http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases ... 129-4.html
[Lots of extraneous stuff snipped.]
We talk about the great strengths of our country -- oftentimes, people think about the military might of America. And by the way, it is a great strength and we're going to keep it that way.
*cough*$400 billion defense budget*cough*Carlyle Group
But the truth of the matter is the strength of our country is the heart and soul of our citizens, people who are willing to volunteer time to serve in a cause greater than themselves, which is to help somebody who hurts, or to lend a talent to help somebody achieve the American Dream.
Is that that dream where you stay coked up and drunk till you're 40, then find God, then use your dad's influence to become President?
First, we had a recession in America...[snip]...And then things started to get pretty good, we started coming out of it. And then the enemy hit us.
Whoa! Stop the press. What about the job market leading up to August 2001? Let's review the link Ryan posted recently:
Code: Select all
Year,Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec,Annual,
2001,-9,124,-33,-280,-17,-166,-197,-148,-169,-352,-298,-239, Where's the recovery?
There was a day when we thought oceans could protect us from an enemy, that we were okay if there was a threat overseas because oceans served as protection for America.
What day was that? Sometime in early December of 1942?
Also, if the oceans protect us, why do we need that giant space condom you're so interested in?
As an aside, I do want to thank the people of New Hampshire for understanding the stakes, that the world has changed; that in order to make America secure, we must stay on the offensive against those who would do us harm.
I think this is where Ryan says, "War is peace!"
I particularly want to pay tribute to Sergeant Randy Rosenberg, of Berlin, New Hampshire, who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. Our prayers go to his loved ones, and we thank him for his service. I want his loved ones to know, and the people of New Hampshire know, that a free and peaceful Iraq is in this nation's interests. A free and peaceful Iraq in the heart of the Middle East is in our nation's long-term security interests. It will mean our children can grow up in a more secure and peaceful world.
Where have I heard this before?
I also want you to know strongly that I believe that freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the Almighty's gift to each person in this world. And where we see suffering and tyranny and starvation and brutalization, this nation will act. We'll act for our own security; we'll act for the freedom of others.
Policing the world in the name of the Almighty(tm). But don't forget that other religions are valid, too, they're just not going to Heaven(tm).
And then when we got going after the attacks, we had some corporate scandals in America which affected the economy. It affected the economy because when CEOs act incredibly irresponsibly like they were, it creates doubt. In a system that requires trust, there was doubt. And we acted, though. We didn't sit around trying to figure out what to do. We passed tough laws to hold corporate criminals to account.
And Kenny Boy got a hall pass.
BTW, does filing your documents late with the SEC quality as an irresponsible act?
The message is very clear now to people in corporate America: If you've got the responsibility to shareholders and employees, we expect you to tell the truth. We expect you to be above-board. We expect you to be honest. And if not, there will be consequences. (Applause.)
If your initials are "M.S."
And then, finally, we began a march to war for our security, and it's hard to be optimistic during a period when you're marching to war. March to war is not a positive thought.
And who, praytell, started beating those drums of war?
Now we're marching to peace. Now times have changed. We're beyond that period.
Yet soldiers keep dying. Go figure.
Also, what about the PNAC's plans?
We'll debate about the decision, and I look forward to those discussions with the American people. I'm absolutely convinced it was the right thing to do. And I look forward to explaining it clearly to the American people. (Applause.)
Sure, let's debate about how the horse got out of the barn. That'll help.
But now we're secure in the peace.
Really?
But this is a strong nation because we're entrepreneurial, we believe in our people. It's a strong nation, really, because the American people are strong, tough, resilient, compassionate people.
I'd be a good enterpreneur if my dad would just give me a couple of oil fields to screw up.
It said, if we've got a slow economy, if we've got a lot of things we overcome, let us let people keep more of their own money.
Cause that's what caused the mid-90s boom, right? Those visionary Reagan tax cuts.
We believe that when people have more money to spend, to save, or invest, the economy will grow and people are more likely to find work. The tax relief we passed was essential to get the economy going. It's essential to let people have money. (Applause.)
Some pigs are more equal than others. (Cue up Supply Side Jesus cartoon.)
It's working. It's working. The economy is growing, people are finding work.
Yep. 1000 net jobs in December. Awesome!
Yesterday I gave a talk about how to continue economic vitality. One of them is to help controlling costs of health care.
*cough*tort reform*cough*
There's way to do that without nationalizing health care. I'm absolutely convinced if the federal government tries to run the health care system, it will foul it up -- people will get lousy care, the doctor-patient relationship will be destroyed, and the cost of medicine will go up.
Moreover, my backers in the insurance industry *really* don't like that idea.
I believe we need medical liability reform all across America to get rid of the junk lawsuits that raise the cost of medicine. (Applause.)
*cough*tort reform*cough*
The more people own something, the more they have a stake in the future of this country.
?????
You can tell I'm upbeat, and I've got reason to be. (Applause.) And I've got reason to be. Not only the numbers say things are looking pretty good, the American people are telling me they feel pretty good. The American people feel confident about the future.
Who has he been talking to?
I'm here with Louise Hickey. She's a Fidelity employee, been here five years. She is -- she saved $1,100 on tax relief last year. Now, that may not sound like a lot to some of the people who are rolling in cash -- (laughter) -- that's a lot. It made a difference.
Wow. $1100. Sure makes up for the money lost in that 401k, doesn't it?
I mean, you're trying to encourage marriage in America, not discourage it. And the tax code ought to do so.
Why should the tax code encourage marriage?
Why not let gay people get married if you're so keen on the institution?
I want to remind you about another aspect of the tax relief. We're reduced taxes on everybody, as opposed to trying to pick or choose winners in the political debate.
All pigs are created equal.
THE PRESIDENT: One of the things that he mentioned, he said, he spent the money to renew his -- to remodel his house. Well, somebody had to come and remodel the house. Somebody had to buy the equipment. The way this economy works, is when you put money in circulation, you increase demand for goods and services. And that's important when times are slow.
Supply Side Jesus in action!
Listen, government has got plenty of money, and it needs to stay focused and principled.
Another doozy. Care to explain the half-trillion dollar deficit?
And Congress has got to know that when they say, oh, we must let the tax cuts expire, it affects the Meaneys. It affects them to the tune of $715 per year. And with two little kids, that matters.
Holy shit, $715. Again, how's that 401k? The national debt? Will those kids have a job when they grow up?
He said, you know, well, we hired 11 people last year. That doesn't sound like a lot to some of these mega-corporations. It's a lot to a small business. And it's a lot to America, when you think about the number of Michaels there are all over the country hiring an additional 11 people on an annual basis.
Net 1000 new jobs in December.
Most new jobs in America are created by people like Michael, small business owners; 70 percent of the new jobs. And, therefore, any good policy says, we must recognize the work of the small businesses, provide incentive for small businesses, and when we do so, make those incentives permanent.
Indeed, I have always thought of W as the valiant defender of the small business.
Ugh. That's all I have energy for.