THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much for that warm welcome. I
am so grateful for the Commonwealth Club and the Churchill Club for
inviting me here. I appreciate you all coming, and I appreciate your
hospitality.
I want to thank Dr. Gloria Duffy for her generous introduction and
for her invitation. I want to thank Silvia Fernandez, who's the
President of the Churchill Club, for joining the Commonwealth Club to
host this event. I want to thank all the elected officials who are
here. I want to thank my fellow citizens for coming.
Whenever I visit California, I'm impressed by the beauty of this
state and by the spirit of the people. Because of its size, the health
of the California economy influences every American. And California
has got a culture of optimism and energy that touches all of us, as
well. This is a vital and a vibrant place. And I'm glad to be back.
(Applause.)
The last time I visited San Jose, Silicon Valley was still in an
economic boom, and America was at peace. For many in this valley, and
across our country, those times are a world away. After a recession
made worse by a national emergency, we have seen some good news. Our
economy is beginning to grow. Just last week, we had the good news
about strong growth in the first quarter. Yet this vital region
reminds us that a lot of work remains to be done.
Business investment and job creation are not what they should be.
We cannot be content with one quarter's news. We cannot be
complacent. My attitude is that we'll let the statisticians talk about
the numbers. But so long as somebody who wants to work can't find
work, that's a problem for America. (Applause.)
We have a great task ahead of us. We must turn our short-term
recovery into long-lasting expansion that reaches every part of our
country. Our economy grows when trade barriers fall. I ask the Senate
to join the United States House of Representatives in giving me what's
called trade promotion authority. (Applause.)
It's important to be a confident country. And I'm confident in the
ability of American entrepreneurs and producers to compete in the
world. I'm confident that our farmers and ranchers can compete in the
world. And I know American technology companies are the best in the
world. And we must open new markets so they can sell to the world.
(Applause.)
Our economy grows when the tax burden goes down, and stays down.
(Applause.) Much of the growth we have seen this quarter is the result
of consumer spending, fueled by well-timed tax deductions.
(Laughter.) To encourage growth in job creation, we must protect the
lower tax rates we've enacted, and we must make them permanent.
(Applause.) And to make sure there is economic vitality around our
country, our government must control its appetite for excessive
spending. (Applause.)
Our economy grows entrepreneurs are rewarded for their success, not
hounded by regulations and needless litigation. (Applause.) We must
enact reforms that free entrepreneurs from pointless regulation and
endless litigation, and to restore trust in our economy. Corporate
leaders must be held to the highest ethical standards. (Applause.)
And, as your state knows, our economy grows when we have steady, stable
and affordable sources of energy. (Applause.)
In Washington, we must adopt -- finally adopt -- a comprehensive
strategy to conserve more, to produce more, and to deliver the energy
that keeps our economy running. (Applause.) Both Houses have passed
an energy -- passed energy legislation. I expect them to get a bill to
my desk soon for the good of American economy and American jobs.
(Applause.) By acting in the above way, we confirm that the role of
government is not to create wealth; the role of government is to create
the conditions for economic growth.
Since I was last here, America has also accepted a great challenge
in the world: to wage a relentless and systematic campaign against
global terror. (Applause.) The security of the American people is the
central commitment of the American government. We are in for a long
and difficult war. It will be conducted on many fronts. But as long
as it takes, we will prevail. (Applause.)
In the first phase of our military operation, American and
coalition forces have liberated -- have liberated -- the people of
Afghanistan from a barbaric regime. (Applause.) Our Armed Forces
performed with skill and success and honor. A regime has fallen.
Terrorists in that country are now scattered, and the children of
Afghanistan have returned to school, boys and girls. (Applause.) Our
work in that country is not over. We are helping the Afghan people to
rebuild their nation. And in every cave, in every dark corner of that
country, we will hunt down the killers and bring them to justice.
(Applause.)
We have entered the next phase of the war, with a sustained
international effort, to rout out terrorists in other countries, and
deny al Qaeda the chance to regroup in other places. Across the world,
governments have heard this message: You're either with us, or you're
with the terrorists. (Applause.)
And for the long-term security of America and civilization itself,
we must confront the great threat of biological and chemical and
nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists or hostile regimes. We will
not allow the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten America or our
friends and allies with the world's most destructive weapons.
(Applause.)
History has called us to these responsibilities, and we accept
them. America has always had a special mission to defend justice and
advance freedom around the world. Whatever the difficulties ahead, we
are confident about the outcome of this struggle. Tyranny and terror
and lawless violence will not decide the world's future. As Ronald
Reagan said. and as every generation of Americans has believed, the
future belongs to the free. (Applause.)
In a time of war, we reassert the essential values and beliefs of
our country. In the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln pointed toward a new
birth of freedom. Leading America into global war, Franklin D.
Roosevelt defined the four freedoms: freedom of speech and religion,
freedom from fear and want. Whenever America fights for the security of
our country, we also fight for the values of our country. In our time,
we will defend the land we love and we will act on the ideals that gave
it birth.
In America, we've not always lived up to our ideals, yet we always
reached for them. We believe that everyone deserves a chance, that
everyone has value, that no insignificant person was ever born. We
believe that all are diminished when any are hopeless. We are one
people, committed to building a single nation of justice and
opportunity. (Applause.)
America rejects bigotry. (Applause.) We reject every act of
hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith. (Applause.)
We reject the ancient evil of anti-Semitism, whether it is practiced by
the killers of Daniel Pearl, or by those who burn synagogues in
France. (Applause.)
America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths --
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is
practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every
immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country.
Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country.
(Applause.)
These American ideals of opportunity and equality come to us across
the generations. And they have attracted millions from across the
world. Yet there are young Americans growing up here, under this flag,
who doubt the promise and justice of our country. They live in
neighborhoods occupied by gangs and ruled by fear. They are entitled
by law to an education, yet do not receive an education. They hear
talk of opportunity and see little evidence of opportunity around
them.
Every American must believe in the promise of America. And to
reach this noble, necessary goal, there is a role for government.
America doesn't need more big government, and we've learned that more
money is not always the answer. If a program is failing to serve
people, it makes little difference if we spend twice as much or half as
much. The measure of true compassion is results.
Yet we cannot have an indifferent government either. We are a
generous and caring people. We don't believe in a sink-or-swim
society. The policies of our government must heed the universal call
of all faiths to love a neighbor as we would want to be loved
ourselves. We need a different approach than either big government or
indifferent government. We need a government that is focused,
effective, and close to the people; a government that does a few
things, and does them well. (Applause.)
Government cannot solve every problem, but it can encourage people
and communities to help themselves and to help one another. Often the
truest kind of compassion is to help citizens build lives of their
own. I call my philosophy and approach "compassionate conservatism."
It is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It
is conservative to insist on responsibility and on results. And with
this hopeful approach, we can make a real difference in people's
lives. (Applause.)
Compassionate conservatism places great hope and confidence in
public education. Our economy depends on higher and higher skills,
requiring every American to have the basic tools of learning. Every
public school should be the path of upward mobility.
Yet, sadly enough, many are the dead-end of dreams. Public schools
are some of the most important institutions of democracy. (Applause.)
They take children of every background, from every part of the world,
and prepare them for the obligations and opportunities of a free
society. Public schools are Americans great hope, and making them work
for every child is America's great duty.
The new education reforms we have passed in Washington give the
federal government a new role in public education. Schools must meet
new and high standards of performance in reading and math that will be
proven on tests and posted on the Internet for parents and everyone to
see. And we're giving local schools and teachers unprecedented freedom
and resources and training to meet these goals.
It is conservative to let local communities chart their own path to
excellence. It is compassionate to insist that every child learns, so
that no child is left behind. (Applause.) By insisting on results, and
challenging failure where we find it, we'll make an incredible
difference in the lives of every child in America.
Compassionate conservatism offers a new vision for fighting poverty
in America. For decades, our nation has devoted enormous resources to
helping the poor, with some great successes to show for it: basic
medical care for those in need, a better life for elderly Americans.
However, for millions of younger Americans, welfare became a static and
destructive way of life.
In 1996, we began transforming welfare with time limits and job
training and work requirements. And the nation's welfare rolls have
been cut by more than half. But even more importantly, many lives have
been dramatically improved.
One former welfare recipient here in California, happened to be a
mother of a chronically-ill child and the victim of domestic violence,
describes her experience upon leaving welfare. She said, "I feel like
an adult again. I have my dignity back."
We need to continue to fully transform welfare in America. As
Congress takes up welfare reform again in the coming weeks, we must
strengthen the work requirements that prevent dependency and despair.
Millions of Americans once on welfare are finding that a job is more
than a source of income. It is a source of dignity. And by helping
people find work, by helping them prepare for work, we practice
compassion.
Welfare reform must also, wherever possible, encourage the
commitments of family. Not every child has two devoted parents at home
-- I understand that. And not every marriage can, or should be saved.
But the evidence shows that strong marriages are good for children.
(Applause.)
When a couple on welfare wants to break bad patterns and start or
strengthen a marriage, we should help local groups give them counseling
that teaches commitment and respect. By encouraging family, we
practice compassion.
In overcoming poverty and dependence, we must also promote the work
of charities and community groups and faith-based institutions. These
organizations, such as shelters for battered women or mentoring
programs for fatherless children or drug treatment centers, inspire
hope in a way that government never can. Often, they inspire
life-changing faith in a way that government never should.
Our government should view the good Americans that work in
faith-based charities as partners, not rivals. (Applause.) We must
provide new incentives for charitable giving and, when it comes to
providing federal resources to effective programs, we should not
discriminate against private and religious groups. (Applause.)
I urge the Senate to pass the faith-based initiative for the good
of America. It is compassionate to aggressively fight poverty in
America. It is conservative to encourage work and community spirit and
responsibility and the values that often come from faith. And with
this approach, we can change lives one soul at a time, and make a real
difference in the lives of our citizens.
The same principles of compassion and responsibility apply when
America offers assistance to other nations. Nearly half of the world's
people still live on less than $2 a day. When we help them, we show
our values, our belief in universal human dignity. We serve our
interests and gain economic partners. And by helping the developing
nations of the world, we offer an alternative to resentment and
conflict and terror.
Yet the old way of pouring vast amounts of money into development
aid without any concern for results has failed, often leaving behind
misery and poverty and corruption. America's offering a new compact
for global development. Greater aid contributions from America must be
and will be linked to greater responsibility from developing nations.
(Applause.)
I have proposed a 50-percent increase in our core development
assistance over the next three budget years. Money that will be placed
in a new Millennium Challenge Account. At the end of this three-year
period, the level of our annual development assistance will be $5
billion higher than current levels.
This is a record amount of spending. And in return for these
funds, we expect nations to rout out corruption, to open their markets,
to respect human rights, and to adhere to the rule of law. And these
are the keys to progress in any nation, and they will be the conditions
for any new American aid. (Applause.)
It is compassionate to increase our international aid. It is
conservative to require the hard reforms that lead to prosperity and
independence. And with this approach, we'll make a real difference in
the lives of people around the world.
Compassionate conservatism guides my administration in many other
areas. Our health care policies must help low-income Americans to buy
health insurance they choose, they own and they control. (Applause.)
Our environmental policy set high standards for stewardship, while
allowing local cooperation and innovation to meet those standards. Our
housing programs moved beyond rental assistance to the pride and
stability of home ownership. Our reforms in Social Security must allow
and encourage and help working Americans to build up their own asset
base and achieve independence for their retirement years. (Applause.)
All of these policies and all of these areas serve the same
vision. We are using an active government to promote self-government.
We're encouraging individuals and communities and families to take more
and more responsibility for themselves, for their neighbors, for our
nation. The aim of these policies is not to spend more money or spend
less money; it is to spend on what works.
The measure of compassion is more than good intentions, it is good
results. Sympathy is not enough. We need solutions in America, and we
know where solutions are found. When schools are teaching, when
families are strong, when neighbors look after their neighbors, when
our people have the tools and the skills and the resources they need to
improve their lives, there is no problem that cannot be solved in
America. (Applause.)
By being involved and by taking responsibility upon ourselves, we
gain something else, as well: We contribute to the life of our
country. We become more than taxpayers and occasional voters, we
become citizens. Citizens, not spectators. Citizens who hear the call
of duty, who stand up for their beliefs, who care for their families,
who control their lives, and who treat their neighbors with respect and
compassion. We discover a satisfaction that is only found in service,
and we show our gratitude to America and to those who came before us.
In the last seven months, we've been tested, and the struggle of
our time has revealed the spirit of our people. Since September the
11th, we have been the kind of nation our founders had in mind, a
nation of strong and confident and self-governing people. And we've
been the kind of nation our fathers and mothers defended in World War
II; a great and diverse country, united by common dangers and by common
resolve.
We in our time will defend our nation, and we will deliver our
nation's promise to all who seek it. In our war on terror, we are
showing the world the strength of our country, and by our unity and
tolerance and compassion, we will show the world the soul of our
country. May God bless America. (Applause.)