    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 27, 2008]
    [Pages 729-730]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Tour of Silverado Cable Company in Mesa, Arizona
    May 27, 2008

        The President. I've come to Silverado for a couple of reasons: one,
    to remind our fellow citizens how important small businesses are to the
    backbone of our economy. These two
    brothers started this company with five
    employees.
        Robert Simpson. Five employees.
        The President. How many you got now?
        Robert Simpson. We have 70.
        The President. Seventy. One of the things that's important in law is
    to encourage certain behavior, and the stimulus package we passed
    encouraged investment. And so the--these
    guys were showing me a new laser machine they
    purchased this year. And they purchased it this year because the
    stimulus package provided a tax incentive to do that. And the reason why
    that's important is when the economy slowed down, we wanted to stimulate
    activity.
        And so the fact that they
    purchased the machine meant somebody had to
    make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's
    jobs at the machine-making place. Plus, their employees are more
    productive; they're more competitive. It makes it more likely they're
    going to keep their business and expand their business.
        And so the first thing I want to do is, one, thank you for being
    entrepreneurs, and two, remind our citizens that this stimulus package
    that we passed in Congress is just beginning to kick in. And it's going
    to make a positive contribution to economic growth.
        The other thing that's important to remember is that a company such
    as these--as this one pays taxes at the individual income tax rate. So
    when you hear these politicians campaign and say, ``We're going to raise
    taxes, oh, just on the rich people,'' they're raising taxes on companies
    like Silverado.
        What you don't want to do is take money out of the treasuries of
    these small businesses across America. If you're interested in economic
    vitality and growth, you want these--owners of these small businesses to
    have more money to invest. It's good for their employees, it's good for
    their growth, and it's good for our Nation.
        And so I strongly urge the United States Congress to make the tax
    relief we passed permanent so that companies such as Silverado don't
    have to worry about what their tax burden is going to be in 2 years
    come. See, we're in--we have times of economic uncertainty right now,
    and what creates more uncertainty for owners of businesses like these is
    whether or not their taxes are going to go up.
        And Congress ought to just declare once and for all: We're going to
    make the tax cuts we passed permanent. It will be--add peace of mind for
    these business leaders. It'll make it easier for their employees to keep
    a job. It'll make it easier for them to do what they want to do and take
    care of their--people that work here.
        And so I'm thrilled to be with you. Congratulations on----
        Robert Simpson. It's our pleasure. Thank
    you so much, Mr. President.
        The President. Congratulations on being dreamers and doers.

    [[Page 730]]

        Mitch Simpson. Thank you, Mr. President.
    Thank you.
        The President. Yes, sir. I loved meeting your employees too.
        Robert Simpson. Well, if you have just a
    minute, I have a few more back there.
        The President. All right, good. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:07 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Robert Simpson, president, and Mitch Simpson, vice president, Silverado
    Cable Co.