WEEKLY ADDRESS: Putting the American People First

WASHINGTON--  In this week’s address, President Obama told the American people that although the United States leads the world in new ideas, innovative businesses and creative entrepreneurs, too many Americans are still struggling to get by.  It is time for Congress to act on the President’s proposals, including extending the payroll tax cut, cutting red tape, and getting our construction workers back to work, so that we can get our economy on firmer ground and ensure that anyone who wants a job can find one.  President Obama believes the American people deserve more than political brinksmanship, and urges anyone who is frustrated by the gridlock in Washington to let their elected officials know that it is time to put aside partisanship and act in the best interests of the country.   

Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Washington, DC

On Thursday, I visited a new, high-tech factory in Michigan where workers are helping America lead the way in a growing clean energy industry. 

They were proud of their work, and they should be.  They’re not just showing us a path out of the worst recession in generations – they’re proving that this is still a country where we make things; where new ideas take root and grow; where the best universities, most creative entrepreneurs, and most dynamic businesses in the world call home.  They’re proving that even in difficult times, there’s not a country on Earth that wouldn’t trade places with us. 

That doesn’t mean we don’t face some very tough economic challenges.  Many Americans are hurting badly right now.  Many have been unemployed for too long.  Putting these men and women back to work, and growing wages for everyone, has got to be our top priority.

But lately, the response from Washington has been partisanship and gridlock that’s only undermined public confidence and hindered our efforts to grow the economy.

So while there’s nothing wrong with our country, there is something wrong with our politics, and that’s what we’ve got to fix.  Because we know there are things Congress can do, right now, to get more money back in your pockets, get this economy growing faster, and get our friends and neighbors back to work. 

The payroll tax cut that put $1,000 back in the average family’s pocket this year?  Let’s extend it.  Construction workers who’ve been jobless since the housing boom went bust?  Let’s put them back to work rebuilding America.  Let’s cut red tape in the patent process so entrepreneurs can get good ideas to market more quickly.  Let’s finish trade deals so we can sell more American-made goods around the world.  Let’s connect the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan to businesses that need their incredible skills and talents.

These are all things we can do right now.  So let’s do them.  And over the coming weeks, I’ll put forward more proposals to help our businesses hire and create jobs, and won’t stop until every American who wants a job can find one.

But we can no longer let partisan brinksmanship get in our way – the idea that making it through the next election is more important than making things right.  That’s what’s holding us back – the fact that some in Congress would rather see their opponents lose than see America win.

So you’ve got a right to be frustrated.  I am.  Because you deserve better.  And I don’t think it’s too much for you to expect that the people you send to this town start delivering.

Members of Congress are at home in their districts right now.  And if you agree with me – whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican or not much of a fan of either – let them know.

If you’ve had it with gridlock, and you want them to pass stalled bills that will help our economy right now – let them know. 

If you refuse to settle for a politics where scoring points is more important than solving problems; if you believe it’s time to put country before party and the interests of our children before our own – let them know. 

And maybe they’ll get back to Washington ready to compromise, ready to create jobs, ready to get our fiscal house in order – ready to do what you sent them to do.

Yes, we’ve still got a long way to go to get to where we need to be.  We didn’t get into this mess overnight, and it’s going to take time to get out of it.  That’s a hard truth – but it’s no excuse for inaction.  After all, America voted for divided government, not dysfunctional government, and we’ve got work to do.  And when we come together and find common ground, there’s no stopping this country.  There’s no stopping our people.  There’s no holding us back.  And there is every reason to believe we’ll get through this storm to a brighter day.

Thanks for listening, and have a nice weekend.