Most interesting is that Kerry DECLINED to even talk to an organization called ChristiaNET. I suppose he feared it might tarnish his "image"? What a choice we have. One guy who we can't tell if he's genuine or not, stupid or not, and another who is blatantly anti-moral, anti-Christian, anti-family, etc. Unless Kerry changes a lot, I suppose you have to go with the guy who at least "MIGHT" have values.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President Bush Addresses the Christian Community
Houston, Texas – August 30, 2004
ChristiaNet, Inc. (http://www.christianet.com), the world's largest Christian website, respectively requested an interview with President Bush and Senator Kerry to learn of the candidates' views and then present them to the Christian community. President Bush addressed the ten major questions asked by the Christian community and Senator Kerry has respectfully declined. These issues were identified as a result of a survey conducted by ChristiaNet's 30,000 users within its penpal community. The questions were bi-partisan in nature and focused on the same key issues for each candidate.
President Bush gave his perspective on the ten relevant issues that are affecting the Christian community. He responded to questions regarding how his faith affects his policies, same-sex marriage, Internet pornography, troops in Iraq, abortion, Supreme Court judges, Medicare and Social Security, employment, terrorism in America and faith based initiatives.
President Bush's complete responses to the ten questions are accessible online at christianet.com. In addition to the interview results, the state-by-state poll results of how the Christian community would vote, issue by issue, is also available online. These issues are important in affecting the Christian community's vote in the swing states of Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon and Wisconsin as this could be a close election.
ChristiaNet's goal is to actively participate with ministry, business and political leaders through articles, polling and surveying that is of interest to the Christian community. With the utilization of ChristiaNet's Internet resources, leaders can address important issues to the Christian community. In addition, ChristiaNet can provide data to our leaders that would be valuable in forming ethical and family friendly policies that affect our society.
ChristiaNet, Inc. was founded in 1997 as an Internet marketing company with a focus on targeting the online Christian community. Since that time, the company has grown to become the world's largest Christian Internet website. ChristiaNet currently receives over one million visitors per month and has over 650,000 email subscribers. The company's hundreds of free resources include an online shopping mall, job and resume bank, Biblical resources, ecards, forums, chat, and friendship communities.
1. ChristiaNet, Inc. would like to thank President Bush for taking the time from his schedule to respond to the Christian community on these 10 important issues. Mr. President, how does Faith affect your decisions?
My faith has made a big difference in both my personal life and my public life. As President, I make decisions based on what I think is best for the country. However, my faith is an integral part of my life, and I cannot separate my faith from who I am as a person.
2. What are your views on same-sex marriage?
I believe that the union of a man and woman in marriage is the most enduring human institution. I called upon the Congress to pass, and to send to the states for ratification, an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of man and woman as husband and wife. I believe that the American people, and not activist judges, should make this decision.
3. How are you addressing Internet Pornography?
My Administration is aggressively enforcing laws to protect children from pornography and exploitation, especially on the Internet. I signed into law the PROTECT Act, which strengthens child pornography laws and gives law enforcement new tools to prevent, investigate, and prosecute violent crimes against children. My Administration has successfully defended the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires schools and libraries to filter content that is harmful to minors, if they are to receive Federal money for Internet access. In December 2002, I also signed the Dot Kids Act into law, which is leading to the creation of a child-friendly, online safe zone, where parents and children can trust that there is age-appropriate Internet content. All content on affiliated sites is regularly screened and monitored, making this a friendly Internet space for children to learn and play.
4. When can we expect our troops home from Iraq?
I sent American troops to Iraq to defend our security, not to stay as an occupying power. Our troops are performing with exceptional skill and courage, and our grateful Nation appreciates their hard work and sacrifice. We will maintain our current troop level as long as necessary, and not a moment longer. While our troops are in Iraq, we are also ensuring that they have the best equipment, the best support, and the best possible pay they need to complete their mission. Delivering Iraq from tyranny has required sacrifice and loss. We will honor that sacrifice by finishing the work we have begun.
5. What is your position on abortion?
I believe that all life is a sacred gift from our Creator. Throughout my Administration, I have promoted a culture of life in which every child is welcomed in life and protected by law. I support the goal of a Human Life Amendment with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. On my first day in office, I reactivated Ronald Reagan's Mexico City Policy because I believe that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad.
In 2003, I signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act to protect innocent new life and end the abhorrent procedure of partial-birth abortion once and for all. I protected all children who are born alive by signing the bipartisan Born Alive Victims Protection Act. And I will continue to support parental notification, so that parents are involved in the decisions of their minor daughters.
I also signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Laci and Connor's Law), passed with bipartisan support in Congress. This new law acknowledges the commonsense proposition that when a crime of violence against a pregnant woman kills or injures her unborn child, there are two victims and two offenses that should be punished.
6. What qualifications do you look for in Supreme Court Judges?
I will appoint qualified judges to the Federal bench who will strictly interpret the Constitution and legislate from the bench. I will also do all that is in my power to put a stop to the unprecedented and undemocratic filibuster of my judicial nominees by Senate Democrats.
7. What are you doing about Medicare / Social Security improvements?
Last December, I signed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 into law, which strengthens and improves Medicare coverage of preventive care and disease management and, for the first time in the history of the program, will offer prescription drug coverage to all Medicare recipients beginning in January 2006. As a result of the Act, seniors began signing up for new Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards this past June. These cards, which are available to beneficiaries now, are saving seniors hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year by providing discounts on prescription medicines. In addition to these discounts, seniors with low incomes are eligible to receive $1,200 in subsidies through the end of 2005 to give them additional help in buying their medicines. More than 4.1 million beneficiaries are taking advantage of these discounts, and more than 1 million are getting the additional $1,200. Signing up for these discounts is easy. Just call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.
Many of our seniors also depend on Social Security in their retirement years. In 1950, there were 16 workers paying into Social Security for every beneficiary. Now, there are only 3.3 workers supporting every beneficiary, and this number will drop to 2 workers when today's young workers retire. My Administration will keep the promise of Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen Social Security for future generations, without changing benefits for retirees or near retirees or raising payroll taxes on working Americans. Instead, we will add voluntary personal savings accounts to Social Security which - for the first time - would provide many low-income Americans with the opportunity to build a nest egg for the future and pass their savings along to their families. The bipartisan commission I created in 2001 laid out comprehensive plans to create these personal accounts, and according to the Social Security actuaries, these plans will help to strengthen the system permanently. I am committed to working with Congress to put Social Security on a sound footing for future generations.
8. What about the economy and creating jobs in America?
Promoting economic growth and creating jobs for Americans are two of the greatest challenges facing our Nation today. America has overcome recession, corporate scandals, and the worst attack on our homeland in our history. Our economy has moved from recovery into steady growth. And with GDP rising and inflation and interest rates low, this trend of growth and expansion will continue. The unemployment rate in July was 5.5% - well below the average rate during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Since last August, we have added nearly 1.5 million jobs, the unemployment rate has fallen in 49 states, and we have seen job growth in 46 states. here is more work to do. I will not be satisfied until everyone who wants to work can find a job.
My six-point plan to strengthen the economy will make health care more affordable and accessible; reform the legal system to prevent frivolous lawsuits that increase the cost of doing business; promote energy security; streamline government regulations, especially for small businesses; pursue free and fair trade agreements that create jobs; and make tax relief for families and small businesse anent. This pro-growth economic agenda will build upon the economic recovery and ensure continued growth going forward.
9. How are we combating terrorism in America?
Protection of our homeland is my highest priority. My Administration created the Department of Homeland Security, merging 22 separate governmental entities into a cohesive new department with the primary mission of safeguarding our homeland. Including the request for FY 2005, we have increased funding for the FBI by 60% since 2001, and it is now focused on preventing terrorist attacks. We passed the USA PATRIOT Act, the bipartisan legislation that equips law enforcement and intelligence agencies with many of the tools they need to track down and thwart terrorists. We have provided unprecedented levels of funding to support police, fire-fighters, and medical workers who are the first to respond to emergencies, providing more than $13 billion since FY 2002 for training and equipment. We have significantly enhanced security at the Nation's ports and borders. And we have taken steps to prevent and protect Americans against biological, chemical, and nuclear threats. Since September 11, 2001, we have increased funding for biodefense research by a factor of 30, secured enough smallpox vaccine for every American, and deployed advanced detectors to provide the earliest possible warning of a bioterrorist attack. I have also signed into law Project BioShield, a $5.6 billion, 10-year program to develop and make available the most modern and effective countermeasures to protect against anthrax, plague, and other potential agents of biological, chemical, and radiological terror.
My Fiscal Year 2005 budget reflects my Administration's ongoing commitment to America's security. Since 2001, funding for homeland security has nearly tripled, and next year it will increase another 10%. Compared to 2004, I have proposed an increase of $900 million for airport security, an increase of $450 million for border security, and an increase of $490 million for the Coast Guard for port security and other activities.
Most recently, I have welcomed the 9/11 Commission report; and I agree with its conclusion that our homeland is safer today, but we are not yet safe. My Administration is already pursuing many of the recommendations issued by the Commission and is examining the Commission Report to develop plans for further action.
10. What is your position on Faith Based Initiatives?
My Faith-Based and Community Initiative levels the playing field for Federal funding for religious organizations. In 2002, I issued an Executive Order which directed agencies to take steps to ensure that all policies are consistent with the principle of "equal treatment." Equal treatment ensures that faith-based organizations are no longer discriminated against by the Federal government and that no beneficiary of federally funded social services may be discriminated against based on religion. As a result of thi cutive Order, faith-based organizations are now able to compete for billions in grant funds along with secular organizations. And my Administration ha itted the first-ever grants to religious organizations seeking "Save America's Treasures" grants such as Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Grants to faith-based organizations totaled over $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2003, an increase of $144 million in the two largest Federal grant-making agencies (HHS and HUD) along with a surge in the number of grants going to first-time faith-based grantees. Many of these organizations are working in their communities to support substance abuse treatment programs, reduce recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their communities, mentor children of prisoners, and provide pregnant women access to vital services, such as parenting skills and information on health and nutrition.
This year, we are providing $100 million for my new Access to Recovery grant program which provides vouchers to those suffering from substance abuse to access a wide range of treatment and support services. Individuals will be allowed to choose the provider that best meets their recovery needs, including faith-based and community providers. My 2005 budget proposes doubling funding for this program to $200 million. |
