WASHINGTON—President Bush struck a number of big themes and offered several specific policy proposals in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Among them:
_Dramatically reduce dependence on Mideast oil by 2025 by developing ethanol fuels and new hybrid-technology and hydrogen-powered autos, spurred by increased federal research.
_Increase consumer control over health expenses by expanding tax breaks for out-of-pocket health care costs and expanding use of tax-free health savings accounts.
_Isolationism and protectionism lead to national decline. America must remain engaged in the world and lead.
_Stay the course in Iraq and in the war on terrorism.
_Form a bipartisan commission to examine the impact of baby boom retirement on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and recommend reforms.
_Reform immigration to toughen border enforcement and allow in guest workers.
_Increase spending on clean-energy research, including solar, wind and nuclear power.
_Train 70,000 more high school teachers to teach Advanced Placement science and math.
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(c) 2006, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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