Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address
The White House
September 25, 2010

This week, the economists who officially decide when recessions start
and end declared the recession of 2008 to be over. But if you’re one
of the millions of Americans who lost your home, your job, or your
savings as a consequence of the recession, this news is of little
comfort or value.

Yes, the economy is growing instead of shrinking, as it was in 2008

and the beginning of 2009. We’re gaining private sector jobs each
month instead of losing 800,000, as we did the month I took office.

But we have to keep pushing to promote growth that will generate the
jobs we need, and repair the terrible damage the recession has done.
That’s why I’ve proposed a series of additional steps: accelerated tax
breaks for businesses who buy equipment now; a permanent research and
development tax break to promote innovation by American companies; and
a new initiative to rebuild America’s roads, rails, and runways that
will put folks to work and make our country more competitive.

Taken together with the small business tax cut and lending plan we
passed through Congress last week, these steps will help spur jobs in
the short run, and strengthen our economy for the long run.

Now, the Republicans who want to take over Congress offered their own
ideas the other day. Many were the very same policies that led to the
economic crisis in the first place, which isn’t surprising, since many
of their leaders were among the architects of that failed policy.

It is grounded in same worn out philosophy: cut taxes for millionaires

and billionaires; cut the rules for Wall Street and the special
interests; and cut the middle class loose to fend for itself. That’s
not a prescription for a better future. It’s an echo of a disastrous
decade we can’t afford to relive.

The Republicans in Washington claimed to draw their ideas from a

website called “America Speaking Out.” It turns out that one of the
ideas that’s drawn the most interest on their website is ending tax
breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Funny thing is, when we recently closed one of the most egregious
loopholes for companies creating jobs overseas, Republicans in
Congress were almost unanimously opposed. The Republican leader John
Boehner attacked us for it, and stood up for outsourcing, instead of
American workers.

So, America may be speaking out, but Republicans in Congress sure

aren’t listening. They want to put special interests back in the
driver’s seat in Washington. They want to roll back the law that will
 finally stop health insurance companies from denying you coverage on
the basis of a preexisting condition. They want to repeal reforms that
will finally protect hardworking families from hidden rates and
penalties every time they use a credit card, make a mortgage payment,
or take out a student loan.
And for all their talk about reining in spending and getting our
deficits under control, they want to borrow another $700 billion, and
use it to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires. On average,
that’s a tax cut of about $100,000 for millionaires.

Instead of cutting taxes for the wealthiest few – tax breaks we cannot
afford – I’ve called for tax cuts for middle class families who saw
their incomes shrink by five percent during the last, lost decade.
We’ve already cut 8 different taxes for small business owners to help
them hire and grow, and we’re going to cut 8 more. We’re challenging
our states and schools to do a better job educating our kids and
making college more affordable so America can once more lead the world
in the proportion of our kids graduating from college. And we’re
putting an end to the days of taxpayer-funded bailouts so Main Street
never again has to pay for Wall Street’s mistakes.

America is a great country. Our democracy is vibrant, our economy is

dynamic, and our workers can outcompete the best of them. But the way
for us to remain the greatest country on Earth isn’t to turn back the
clock and put the special interests in charge. It’s to make sure all
our people are getting a fair shake. It’s to make sure everyone who’s
willing to work for it still has a chance to reach for the American
dream. And that will remain my mission every single day so long as I
have the honor of serving as President.

Have a nice weekend, everybody.

[ASSESMENT START OF PHASE C]
"A modern barrister risks disciplinary proceedings for misleading
the court; a Roman advocate only risked exposure as a liar, but even so,
week [week]
the drafting of parts of Cicero’s lawcourt speeches shows that, while he is
noun (plural weeks)
always ready to put a rhetorical construction on the facts that is favourable
1.
to his own case, he is quite careful not to tamper with the facts themselves."
7-day period: a period of seven consecutive days

weak [week]
2. calendar week: a period of seven days beginning
(comparative weak·er, superlative weak·est)
from a specific day, usually Sunday
adjective
 the middle of the week
1. not strong or fit: not physically fit or mentally strong
3. working week: the days of the week or the time
2. easily defeated: easily overcome or defeated
every week during which somebody usually works

 goes to bed early during the week 3. lacking strength of character: not having strength of character

4. special week: a week containing a particular 4. not intense: not powerful or intense
holiday or dedicated to a particular cause  weak winter sunshine
 Easter week
5. lacking skills or abilities: not having particular skills or abilities
adverb  weak in math
U.K. one week after particular day: one week after or

before a particular day

6. watery or tasteless: watery or lacking flavor
 arranged to meet on Thursday week
 weak coffee

[ Old English wice < Germanic, "series, 7. not working to full capacity: not working as well as usual or desirable
succession"] 8. unconvincing: not persuasive or convincing
 a weak excuse
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-
9. not strong politically: not politically strong or powerful
2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
 a weak country
reserved.
This week, the economists who officially decide when recessions start
and end declared the recession of 2008 to be over.

Most Americans view the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan as a

naked act of aggression by a ruthless, totalitarian state. The reality
a
was far more complex. For more than a year, Soviet leaders
rejected pleas from the Afghan communist government to send
troops to
help put down rebellion by the rural population protesting the
regime’s merciless modernization programs. After Moscow did
invade,
it found itself locked in conflict—essentially, a civil war—it
could barely comprehend. While it cannot be said that
Afghanistan triggered the Soviet collapse, it did project an image
of a failing empire unable to deal with a handful of bedraggled
partisans in a remote part of its southern frontier.

But if you’re one of the millions of Americans who lost your home,
your job, or your savings as a consequence of the recession, this news
is of little comfort or value.

Yes, the economy is growing instead of shrinking, as it was in 2008

and the beginning of 2009. We’re gaining private sector jobs each
month instead of losing 800,000, as we did the month I took office.
“You know about everything you’ve taken part in here,”
the Afghan told Bogdanov. “You really should write a
book about it.”
“I don’t know. . . . No one would believe it,” the Russian
replied.
“It would read too much like a detective thriller.”

But we have to keep pushing to promote growth that will generate the
jobs we need, and repair the terrible damage the recession has done.
That’s why I’ve proposed a series of additional steps: accelerated tax
breaks for businesses who buy equipment now; a permanent research and
development tax break to promote innovation by American companies; and
a new initiative to rebuild America’s roads, rails, and runways that
will put folks to work and make our country more competitive.
The Soviet war in Afghanistan again confirmed that no com·pet·i·tive [kəm péttətiv]
power [so far] ever successfully conquered that land, adjective
which, for all its remoteness, lies at a strategically important 1. involving attempt to win: involving or
crossroad of empires. The Persian ruler Cyrus the Great decided by competition
invaded it in the sixth century bc. Alexander the Great  a highly competitive sport
followed three hundred years later, as did the British in the
nineteenth century. They vied for control over Afghanistan 2. wanting to beat others: inclined
with the Russian tsarist empire for decades in what came to toward wanting to achieve more than
be called the Great Game. But while foreign forces have others
often moved into
3. better than competition: as good as or
Afghanistan with relative ease, they’ve never been able to
slightly better than others because of
maintain
control. The country’s long history of invasion helped being good value or worth more
spawn a  competitive prices
culture of warfare among disparate local tribes and ethnic
groups, which fought relentlessly among themselves until
-com·pet·i·tive·ness, noun
united by the common goal of repelling outside encroachers
[back in 1979].

Taken together with the small business tax cut and lending plan we
[American Democrat Human Beings] passed through Congress last week,
these steps will help spur jobs in the short run, and strengthen our
economy for the long run.

Now, the [American] Republicans [Human Beings] who want to take over
Congress offered their own ideas the other day. Many were the very
same [unnecessary] policies that led to the economic crisis in the
first place, which isn’t surprising, since many of their leaders were
among the architects of that [almost] failed policy.

It is grounded in same worn out philosophy: cut taxes for [all?]

millionaires and billionaires; cut the [regulating?] rules for Wall
Street and the special interests; and cut the middle class loose to
[de]fend for itself. That’s not a prescription for a better future.
It’s an echo of a disastrous decade we can’t afford to relive.

Tens of thousands of Russian citizens pre·scrip·tion [pri skrípshən]

assembled outside the White House,
constructing barricades out of trees,
trolley cars, building materials,
even old bathtubs, to hold off an
expected attack by Soviet troops. But
instead of attacking on Monday,
troops from the Tamanskaya Division
switched sides to defend the White
House, turning their turrets
away from the building.
(plural pre·scrip·tions)
noun
1. written order for medicine: a written order
issued by a physician or other qualified
practitioner that authorizes a pharmacist to
supply a specific medication for a patient,
with instructions on its use (often used before
a noun)
2. prescribed medicine: a drug or other
medication prescribed by a physician or other
qualified practitioner

3. order for lens to correct eyesight: a written

order from an optometrist or ophthalmologist

The [American] Republicans [Human Beings] in Washington claimed to

draw their ideas from a website called “America Speaking Out.”

This site is intended to allow you, the engaged

American Citizen, to submit the ideas you have for
America.  We’re in trouble folks, and we need your
help!

It turns out that one of the ideas that’s drawn the most interest on
their website is ending tax [psycho] breaks for companies that ship
jobs overseas Funny thing is, when we recently closed one of the most
egregious loopholes for companies creating jobs overseas, Republicans
in Congress were almost unanimously opposed. The Republican leader
John Boehner attacked us for it, and stood up for outsourcing [Free
Trade], instead of American workers [Free Trade equals more Businesses
for American Workers assuming that Free Trade truly applies].

So,[Republican] America may be speaking out, but Republicans in

Congress sure aren’t listening [Democrat US?]. They want to put
special interests back in the driver’s seat in Washington. They want
to roll back the [American?] law that will finally stop health
insurance companies from denying you coverage on the basis of a
preexisting condition. They want to repeal reforms that will finally
protect hardworking families from hidden rates and penalties every
time they use a credit card, make a mortgage payment, or take out a
student loan [Stages of Crisis].

And for all their talk about reining in spending and getting our
deficits under control, they want to borrow another $700 billion, and
use it to give tax cuts to [All?] millionaires and billionaires. On
average, that’s a tax cut of about $100,000[,000] for [All?]
millionaires.

Instead of cutting taxes for the wealthiest few – tax breaks we cannot
afford – I’ve called for tax cuts for middle class families who saw
their incomes shrink[ing] by five percent during the last, [their]
lost decade. We’ve already cut 8 different taxes for small business
owners to help them hire and grow, and we’re going to cut 8 more.
We’re challenging our [Democrat] states and schools to do a better job
educating our kids and making college more affordable so America can
once more lead the world in the proportion of our kids graduating from
college. And we’re putting an end to the days of taxpayer-funded
bailouts so Main Street never again has to pay for Wall Street’s
mistakes.

America is a great country. Our democracy is vibrant, our economy is

dynamic[ally evolving], and our workers can outcompete the best of
them [Republican U.S.?]. But the way for us to remain the greatest
country on Earth isn’t to turn back the clock and put the [old but
American?] special interests in charge. It’s to make sure all our
people are getting a fair shake [share]. It’s to make sure everyone
who’s willing to work for it still has a [fair to common sense] chance
to reach for the American dream [even if he / she fails]. And that
will remain my mission every single day so long as I have the honor of
serving as President.

Have a nice weekend, everybody.

[ASSESMENT END OF PHASE C]

[ASSESMENT START OF PHASE D]

[Late 16th century. Directly or

via French < Latin oeconomicus
< Greek oikonomikos <
oikonomos (see economy)]
e·con·o·mist [i kónnəmist]
(plural e·con·o·mists)
noun
specialist in economics: a student or expert in the field of
economics

Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008

This week, the [American?] economists who officially decide when

recessions start and end declared the recession of 2008 to be over.
But if you’re one of the millions of [True?] Americans who lost your
home, your job, or your savings as a consequence of the recession,
this news is of little comfort or value.
 Yes, the economy is growing instead of shrinking [for Everyone?], as
it was in 2008 and the beginning of 2009. We’re gaining private [a
Corporate Enterprise is also a Private Job] sector jobs each month
instead of losing 800,000, as we did the month I took office.

But we [Americans Democrats? Human Beings] have to keep pushing to

promote growth that will generate the jobs we need, and repair the
terrible damage the recession has done. That’s why I’ve proposed a
series [week, weak, series] of additional steps: accelerated tax
breaks for businesses who buy equipment now; a permanent research and
development tax break to promote innovation by [All?] American
companies; and a new initiative to rebuild America’s roads, rails, and
runways that will put folks to work and make our country more
competitive.

Taken together with the small business tax cut and lending plan we
passed through Congress last week, these steps will help spur jobs in
the short run, and strengthen our [non Capitalized compare to the
past] economy for the long run [implies flexibility].
SECTION. 1. mus·cle [múss'l]
All legislative Powers herein noun (plural mus·cles)
granted shall be vested in a
1. body tissue producing movement: a tissue that can undergo repeated
Congress of the United States,
contraction and relaxation, so that it is able to produce movement of
which shall consist of a Senate
and House of Representatives. body parts, maintain tension, or pump fluids within the body.
There are three types: voluntary striped muscle, involuntary smooth
SECTION. 2.
muscle, and branched or heart muscle.
The House of Representatives
shall be composed of Members 2. organ composed of muscle: an organ composed of bundles or sheets of
chosen every second Year by muscle tissue, bound together with connective tissue and with tendons
the People of the several by which the contracting part is attached to the bones that it moves
States, and the Electors in each
State shall have the Qualifi - 3. influence: power and influence, especially in the political, financial, or
cations requisite for Electors of military spheres
the most numerous Branch
of the State Legislature. 4. strength: physical strength (informal)
No Person shall be a  put some muscle into it
Representative who shall not
have 5. hired thugs: men who are employed to intimidate, harm, or menace
attained to the Age of twenty fi people (slang)
ve Years, and been seven
Years a Citizen of the United
States, and who shall not,
when elected, be an Inhabitant
of that State in which he
shall be chosen.

Now, the Republicans who want to take over Congress offered their own
ideas the other day.
 T he United States that existed in the 1850s was a
nation united in name only. By then, disputes over many
issues bitterly divided America. The nation had not yet
celebrated 100 years of independence, and the guiding
principles of government that were once so clearly defi
ned had withered in the face of new issues that claimed
the public’s attention. These controversies would soon
plunge the nation into civil war. [The knowledge the
Secular Enemy offers is endless to better understand him
and defeat his / her actions while all I give is a book e.g.
Islam through Iran or Christian Fundamentalists
projecting only the Bible or the Quran]

Many were the very same policies that led to the economic crisis in
the first place, which isn’t surprising, since many of their leaders
were among the architects of that failed policy.

It is grounded [Lame Duck] in same worn out philosophy: cut taxes for
millionaires and billionaires; cut the rules for Wall Street and the
special interests; and cut the middle class loose to fend [feed] for
itself. That’s not a prescription for a better future [From a
Democrat View]. It’s an echo of a disastrous [Republican] decade we
[All?] can’t afford to relive.

The Republicans in Washington claimed to draw their ideas from a

website called [Republican] “America Speaking Out.” It turns out that
one of the ideas that’s drawn the most interest on their website is
ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Funny thing is, when we recently closed one of the most egregious
loopholes for companies creating jobs overseas, Republicans in
Congress were almost unanimously opposed. The Republican leader John
Boehner attacked us [including the Opposing Republican Minority?] for
it, and stood up for outsourcing, instead of American workers [An
American CEO is also working to create a new Vision for the company he
/ she is leading. The President Is the first who knows the “pains” of
the Job so that he / she will be better able to choose those who will
fit in a particular position in the given moment for the task given].

So, America may be speaking out, but [most] Republicans in Congress

sure aren’t listening [What about the Republican Minority who took the
side of the Democrat Reforms?]. They [Who?] want to put [Anti
American?] special interests back in the driver’s seat in Washington.
They [Who?] want to roll back the law that will finally stop health
insurance companies from denying you coverage on the basis of a
preexisting condition. They [Who?] want to repeal reforms that will
finally protect hardworking families from hidden rates and penalties
every time they use a credit card, make a mortgage payment, or take
out a student loan.
And for all their talk about reining [Who is the King? Iranian
Influence in US Politics Implied] in spending and getting our deficits
under control, they [Iranian Influenced Politicians?] want to borrow
another $700 billion [Republican Americans killing Capitalism?], and
use it to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires [Free Trade
equals Profits for all assuming that Free Trade is Truly Free]. On
average, that’s a tax cut of about $100,000 for [All?] millionaires.

Instead of cutting taxes for the wealthiest [When it comes to Money?]

few – tax breaks [Time is Out?] we cannot afford – I’ve called for tax
cuts for [All?] middle class families who saw their incomes shrink by
five percent during the last, lost decade. We’ve already cut 8
different taxes for small business owners to help them hire and grow,
and we’re going to cut 8 more. We’re challenging our [Democrat] states
and schools to do a better job educating [Is Education true
Education?] our kids and making college more affordable so [that]
[Middle Class] America can once more lead the [How Can you Lead a Free
World when this World is not Free? That leads to a new wave of
Enslavement that is using Blue Collar Workers who know only what they
need to know to do the job the Ruling Circles want them to] world in
the proportion of our kids graduating from [a Real?] college. And
we’re putting an end to the days of taxpayer-funded bailouts so Main
Street [Wall Street and the Banks were the Backbone of the U.S.
Capitalist Based Economy from the mid 1850’s to the late 20th Century]
never again has to pay [What kind of Pay?] for Wall Street’s mistakes.

America is [indeed] a great country [A Continent with many treasures

still to find Spiritual and Material]. Our democracy is vibrant [in
Colors], our economy is [again] dynamic, and our workers can
outcompete the best of them [in Crucial Times]. But the way for us to
remain the greatest country on Earth [in this new American Century]
isn’t to turn back the clock [is ignorance a bliss?] and put the
special [unnamed] interests in charge [in a country where Big Brother
is obviously a famous and well accepted novel how come the President
of the United States is not able to name special interests that could
fatally harm the American People in this Century?]. It’s to make sure
all our people are getting a fair shake [to the very core indeed].
It’s to make sure everyone who’s willing to work [for U.S.] for it
still has a chance to reach for the American dream [assuming Plato’s
Atlantis is also still an Accepted Book in D.C.]. And that will remain
my mission every single day so long as I have the honor of serving as
President [of the United States of America].

Have a nice weekend, everybody.

[ASSESMENT START OF PHASE D]