money to spend and invest...” Today our society measures success based on growth. But is growth a realistic, sustainable path for the future? Can we continue to grow exponentially while dodging ecological issues that may lead to economic and social collapse?
Is President Bush right? Although I am not a supporter of President Bush and his administration, his position on the economy deserves consideration. Can we really justify focusing additional attention and resources on the ecology when poverty is so pervasive throughout the world?
On the other hand, economic growth and environmental problems are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Many believe, like Bush, that economic growth will aid a sustainable future. “In this century, the greatest environmental progress will come about not through endless lawsuits or command-and-control regulations, but through technology and innovation.” Bush suggests that the theory of economics and technology will allow Americans to use our scarce resources more efficiently. Although new technology offers promise for reducing environmentally hazardous pollutants, technology alone does not offer a comprehensive, sustainable solution.
The Hudson River exemplifies a situation where a damaged ecosystem is trying to be restored through technological gains. The once prosperous industrial heartland has turned the Hudson River from a beautiful clean estuary into a dump. The future of this River holds great promise to our environmental condition. By restoring one of the greatest estuaries, demonstrate the need to stop this environmental crisis before it’s too late.
Bush’s solution to this environmental crisis is purely talk. President Bush’s policy fails to adequately address the broader concerns, but simply offers to puts a Band-Aid on them. Although attempting to display that he cares about the environment, President Bush lacks the courage to stand up and fix the problems that threaten to sustain our economic, ecological and social security.

State of the Union Address
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030128-19.html