The do nothing attitude of the Republicans in congress, their past failures on the economy, job creation and their often stated goals of seeing Obama and the nation fail should prompt the President to give the following speech.
Before I was elected President the Republicans controlled the White House 20 of the previous 28 years. Their rhetoric during those years represents the same talking points they are using against my administration and democratic policies. Lets exmine the facts of that 28 year period.
The republicans say government regulations have destroyed the economy and jobs: Fact, it did not destroy the economy and jobs on President Clinton's watch as the nation, the economy, job creation and its people enjoyed the best of those benefits.
The republicans say democrats are the big spenders: Facts, Federal spending under the Reagan administration increased 50% in his first term and 25% in his second term. Under George Walker Bush it increased 28% in his only term. Under Bil Clinton it increased 14% in his first term and 14 % in his second term. Under George W. Bush it increased 28% in his first term and 33% in his second term.
The republicans say they are fiscal conservatives: Fact, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they ran the country. President Clinton, not only balanced the federal budget, his administration ended eight years where federal surpluses exceeded deficit spending. President Clinton also decreased the federal deficit four straight years in his first term in office. No republican President can say that.
The republican say democratic policies destroy jobs and republican policies create jobs. Fact, it was the George W. Bush dministration policies that destroyed jobs and at the greatest number since the great depression. More new jobs were created on the watch of Bil Clinton in eight years than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country. Job creation under Reagan was 16.1 million, under Bush 41 it was 2.5 million, under Bill Clinton it was 22.7 million and under Bush 43 it was 1.1 million.
The republicans say the national debt exploded because of democratic policies and spending. Fact, The nationad debt increased 186% on Reagan's watch, 54% on Bush 41 watch, 31% on Bill Clinton's watch and 105% on Bush 43 watch. If those 3 republican Presidents would have balanced the federal budget like Clinton did the national debt would not be a problem as we speak today.
The republicans say federal regulation of business destroy their ability to compete and create jobs. Fact, The two greatest financial failures happened on Reagans and Bush 43 watch. The great failure of the Savings and Loan industry under Reagan and the great failure of the wall street banks under Bush 43. It was the lack of inforcement on those two Presidents watch that had a direct affect on those failures along with greed.
The republicans say their policies are better at keeping unemployment low: Fact, it was the democratic administration of Bill Clinton who had the best record of doing so. The unemployment rate on Clinton's watch never exceeded what it was at the time he took office. Unemployment on Clinton's watch was the lowest in 40 years and it stood at less than 4% for 5 months in his last year in office.
The republicans say their policies know how to create jobs in the private sector. Fact, over 90% of all new jobs created under the Clinton administration came from the private sector, the highest percentage in any administration. No republican administration who followed a democratic administration created more jobs than the democratic administration it followed. But every democratic administration that followed a republican administration did.
The true story and fact of those 28 years is that a democratic administration in only 8 of those years performed better for the country and its people in every area that counts. The 20 years of republican rule never measured up to their past or present rhetoric. The 20 year fiscal record of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 was a failure never seen before for America and the republicans in congress rubber stamped those failed policies.
The past can only be changed by future decisions and the future is now. Time is running short and I and congress need to act in a responsible way to chart a course of progress for the country and its people. It is time for the do nothing republican party to do something about the situation they created. They should not use their want to see Obama fail attitude at the expense of the country and the average American. It is past time for them to step up to the plate and shed their anti American ideology.
The nations economic recovery must put the average American first with job creation. That is the basic of a thriving and lasting economy. The ideology of trickle down economics and tax breaks for corporate America and the wealthy has proven to be a fairy tale for a lasting economy and job creation. That past has to be put to bed now for a better future for the country and our people.
If the republicans in congress continue to follow their do nothing policy I will no longer seek their imput and I will do those things I can legally do by executive order to keep the economic recovery and job creation moving forward.
As for my administration, I will be held accountable for what happens on my watch. The record job losses of 2008 was reversed on my watch by my policies and new hiring has taken place. Hiring is not the best and I have introduced a plan that would do better in that regard. I am not at all happy with the economic progress on my watch and I will continue to deal with that. I will also do what ever is necessary as time goes on and will not sit on the side lines. The economy, job creation and lowering the unemployment will continue to be my immediate and main focus. My present jobs plan before congress will put our people back to work and it will be a democratic administration once again who moved the country and its people forward.
Note 1: See past commentary concerning the 28 year period above.
Note 2: The U.S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best dated 1-27-08
Note 3: The Fiscal Legacy of George W. Bush dated 10-30-09
Note 4: Federal Spending: Fact vs Myth dated 10-31-09
Note 5: The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation dated 12-10-09
Note 6: Job Creation for Presidential Terms: 1929-2008
