Obama's Radio Address 02-28-09

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:

• Obama
• Barack
• Weekly
• Radio
• Address
• President
• 02-28-09
• Whitehouse
• Government
• Economy

[LordKaisen]

Wow. So many ppl already gave up. It's kinda sad to see..you aren't gonna change whether he stays or leaves with a lousy attitude

[hotblud82]

lol @ obama supporters.

[intermitrj]

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[thinklib]

This speech is a joke!

A year and a half later, it's so easy to see that Obama is full of horse pucky.

He's a world-class liar.

[kyriacos40]

High profile lobbyist groups with lots of money are manipulating our country and not for america best interests.I know Israel has lobbyists groups here so dose other countrys like turkey manipulating our deciesion making on middle east and other topics.I say get rid of lobbyist groups then america will begun to have control of its country again.

[kyriacos40]

this guys is not going to get rid of lobbyist groups he is working for the big wigs and Obama jumps when AIPAC lobbyists group tells him to jump.AIPAC IS THE JEWISH LOBBYISTS GROUP which is just one evil lobbyist group by the way its not just jewish lobbyist groups either its all kinds of groups.I dont understand much the only thing I understand if you have tons of money you can get your way with congress and its not necessarily for the best interest of America.

[wangometango]

Listen to the bull Obama spits out in this video saying we're not for the interest of the big powerful lobbyist or the wealthiest few but the middle class then he hands out billions to large corporations. He wants to pass cap and trade which will basically put the largest tax ever on every American. Oh he's not going to raise taxes. He is like every other NWO puppet elected. He does what his puppeteers tell him to do.

[openmind75]

"We sought a government that served not the interests of powerful lobbyists..." Then why is Obama giving in to the interests of the lawyer lobby by not capping or eliminating medical malpractice lawsuits? France has universal healthcare and one way that is achieved is by making it illegal to sue doctors. Fixing malpractice will stop hospitals from going bankrupt from medical liability and cut billions in the costs of practicing defensive medicine.

[FreeGlobalEnergy]

That's one incredible speech, if he truly is not a puppet of the elite and really is telling the truth and really is going to take on the oil industry and the fat cats then he won't live long. It will be just like Kennedy where it was the secret service themselves who were involved plus CIA and back then CIA was notorious for their assassinations of other leaders and presidents. If the CIA assassinate Obama it likely will be blamed on the skin heads or such group but I will know better.

[gameshowguy2000]

Ditto..I've seen enough of Bush's stuff. It's a good thing I voted for Obama.