Tonight is the final State of the Union address by President George W. Bush.

The speech is on. President Bush began with recounting seven years of turmoil and debate, calling on the Congress for unity in Government. Bush calls on the Congress to make tax relief permanent. If any bills to raise taxes reach my desk I will veto it. The budget that I will submit will keep us on track for a budget surplus in 2012. The American families have to balance their budget – so should government. This time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut earmarks in half i will send it back with my veto.Tomorrow I will issue an Executive order to all federal agencies to not spend any money not voted on by congress.

These are difficult times for many American families… we share a common goal – making health care more accessible and affordable for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice – not government control… We must confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits… We must make sure all medical decisions are made in the doctors office, not in the Congress… No Child Left Behind has produced higher test scores…

We must trust Americans workers by allowing them to compete with the world… Opening new markets by passing free trade agreements… These actions will open up 100 million customers… Trade brings better jobs, better choices, and a better life.

We must have a better energy policy… Lets us fund new technology to getter use coal power while captureing carbon emissions, let us continue investing in battery tech… Let us complete and international agreement that helps to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases…

We must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers… We must double federal support to research in the physical sciences… We must trust in the innovative spirit of medical research…

On matters of Justice and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says… Many of these nominees are being delayed…

Entitlement spending and immigration. Entitlements, like social security and medicaid, are growing faster than we can afford… I have laid out proposals… now I ask the congress to lay out their solutions…

Immigration – we must secure our borders. We need to acknowledged that we can never secure our borders until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy. We must find a way to humanely deal with the immigrants who are here now.

Foreign Policy – We trust that people when given a chance will choose freedom and peace… The images of liberty have inspired us… We have also seen images that have sobered us… Assassinations… bombs… 911… These images serve as a grim reminder…We will deliver justice to our enemies…

Iraq… The surge is working… Today it is Al Qaeda who is looking for safe passage… Al Qaeda is on the run and this enemy will be defeated… Today our troops are beginning to come home… Any further draw down will be based on conditions in Iraq… The enemy has made its intentions clear… We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated…

We will do everything we can do to assure and independent Palestinian state by the end of this year. The time has come for Israel and Palestine to stand in peace.

Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, enriching uranium, we have no quarrel with the people of Iran. The leaders must know that we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf…

We must pass legislation, or continue legislation, to track terrorists by unwarranted wiretaps…

America opposes genocide in Sudan… We support freedom in other countries…

Tonight our nations honors our military families…

God Bless America.

See Commentary at: Bush, no sacrifice – no hope