    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 4, 2006]
    [Pages 2009-2010]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 4, 2006

        Good morning. I'm speaking to you today from the Mile High Coffee
    Shop in Englewood, Colorado. Mile High Coffee was founded by Brian
    Verbeck, who is the city's entrepreneur of the
    year. I'm here to have a cup of his famous coffee and have breakfast
    with a group of local entrepreneurs to discuss our strong and growing
    economy.
        Yesterday we received more good news about our economy. The national
    unemployment rate has dropped to 4.4 percent. It's the lowest rate in
    more than 5 years. Over the past 3 months, America has added 470,000 new
    jobs, for a total of more than 6.8 million new jobs since August of
    2003. Real wages rose 2.4 percent over the past year, which means an
    extra $1,327 for the typical family of four with two wage earners.
    Americans are finding jobs, and they're taking home more pay.
        The main reason for our growing economy is that we cut taxes and
    left more money in the hands of families and workers and small-business
    owners. Entrepreneurs like the ones I'm having breakfast with this
    morning have put that money to good use. They expanded their businesses,
    and they're creating jobs in their communities.
        One of the entrepreneurs with me today is Duke Hanson, the cofounder of a company called Crocs.
    Crocs produces a hugely popular line of lightweight shoes, and over the
    past 3 years, they've expanded dramatically. Three years ago, Crocs had
    just 11 employees. Today, Crocs provides jobs for hundreds of Americans,
    and his shoes are sold all over the world. Duke calls this ``rocket-ship
    growth.'' Here's what he says: ``We're bringing a lot of money in. We're
    employing people and providing a product that millions of people love.''
        Another entrepreneur with me today is Rich Lewis. Rich is the founder, president, and CEO of a
    technology company called RTL Networks. Rich's company sells and
    maintains computer network hardware and infrastructure. His business is
    growing as well. Over the past 4 years, RTL Networks has expanded from 1
    to 19 employees. Rich says, ``We've been growing. I feel more secure now
    as an entrepreneur and businessowner, and I see continued growth.''
        A third entrepreneur with me today is Luke Schmieder. He's the chairman and CEO and cofounder of Mesa Labs.
    His company sells kidney dialysis products, electronic measuring
    instruments, and biological indicators, which means they use technology
    to meet people's health care needs. His company got off to a rough
    start, until Luke mortgaged his house to turn things around. In the past
    6 years, the company has grown 34 percent. Luke says, ``Revenues are up;
    earnings are up. I say it's a good economy right now.''
        Our tax cuts have helped businesses like these create jobs and
    deliver prosperity across Colorado and across the Nation. Yet Democrats
    in Washington have consistently opposed cutting taxes. They predicted
    that the tax cuts would not create jobs, would [not]* increase wages,
    and would cause the Federal deficit to explode. American workers and
    entrepreneurs have proved all those predictions wrong.
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        *White House correction.
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        But the Democrats are still determined to raise taxes. And if they
    gain control of the Congress, they can do so without lifting a finger.
    Under current law, many of the tax cuts we passed have to be renewed by
    Congress or they will expire. In other words, if Congress fails to act,
    your taxes will automatically go up. If Democrats take control of the
    House, the committee in charge of all the tax legislation would be
    chaired by a Democrat who recently said he
    can't think of one of our tax cuts he

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    would extend. And if there's no legislation to renew and extend the tax
    cuts, every tax rate will go back up to its old, higher level.
        Think what that would mean for the small-business owners like the
    ones with me today. If the Democrats have their way, small-business
    owners like Rich Lewis, who pay business taxes
    at individual rates, will see their taxes go up. Small-business owners
    who want to expand and invest in new equipment will face a tax hike as
    well. And small-business owners who hope to pass on their life's work to
    their children and grandchildren will have to worry about their families
    being hit by the return of the death tax.
        The choice you make on Tuesday will have a direct impact on our
    economy, on the small businesses that are creating jobs, and on the
    workers who depend on them. The last thing American families and small
    businesses need now is a higher tax bill, and that is what you'll get if
    the Democrats take control of the Congress.
        America needs leaders in Washington who understand that you know how
    to save, spend, and invest your money better than the Federal
    Government. And we need leaders who will work to make the tax relief we
    delivered permanent. And now the decision is in your hands, and however
    you decide, I urge you to get out and vote on Tuesday.
        I appreciate you listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:06 a.m. at Mile High Coffee in
    Englewood, CO, for immediate broadcast. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.