Here is the prepared text that President Bush delivered
in his State of the Union Address Tuesday Night. (1/28/92)
BUSH: Mr Speaker, Mr President, distinguished Members of
Congress, honored guests, and fellow citizens:
I mean to speak tonight of big things, of big changes and
the promises they hold, and of some big problems and how
together we can solve them and move our country forward as
the undisputed leader of the age.
We gather tonight at a dramatic and deeply promising time
in our history, and in the history of man on earth.
For in the past 12 months, the world has known changes of
almost biblical proportions. And even now, months after the
failed coup that doomed a failed system, I am not sure we
have absorbed the full impact, the full import of what
happened. But communism died this year.
Even as president, with the most fascinating possible
vantage point, there were times when I was so busy helping
to manage progress, and lead change, that didn't always show
the joy that was in my heart.
But the biggest thing that has happened in the world in
my life--in our lives--is this: by the grace of God,
America won the Cold War.
I mean to speak this evening of the changes that can take
place in our country now that we can stop making the
sacrifices we had to make when we had an avowed enemy that
was a superpower. Now we can look homeward even more and
move to set right what needs to be set right.
I will speak of those things. But let me tell you
something I've been thinking these past few months. It's a
kind of roll call of honor. For the Cold War didn't "end"--
it was won.
And I think of those who won it, in places like Korea and
Vietnam. And some of them didn't come back. Back then, they
were heroes; but this year they became what they didn't know
they were: victors.
The long roll call--all the G I Joes and Janes, all the
ones who fought faithfully for freedom, who hit the ground
and sucked the dust and knew their share of horror.
This may seem frivolous--I don't mean it so--but it's
moving to me how the world saw them.
The world saw not only their special valor but their
special style--their rambunctious. optimistic bravery, their
do- or-die unity unhampered by class or race or region.
What a group we've put forth, for generations now--from the
ones who wrote "Kilroy was here" on the walls of German
stalags, to those who left signs in the Iraq desert that
said, "I saw Elvis." What a group of kids we've sent into
the world.
And there's another to be singled out--though it may seem
inelegant. I mean a mass of people called "the American
taxpayer." No one ever thinks to thank the American people
who pay a country's bills, or an alliance's bills. But for
half a century now, the American people have shouldered the
burden, and paid taxes that were higher than they would have
been to support a defense that was bigger than it would have
been if imperial communism had never existed.
But it did.
But it doesn't anymore.
And here is a fact that I wouldn't mind the world
acknowledging: the American taxpayer bore the brunt of the
burden and deserves a hunk of glory.
And so now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic
bombers stand down. No longer are they on 'round-the- clock
alert. Tomorrow our children will go to school and study
history and how plants grow. And they won't have, as my
children did, air raid drills in which they crawl under
their desks and cover their heads in case of nuclear war. My
grandchildren don't have to do that, and won't have the bad
dreams children had cone in decades past. There are still
threats. But the long, drawn-out dread is over.
A year ago tonight I spoke to you at a moment of high
peril. American forces had just unleased Operation Desert
Storm. And after 40 days in the desert skies and 4 days on
the ground, the men and women of America's armed forces and
our allies accomplished the goals that I declared and you
endorsed: we liberated Kuwait.
Soon after, the Arab world and Israel sat down to talk
seriously and comprehensively about peace--an historic
first. And soon after that, at Christmas, the last American
hostages came home. Our policies were vindicated.
Much good can come from the prudent use of power. And
much good can come of this: a world once divided into 2
armed camps now recognizes one sole and pre-eminent power--
the US of America.
And they regard this with no dread. For the world trusts
us with power--and the world is right. They trust us to be
fair and restrained; they trust us to be on the side of
decency. They trust us to do what's right.
I use those words advisedly. A few days after the war
began, I received a telegram from Joanne Speicher, the wife
of the first pilot killed in the gulf, Lt Cmdr Scott
Speicher. Even in her grief, she wanted me to know that some
day when her children were old enough, she would them "that
their father went away to war because it was the right thing
to do." She said it all: It was the right thing to do.
And we did it together. There were honest differences
here in this chamber. But when the war began, you put
partisanship aside and supported our troops.
This is still a time for pride--but this is not time to
boast. For problems face us, and we must stand together once
again and solve them--and not let our country down.
Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending
that reflected the changes of the new era. But now, this
year, with imperial communism gone, that process can be
accelerated.
Tonight I can tell you of dramatic changes in our
strategic nuclear force. These are actions we are taking on
our own--because they are the right thing to do.
After completing 20 planes for which we have begun
procurement, we will shut down further production of the B-2
bomber. We will cancel the small ICBM program. We will cease
production of new warheads for our sea-based ballistic
missiles. We will stop all new production of the Peacekeeper
missile. And we will not purchase any more advanced cruise
missiles.
This weekend I will meet at Camp David with Boris Yeltsin
of the Russian Federation. I have informed President Yeltsin
that if the Commonwealth--the former Soviet Union--will
eliminate all land-based multiple warhead ballistic
missiles, I will do the following.
We will eliminate all Peacekeeper missiles. We will
reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman missiles to one,
and reduce the number of warheads on our sea-based missiles
by about 1/3. And we will convert a substantial portion of
our strategic bombers to primarily conventional use.
President Yeltsin's early response has been very
positive, and I expect our talk at Camp David to be
fruitful.
I want you to know that for half a century, American
presidents have longed to make such decisions and say such
words. But even in the midst of celebration we must keep
caution as a friend.
For the world is still a dangerous place. Only the dead
have seen the end of conflict. And though yesterday's
challenges are behind us, tomorrow's are being born.
The secretary of defense recommended these cuts after
consultation with the joint chiefs of staff. And I make them
with confidence. But do not misunderstand me.
The reductions I have approved will save us an additional
$50 billion over the next 5 years. By 1997 we will have cut
defense by 30% since I took office. These cuts are deep and
you must know my resolve: this deep and no deeper.
To do less would be insensible to progress--but to do
more would be ignorant of history.
We must not go back to the days of "the hollow army." We
cannot repeat the mistakes made twice in this century, when
armistice was followed by recklessness and defense was
purged as if the world were permanently safe.
I remind you this evening that I have asked for your
support in funding a program to protect our country from
limited nuclear missile attack. We must have this protection
because too many people in too many countries have access to
nuclear arms.
There are those who say that now we can turn away from
the world, that we have no special role, no special place.
But we are the US of America, the leader of the west that
has become the leader of the world.
As long as I am president we will continue to lead in
support of freedom everywhere--not out of arrogance, and not
out of altruism, but for the safety and security of our
children.
This is a fact: Strength in the pursuit of peace is no
vice; isolationism in the pursuit of security is no virtue.
Now to our troubles at home. They are not all economic
but the primary problem is our economy. There are some good
signs: inflation, that thief, is down; and interest rates
are down. But unemployment is too high, some industries are
in trouble, and growth is not what it should be.
Let me tell you right from the start and right from the
heart: I know we're in hard times, but I know something
else--this will not stand.
My friends in this chamber--we can bring the same courage
and sense of common purpose to the economy that we brought
to Desert Storm. And we can defeat hard times together.
I believe you will help. One reason is that you're
patriots, and you want the best for your country. And I
believe that in your hearts you want to put partisanship
aside and get the job done--because it's the right thing to
do.
The power of America rests in a stirring but simple idea-
-that people will do great things if only you set them free.
Well, we're going to set the economy free, for if this
age of miracles and wonders has taught us anything, it's
that if we can change the world, we can change America.
We must encourage investment. We must make it easier for
people to invest money and create new products, new
industries, and new jobs. We must clear away the obstacles
to growth--high taxes, high regulation, red tape, and, yes,
wasteful government spending.
None of this will happen with a snap of the fingers-- but
it will happen. And the test of a plan isn't whether it's
called new or dazzling. The American people aren't impressed
by gimmicks; they're smarter on this score than all of us in
this room. The only test of a plan is--is it sound and will
it work.
We must have a short-term plan to address our immediate
needs and heat up the economy. And we need a long term plan
to keep the combustion going, and to guarantee our place in
the world economy.
There are certain things that a president can do without
Congress--and I am going to do them.
I have this evening asked major Cabinet departments and
federal agencies to institute a 90-day moratorium on any new
federal regulations that could hinder growth. In those 90
days major departments and agencies will carry out a top to
bottom review of all regulations, old and new--to stop the
ones that will hurt growth, and speed up those that will
help growth.
Further, for the untold number of hard working,
responsible American workers and businessmen and women
who've been forced to go without needed bank loans--the
banking credit crunch must end. I won't neglect my
responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public
good, but regulatory overkill must be stopped.
And I have instructed our government regulators to stop
it.
I have directed Cabinet departments, federal agencies to
speed up pro-growth expenditures as quickly as possible.
This should put an extra $10 billion into the economy in the
next 6 months. And our new transportation bill provides more
than $150 billion for construction and maintenance projects
that are vital to our growth and well being. That means jobs
building roads, building bridges, and building railways.
I have this evening directed the secretary of the
Treasury to change the federal tax withholding tables. With
this change, millions of Americans from whom the government
withholds more than necessary can now choose to have the
government withhold less from their paychecks. Something
tells me a number of taxpayers may take us up on this. This
initiative could return about $25 billion back into our
economy over the next 12 months--money people can use to
help pay for clothing, college, or to get a new car.
Finally, working with the Federal Reserve, we will
continue to support monetary policy that keeps both interest
rates and inflation down.
These are the things that I can do. And now, members of
Congress, let me tell you what you can do for your country.
You must pass the other elements of my plan to meet our
immediate economic needs.
Everyone knows that investment spurs recovery.
I am proposing this evening a change in the alternative
minimum tax, and the creation of a new 15 % investment tax
allowance. This will encourage businesses to accelerate
investment and bring people back to work.
Real estate has led our economy out of almost all the
tough times we've ever had. Once building starts, carpenters
and plumbers work and people buy homes and take out
mortgages.
My plan would modify the passive loss rule for active
real estate developers. And it would make it easier for
pension plans to purchase real estate.
For those Americans who dream of buying a first home, but
who can't quite afford it, my plan would allow first time
buyers to withdraw savings from IRA without penalty--and
provide a $5000 tax credit for the first purchase of that
home.
And finally, my immediate plan calls on Congress to give
crucial help to people who own a home, to everyone who has a
business, or a farm, or a single investment.
This time, at this hour, I cannot take no for an answer.
You must cut the capital gains tax on the people of our
country.
Never has an issue been more demagogued by its opponents.
But the demagogues are wrong--and they know it. 60 % of the
people who benefit from lower capital gains have incomes
under $50,000. A cut in the capital gains tax increases jobs
and helps just about everyone in our country.
And I'll tell you, those of you who say, oh, no, someone
who's comfortable may benefit from this. You kind of remind
me of the old definition of the Puritan, who wouldn't sleep
at night worrying that somehow someone somewhere was out
having a good time.
The opponents of this measure--and those who've authored
various so-called soak-the-rich bills that are floating
around this chamber--should be reminded of something: when
they aim at the big guy they usually hit the little guy. And
maybe it's time that stopped.
This then is my short-term plan. Your part, members of
Congress, requires enactment of these common sense proposals
that will have a strong effect on the economy without
breaking the budget agreement and without raising tax rates.
While my plan is being passed and kicking in, we've got
to care for those in trouble today. I have provided up to
$4.4 billion in my budget to extend federal unemployment
benefits. I ask for congressional action right away.
And let's be frank:
I know, and you know, that my plan is unveiled in a
political season. I know, and you know, that everything I
propose will be viewed by some in merely partisan terms. But
I ask you to know what is in my heart: my aim is to
increase our nation's good. I am doing what I think is
right; I am proposing what I know will help.
I pride myself that I am a prudent man. I believe that
patience is a virtue, but I understand that politics is for
some a game--and that sometimes the game is to stop all
progress and then decry the lack of improvement.
But let me tell you: far more important than my political
future--and far more important than yours--is the well-being
of our country. Members of this chamber are practical
people, and I know you won't resent some practical advice:
when people put their party's fortunes before the public
good, they court defeat not only for their country, but for
themselves. And they will certainly deserve it.
I submit my plan tomorrow. I am asking you to pass it by
March 20th. And I ask the American people to let you know
they want this action by March 20th.
From the day after that, if it must be: the battle is
joined.
And you know when principle is at stake, I relish a good
fair fight.
I said my plan has 2 parts, and it does. And it is the 2d
part that is the heart of the matter. For it's not enough to
get an immediate burst--we need long-term improvement in our
economic position.
We all know that the key to our economic future is to
ensure that America continues as the economic leader of the
world. We have that in our power.
Here, then, is my long-term plan to guarantee our future.
First, trade: We will work to break down the walls that
stop world trade. We will work to open markets everywhere.
In our major trade negotiations I will continue pushing
to eliminate tariffs and subsidies that damage America's
farmers and workers. And we'll get more good American jobs
within our own hemisphere through the North American Free
Trade Agreement, and through the Enterprise for the Americas
Initiative.
But changes are here, and more are coming. The work place
of the future will demand more highly skilled workers
than ever--more people who are computer literate, and highly
educated.
We must be the world's leader in education. We must
revolutionize America's schools.
My America 2000 education strategy will help us reach
that goal. My plan will give parents more choice, give
teachers more flexibility, and help communities create New
American schools.
Thirty states across the nation have established America
2000 programs. Hundreds of cities and towns have joined in.
Now Congress must join this great movement: pass my
proposals for New American schools.
That was my 2d long-term proposal.
This is my 3d: We must make common sense investments that
will help us compete long term in the marketplace. We must
encourage research and development. My plan is to make the
R&D tax credit permanent and to provide record levels of
support--over $76 billion this year alone--for people who
will explore the promise of emerging technologies.
4th, we must do something about crime and drugs. It is
time for a major renewed investment in fighting violent
street crime. It saps our strength and hurts our faith in
our society and in our future together.
Surely a tired woman on her way to work at 6 in the
morning on a subway deserves the right to get there safely.
Surely it's true that everyone who changes his or her life
because of crime--from those afraid to go out at night to
those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for--surely these
people have been denied a basic civil right.
It is time to restore it. Congress, pass my comprehensive
crime bill. It is tough on criminals and supportive of
police--and it has been languishing in these hallowed halls
for years now. Pass it. Help your country.
5th, I ask you tonight to fund our HOPE housing proposal-
-and to pass my enterprise zone legislation, which will get
businesses into the inner city. We must empower the poor
with the pride that comes from owning a home, getting a job,
becoming a part of things.
My plan would encourage real estate construction by
extending tax incentives for mortgage revenue bonds and low-
income housing.
And I ask tonight for record expenditures for the program
that helps children born into want move into excellence:
Head Start.
Step 6: We must reform our health care system. For this
too bears on whether or not we can compete in the world.
American health costs have been exploding. This year America
will spend over $800 billion on health. And that's expected
to grow to 1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We simply
cannot afford this.
The cost of health care shows up not only in your family
budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything
we sell. When health coverage for a fellow on an assembly
line costs thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the
products he makes--and you pay the bill.
We must make a choice.
Some pretend we can have it both ways. They call it play
or pay--but that expensive approach is unstable. It will
mean higher taxes, fewer jobs and eventually a system under
complete government control.
Really, there are only 2 options: We can move toward a
nationalized system--which will restrict patient choice in
picking a doctor and force the government to ration services
arbitrarily--and what we'll get is patients in long lines,
indifferent service, and a huge new tax burden; or we can
reform our own private health care system, which still gives
us, for all its flaws, the best quality health care in the
world.
Well, let's build on our strengths.
My plan provides insurance security for all Americans--
while preserving and increasing the idea of choice. We make
basic health insurance affordable for all low income people
not now covered. We do it by providing a health insurance
tax credit of up to $3750 for each low income family. The
middle class gets new help too. And, by reforming the health
insurance market, my plan assures that Americans will have
access to basic health insurance even if they change
jobs or develop serious health problems.
We must bring costs under control, preserve quality,
preserve choice, and reduce the people's nagging daily worry
about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I will
announce shortly, does just that.
7th, we must get the federal deficit under control.
We now have in law enforceable spending caps, a
requirement that we pay for the programs we create.
There are those in Congress who would ease that
discipline now. But I cannot let them do it--and I won't.
My plan would freeze all domestic discretionary budget
authority--which means "No more next year than this year."
I will not tamper with Social Security, but I would put
real caps on the growth of uncontrolled spending. I would
also freeze federal domestic government employment.
With the help of Congress, my plan will get rid of 246
programs that don't deserve federal funding. Some of them
have noble titles, but none of them is indispensable. We can
get rid of each and every one of them.
You know, it's time we rediscovered a "home truth" the
American people have never forgotten: This government is
too big and spends too much.
I call upon Congress to adopt a measure that will help
put an end to the annual ritual of filling the budget with
pork-barrel appropriations. Every year, the press has a
field day making fund of outrageous examples--a Lawrence
Welk museum, a research grant for Belgian endive.
We all know how these things get into the budget. Maybe
you need someone to help you say No. I know how to say it.
And you know what I need to make it stick. Give me the same
thing 43 governors have: The line item veto.
We must put an end to unfinanced federal government
mandates. These are the requirements Congress put son our
cities, counties and states--without supplying the money. If
Congress passes a mandate, it should be forced to pay for
it, and to balance the cost with savings elsewhere. After
all, a mandate just increases someone else's burden--and
that means higher taxes at the state and local level.
Step 8: Congress should enact the bold reform proposals
that are still awaiting Congressional action--bank reform,
civil justice reform, tort reform, and my national energy
strategy.
Finally, we must strengthen the family--because it is the
family that has the greatest bearing on our future. When
Barbara holds an AIDS baby in her arms, and reads to
children, she's saying to every person in this country,
family matters.
I am announcing tonight a new Commission on America's
Urban Families. You know, I had mayors from the League of
Cities in the other day, and they told me something
striking. They said that every one of them, Republicans and
Democrats, agreed on one thing: That the major cause of the
problems of the cities is the dissolution of the family.
They asked for this Commission, and they were right to
ask, because it's time to determine what we can do to keep
families together, strong and sound.
There's one thing we can do right away: ease the burden
of rearing a child. I ask you tonight to raise the personal
exemption by $500 per child for every family. For a family
with 4 kids, that's an increase of $2000. This is a good
start, in the right direction, and it's what we can afford.
It's time to allow families to deduct the interest they
pay on student loans. I am asking you to do just that. And
I'm asking you to allow people to use money from their IRA's
to pay medical and education expenses--all without
penalties.
And I'm asking for more. Ask American parents what they
dislike about how things are in our country and chances are
good that pretty soon they'll get to welfare.
Americans are the most generous people on earth. But we
have to go back to the insight of Franklin Roosevelt who,
when he spoke of what became the welfare program, warned
that it must not become "a narcotic" and a "subtle
destroyer" of the spirit.
Welfare was never meant to be a lifestyle; it was never
meant to be a habit; it was never supposed to be passed from
generation to generation like a legacy.
It's time to replace the assumptions of the welfare
state, and help reform the welfare system.
States throughout the country are beginning to operate
with new assumptions: That when able-bodied adults receive
government assistance, they have responsibilities to the
taxpayer. A responsibility to seek work, education or job
training--a responsibility to get their lives in order--a
responsibility to hold their families together and refrain
from having children out of wedlock--and a responsibility to
obey the law.
We are going to help this movement. Often, state reform
requires waiving certain federal regulations. I will act to
make that process easier and quicker for every state that
asks our help.
And I want to add, as we make these changes, that our
intention isn't scapegoating or finger pointing. If you can
read the papers or watch TV, you know there's been a rise
these days in a certain kind of bitterness, racist comments,
anti- semitism, an increased sense of division.
Really, this is not us. This is not who we are. And this
is not acceptable.
And so you have my plan for America. I am asking for big
things--but I believe in my heart you will do what's right.
You know, it's kind of an American tradition to show a
certain skepticism toward our democratic institutions. I
myself have sometimes thought the aging process could be
delayed if it had to make its way through Congress.
You will deliberate, and you will discuss, and that is
fine. But, my friends, the people cannot wait. They need
help now.
There is a mood among us. People are worried, there has
been talk of decline. Someone even said our workers are
lazy and uninspired.
And I thought, really. Go tell Neil Armstrong standing on
the moon. Tell the men and women who put him there. Tell the
American farmer who feeds his country and the world. Tell
the men and women of Desert Storm.
Moods come and go, but greatness endures. Ours does. And
maybe for a moment it's good to remember what, in the
dailyness of our lives, we forget:
We are still and ever the freest nation on earth--the
kindest nation on earth--the strongest nation on earth--
And we have always risen to the occasion.
We are going to lift this nation out of hard times inch
by inch and day by day, and those who would stop us had best
step aside. Because I look at hard times and I make this
vow: This will not stand. And so we move on, together a
rising nation, the once and future miracle that is still,
this night, the hope of the world.
Thank you. God bless you. God bless our beloved country.
