[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
[[Page 2010]]
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.