[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 5, 1992]
[Pages 201-204]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to the Small Business Legislative Council

February 5, 1992
    Thank you all very much. And Phil, thank you for the welcome, the 
kind introduction. Bob Banister, congratulations on being named 
chairman-elect of the SBLC. John Satagaj, thanks for your hard work in 
putting this wonderfully successful meeting together. And greetings, 
also, to Ted Olsen and John Kemp, who has done wonderful work in helping 
small business implement the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
It was great a minute ago--I don't see him this second--to see my 
friend, Josh Smith, the Chairman, sitting over here, of the President's 
Council on Minority Business, a successful businessman himself.
    Today, what I wanted to do is to follow up on some of the things 
that I discussed in the State of the Union Address. I really do enjoy 
going up to the Hill to deliver the State of the Union. It's the only 
time all year that you can get so many politicians so polite and 
understanding for so long. [Laughter] It's a wonderful feeling.
    As you know, we've had a hectic week, from the State of the Union 
Address to releasing the budget to meeting with Boris Yeltsin. During 
this Presidency, I think it's fair to point out that the cold war has 
drawn to an end. We led the coalition that shoved Saddam Hussein out of 
Kuwait. Peace talks between ancient enemies have begun in the Middle 
East. The Soviet Union has collapsed, and we've begun working with its 
successor States. The whole world has changed. And still, some people 
say, ``Hey, is that all? What have you done for us lately?'' [Laughter] 
I'd say, no, but it's a good start, and we recognize that we've got many 
other things to be working on, as I've been trying to do.
    And now that we can look past the burdens of the cold war, we can do 
what we do best: create, innovate, build, produce, and lead. This 
afternoon, I'm going to be signing the Economic Report to the President. 
And it will not only describe and explain the causes of our current 
economic difficulties, it will also explain why virtually all economic 
analysts expect this economy to improve. More importantly, it will 
explain why if Congress enacts my progrowth policies, the improvement in 
the economy will be quicker, stronger, and much more certain.
    In the State of the Union, I presented a comprehensive action plan 
for our economy. Today I want to discuss what that means for you. Think 
of this as my ``small business State of the Union.'' My plan starts with 
what I can do as President without any congressional action required. 
We've taken a whole series of actions--I won't mention them all--but a 
series of actions to stimulate investment and get the economy moving. 
These, as I say, don't need congressional approval.
    A couple of initiatives have earned kudos from this crowd. First, I 
have ordered major Departments and Agencies to put a 90-day hold on 
implementing new regulations. Regulations ought to foster economic 
growth, not crush it. And we're going to make sure that the days of 
overregulation

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are over once and for all. So, we're going to take a fresh look at the 
rules and regulations Washington hurls your way. We'll get rid of those 
that do nothing more than destroy jobs and weigh down businesses. And in 
this, we will pick some that will speed up and foster growth and support 
jobs. We're going to emphasize those regulations.
    But that's not all. We also declared war on nuisance lawsuits. 
Yesterday I announced the ``Access to Justice Act of 1992.'' That bill 
will give Americans less expensive and easier alternatives to trial. Let 
them solve problems out of court. And we've got to stop America's long 
liaison with the lawsuit. If we were as good at rewarding success as we 
are at suing each other, this country would be a lot better off. And 
that goes for health care, too. With those outrageous, sky-high 
malpractice awards, we've got to get those under control, and we are 
going to try hard.
    And now the American people know better than to think that anyone, 
including a President, can wave a magic wand and revive something as 
complicated as our economy. Congress needs to do its job. And that 
means--and we were talking with your leaders about this earlier--that 
they should pass the short-term compact economic growth package that I 
put before the Congress, and pass it by March 20th.
    You know, we're all realistic that we're going into a political 
year. And I'm fairly realistic that we're going into a political year--
[laughter]--but I would simply point out that we have time now. There's 
a period of time that we can lower that political controversy and get 
something done, a rifleshot approach to stimulate this economy. And 
that's where I'm going to need your help. So here we go.
    The plan starts with the basics. It stimulates investment by 
improving the alternative minimum tax and creating a new 15-percent 
investment tax allowance. L.W. Locke of North Carolina, and I'm told 
he's in the audience today, understands. He appreciates these changes. 
He's delayed building a convenience store/gasoline station because he 
just can't do it under our present system. The investment tax allowance 
would let him buy fixtures and gas pumps and fuel storage tanks, a $1 
million commitment. So don't tell me--here's a practical example--don't 
tell me, or don't listen to the voices that say this plan is a gimmick. 
And don't try to tell that to L.W., either, because he's right out there 
trying to move forward with investment.
    I also want to fire up the engine that traditionally pulls us out of 
tough times, and that's the real estate industry. My plan helps 
builders. Ask Jay Buchert, a Cincinnati homebuilder, also here with us 
today. He's thrown his support behind this plan. The National 
Association of Home Builders predicts that my bill will create at least 
415,000 construction industry jobs and set off $20 billion in economic 
activity associated with homebuilding. Now, that's no gimmick. That is 
no gimmick. That means jobs, good, solid American jobs.
    And I also want to reward everyone who believes in the American 
dream, trying to make it work. I want Congress to cut the long-term tax 
on capital gains. And I want it cut to a maximum rate of 15.4 percent. 
The world's fastest growing economies and our major competitors, 
including Germany and Japan, have one thing in common: They tax capital 
gains at much lower rates than we do. And in many cases, capital gains 
isn't taxed at all.
    It's ironic. Many politicians who oppose the capital gains tax cut 
also complain that we're not competitive. Well, they can't have it both 
ways. And if they really want us to be competitive, then they'll slash 
the capital gains rate and do it now in this comprehensive short-term 
package. The capital gains rate cut will help families who own homes, 
help people who own farms, help business owners, and will help everyone 
who invests in our future by purchasing stock.
    Now, you've heard some people claim that a capital gains cut serves 
only the rich. Well, maybe those people should get out of Washington and 
talk to people around our country. Retirees say they can't sell their 
homes because capital gains rates punish them too much. Business owners 
say they can't expand their businesses; capital gains rates punish their 
success. A man from Florida, a retiree who built his own business, 
invested, 
saved, put it perfectly: He worked

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hard for years, and now he can't afford to cash in on his success. He 
said, ``We are being penalized for having foresight.'' Well, I'm tired 
of people getting slammed because they risked their money and effort and 
succeeded. And it's about time the Congress realizes we should reward 
these people, not turn them into targets of envy. And that, of course, 
creates jobs. More people that take risks and start businesses; that 
means jobs.
    So, let's get to the heart of this thing. The people in this room, 
small businessmen, investors from the National Venture Capital 
Association, you understand the gritty fundamentals of business. And you 
are the real experts. Well, America really needs your help now. So, 
don't accept no for an answer anymore. I'll take the heat on whether 
it's a tax cut for the rich or not, but you make the case as to what it 
can do to stimulate jobs and new businesses in this country and demand 
that the Congress cut the capital gains rate now.
    And I might remind you when you do this work, remember that there 
were majorities in both Houses of Congress for what I'm proposing right 
now not so many months ago. The field is there for fertile reaping. And 
I tell you, I really hope that you can get up and help us do this job.
    I'd also like to ask you that you demand action on my short-term 
plan without delay. You know, when I hear someone complain that this 
short-term plan won't do much, I wonder myself: Hadn't any of these guys 
ever run a business? Do they appreciate the difficulties of getting a 
loan, finding an investor, purchasing what you need, filling out all 
that Government paperwork? It's about time somebody understands that you 
need just a few minutes to concentrate on the customer. That's what some 
of this is going to do.
    You may have detected this, but I'm tired of the term ``fairness'' 
being corrupted by political demagogs. You want fairness? Here's 
something fair: My plan will work for all Americans, and it will create 
jobs. How's that for fairness?
    Congress has the legislation. It has a March deadline, March 20th 
deadline. And I ask you to circle the date on the calendar. Much beyond 
that, politics takes over. We've got a chance now to get something done. 
So while you're in Washington, visit those congressional delegations. 
Let them know that you want this package passed. You are at the center 
of this plan, and you create, small business, you create the vast 
majority of jobs in this country. And I am determined to support you to 
create more jobs. I believe it is in your power to help lift this 
country and help get it moving again. I really am confident that you 
will do just that. Since Members of Congress will be home on break next 
week, drop by their offices, let them know how you feel. Send this 
message: No more delays, no excuses, no substitutes. And don't delay. 
Decision day is 6 weeks from Friday.
    I didn't mention all the ingredients, but that's the rifleshot, 
short-term, incentive-building, job-creating part of this package. Now, 
for the longer term, I've also proposed an ambitious long-term agenda to 
ensure that our economy will continue leading the world for decades to 
come.
    And let me discuss a critical issue in that plan, health care. I 
know health care has become a problem for many of you and your 
employees. And tomorrow I'm going to be announcing in detail my 
comprehensive health care plan. And I know you'll like it. I believe 
you'll like it a lot. People today worry about health care, yes. It 
costs too much, great concern. It's tough to find good comprehensive 
coverage. And you can't make choices like you used to. And you can't 
count on coverage if you move and change jobs or fall victim to a 
debilitating condition or disease.
    I believe our plan solves these problems. And my plan ensures that 
people can find health care, choose health care, afford health care, and 
keep health care. I know that everyone with a plan promises the same 
thing, and that's why you have to use your common sense in evaluating 
the various proposals. And when you get right down to it, there are two 
fundamental health care choices. We can adopt a system that's been a 
proven failure all over the world, nationalized health care. Or we can 
reform our present system, which has its faults, certainly, but which 
also provides the highest quality care on Earth. People come

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from all over the world to participate in our health care. And if you 
want the freedom to choose your own doctor, to hold the line on costs, 
and to improve access to health insurance coverage, push for my plan. 
Look it over carefully. We're going to need your support. It gives 
everyone, and I emphasize everyone, access to the world's best health 
care, and it doesn't exclude anybody. So, take a look at this and 
support us if you can.
    And finally, I'd like your help on one other item. The Federal 
Government is too big, and it spends too much. And it's just that 
simple. Now, my budget holds the line on new spending. It does not 
violate the only protection the taxpayer has, that's the spending caps 
that are now in the law. These caps are the only protection the taxpayer 
has against more spending by Congress. And it pulls the trapdoor on a 
host of federally funded programs, all with noble titles--246 programs 
to be exact--that we simply do not need. And you shouldn't have to pay 
for them. And it's that simple. Each one has a protector, but I think 
the time has come, and the times demand that we take action on these.
    And also, get Congress to give me an important weapon to control 
spending. This one may be a little difficult, but get them to give me 
that line-item veto and give me a shot at it. Forty-three Governors have 
it; give the President a shot.
    We must stop imposing mandates on others without paying for those 
mandates. Too often mandates, these mandated benefits dictated out of 
some subcommittee, mean mandated deficits. And that just isn't right. 
It's not fair to the States. It's not fair to the localities and the 
communities. And it's got to stop.
    The bottom line is we've got a lot of work to do. And we can't let 
anyone stall us this time. Americans can't wait to get this economy 
moving. We want to throw off cynicism and fear. We want to shake away 
the gloom and the doubt. And I am, frankly, very tired of the 
professional pessimists who don't have any fresh ideas for the future 
and who literally feast on bad times and hard feelings and who talk as 
if our best days have passed by. They just don't understand.
    Wouldn't you hate to go through life thinking, ``The only way I can 
get a step up the ladder is if somebody else is hurting''? They just 
ought to get out of the way, these gloom-sayers and these pessimists. We 
can start a new economic revolution in America, one that builds on our 
innate optimism, our ambition, our determination, our willing to take 
risks, and our pride. And we're going to do just that. And that 
revolution will start a lot sooner if 535 people in Washington meet by 
March 20th deadline that I've proposed up there.
    So let them know in no uncertain terms: Business as usual won't get 
this job done; election year politics as usual won't do. Tell them we 
need action by March 20th. And with your help, I believe we can get it.
    Thank you all very, very much. And may God bless the United States.

                    Note: The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. at the J.W. 
                        Marriott Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to 
                        SBLC officers Phil Chisholm, chairman, John 
                        Satagaj, president, and Ted Olsen, treasurer; 
                        John Kemp, executive vice president of the 
                        United Cerebral Palsy Association; L.W. Locke of 
                        Eastern Petroleum Corp., in Enfield, NC; and 
                        Robert Buchert of American Heritage Construction 
                        and Development Corp., Cincinnati, OH.