George W. Bush took the stage last night for his last State of the Union address as the United States president. The speech represented an opportunity for Bush to provide some final insights about the country's development during his administration and to offer some advice to the presidential candidates in the upcoming election.
While the president covered a wide range of topics during his oration, there are several specific issues that the Technician feels are burning on the minds of college students. Had we been in charge of setting Bush's agenda for this speech, these are the topics we would have given precedence.
The Economy
The decline in the national economy is a concern for all students, but especially for those hoping to graduate this spring and enter the job market. According to U.S. Department of Labor's statistics from Dec. 2007, national unemployment is at 4.6 percent - a figure that represents about 7.078 million individuals out of work. These statistics indicate an increase of about 77,000 unemployed persons from 2006.
This decline is a trend that needs to be turned around in the immediate future. Bush is advocating for a $150 billon economic recovery plan, but as of yet it is unclear if this stimulus package will push the economy into recovery.
Education
Another subject of concern for college students is the rising cost of tuition rates - a problem that is exacerbated by recent cuts in Pell grants in the past year. According to statistics complied by the College Board, in the past academic year the average Pell Grant amount awarded to recipients fell by about $120. The organization reports that while federal grant aid has risen slower than in past years, it has failed to keep pace with inflation.
National Defense
The proposed withdrawal of troops from the war in Iraq is another key issue for the president. Bush has recently promised to pull at least 20,000 troops from the county by the middle of the year. Many individuals remain apprehensive on his ability to keep true to that promise. There are also concerns regarding the stability of the current Iraqi government and what new threats could arise within their country if we leave too quickly.
