... I first want you all to know that this administration has great confidence in the future of our technology industry. We recognize, like you do, that the stock market may be sending a little different message right now; that people have suffered losses and there are some difficult times for some of the companies in the high-tech world. But the accomplishments of the industry are rock-solid. The future is incredibly bright.
You've changed the way we work and communicate, and you've changed the way we learn. You've done for America -- economic leadership in the 21st century what heavy industry did for America in the 20th century. And all the difficulties you face today really don't cloud a future that is so optimistic and bright.
The social benefits from the tech industry are as sweeping as the economic potential -- telemedicine for the sick, distance learning and assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, for example. Your companies symbolize the innovation and optimism of this great nation. Your success fills us all with confidence in the continued growth of our economy.
You make us all a little prouder to be Americans. You've done so much for your country, it's time for your country to do something for you. I oftentimes say that the role of government is not to create wealth, it's to create an environment which the entrepreneurial spirit can continue to flourish.
First things first: We've got to restore consumer confidence. We can help in Washington by returning tax money to the people who pay the bills this year. We can restore investor confidence by building a better business environment for years to come, starting with having a realistic, sound energy policy -- a policy that says, of course, we can conserve better, but we need new supplies. We need to aggressively seek new supplies. And not only do we need new supplies of natural gas, for example, we need new pipelines to move natural gas. We need new power plants. We need an aggressive, forward-thinking energy policy that balances the needs of our environment with the needs of the people of the country.
You should really do a google search before you put your foot in your mouth, Moonman.
BTW, who were these tech leaders who had to slog all the way to DC to hear a terrible economic speech? In typical GWB fashion, he mentioned all the government grandees in attendance, but no one from the private sector.
Another interesting bit of history is that the tech dominated NASDAQ index was down 118 points on the day GWB gave your referenced tech-friendly speech. Shorting W's economic speeches from that time period was money in the bank.