Texas Insider Report: THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary WASHINGTON D.C. In Saturdays address President Obama spoke to the American people from the Corner Country Farm in Alpha Illinois on the need to create jobs & strengthen the economy. President Obama reminded the American people that we still have the best workers entrepreneurs & students in the world and called on both parties to come together and act on a series of steps to get our nation back to work. Read his full remarks here.
WEEKLY ADDRESS: Getting America Back to Work
Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address Saturday August 20 2011 Alpha Illinois Hello from the Country Corner Farm in Alpha Illinois! For the past few days Ive been traveling to small towns and farm towns here in the heartland of this country. I sat down with small business owners in Gutenberg Iowa; and ranchers and farmers in Peosta. I had lunch with veterans in Cannon Falls Minnesota; and talked to plant workers at a seed distributor in Atkinson Illinois. And to the girls volleyball team at Maquoketa High School let me just say one thing: Go Cardinals. Now Im out here for one reason: I think Washington DC can learn something from the folks in Atkinson and Peosta and Cannon Falls. I think our country would be a whole lot better off if our elected leaders showed the same kind of discipline and integrity and responsibility that most Americans demonstrate in their lives every day. Because the fact is were going through a tough time right now. Were coming through a terrible recession; a lot of folks are still looking for work. A lot of people are getting by with smaller paychecks or less money in the cash register. So we need folks in Washington the people whose job it is to deal with the countrys problems the people who you elected to serve we need them to put aside their differences to get things done. There are things we can do right now that will mean more customers for businesses and more jobs across the country. We can cut payroll taxes again so families have an extra $1000 to spend. We can pass a road construction bill so construction crews now sitting idle can head back to the worksite rebuilding roads bridges and airports. Weve got brave skilled Americans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Lets connect them with businesses that could use their skills. And lets pass trade deals to level the playing field for our businesses. We have Americans driving Hyundais and Kias. Well I want to see folks in Korea driving Fords Chevys and Chryslers. I want more products sold around the globe stamped with three words: Made in America. These are commonsense ideas ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. The only thing holding them back is politics. The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party. Thats the problem right now. Thats whats holding this country back. Thats what we have to change. Because for all the knocks weve taken despite all the challenges we face this is still the greatest country on earth. We still have the best workers and farmers entrepreneurs and businesses students and scientists. And you can see that here in Alpha. You can see it along the country roads that connect these small towns and farmlands. These past few days Ive been seeing little kids with American flags and grandparents in lawn chairs. Ive shaken hands with folks outside machine shops and churches corner stores and farms. It reminds me why I got into public service in the first place. Getting out of Washington and spending time with the people of this country seeing how hard youre working how creative you are how resourceful you are how determined you are that only makes me more determined to serve you as best I can as President. And it only makes me more confident in our future. Thats why its so important that folks in Washington put country before party. Thats why its so important that our elected leaders get past their differences to help grow the economy and put this nation back to work. Because here in Alpha it couldnt be more clear: if we can come together theres no stopping the United States of America. Theres no doubt that our future is bright. Thanks and have a great weekend. The audio and video of the address became available online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ at 6:00 a.m. ET Saturday August 20 2011.
