[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 12, 1992]
[Pages 1547-1548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1547]]


Radio Address to the Nation on the Agenda for American Renewal
September 12, 1992

    This week I laid out my Agenda for American Renewal, a comprehensive 
set of answers to the most important question Americans are asking these 
days: What kind of America will our kids grow up in? My agenda offers 
the promise of a renewed America, an America with a $10 trillion economy 
by early in the next century. With that kind of dynamic growth we can 
address our problems here at home and guarantee that America will remain 
not just a military superpower but an export superpower and an economic 
superpower.
    Today one out of every six manufacturing jobs is tied to exports. So 
first, I offer a strategic trade policy, including new free trade 
agreements with the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe. By 
increasing trade we increase American jobs. It's as simple as that.
    If we want America to compete with other nations, we have to change 
our schools. Through my America 2000 program we are already reinventing 
education in almost 2,000 towns and cities. And I want to give 
scholarships to low- and middle-income students so that parents can 
choose where their kids go to school, whether public schools, private 
schools, or religious schools.
    Even with new schools, graduates are going to need good jobs. So the 
third part of my agenda is to sharpen our businesses' competitive edge. 
That means cutting taxes and regulations on small business. It also 
means doing away with the crazy lawsuits that strike fear into the 
hearts of every business man or woman. Get this: American businesses and 
consumers now spend up to $200 billion each year just on direct costs to 
lawyers. I don't want to see an America where only lawyers get rich. I 
want to see an America where workers can get rich.
    The fourth part of my agenda is extremely important: to promote 
economic security for all working people. For example, I have a program 
to control health care costs, to allow you to take your coverage from 
job to job, and to make health care available to almost 30 million 
Americans who simply can't afford it today.
    In the 21st century we will need the talents of everyone, regardless 
of whether you were born in city or suburb. And that's agenda item 
number five: opportunity for all Americans. It means reforming our 
welfare system. Already we've given States authority to experiment with 
programs that don't just give people a check but reward work and 
personal responsibility.
    The final part of my agenda is especially important: ``rightsizing'' 
Government. I believe the Federal Government today is too big and spends 
too much of your money. My opponent wants to raise taxes and raise 
spending. I put forth almost $300 billion in specific cuts in spending 
over the next 5 years. I want to use the savings to reduce taxes and get 
this economy moving, and get the deficit off our children's shoulders.
    This is my Agenda for American Renewal. Parts of it are already 
underway; parts of it are new. I will fight for this agenda with the new 
Congress and its 150 expected new Members. If Congress balks, I will 
work with Governors, mayors, teachers, community leaders to keep my 
agenda moving forward.
    My opponent has reached into the medicine cabinet and offered the 
same tired old prescription: more Government and bigger Government. My 
agenda for America offers new solutions, solutions that give power to 
you, not Government. This is the way we will create a $10 trillion 
economy. This is the way we can match the peace we've achieved around 
the world with peace of mind here at home.
    Thank you for listening.

[[Page 1548]]

                    Note: This address was recorded at 9:50 a.m. on 
                        September 10 in the Oval Office at the White 
                        House for broadcast after 9 a.m. on September 
                        12.