Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are people gathering in Washington DC this week?

2. What does President Bush plan to do in his second term?

3. What are the arguments for and against the president's proposal for Social Security?

4. According to the president, why is an "ownership society" important?

5. What do the critics say about the president's idea of an "ownership society"?

6. What are the president's challenges in foreign policy?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Explore President Bush's goals for his second term. What are they? How does the concept of an "ownership society" fit in? What are some of the benefits/drawbacks of an "ownership society" and for whom?

2. Take an issue that President Bush has promised to address in his second term (Social Security,
Immigration, Medical malpractice, Democracy in Iraq). What is the president's stance on that issue? Write a
500-word essay offering your own opinion on what the president proposes to do.

Write a 500-800 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.