[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[March 28, 1992]
[Pages 513-514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Radio Address to the Nation on Domestic Reforms

March 28, 1992
Good morning.
    Many have called the 20th century the American Century. The question 
before us today is about the next century, looking just a few years 
ahead.
    Let me tell you a story that will help shape that century, a story 
you probably haven't heard about. It's about a battle between those who 
want to change things and those who want to protect the status quo. And 
in this battle those who support change are telling those who want to 
stand pat: Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
    Wednesday, those words were heard loud and clear. I'm talking about 
how the Democratic Congress couldn't muster a two-thirds majority--
incredibly, couldn't even get a majority--to override my veto of the 
liberals' latest tax increase. This story you haven't heard about is 
also unheard of. Only twice before in the last 60 years has the House 
failed to muster a simple majority to override a veto.
    Congressional liberals suffered this defeat for a simple reason: 
Americans measure progress in people helped, not dollars spent. And 
that's why I'm going to continue the fight to keep a lid on Federal 
spending. It's also why I asked Senator McCain of Arizona and 
Congressman Harris Fawell of Illinois to formally introduce legislation 
to endorse the 68 rescissions I announced last week to cut nearly $4 
billion in waste from a bloated Federal budget.
    Unlike liberal Democrats, given our big deficit, I don't think the 
Federal Government can afford to fund prickly pear research or study 
asparagus yield declines. Those who reject these pork barrel projects 
will stand with me and the American taxpayer. Those who support them 
will have to explain in November why the public interest has been 
denied.
    If enough Members demand it, Congress must vote on each of these 
bills, yes or no, up or down. I'm going to work with those who want the 
Congress to be accountable and fight those who will try to block our 
initiatives through parliamentary gimmicks. I know that Government is 
too big and spends too much. And now let's see where Congress stands. 
Stay tuned, keep listening. We'll find out who really wants to cut 
spending and who just wants to keep the pork.
    In a world more driven by economic competition than ever before, the 
challenge I am referring to is crucial to our future. I mean reform of 
the American Government.

[[Page 514]]

During the last decade, one institution after another has looked within 
itself, decided on improvements, and acted to fix its problems and 
reflect its principles. Our task now is to bring that process of reform 
to the United States Government. All of us know Government's problem: 
Too often it is not accountable, not effective, not efficient. It's not 
even compassionate. Only by changing it can we protect America's general 
interest against selfish special interests.
    My rescissions will help knock out one part of the special interest 
problem at work in Congress today, but the changes I want are even 
bigger. I want to end the PAC contributions which are corrupting our 
system. I want to place term limits on Congress, and I want to lead the 
American people in making changes that will make the 21st century 
another American century.
    One challenge is to make our people educated, literate, and 
motivated to keep learning. And that's why I'm trying to reform our 
education system from top to bottom.
    Our people must have a sense of well-being about their health and 
that of their children and families. My health care reform plan will 
guarantee them access to the finest health care system in the world and 
make that care affordable.
    And next, help me return our civil justice system to its original 
purpose: dispense justice with civility. Eighteen million lawsuits a 
year are choking us, costing individuals and businesses billions, a 
tremendous drag on our morale as well as our economy.
    And in the next century, as we look at the likely economic 
competition as well as the likely opportunities, they will be beyond our 
borders. That means we must open up more foreign markets to sell our 
goods and our services and to sustain and create jobs for our people.
    Reform of Government, education, health care, our legal system, 
opening markets abroad: addressing these issues is fundamental to 
America's future. Already America has changed the world. Today I'm 
asking you to help me change America. If Congress won't change, we'll 
have to change the Congress. The battle has been joined, and it's your 
future that we're fighting for.
    Thank you for your support. And may God bless the United States of 
America.

                    Note: This address was recorded at 10:30 a.m. on 
                        March 27 in the Oval Office at the White House 
                        for broadcast after 9 a.m. on March 28.