Bush Hints at What He'd Do in Another Term- "new era of ownership" [View All]

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bush22jul22.story

Bush Hints at What He'd Do in Another Term"new era of ownership"
By Peter Wallsten
Times Staff Writer

July 22, 2004

WASHINGTON — For the first time in his reelection campaign, President Bush on Wednesday hinted that another four years in the White House could bring major changes to the nation's healthcare and retirement programs.

In a half-hour address to 7,000 Republican donors, Bush promised a "new era of ownership" that would give Americans more control over their health insurance and savings plans and make healthcare less expensive. Though he offered few specifics, it was the president's strongest suggestion yet that he would forge ahead with a plan to create private retirement savings and health accounts.

Many Democrats have opposed such plans, saying they place benefits further out of reach for middle- and low-income people. But on Wednesday, Bush indicated that he would offer the proposals on the campaign trail in populist terms.

"During the next four years, we'll help more citizens to own their health plan, to own a piece of their retirement, to own their own home or their own small business," Bush said. "We'll usher in a new era of ownership in America with an agenda to help all our citizens save and build and invest so every person owns a part of the American dream."

The president's comments signaled a return to his 2000 theme of "compassionate conservatism," a mantra intended to appeal to moderate swing voters who supported government's role in such areas as public education while also appeasing a conservative base wary of the mounting budget deficit.<snip>


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"new era of ownership" means End Soc. Sec & Medicare & employer provided benefits-GOP Cong. Ryan (R-WI) -From Congressman Ryan's Speech quoted by BCG Insider newsletter volume 3 - edition 4 - July 2004, and as he has stated at CATO and on Fox News)


This election is the most important in decades. It will determine if we ....return to the undesirable history of Social Security and Medicare and other defined benefits....

Social Security and Medicare are based on collectivism.

(Election will determine if we continue to move to) ... a society built on individual responsibility.

IRA and Health savings accounts should define the future

Employers should facilitate access, not provide benefits.