The Bush Institute is focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies.
A note from David J. Kramer
Over the last two months, the George W. Bush Institute released a series of policy recommendations for Congress and the Trump Administration rooted in four principles that have guided the Institute’s work since its founding: freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion.
We continue to stand by these recommendations to create an America that is more prosperous and secure:
- Maintain accountability for our schools by preserving national assessments that ensure our children are learning properly and are well equipped for either higher education or their chosen career path.
- Address the lack of affordability when it comes to housing.
- Reform the immigration system so that we have legal pathways for those seeking entry into the country while securing our borders and making sure we have the labor force necessary to maintain America’s productivity and innovation.
- Support democracy and human rights activists around the world, recognizing that their cause advances a world that is freer, more stable, and less threatening.
- Stand with our allies in Europe and around the world during this time of authoritarian resurgence.
- Support Ukraine in its war against Russia, which Vladimir Putin started and has conducted in brutal fashion.
- Promote free and fair trade while pushing back on those who engage in unfair trade practices.
- Ensure that we have the strongest, greatest military in the world, with the best leadership, to maintain peace through strength and avoid appearances of weakness and uncertainty.
- Provide our veterans with the support and skills they need as they transition back to civilian life.
- Continue to provide lifesaving treatment for HIV/ AIDS through the most successful global health program, PEPFAR, as countries over time assume ownership of these efforts.
- Treat each other with respect and decency, even, or especially, if we disagree with the other person.
Democracy is inherently messy. New people enter office with new ideas that challenge the status quo. Change is often difficult and unsettling. Our nation has been through major change before which has upended the societal norms at various points in our history. Over time, we have emerged from those challenges stronger and better.
In January 2024, President George W. Bush reminded us in The Catalyst that “The ship of state may list, but it’s not going to sink. Democracy will self-correct. The office of the president is more important than the occupant, which allows all of us with our strengths and weaknesses to come and go. And the ship of state sails on.”
That was true then and that is true today.
Each of us has a role to play in appealing to our better angels, standing on principle, and showing kindness to our fellow citizens. Only by raising everyone up can we rebuild our common humanity and fulfill America’s promise of a better, brighter future for our children.
