[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.