The address to the congress by George Bush came one and a half years after twin towers’ bombing in New York. The US government was on high alert due to the threat presented to its national security by terror attacks.The address initially outlined measures to avert terrorist threats. Homeland security was set up with the sole purpose of fighting terrorism from within, while troops sent to Afghanistan had focused on dismantling Al-Qaeda networks (Congress 2002). The economy was on a downward turn, signalled by the rise in the unemployment rates.
The president outlines the first measure to fight unemployment as decreasing income tax. The general state of the economy was subject to criticism by a balanced budget and discipline in spending by the central government. It was important that healthcare be strengthened, making it affordable to the common American by investment of a further 400 billion (Bush, 2003). To achieve independence from reliance on fossil fuel, Federal invested funds in promoting efficient utilisation of energy and research in Automobiles and hydrogen power.
On the other hand, Bill Clinton speech came at a time when the economy was experiencing a boom (Gillette). The economy was on an upturn as indicated by the American cars sale surpassing those of archrivals Japan and the record-breaking opening of new businesses. The president sees America as a pioneer on many fronts and their policies focused on changing from industry to digital system (Clinton, 1996). The address points out that it is important to eliminate bureaucracy thus reducing central government expenditure. A balanced budget led to lowering of interest and the president took this opportunity to call for further negotiation on reduction of budgetary deficit.
Clinton admits that America’s young generation needed protection from explicit content in the media and massive cigarette advertisements. The president’s speech outlines policy measure that aims at sending more Americans to college and at the same time investing more funds into community service. Cooperation between the police and the community is central to fighting gangs in our streets while the congress enacts stringent measures to ensure ammunition do not get into wrong hands. The president made an appointment to re-energize the fight against drugs and its challenges. He added the need for the congress to reconsider their relaxation of environmental regulations. To reduce the federal work force, the government, through Al Gore, delegated some of the decision making to local power and in effect giving power back to average Americans.
The Bush government at this time had an uphill task of turning the economy around. This was the initial stages of what culminated into complete meltdown in 2007-2008.Policy formulated were to cushion the American population against tough financial times. Tax diminutions became effective immediately to ensure that Americans had adequate income after taxation. Clinton’s speech, acknowledged the economic abundance that the American people were experiencing; therefore, his policies aimed at capitalising on the gains made. Reduction of the federal workforce and budgetary deficit was his top priority as it would additionally reduce interest rates in financial institution and instil discipline on federal expenditure. In the wake of terror attacks in New York, the government had to put policy that prevented any further similar occurrence. For instance, it constituted Homeland Security with the mandated to fight terrorism within the American borders. Following Clinton’s address, America did not face any significant terrorist threat hence his policy concentrated on social programs.
References
Bush, G. (2003). Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union. Web.
Clinton, W. (1996). Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union. Web.
Congress. (2002). Homeland Security Act of 2002. Web.
Gillette, J. (ND). U. S. Economy Experiences “Soft Landing” in 1995; Look for More of the Same in 1996. Web.