President Barack H. Obama: "Keeping Promises"

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, February 28th, 2009
Washington, DC

Two years ago, we set out on a journey to change the way that Washington works.

We sought a government that served not the interests of powerful lobbyists or the wealthiest few, but the middle-class Americans I met every day in every community along the campaign trail responsible men and women who are working harder than ever, worrying about their jobs, and struggling to raise their families. In so many town halls and backyards, they spoke of their hopes for a government that finally confronts the challenges that their families face every day; a government that treats their tax dollars as responsibly as they treat their own hard-earned paychecks.




That is the change I promised as a candidate for president. It is the change the American people voted for in November. And it is the change represented by the budget I sent to Congress this week.




During the campaign, I promised a fair and balanced tax code that would cut taxes for 95% of working Americans, roll back the tax breaks for those making over $250,000 a year, and end the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas. This budget does that.

I promised an economy run on clean, renewable energy that will create new American jobs, new American industries, and free us from the dangerous grip of foreign oil. This budget puts us on that path, through a market-based cap on carbon pollution that will make renewable energy the profitable kind of energy; through investments in wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient American cars and American trucks.




I promised to bring down the crushing cost of health care a cost that bankrupts one American every thirty seconds, forces small businesses to close their doors, and saddles our government with more debt. This budget keeps that promise, with a historic commitment to reform that will lead to lower costs and quality, affordable health care for every American.




I promised an education system that will prepare every American to compete, so Americans can win in a global economy. This budget will help us meet that goal, with new incentives for teacher performance and pathways for advancement; new tax credits that will make college more affordable for all who want to go; and new support to ensure that those who do go finish their degree.




This budget also reflects the stark reality of what weve inherited a trillion dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession. Given this reality, well have to be more vigilant than ever in eliminating the programs we dont need in order to make room for the investments we do need. I promised to do this by going through the federal budget page by page, and line by line. That is a process we have already begun, and I am pleased to say that weve already identified two trillion dollars worth of deficit-reductions over the next decade. Weve also restored a sense of honesty and transparency to our budget, which is why this one accounts for spending that was hidden or left out under the old rules.




I realize that passing this budget wont be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry wont like the idea that theyll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but thats how well help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders wont like the idea that were ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but thats how well save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies wont like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but thats how well help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. In other words, I know these steps wont sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know theyre gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

So am I.




The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I dont. I work for the American people. I didnt come here to do the same thing weve been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November. That is the change this budget starts to make, and that is the change Ill be fighting for in the weeks ahead change that will grow our economy, expand our middle-class, and keep the American Dream alive for all those men and women who have believed in this journey from the day it began.




Thanks for listening.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Barack Obama
• budget
• 2009
• education
• banks
• insurances
• Medicare
• student loans

[Nemesis000000]

Who is this guy? I don't recognize him.

How did he become one of the most right wing presidents in modern history?

[Jethrine57]

Thank You President Obama for being so willing to jump into this ocean of debt you were elected to try and fix like a man with a spoon working as hard as you can to pail US out of the trouble our country was in long before you came along, especially with all the haters and sharks trying to pull you under or hold you down to their level. All I can say is, your a better man than anything I have seen in a long time. Whether anyone else likes it or not you can count on my vote in the next election

[LUVYOURSKIN]

You work for us?? Did I hear you correctly? OMG, I remember to long ago, that you launched a campain, that "we were your servents" and that repeated over and over and over and over again, " I Pledge, I Pledge, I pledge myself to the all wonderful and powerful Obama"

So what the story changes so Often cant keep up with you.

Your lowering Taxes? How? please tell me, because my taxes this next year will be higher then there were this year.

[muttkat]

Lies,lies,lies.Thanks for lying over and over-NAFTA,etting the UN take over our country,resigned the Renditions Act,Patriot Act,sending more troops,drafting people 18-24 yrs for govt slave work,people up to 64 yrs old if they want,limited medical coverage and no control over your treatment,forgiving wall street.The bankers you work for started this economy mess so they(not the govt)could take over our housing,industries,medical and we can head towards a one world govt like you like.

[zedrein18]

Wait for the second term.

[JayCeeTheRasta]

How about legalizing cannabis? That would be a great change.

[tomanyasses]

thats what happened in germany in 1930 then the nazies took over and over did it

[ucannotescape]

This guy is the biggest lying sack of shit coming out of Chicago since Richard J. Daly!

[bigbrownlatino]

Hey do you guys smell something ? Dang, check your shoes.

[Miroku310990]

and yet the higher class rich bastards, arent effected by the economy and are seeing how much tax? the same? WTF!