It looks as though Bush and Republicans might be dropping Socially Conservative Agenda

[ck4829]

First, we have Republicans in Congress deciding that they will quit with the Federal Marriage Amendment bills for a while.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2699448&mesg_id=2699448

And now, take a look at this. It's what Bush is expected to address at his State of the Union.

The president is expected to address:

• Health care: Bush will propose a tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families regardless of whether they buy their own health insurance or receive medical coverage at work. Health care insurance would be considered taxable income, and people with more generous policies could face tax increases unless they change plans. The administration says its plan will help people who buy insurance individually rather than through their employers. The administration says the tax deductions will allow more Americans to buy insurance.

• Energy: Bush is expected to call for a sharp escalation of corn-based ethanol as a gasoline blend. He also may seek the power to raise fuel economy standards for passenger cars, probably as part of a plan to offer financial incentives for increasing alternative fuels. The auto industry has resisted upgraded mileage requirements and stressed a need for vehicles fueled by alternatives such as ethanol, diesel and eventually hydrogen. Bush asked for the same authority last year. Some Democrats worry the plan would give transportation officials overly broad authority to change the system and note the measure would not have any impact on current gas prices.

• Education: Bush will push for Congress to renew his education law, No Child Left Behind, which expires this year. Democrats have already signaled their intention to work with him but will expect him to go along with increases in spending. The law pushes schools that receive federal poverty aid to show yearly progress or face sanctions, including allowing students to transfer or demand extra tutoring.

Bush will also push for an immigration strategy that includes more than tougher border security.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070122/ap_on_go_pr_wh/state_of_union

NOTHING the 'christian' Right wants.

It looks as though Social Conservatism might have to take the back seat for a while.

[MadMaddie]

1. Another nail in the coffin of the Neocons....he waits until

the last two years of his term to try to salvage his legacy....

[Pharaoh]

2. Too little Too Late!

let's not let him fuck up anything else.

IMPEACH!

[roamer65]

3. This is all that matters right now...

VIETRAQ.

[Warpy]

4. Lord, how stupid is this bunch?

Most families don't PAY $15,000 in taxes, especially families in which someone has a chronic illness, usually the reason for being uninsurable. People who do are going to be forced to trade down to policies with high deductibles and high copays and shitty service, GREAT for their health.

Trying to force car owners to alter their engines to run on ethanol won't accomplish much except forcing up the cost of ethanol and give the meat growing industry a feed shortage.

NCLB, like all other one size fits all education plans, has been an underfunded disaster.

Border security is a flop. I know that because I live in a border state. He needs to go after scumbag employers who want docile workers who will eat shit for bargain basement wages. The laws are there, Mr. Stupid, enforce them.

[ellenfl]

5. it's all smoke and mirrors.

1. the admin is trying to get us to buy individual policies so big business will be off the hook. do you know what the competition is like for individual policies? there is none. one or two companies write indie policies in this state . . . if they will even cover you. that's it. the costs are high. and if you think they won't find a way to stiff us on the tax break . . .

2. ethanol uses as much or more energy than it produces. we need real alternatives . . . other than switch grass.

3. nclb is an unmitigated disaster. a quick fix won't help. we need real reform, not a bandaid.

4. forget about much toughness from this admin on border security. it wouldn't sit well with big business.

it's all a bunch of crap, just like last year's addiction-to-oil speech.

ellen fl

[emulatorloo]

6. Rhetoric and Lip Service -- remember his "liberal" Katrina speech?

When he promised to rebuild NOLA in terms that sounded as if he were the second coming of FDR?