[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 12, 1992]
[Pages 1813-1814]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to Farm and Business Groups in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 12, 1992

    Thank you very much. Well, thank you all. And let me just thank 
everybody, thank Jim and Tom, Noelle and Brian. Pay respects to our 
Governor, who is rapidly crossing out the fact that his wife, Michelle, 
is not with us today, which is our loss. She's doing a first class job 
as first lady of this State, and I'm very proud to have these 
endorsements from the leading farm and business groups in Michigan.

[[Page 1814]]

    You know, the global economy--and we're in a global economy--is in 
transition. And still, compared to the other countries of the world, the 
American economy is in relatively good shape. Industrial manufacturing--
up, versus Japan. In the Bush years, farm income and family income 
averaged highest under any President. And inflation is way down, as 
we've heard. Low interest rates mean good news for farmers, homebuyers, 
small-business men and women.
    The real question then in this election is: Where do we go from 
here? And Governor Clinton offers a billion dollars a day in new 
promises, at least $150 billion which he's already proposed in new taxes 
to be paid by, of course, small businesses, farmers, and middle class. 
He says soak the rich, but the whole country knows better.
    I want to make Government smaller, make opportunity larger. And I 
propose controlling the growth of mandatory spending, eliminating 
wasteful Government spending, while still making the necessary 
investments in job training, education, and in high-wage industries of 
the future.
    Last month, the National Association of Business Economists compared 
our two directions, Governor Clinton's and mine. And the vast majority 
said that under the Bush agenda, inflation would be lower, interest 
rates would be lower, and the budget deficit smaller. Michigan voters 
ought to look at our plans in detail and ask which will make their jobs, 
their families more secure. The Michigan farm and business community has 
done that, and I am very proud to accept their support in our crusade to 
renew America for the next 4 years.
    Thank you all very, very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 3:55 p.m. at Kent 
                        County International Airport. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to Gov. John Engler of Michigan; James 
                        Barrett, president, Michigan Chamber of 
                        Commerce; Tom Guthrie, vice chairman, Michigan 
                        Farm Bureau AgriPac; Noelle Clark, chairwoman, 
                        Michigan chapter, National Federation of 
                        Independent Businesses; and Brian Wellman, 
                        chairman, Michigan Homebuilders Association.