What the Congress Can Do for America

Wall Street Journal ^ | January 3, 2007 | George W. Bush

[West Coast Conservative]

Tomorrow, members of the 110th Congress will take their oaths of office here in Washington. I will have the privilege of working with them for the next two years -- one quarter of my presidency, plenty of time to accomplish important things for the American people.

Together, we have a chance to serve the American people by solving the complex problems that many don't expect us to tackle, let alone solve, in the partisan environment of today's Washington. To do that, however, we can't play politics as usual. Democrats will control the House and Senate, and therefore we share the responsibility for what we achieve.

In the days and weeks since the November elections, I have been encouraged by the productive meetings I've had with many of the new leaders in Congress from both parties. I am hopeful we can find common ground without compromising our principles.

I believe we share many of the same goals for the people we serve -- and with good will and hard effort, we can find practical ways to advance the American Dream and keep our nation safe.

My principles are no secret. I have campaigned on them in my races for governor and in two presidential contests, and I have worked hard during my presidency to translate these principles into sound policy.

I believe that when America is willing to use her influence abroad, the American people are safer and the world is more secure. I believe that wealth does not come from government. It comes from the hard work of America's workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. I believe government closest to the people is more responsive and accountable. I believe government plays an important role in helping those who can't help themselves.

[indcons]

Some problem with that link. Seems to go to the WSJ home page even though the address seems to be correct. I guess it has something to do with the "ad-sponsored subscription."

[Alter Kaker]

Isn't an Op/Ed by the President of the United States breaking news?

[Quix]

FOR America?

You mean as opposed to the usual compulsive addicted knee jerk, traitorous, globalist, tyrannical and chronic SOP of

giving the shaft TO America?

[Logical me]

plenty of time to accomplish important things for the American people.

BS!!!! When in the he@@ did a RAT ever think of what is good for America.

[hsalaw]

Nice. Pres. Bush has thrown down the gauntlet - with the utmost civility - by calling on the dems to be adults, not just about the war on terror and our security, but also about tax cuts and earmarks. Looks to me like he's also warming up his veto pen.

[Radix]

 

 

[Sidebar Moderator]

Do you have a direct link for this?

Thanks

[MHGinTN]

If Republicans in House and Senate thought the handover to the democrats would allow them to rest, the coming veto 're-votes' will come as a shock. Much can be established during the next two years by vetoing and making a public expose' of the democrat agenda.

[Txsleuth]

Yeppers....when I was reading it, I was highlighting the words and phrases he used to signal to the dems that he knows what games they are about to play...and he ain't playing....LOL

[hsalaw]

I found the article by going to the first link - the "Wall Street Journal" link.

[West Coast Conservative]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116778526385965459.html?mod=home_whats_news_us is the direct link. WSJ Online is offering free access to their page today, so maybe you have to go through their homepage first.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Never mind that request for a link
I tried it again and it worked properly
Sorry for the mix up

[onyx]

Bump!

[Miss Didi]

I heard a feisty tone in his voice today at the funeral. He's ready to play hardball. And Dick C. is on deck.

[KoRn]

Congress should shut down for the next 20 years.

[Mo1]

FYI Ping

[Txsleuth]

PING

[mdittmar]

"In giving me the resolutions that earnest consideration which you request of me,I cannot overlook the fact that the meeting speak as "Democrats."

Nor can I, with full respect for their known intelligence,and the fairly presumed deliberation with which they prepared their resolutions,be permitted to suppose that this occurred by accident,or in any other way than they preferred to designate themselves "Democrats" rather than "American citizens."

In this time of national peril I would have preferred to meet you upon a level one step higher than any party platform;because I am sure that from such more elevated position,we could do better battle for the country we all love,than we possibly can from those lower ones,where force of habit,the prejudices of the past,and selfish hopes of future,we are sure to expend much of our ingenutity and strength,in finding fault with,and aiming blows at each other.

But since you have denied me this,I will yet be thankful,for the country's sake,that not all Democrats have done so."

[onyx]

Bump