Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
February 2, 2013
The White House
February 2, 2013
Hi, everybody.
In the coming weeks, we face some important decisions
about how to pay down our debt in a way that grows our economy and
creates good jobs – decisions that will make a real difference in the
strength and pace of our recovery.
We began this year with economists and business leaders
saying that we are poised to grow in 2013. And there are real signs of
progress: Home prices are starting to climb again. Car sales are at a
five-year high. Manufacturing is roaring back. Our businesses created
2.2 million jobs last year. And we just learned that our economy
created more jobs over the last few months than economists originally
thought.
But this week, we also received the first estimate of
America’s economic growth over the last few months. And it reminded us
that bad decisions in Washington can get in the way of our economic
progress.
We all agree that it’s critical to cut unnecessary
spending. But we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. It hasn’t
worked in the past, and it won’t work today. It could slow down our
recovery. It could weaken our economy. And it could cost us jobs –
now, and in the future.
What we need instead is a balanced approach; an approach
that says let’s cut what we can’t afford but let’s make the investments
we can’t afford to live without. Investments in education and
infrastructure, research and development – the things that will help
America compete for the best jobs and new industries.
Already, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to
reduce our deficits by $2.5 trillion. That’s a good start. But to get
the rest of the way, we need a balanced set of reforms.
For example, we need to lower the cost of health care in
programs like Medicare that are the biggest drivers of our deficit,
without just passing the burden off to seniors. And these reforms must
go hand-in-hand with eliminating excess spending in our tax code, so
that the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations can’t take
advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren’t available to most
Americans.
2013 can be a year of solid growth, more jobs, and higher
wages. But that will only happen if we put a stop to self-inflicted
wounds in Washington. Everyone in Washington needs to focus not on
politics but on what’s right for the country; on what’s right for you
and your families. That’s how we’ll get our economy growing faster.
That’s how we’ll strengthen our middle class. And that’s how we’ll
build a country that rewards the effort and determination of every
single American.
Thanks. And have a great weekend.
This week, the President announced his choice for his new Chief of Staff, pushed for comprehensive immigration reform, and invited the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Presidential Innovation Fellows, law enforcement officials, 60 Minutes, and the Miami Heat to the White House.
This week, the President announced his choice for his new Chief of Staff, pushed for comprehensive immigration reform, and invited the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Presidential Innovation Fellows, law enforcement officials, 60 Minutes, and the Miami Heat to the White House.
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