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George W. Bush on Technology

President of the United States, Former Republican Governor (TX)


Manned mission to the Moon and Mars

Today we set a new course for America's space program. We will build new ships to carry man forward into the universe, to gain a new foothold on the Moon and to prepare for new journeys to the worlds beyond our own.
Source: Speech to the Nation on the Exploration of Space Jan 15, 2004

No “virtual people” in census; use raw numbers

At issue [with the census] is whether redistricting should be based on raw numbers from the census or figures that have been adjusted to compensate for people who were missed-disproportionately minorities, immigrants and the poor. President Bush has said he prefers raw numbers to adjusted figures, which Republicans say would add “virtual people” for Democratic gain. Democrats, civil rights groups and many city officials, though, say adjustment would guarantee equal political representation.
Source: D’Vera Cohn, Washington Post, Page A12 Feb 17, 2001


George W. Bush on Technology

Privacy is a fundamental right; ensure it on the Internet

Q: On Internet Privacy: Should the federal government step in to safeguard people’s online privacy or can that be done through self-regulation and users’ education?

A: “I believe privacy is a fundamental right, and that every American should have absolute control over his or her personal information. Now, with the advent of the Internet, personal privacy is increasingly at risk. I am committed to protecting personal privacy for every American and I believe the marketplace

Source: Associated Press Oct 6, 2000

Ban identity theft & safeguard genetic information

In Texas, I banned identity theft, safeguarded genetic information, protected driver’s license information and provided for a new Internet Bureau Task Force to combat emerging cyber crimes. As president, I will prohibit genetic discrimination, criminalize identity theft, and guarantee the privacy of medical and sensitive financial records. I will also make it a criminal offense to sell a person’s Social Security number without his or her express consent.
Source: Associated Press Oct 6, 2000

Fewer strings to obtain technology for schools

Bush proposed $400 million in new spending over the next five years for the Education Department to research ways that technology can be used to boost student achievement. Bush said that as president he would consolidate the Federal Communications Commission’s School and Libraries program with eight Education Department programs and free schools from the tangle of paperwork that makes it difficult to apply for federal dollars. He also said he would loosen restrictions in the FCC’s so-called E-Rate program, which seeks to wire schools and libraries. Under Bush’s plan, schools also would be able to spend the money to purchase computer hardware and software, and pay for teacher training. Bush said the top concern in his administration would not be how many schools “are wired, but what are children learning.
Source: Terry M. Neal, Washington Post page A06 Jun 20, 2000

Internet a tool, not a crutch

Bush’s $400 million plan would prod schools into using the Internet as a learning tool, not a substitute for real education. “Behind every wire & machine must be a teacher and a student who know how to use that technology to help develop a child’s mind, skills and character,” Bush said Monday. While Bush agrees that Internet access can help close the “achievement gap,” he says merely providing funding and Internet access runs the risk of allowing teachers to use cyberspace as an educational crutch.
Source: AP story in NY Times Jun 19, 2000

Tax ban keeps Internet growing & affordable

I applaud the House of Representatives for extending the moratorium on Internet taxation for five years. This is a reasonable approach that I have consistently supported. This legislation will provide time to analyze the full impact of e-commerce and ensure that the rapid growth of the Internet is not slowed by new taxes. I also support a permanent ban on all Internet access taxes & hope that the House will ban these taxes so that the Internet is more affordable and more accessible for all Americans.
Source: Press Release May 10, 2000

$20B increase in R&D spending; permanent R&D tax credit

Source: GeorgeWBush.com: ‘Issues: Policy Points Overview’ Apr 2, 2000

Technology programs are obsolete before they start

Q: Should we spend government funds to address the “digital divide?”
A: Our technology is changing so quickly that government programs are often obsolete as the marketplace changes. And I think about my rural Texas, where we’re going to have two-way satellite technologies, broad-width technologies that will enable us to beam information from big cities to rural Texas and I worry about government funding and government programs that are haphazard and will be obsolete before they’re even funded.
Source: GOP Debate in Manchester NH Jan 26, 2000

Internet may or may not help mom & pop - wait & see

Q: Do you support taxing Internet commerce? A: I support the moratorium on Internet taxation. And I’ll support it for another three to five years, until we know. We’ve had people on this stage say that e-commerce is going to help mom and pop business on the town squares all across America. They may be right. I don’t know and neither do you and so therefore I think it makes sense to extend the moratorium.
Source: Republican debate in West Columbia, South Carolina Jan 7, 2000

Extend Internet sales tax ban; but wary of Main St. losses

Bush and his fellow governors fear that a mass migration of retail commerce to cyberspace could decimate Main Street - and drain state treasuries of sales tax revenue. At first the governor said his next move would depend on the recommendations by the [bipartisan commission which is studying what to do about Internet sales taxes, due in April 2000]. Now he says he wants to extend the ban for “several” years.
Source: Newsweek, p. 31 Dec 20, 1999

V-chip OK, but cultural changes are better

On questions relating to the influence of popular culture, Bush said he had no problem with Clinton’s initiative to require a V-chip in televisions that parents could use to block objectionable material. He also said the kind of ‘tools’ for parents Clinton has proposed (such as the V-chip and a television rating system) are less important than cultural changes. “The fundamental question is going to be, can America rededicate itself to parenting as the No. 1 priority for all of us?” he argued.
Source: L.A. Times May 1, 1999

Other candidates on Technology: George W. Bush on other issues:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka

Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty
Adv: Avi Green for State Rep Middlesex 26, Somerville & Cambridge Massachusetts