Obama's Radio Address 01-24-09

We begin this year and this Administration in the midst of an unprecedented crisis that calls for unprecedented action. Just this week, we saw more people file for unemployment than at any time in the last twenty-six years, and experts agree that if nothing is done, the unemployment rate could reach double digits. Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four. And we could lose a generation of potential, as more young Americans are forced to forgo college dreams or the chance to train for the jobs of the future.

In short, if we do not act boldly and swiftly, a bad situation could become dramatically worse.

That is why I have proposed an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to immediately jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth. I am pleased to say that both parties in Congress are already hard at work on this plan, and I hope to sign it into law in less than a month.

Its a plan that will save or create three to four million jobs over the next few years, and one that recognizes both the paradox and the promise of this moment - the fact that there are millions of Americans trying to find work even as, all around the country, theres so much work to be done. Thats why this is not just a short-term program to boost employment. Its one that will invest in our most important priorities like energy and education; health care and a new infrastructure that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century.

Today Id like to talk specifically about the progress we expect to make in each of these areas.

To accelerate the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years. Well begin to build a new electricity grid that lay down more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast. Well save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75% of federal buildings more energy efficient, and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills by weatherizing 2.5 million homes.

To lower health care cost, cut medical errors, and improve care, well computerize the nations health record in five years, saving billions of dollars in health care costs and countless lives. And well protect health insurance for more than 8 million Americans who are in danger of losing their coverage during this economic downturn.

To ensure our children can compete and succeed in this new economy, well renovate and modernize 10,000 schools, building state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, and labs to improve learning for over five million students. Well invest more in Pell Grants to make college affordable for seven million more students, provide a $2,500 college tax credit to four million students, and triple the number of fellowships in science to help spur the next generation of innovation.

Finally, we will rebuild and retrofit America to meet the demands of the 21st century. That means repairing and modernizing thousands of miles of Americas roadways and providing new mass transit options for millions of Americans. It means protecting America by securing 90 major ports and creating a better communications network for local law enforcement and public safety officials in the event of an emergency. And it means expanding broadband access to millions of Americans, so business can compete on a level-playing field, wherever theyre located.

I know that some are skeptical about the size and scale of this recovery plan. I understand that skepticism, which is why this recovery plan must and will include unprecedented measures that will allow the American people to hold my Administration accountable for these results. We wont just throw money at our problems - well invest in what works. Instead of politicians doling out money behind a veil of secrecy, decisions about where we invest will be made public, and informed by independent experts whenever possible. Well launch an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending in our government, and every American will be able to see how and where we spend taxpayer dollars by going to a new website called recovery.gov.

No one policy or program will solve the challenges we face right now, nor will this crisis recede in a short period of time. But if we act now and act boldly; if we start rewarding hard work and responsibility once more; if we act as citizens and not partisans and begin again the work of remaking America, then I have faith that we will emerge from this trying time even stronger and more prosperous than we were before. Thanks for listening.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Obama
• Barack
• Weekly
• Radio
• Address
• 01-24-09
• President

[gemcutter187]

thanks tivopro for posting these faithfully every week i been watching since you started. To Obama: we need to wage a covert economic war on China and secure our border NOW! Great first week!!

[tivopro]

Thanks for watching! I'm just interested in what he has to say and see if it gets us out of this rat HOLE we're falling into. HOPE for the BEST, but expect the WORSE!

[uboatcaptain69]

this guy is such a lieing douche

[ghall88]

skate park in Minnesota is stimulus?Contraception,snow machine at ski resort,buying green cars for Govt workers, what other BS is included in the Pork bill. VOTE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[exanchorite]

Bush bailout = 20% approval by USA citizens. Obama bailout = 80% approval by USA citizens...

Conclusion.. USA citizens in large part a fucking morons.

[PeterSodhi]

By the way watch I.O.U.S.A before you think this probelm goes back to the 1930s - Bush doubled - DOUBLED the total debt of the previous 42 presidents in his 8 years of retardation - educate yourself before you open your mouth.

[PeterSodhi]

Bush's economic Policy = DEFECITS do not matter! Lol what retardation. He broadly spent way too much executive time running Iraq and thinking about Israel whilst the country went to shit. He was in Power 8 years and yet was responsible for nothing? Obama is in for a week and you are already writing about being screwed over. You have no idea what you are talking about. If you think Executive Authority is so powerless stop writing about Obama.

[Shiftfallout]

Hey, I got an idea. Lets Blame bush for everything, even congress's mistakes. Since you dont seem to know what checks and balances mean, or what the presidents role is, perhaps you shouldnt even bother talking. This mess wasnt created by one party or one man. People who blame bush for everything are those announce to the world how ignorant they are. Our tax problem comes from rampant tax spending across the board since the 1930's champ.

[PeterSodhi]

Why do you like that? Guess you got so used to being fuked over by 8 years of Bush Treason that you are suffering from a tax payers equiavalent of Stockholm Syndrome. Watch I.O.U.S.A - the country was economically destroyed by Bush. He, as a fuking traitor, has done more damage to the US than any other Enemy since the British war on America in 1812. Bush should be tried and hung for treason.

[Shiftfallout]

I like that he's screwing us over while talking to us.