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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NATION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005
Bush focuses on Social Security
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Bush challenged a hesitant Congress yesterday to take political risks to make Social Security "permanently sound," saying the nation's costliest social program was headed for bankruptcy unless changed. Bush's plan would cut guaranteed retirement benefits for younger Americans, but would not affect checks for people now 55 and older.
(AP Photo/Luke Frazza, Pool)
Bush, in his State of the Union address, pledged to work with Congress "to find the most effective combination of reforms."
President George W. Bush smiles as he is welcomed to the House Chamber to deliver his annual State of the Union speech before a joint session of Congress, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, yesterday. He is applauded at rear by Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert, R-ill.
Democrats said that Bush's proposal to divert Social Security revenues into private accounts was dangerous and that there were better ways to fix the 70-year-old program.
A variety of solutions have been proposed, such as limiting benefits for wealthy retirees, raising the retirement age, indexing benefits to prices rather than wages, discouraging early collection of benefits and changing the
"All these ideas are on the table," Bush said. "I know that none of these reforms would be easy."
ways_benefits are calculated,
Bush said.
Bush's speech was the first State of the Union address since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that focused most heavily on domestic issues. He offered no hint of a timetable for a troop withdrawal from Iraq.
Bush promised to push forward for Mideast peace,including $350 million in aid to the Palestinians.
with the United States spending more than $1 billion a week in Iraq, Bush urged Congress to support his request for an additional $80 billion. He said his administration "will continue to build the coalitions that will defeat the dangers of our time."
programs.
Bush promised to send Congress a budget next week that would hold discretionary spending below inflation. Bush said his budget would reduce or eliminate more than 150 federal
Transforming Social Security is a political gamble for Bush and for Republican allies. Most GOP lawmakers face re-election next year and are nervous about tampering with a system that
Americans like.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called Bush's plan dangerous and said there were other ways to deal with Social Security's projected financial problems.
Stewart to host an 'Apprentice' spin-off
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The masterminds behind "The Apprentice" — Donald Trump and Mark Burnett — and NBC announced yesterday that Stewart will host "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart."
"Mark and I have always admired her," Trump said. "She's a very brave woman. She's built a multimillion-dollar empire. It was an easy decision. We think this will be an absolutely tremendous success."
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Burnett didn't reveal many details about the new version of the business-themed reality show, such as whether there will be a boardroom or when the show would begin taping.
But Stewart's take on "Apprentice" should be distinct,
Burnett said. "Martha has her own empire, which has a different look and feel," he said.
Her show will film in either New York or Connecticut.
STEWART
where the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. empire is located. Sixteen to 18 contestants will vie for a one-year job with her company and $250,000 salary.
Casting has already begun. Producers currently seeking applicants for the fourth edition of Trump's "Apprentice" will also search for Martha
wannabes. And a graphic with Stewart's face touting "Apply now to be Martha Stewart's Apprentice!" has already sprung up on NBC's Web site.
Since Stewart is not allowed to conduct business while in prison, Burnett made it clear his deal with Stewart was completed before the domestic mogul entered prison — although he's made monthly visits to her.
She was convicted last year of lying about why she unloaded shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001, just before the price plunged. Stewart began serving her five-month sentence in October, and is scheduled for release in early March from a prison in Alderson, W.Va.
Yesterday's announcement
means Stewart will have two shows. On Dec. 8 it was announced that she will revive her daily homemaking show next September, this time with a live audience, celebrity guests and with Burnet's help.
Filming on her "Apprentice" could begin as early as March when Stewart goes from prison to house arrest. Under her probation, she'll be allowed to work outside of her home, which Burnett said may include shooting the show.
Other moguls have attempted to walk in Trump's reality TV show shoes — such as Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Virgin owner Richard Branson, who starred in "Apprentice"-like shows. But both garnered low ratings.
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