Bush Economy Continues to Roll On!

President Bush: "It's A Strong Economy"

Remarks By The President On The Economy
Caterpillar, Inc.
East Peoria, Illinois
January 30, 2007

President Bush: "We Don't Need More Government, We Need More Enterprise." "I'm going to go to New York City tomorrow to deliver a speech on the state of the economy, but I really want to spend a little time here in Peoria to see how things are going. … It's a strong economy. And the fundamental question is, what are we going to do to keep it strong? It's one thing to say today's economy is strong – I say it because inflation is down, interest rates are down, wages are on the increase, unemployment rate nationally is low, people are working and putting more money in their pocket. … As I said to Congress, we don't need more government, we need more enterprise. And so I want to spend a little time talking with you today, talking about the economy."

President Bush: "We Can Compete." "The good folks here show others that in the manufacturing world, we can compete. And that's really what America – what Americans wonder, can you compete in a global economy? And my answer is, darn right you can, with good policy. And in this company, you've shown how to compete. I want to spend some time explaining that to the American people why competition is important, and why America can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, and why it's in our interest to do so."

Ø "We're The Largest Exporter In The World." "Last year we exported a record $1.4 trillion worth of goods and services. Now, in order to export something, somebody has to make it. In other words, when I talk about numbers, behind the numbers is people who are providing the service and/or making the product. So the more one exports, the more likely it is people are going to be working."

Ø "Exports Account For About 11 Percent Of Our Economy." "One in six manufacturing jobs in the United States depends on manufacturing exports. We also benefit when people invest here. There are people who have good-paying jobs as a result of somebody saying, I want to invest in the United States. And so when I'm talking about opening markets, I'm making sure that not only is our markets open, but somebody else's market is opened. And we expect people to treat us just the way we treat them. All we ask for is be fair with the American people."

Ø "Our Market Is Open, And We Want Their Market Open." "We got – these free trade agreements really represent only a small fraction of the GDP. In other words, they're not necessarily with significant economies, and yet they account for 42 percent of American exports. One way to look at trade is this: We're 5 percent of the people in the world; that means 95 percent live outside of America, and shouldn't we try to put ourselves in a position where we can sell goods and services to those 95 percent? I think it makes sense to do so."

Ø "We're Going To Continue To Negotiate Free Trade Agreements." "And by that I mean we just want people to treat us fairly. I'm confident in our ability to sell American product and services overseas if the playing field is level."

Letter to the Editor: Rep. Mike Brandenburg - Anti-Biotech Activists Have Agenda of Their Own

From the Grand Forks Herald Website

Anti-biotech activists have agenda of their own

EDGELEY, N.D. - In a recent commentary, Valley City, N.D., farmer Al Skogen shared results of a consumer survey by the International Food Information Council (“Public says yes to biotech foods,” Page 4A, Jan. 8).

The survey pointed out that biotechnology in food is a nonissue for most people, as it should be. Biotech products and processes are highly regulated and vigorously evaluated. Biotech already is widely used in medicine (synthetic insulin was the first biotech product, commercialized in 1982), and it's estimated that more than 70 percent of the food on our grocery shelves already contain biotech-derived ingredients.

Skogen's commentary was attacked in separate letters - one by Dean Hulse (“Biotech ‘study' smacks of self-interest,” Page 3D, Jan. 14), the other by Curtis Stofferahn (“Pro-biotech group touts an agenda,” Page 3D, Jan. 14). In what I suspect was a coordinated effort, they tried to discredit Skogen (who is the chairman of Growers for Biotechnology) and the information he presented.

A little research, however, quickly connects the dots between Hulse, Stofferahn and an anti-technology, organic agriculture agenda.

Hulse counted prwatch.org, and Stofferahn, sourcewatch.org as among their “sources” to discredit Skogen's commentary. Both of these Web sites are fronted by the Center for Media and Democracy, which is run by John Stauber, an environmental activist with ties to a number of extremist groups. One of these groups is the Organic Consumers Association, whose ludicrous political objectives include a global moratorium on biotech crops and the conversation of American agriculture to at least 30 percent organic by 2015.

Truth be told, Stofferahn and Hulse are regional activists with an anti-biotech, anti-business bias. Both have ties to the Dakota Resource Council, a fringe environmental organization bent on opposing industrial and agricultural advances at every turn.

Several years ago, Stofferahn and Hulse collaborated in writing “Defining Mission,” a position paper for the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society. The 5,847 word manifesto advocates against public/private R&D in favor of a socialized land-grant research process.

To the best of my knowledge, neither is directly involved with production agriculture; Stofferahn is a UND sociology professor, and Hulse is a writer and political activist. Yet, they would presume to know what's best for today's agriculture, with their 40-acres-and-a-mule throwback to farming in the 1930s.

Information and decisions about biotech crops should be based on sound science and realistic business principles, not misinformation and hyperbole of fringe groups and environmental activists.

Mike Brandenburg

Brandenburg, a Republican, represents District 28 in the North Dakota House of Representatives.

First Lady Mikey Hoeven to Keynote National Women's Gathering in Washington DC

From today's Bismarck Tribune on-line

N.D. first lady to address groups in Washington

First lady Mikey Hoeven will attend the 2007 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and provide the keynote address at the National Women's Gathering Wednesday.

Both events are part of the annual National Leadership Seminar, an event that brings national and international leaders together to speak informally and to pray for the world, its citizens and its leaders.

Hoeven will address more than 350 women from across the country with highlights of faith-based initiatives currently under way in North Dakota and personal accounts of her commitment to those efforts and to enhancing the quality of life for all North Dakotans.

Additional North Dakotans will join the first lady in addressing the Women's Gathering, including Alan Klein, state coordinator for the National Prayer Breakfast, and Jamestown Mayor Clarice Leichty.

HOEVEN JOINED BY LEGISLATORS, MILITARY MEMBERS FOR SIGNING OF MILITARY FUNERAL BUFFER ZONE BILL

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by Secretary of State Al Jaeger, legislators, Adjutant General David Sprynczynatyk, armed service members and their families and members of the Patriot Guard Riders for the signing of HB 1040, a bill that would prohibit protesters from demonstrating nearer than 300 feet of a funeral site or within an hour before or after a service.

“When a loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, military families should not have to sacrifice their right to mourn their loss with peace and dignity,” Hoeven said. “We have worked with legislators and law enforcement officials to pass this legislation, and now we will work with all to enforce it. Our fallen heroes deserve no less.”

Joining Hoeven for the signing were House Majority Leader Rick Berg, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, and bill sponsors Rep. Bette Grande, Rep. Duane DeKrey, Rep. Matt Klein, Rep. Ralph Metcalf, Sen. Dick Dever and Sen. Stan Lyson.

The bill defines a funeral as any “ceremonies, rituals, processions, and memorial services held at a funeral site in connection with the burial, cremation, or memorial” of a deceased individual.

“It’s a bittersweet day in North Dakota,” The bills prime sponsor Rep. Bette Grande said. “It is sad that we have to pass legislation of this kind. At the same time I am thankful that all involved could come together to support our troops and ensure that the families of our fallen soldiers have the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest in peace.”

“A hero’s funeral honors is not the time and place for political statements,” said Sprynczynatyk. “We welcome this legislation that allows a hero’s family and friends to grieve in quiet dignity.”

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Democrats - Where is Your Plan?

Put Up or Shut Up!

North Dakota Republicans Call on Pomeroy, Dorgan and Conrad to Offer Suggestions about Iraq not Just Partisan Criticisms

BISMARCK, ND – Today, in press conferences in Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota Republican Party State Chairman called on Congressman Pomeroy, Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad to offer alternatives to President Bush’s plan to win the War on Terror in Iraq instead of constant partisan complaints.

Following are the prepared remarks given by Chairman Karls at the Press Conferences

“I called this news conference today after hearing Congressman Pomeroy’s response to President Bush’s plans for the US Military in Iraq. He was joined by our two senators in simply dismissing the Commander in Chief’s plan, saying it will not help.

I waited, but there was nothing else to the story. I can understand not agreeing with President Bush, but I want to hear the alternative plan. To simply issue a news release saying you disagree, and then to somehow believe that you have fulfilled your responsibility to the taxpayers that elected you, reflects a sorry commentary upon the quality of representation we North Dakota taxpayers are receiving for our money.

Where did Congressman Pomeroy, or for that matter Senators Dorgan and Conrad get their “free pass” from responsibility in governing? The North Dakota voters sent them to Washington to work on solutions to the country’s problems.

The war in Iraq is unarguably the top concern of the people of America. The recent election was evidence of that. Numbers of Republicans were replaced with Democrats due to the frustration of the voting public.

Shouldn’t the new majority party be required to offer a workable solution to the Number One problem facing America? Instead, we in North Dakota have been subjected to a constant mantra from Congressman Pomeroy, Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad: “Bush is wrong.”

This is not politics as usual. We are at war. The war is taking place overseas. We had a taste of war on 9/11. We don’t want any more of it here.

No one, least of all the President, wants any more of our troops, the finest fighting force in the history of the world, to be hurt or killed. But, the choice is to have them fight overseas, or to have the bloodletting in our towns and cities.

Our congressional delegation does not have a free pass from responsibility regarding finding solutions for this problem. All North Dakota taxpayers should demand that any time one of our delegation says he disagrees with the President regarding the war; he is ready to provide a workable solution.”

- END -

Take the Time to Read President Bush's State of the Union Address

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
BY THE PRESIDENT

United States Capitol

9:13 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. And tonight, I have a high privilege and distinct honor of my own -- as the first President to begin the State of the Union message with these words: Madam Speaker. (Applause.)

In his day, the late Congressman Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. from Baltimore, Maryland, saw Presidents Roosevelt and Truman at this rostrum. But nothing could compare with the sight of his only daughter, Nancy, presiding tonight as Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Applause.) Congratulations, Madam Speaker. (Applause.)

Two members of the House and Senate are not with us tonight, and we pray for the recovery and speedy return of Senator Tim Johnson and Congressman Charlie Norwood. (Applause.)

Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

The rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour -- when decisions are hard and courage is needed. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors underway, and others that are ours to begin. In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies -- and the wisdom to face them together.

Some in this chamber are new to the House and the Senate -- and I congratulate the Democrat majority. (Applause.) Congress has changed, but not our responsibilities. Each of us is guided by our own convictions -- and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we're all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: To extend this nation's prosperity; to spend the people's money wisely; to solve problems, not leave them to future generations; to guard America against all evil; and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us. (Applause.)

We're not the first to come here with a government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on -- as long as we're willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. (Applause.) Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, and to help them to build a future of hope and opportunity -- and this is the business before us tonight.

A future of hope and opportunity begins with a growing economy -- and that is what we have. We're now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth, in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs -- so far. Unemployment is low, inflation is low, and wages are rising. This economy is on the move, and our job is to keep it that way, not with more government, but with more enterprise. (Applause.)

Next week, I'll deliver a full report on the state of our economy. Tonight, I want to discuss three economic reforms that deserve to be priorities for this Congress.

First, we must balance the federal budget. (Applause.) We can do so without raising taxes. (Applause.) What we need is impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C. We set a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009, and met that goal three years ahead of schedule. (Applause.) Now let us take the next step. In the coming weeks, I will submit a budget that eliminates the federal deficit within the next five years. (Applause.) I ask you to make the same commitment. Together, we can restrain the spending appetite of the federal government, and we can balance the federal budget. (Applause.)

Next, there is the matter of earmarks. These special interest items are often slipped into bills at the last hour -- when not even C-SPAN is watching. (Laughter.) In 2005 alone, the number of earmarks grew to over 13,000 and totaled nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 percent of earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and Senate -- they are dropped into committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk. You didn't vote them into law. I didn't sign them into law. Yet, they're treated as if they have the force of law. The time has come to end this practice. So let us work together to reform the budget process, expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress, and cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session. (Applause.)

And, finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience, and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet, we're failing in that duty. And this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this chamber knows this to be true -- yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and goodwill, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid -- and save Social Security. (Applause.)

Spreading opportunity and hope in America also requires public schools that give children the knowledge and character they need in life. Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, preserving local control, raising standards, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap.

Now the task is to build on the success, without watering down standards, without taking control from local communities, and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools, and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose someplace better. (Applause.) We must increase funds for students who struggle -- and make sure these children get the special help they need. (Applause.) And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future and our country is more competitive by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children -- and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law. (Applause.)

A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available health care. (Applause.) When it comes to health care, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. And we will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs. (Applause.) But many Americans cannot afford a health insurance policy.

And so tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income on payroll tax -- or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills. At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, this proposal would mean a substantial tax savings -- $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making health care affordable for more Americans. (Applause.)

My second proposal is to help the states that are coming up with innovative ways to cover the uninsured. States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick. I have asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with Congress to take existing federal funds and use them to create "Affordable Choices" grants. These grants would give our nation's governors more money and more flexibility to get private health insurance to those most in need.

There are many other ways that Congress can help. We need to expand Health Savings Accounts. (Applause.) We need to help small businesses through Association Health Plans. (Applause.) We need to reduce costs and medical errors with better information technology. (Applause.) We will encourage price transparency. And to protect good doctors from junk lawsuits, we passing medical liability reform. (Applause.) In all we do, we must remember that the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors. (Applause.)

Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America -- with laws that are fair and borders that are secure. When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country. To secure our border, we're doubling the size of the Border Patrol, and funding new infrastructure and technology.

Yet even with all these steps, we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border -- and that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis. As a result, they won't have to try to sneak in, and that will leave Border Agents free to chase down drug smugglers and criminals and terrorists. (Applause.) We'll enforce our immigration laws at the work site and give employers the tools to verify the legal status of their workers, so there's no excuse left for violating the law. (Applause.)

We need to uphold the great tradition of the melting pot that welcomes and assimilates new arrivals. (Applause.) We need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country without animosity and without amnesty. (Applause.) Convictions run deep in this Capitol when it comes to immigration. Let us have a serious, civil, and conclusive debate, so that you can pass, and I can sign, comprehensive immigration reform into law. (Applause.)

Extending hope and opportunity depends on a stable supply of energy that keeps America's economy running and America's environment clean. For too long our nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists -- who could cause huge disruptions of oil shipments, and raise the price of oil, and do great harm to our economy.

It's in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply -- the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power, by even greater use of clean coal technology, solar and wind energy, and clean, safe nuclear power. (Applause.) We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. (Applause.) We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol -- (applause) -- using everything from wood chips to grasses, to agricultural wastes.

We made a lot of progress, thanks to good policies here in Washington and the strong response of the market. And now even more dramatic advances are within reach. Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we've done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next 10 years. (Applause.) When we do that we will have cut our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East.

To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 -- and that is nearly five times the current target. (Applause.) At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks -- and conserve up to 8.5 billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017.

Achieving these ambitious goals will dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it's not going to eliminate it. And so as we continue to diversify our fuel supply, we must step up domestic oil production in environmentally sensitive ways. (Applause.) And to further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply, I ask Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Applause.)

America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. And these technologies will help us be better stewards of the environment, and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change. (Applause.)

A future of hope and opportunity requires a fair, impartial system of justice. The lives of our citizens across our nation are affected by the outcome of cases pending in our federal courts. We have a shared obligation to ensure that the federal courts have enough judges to hear those cases and deliver timely rulings. As President, I have a duty to nominate qualified men and women to vacancies on the federal bench. And the United States Senate has a duty, as well, to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. (Applause.)

For all of us in this room, there is no higher responsibility than to protect the people of this country from danger. Five years have come and gone since we saw the scenes and felt the sorrow that the terrorists can cause. We've had time to take stock of our situation. We've added many critical protections to guard the homeland. We know with certainty that the horrors of that September morning were just a glimpse of what the terrorists intend for us -- unless we stop them.

With the distance of time, we find ourselves debating the causes of conflict and the course we have followed. Such debates are essential when a great democracy faces great questions. Yet one question has surely been settled: that to win the war on terror we must take the fight to the enemy. (Applause.)

From the start, America and our allies have protected our people by staying on the offense. The enemy knows that the days of comfortable sanctuary, easy movement, steady financing, and free flowing communications are long over. For the terrorists, life since 9/11 has never been the same.

Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have prevented, but here is some of what we do know: We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast. We broke up a Southeast Asian terror cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States. We uncovered an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America. And just last August, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes bound for America over the Atlantic Ocean. For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them. (Applause.)

Every success against the terrorists is a reminder of the shoreless ambitions of this enemy. The evil that inspired and rejoiced in 9/11 is still at work in the world. And so long as that's the case, America is still a nation at war.

In the mind of the terrorist, this war began well before September the 11th, and will not end until their radical vision is fulfilled. And these past five years have given us a much clearer view of the nature of this enemy. Al Qaeda and its followers are Sunni extremists, possessed by hatred and commanded by a harsh and narrow ideology. Take almost any principle of civilization, and their goal is the opposite. They preach with threats, instruct with bullets and bombs, and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent.

Our enemies are quite explicit about their intentions. They want to overthrow moderate governments, and establish safe havens from which to plan and carry out new attacks on our country. By killing and terrorizing Americans, they want to force our country to retreat from the world and abandon the cause of liberty. They would then be free to impose their will and spread their totalitarian ideology. Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: "We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse." Osama bin Laden declared: "Death is better than living on this Earth with the unbelievers among us."

These men are not given to idle words, and they are just one camp in the Islamist radical movement. In recent times, it has also become clear that we face an escalating danger from Shia extremists who are just as hostile to America, and are also determined to dominate the Middle East. Many are known to take direction from the regime in Iran, which is funding and arming terrorists like Hezbollah -- a group second only to al Qaeda in the American lives it has taken.

The Shia and Sunni extremists are different faces of the same totalitarian threat. Whatever slogans they chant, when they slaughter the innocent they have the same wicked purposes. They want to kill Americans, kill democracy in the Middle East, and gain the weapons to kill on an even more horrific scale.

In the sixth year since our nation was attacked, I wish I could report to you that the dangers had ended. They have not. And so it remains the policy of this government to use every lawful and proper tool of intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and military action to do our duty, to find these enemies, and to protect the American people. (Applause.)

This war is more than a clash of arms -- it is a decisive ideological struggle, and the security of our nation is in the balance. To prevail, we must remove the conditions that inspire blind hatred, and drove 19 men to get onto airplanes and to come and kill us. What every terrorist fears most is human freedom
-- societies where men and women make their own choices, answer to their own conscience, and live by their hopes instead of their resentments. Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies -- and most will choose a better way when they're given a chance. So we advance our own security interests by helping moderates and reformers and brave voices for democracy. The great question of our day is whether America will help men and women in the Middle East to build free societies and share in the rights of all humanity. And I say, for the sake of our own security, we must. (Applause.)

In the last two years, we've seen the desire for liberty in the broader Middle East -- and we have been sobered by the enemy's fierce reaction. In 2005, the world watched as the citizens of Lebanon raised the banner of the Cedar Revolution, they drove out the Syrian occupiers and chose new leaders in free elections. In 2005, the people of Afghanistan defied the terrorists and elected a democratic legislature. And in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections, choosing a transitional government, adopting the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world, and then electing a government under that constitution. Despite endless threats from the killers in their midst, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote in a show of hope and solidarity that we should never forget. (Applause.)

A thinking enemy watched all of these scenes, adjusted their tactics, and in 2006 they struck back. In Lebanon, assassins took the life of Pierre Gemayel, a prominent participant in the Cedar Revolution. Hezbollah terrorists, with support from Syria and Iran, sowed conflict in the region and are seeking to undermine Lebanon's legitimately elected government. In Afghanistan, Taliban and al Qaeda fighters tried to regain power by regrouping and engaging Afghan and NATO forces. In Iraq, al Qaeda and other Sunni extremists blew up one of the most sacred places in Shia Islam -- the Golden Mosque of Samarra. This atrocity, directed at a Muslim house of prayer, was designed to provoke retaliation from Iraqi Shia -- and it succeeded. Radical Shia elements, some of whom receive support from Iran, formed death squads. The result was a tragic escalation of sectarian rage and reprisal that continues to this day.

This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we're in. Every one of us wishes this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. Let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory. (Applause.)

We're carrying out a new strategy in Iraq -- a plan that demands more from Iraq's elected government, and gives our forces in Iraq the reinforcements they need to complete their mission. Our goal is a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.

In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we're deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down the terrorists, insurgents, and the roaming death squads. And in Anbar Province, where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them, we're sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. (Applause.) We didn't drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq.

The people of Iraq want to live in peace, and now it's time for their government to act. Iraq's leaders know that our commitment is not open-ended. They have promised to deploy more of their own troops to secure Baghdad -- and they must do so. They pledged that they will confront violent radicals of any faction or political party -- and they need to follow through, and lift needless restrictions on Iraqi and coalition forces, so these troops can achieve their mission of bringing security to all of the people of Baghdad. Iraq's leaders have committed themselves to a series of benchmarks -- to achieve reconciliation, to share oil revenues among all of Iraq's citizens, to put the wealth of Iraq into the rebuilding of Iraq, to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's civic life, to hold local elections, and to take responsibility for security in every Iraqi province. But for all of this to happen, Baghdad must be secure. And our plan will help the Iraqi government take back its capital and make good on its commitments.

My fellow citizens, our military commanders and I have carefully weighed the options. We discussed every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course of action because it provides the best chance for success. Many in this chamber understand that America must not fail in Iraq, because you understand that the consequences of failure would be grievous and far-reaching.

If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides. We could expect an epic battle between Shia extremists backed by Iran, and Sunni extremists aided by al Qaeda and supporters of the old regime. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country -- and in time, the entire region could be drawn into the conflict.

For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is the greatest ally -- their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens, new recruits, new resources, and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September the 11th and invite tragedy. Ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East, to succeed in Iraq and to spare the American people from this danger. (Applause.)

This is where matters stand tonight, in the here and now. I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you've made. We went into this largely united, in our assumptions and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq, and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field, and those on their way. (Applause.)

The war on terror we fight today is a generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others. And that's why it's important to work together so our nation can see this great effort through. Both parties and both branches should work in close consultation. It's why I propose to establish a special advisory council on the war on terror, made up of leaders in Congress from both political parties. We will share ideas for how to position America to meet every challenge that confronts us. We'll show our enemies abroad that we are united in the goal of victory.

And one of the first steps we can take together is to add to the ranks of our military so that the American Armed Forces are ready for all the challenges ahead. (Applause.) Tonight I ask the Congress to authorize an increase in the size of our active Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 in the next five years. (Applause.) A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. It would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.

Americans can have confidence in the outcome of this struggle because we're not in this struggle alone. We have a diplomatic strategy that is rallying the world to join in the fight against extremism. In Iraq, multinational forces are operating under a mandate from the United Nations. We're working with Jordan and Saudi Arabia and Egypt and the Gulf States to increase support for Iraq's government.

The United Nations has imposed sanctions on Iran, and made it clear that the world will not allow the regime in Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. (Applause.) With the other members of the Quartet -- the U.N., the European Union, and Russia -- we're pursuing diplomacy to help bring peace to the Holy Land, and pursuing the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security. (Applause.) In Afghanistan, NATO has taken the lead in turning back the Taliban and al Qaeda offensive -- the first time the Alliance has deployed forces outside the North Atlantic area. Together with our partners in China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, we're pursuing intensive diplomacy to achieve a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. (Applause.)

We will continue to speak out for the cause of freedom in places like Cuba, Belarus, and Burma -- and continue to awaken the conscience of the world to save the people of Darfur. (Applause.)

American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger and poverty and disease -- and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa. (Applause.) Because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. (Applause.)

I ask that you fund the Millennium Challenge Account, so that American aid reaches the people who need it, in nations where democracy is on the rise and corruption is in retreat. And let us continue to support the expanded trade and debt relief that are the best hope for lifting lives and eliminating poverty. (Applause.)

When America serves others in this way, we show the strength and generosity of our country. These deeds reflect the character of our people. The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage, and self-sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look -- and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.

Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine -- but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. (Laughter.) Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his blessings with others. He built a brand new hospital in his old hometown. A friend has said of this good-hearted man: "Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things." And we are proud to call this son of the Congo a citizen of the United States of America. (Applause.)

After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children's videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born, and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others -- producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: "I believe it's the most important thing that I have ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe." And so tonight, we are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur -- Julie Aigner-Clark. (Applause.)

Three weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls, when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks, pulled the man into the space between the rails, and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he's not a hero. He says: "We got guys and girls overseas dying for us to have our freedoms. We have got to show each other some love." There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey. (Applause.)

Tommy Rieman was a teenager pumping gas in Independence, Kentucky, when he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire; he used his body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs -- yet he refused medical attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack, firing grenades at the enemy's position. For his exceptional courage, Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and the gratitude of our entire country. (Applause.)

In such courage and compassion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and character of America -- and these qualities are not in short supply. This is a decent and honorable country -- and resilient, too. We've been through a lot together. We've met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence -- because the State of our Union is strong, our cause in the world is right, and tonight that cause goes on. God bless. (Applause.)

See you next year. Thank you for your prayers.

Republican ND State Senate Passes State Employee Pay Raises

ND Senate endorses state worker pay increase
Associated Press - 01/22/2007

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's Senate unanimously approved a 4 percent state worker pay increase for each of the next two years after defeating a proposal to insulate the raise from higher health insurance costs.

"When times are tough, we have asked (state employees) to understand," said Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "And, now, today, when times are good, it is our job to understand, and to respond."

When coupled with a $10 million salary pool, intended to remedy pay disparities among state jobs, and increased health insurance costs, the package boosts spending for state employee compensation by $80.3 million over two years.

North Dakota government workers are not required to pay a share of their health insurance premium, which is expected to cost $658 monthly per policy during the 2007-09 budget year. That is an increase of 19 percent.

Click here to read more

In Case You Missed It ... Poolman Announces $5.8 Million Recovery for ND Consumers

Bismarck, ND - Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman announced today that the North Dakota Insurance Department assisted North Dakota consumers in recovering around $5.8 million in refunds and benefits in 2006. This figure consists of dollars recovered through the Department's Complaint Hotline, consumer complaints against agents, companies, investigations and benefits received through the Prescription Connection for ND and the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) programs.

Poolman said, "This figure represents the hard work we do everyday here for North Dakota citizens. This is a significant amount of money that has gone back to benefit insurance consumers in North Dakota."

In 2006, the Department received and made around 10,000 calls on behalf of consumers regarding various insurance issues. These inquiries resulted in 230 formal complaints against companies and agents. Most complaints involve disputes over fault in automobile accidents, coverage disputes on health insurance claims, and settlement amounts on homeowners insurance claims. Complaints against agents most often involve allegations the agent misrepresented the costs and benefits of the life insurance products they sold. In 2005, the Insurance Department handled approximately 10,000 calls, processed 260 formal complaints, and recovered $8.4 million.

Poolman encourages any consumers with insurance questions or complaints to call the Insurance Department's Hotline at 1.800.247.0560. North Dakota consumers can also get information and contact the Insurance Department through their website: http://www.state.nd.us/ndins/.

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Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem: State employees’ raises to come first this session

State employees’ pay raises will be one of the first bills settled in the Senate this session according to Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem. Monday, Stenehjem pledged to support the Governor’s initiative for a 4 percent pay raise this year and 4 percent increase next year with an additional $10 million for equity adjustments.

Stenehjem said working with employee groups, a broad consensus has emerged that state employees need to know early in the session that raises are on the way.

“Because of the excellent economy and the current ending fund balance, we want to make sure state employees know that their salaries will be a funding priority,” said Stenehjem. “We want to take care of our own people first, and we want them to know what to expect the next two years. Investing in people is our priority.”

Stenehjem said the Legislature is trying to stem the tide of losing more than 10 percent of the state’s public employees each year. “In this booming economy, the state must become a more competitive employer. We want salaries to reflect the value we place on public service,” he said.

The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that North Dakota’s per capita income increased 7.6 percent from 2004 to 2005. The proposed 8 percent increases are needed to keep state employees’ salaries competitive.

State employees would continue to receive fully paid health insurance premiums as well. The Governor’s budget includes $658 per month for state employee health insurance premiums, an increase of $104 or 18.8 percent from the previous biennium.

Each state employee would receive a minimum increase of $75. The salary increases must be based on merit and equity and are not to be given as across-the-board increases. The state has 8,437 full-time equivalent employees.
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Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, N.D, letter: Consumers should know what they buy

Fargo Forum
January 15,2007

"Prior to 2005, consumers were frustrated to discover that the gift cards they gave or received as presents were later worthless because the cards had either expired or had been assessed service fees that dissolved the card’s value. As a result, I sponsored legislation in the 2005 legislative session to establish North Dakota’s new gift card law prohibiting gift card expiration dates sooner than six years after the date of purchase. This law also prohibits the gift card seller from deducting any maintenance or service fees on the cards. This new law took effect April 6, 2005."

To read Senator Holmberg's entire letter please click here.

North Dakota Come and See the Legislature in Action

Bismarck – Citizens’ Night at the Legislature is set for Tuesday, January 23, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Citizens’ Night gives those children and adults who do not normally have the opportunity to come to the Capitol a chance to see how laws are made.This year the public is invited to attend committee hearings from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. and floor sessions in both chambers from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.

The offices of the Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State on the east end of the Great Hall (within 100 yards of the Legislative chambers) will also be open for public perusal. Capitol tours are available from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.“North Dakota has one of the few remaining citizens’ legislatures,” House Majority Leader Rick Berg said. “North Dakotans are genuinely interested in our open democratic process. We want people to see how accessible their legislators are and how easy it is to participate.”

“We like to set this evening aside to allow people who work days to bring their children and watch the process in action,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem said. “I was really happy to see several young people in the audience last session.”The committee hearings will be held in rooms on the ground level of the Legislative wing of the Capitol.

“Committee hearings are a vital part of the legislative process because they give people an opportunity to voice their opinions about how certain legislation will affect them or their business,” Berg said.

Similar to the last Citizens’ Night, both chambers will reserve some of this year’s more interesting and “hot” issues for floor debate during the evening session. “If a crowd turns up and television cameras are on hand, floor debates are usually longer, more interesting and more exciting than usual,” Stenehjem said.

Both the House and Senate have visitors’ balconies where the public can sit comfortably and watch proceedings, but for those who have a need to get closer to the action, there is an area on the chamber floor, just a few feet from where the legislators sit, which is also open to the public.“We hope that parents again take the time to bring their children and that teachers encourage their students to attend and witness our legislative process in action,” Berg said.

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Attorney General Stenehjem Warns of Another Email Scam

From today's Associated Press

An e-mail that warns of a contract out on the recipient’s life is just another version of a well-known scam, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says.

People who get the e-mails are asked to pay a hit man for protection, Stenehjem said. Two lawmakers got the e-mails and notified his office, he said.

Investigators have found no credible threat, Stenehjem said. "

To read the entire story please click here.

Pomeroy's Boss Pushes "Fishy Deal" on Minimum Wage

Democrats campaigned on changing the way "business is done" in Washington DC. It looks like that will not apply to friends and supports of Speaker Pelosi. Apparently she thinks the minimum wage should be increased for every worker unless they work for a business in her congressional district.

From The Washington Times ....


GOP hits Pelosi's 'hypocrisy' on wage bill
By Charles Hurt
January 12, 2007

"House Republicans yesterday declared 'something fishy' about the major tuna company in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco district being exempted from the minimum-wage increase that Democrats approved this week.

'I am shocked,' said Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican and his party's chief deputy whip, noting that Mrs. Pelosi campaigned heavily on promises of honest government. 'Now we find out that she is exempting hometown companies from minimum wage. This is exactly the hypocrisy and double talk that we have come to expect from the Democrats.'

On Wednesday, the House voted to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour.
The bill also extends for the first time the federal minimum wage to the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, it exempts American Samoa, another Pacific island territory that would become the only U.S. territory not subject to federal minimum-wage laws.

One of the biggest opponents of the federal minimum wage in Samoa is StarKist Tuna, which owns one of the two packing plants that together employ more than 5,000 Samoans, or nearly 75 percent of the island's work force. StarKist's parent company, Del Monte Corp., has headquarters in San Francisco, which is represented by Mrs. Pelosi. The other plant belongs to California-based Chicken of the Sea.
'There's something fishy going on here,' said Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, North Carolina Republican. "

Click here to read the rest of the story.

When Democrats Attack... Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Attacks Condi Rice for not Having Children

Senate Democrats reached a new new low with Senator Boxer's attack on Secretary of State Condi Rice. Senator Boxer attacked the Secretary and told her that she could not understand the cost of the War on Terror because she was childless.

Yet another example of Democrat Compassion.

Click here to read a complete story about Senator Boxer's comments and the response by the White House.

President Bush's Address to the Nation on Iraq

I hope you will take the time to read President Bush's Address to the Nation on Iraq.

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight in Iraq, the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged in a struggle that will determine the direction of the global war on terror -- and our safety here at home. The new strategy I outline tonight will change America's course in Iraq, and help us succeed in the fight against terror.

When I addressed you just over a year ago, nearly 12 million Iraqis had cast their ballots for a unified and democratic nation. The elections of 2005 were a stunning achievement. We thought that these elections would bring the Iraqis together, and that as we trained Iraqi security forces we could accomplish our mission with fewer American troops.

But in 2006, the opposite happened. The violence in Iraq -- particularly in Baghdad -- overwhelmed the political gains the Iraqis had made. Al Qaeda terrorists and Sunni insurgents recognized the mortal danger that Iraq's elections posed for their cause, and they responded with outrageous acts of murder aimed at innocent Iraqis. They blew up one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam -- the Golden Mosque of Samarra -- in a calculated effort to provoke Iraq's Shia population to retaliate. Their strategy worked. Radical Shia elements, some supported by Iran, formed death squads. And the result was a vicious cycle of sectarian violence that continues today.

The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people -- and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.

It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq. So my national security team, military commanders, and diplomats conducted a comprehensive review. We consulted members of Congress from both parties, our allies abroad, and distinguished outside experts. We benefited from the thoughtful recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. In our discussions, we all agreed that there is no magic formula for success in Iraq. And one message came through loud and clear: Failure in Iraq would be a disaster for the United States.

The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits. They would be in a better position to topple moderate governments, create chaos in the region, and use oil revenues to fund their ambitions. Iran would be emboldened in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Our enemies would have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on the American people. On September the 11th, 2001, we saw what a refuge for extremists on the other side of the world could bring to the streets of our own cities. For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq.

The most urgent priority for success in Iraq is security, especially in Baghdad. Eighty percent of Iraq's sectarian violence occurs within 30 miles of the capital. This violence is splitting Baghdad into sectarian enclaves, and shaking the confidence of all Iraqis. Only Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people. And their government has put forward an aggressive plan to do it.

Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have. Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work.

Now let me explain the main elements of this effort: The Iraqi government will appoint a military commander and two deputy commanders for their capital. The Iraqi government will deploy Iraqi Army and National Police brigades across Baghdad's nine districts. When these forces are fully deployed, there will be 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades committed to this effort, along with local police. These Iraqi forces will operate from local police stations -- conducting patrols and setting up checkpoints, and going door-to-door to gain the trust of Baghdad residents.


This is a strong commitment. But for it to succeed, our commanders say the Iraqis will need our help. So America will change our strategy to help the Iraqis carry out their campaign to put down sectarian violence and bring security to the people of Baghdad. This will require increasing American force levels. So I've committed more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq. The vast majority of them -- five brigades -- will be deployed to Baghdad. These troops will work alongside Iraqi units and be embedded in their formations. Our troops will have a well-defined mission: to help Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs.

Many listening tonight will ask why this effort will succeed when previous operations to secure Baghdad did not. Well, here are the differences: In earlier operations, Iraqi and American forces cleared many neighborhoods of terrorists and insurgents, but when our forces moved on to other targets, the killers returned. This time, we'll have the force levels we need to hold the areas that have been cleared. In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter those neighborhoods -- and Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.

I've made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people
-- and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people. Now is the time to act. The Prime Minister understands this. Here is what he told his people just last week: "The Baghdad security plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation."

This new strategy will not yield an immediate end to suicide bombings, assassinations, or IED attacks. Our enemies in Iraq will make every effort to ensure that our television screens are filled with images of death and suffering. Yet over time, we can expect to see Iraqi troops chasing down murderers, fewer brazen acts of terror, and growing trust and cooperation from Baghdad's residents. When this happens, daily life will improve, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will have the breathing space it needs to make progress in other critical areas. Most of Iraq's Sunni and Shia want to live together in peace -- and reducing the violence in Baghdad will help make reconciliation possible.

A successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced.

To establish its authority, the Iraqi government plans to take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend $10 billion of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws, and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution.

America will change our approach to help the Iraqi government as it works to meet these benchmarks. In keeping with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, we will increase the embedding of American advisers in Iraqi Army units, and partner a coalition brigade with every Iraqi Army division. We will help the Iraqis build a larger and better-equipped army, and we will accelerate the training of Iraqi forces, which remains the essential U.S. security mission in Iraq. We will give our commanders and civilians greater flexibility to spend funds for economic assistance. We will double the number of provincial reconstruction teams. These teams bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen the moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self-reliance. And Secretary Rice will soon appoint a reconstruction coordinator in Baghdad to ensure better results for economic assistance being spent in Iraq.

As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue al Qaeda and foreign fighters. Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq. Its home base is Anbar Province. Al Qaeda has helped make Anbar the most violent area of Iraq outside the capital. A captured al Qaeda document describes the terrorists' plan to infiltrate and seize control of the province. This would bring al Qaeda closer to its goals of taking down Iraq's democracy, building a radical Islamic empire, and launching new attacks on the United States at home and abroad.

Our military forces in Anbar are killing and capturing al Qaeda leaders, and they are protecting the local population. Recently, local tribal leaders have begun to show their willingness to take on al Qaeda. And as a result, our commanders believe we have an opportunity to deal a serious blow to the terrorists. So I have given orders to increase American forces in Anbar Province by 4,000 troops. These troops will work with Iraqi and tribal forces to keep up the pressure on the terrorists. America's men and women in uniform took away al Qaeda's safe haven in Afghanistan -- and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq.

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of extremist challenges. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

We're also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence-sharing and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

We will use America's full diplomatic resources to rally support for Iraq from nations throughout the Middle East. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States need to understand that an American defeat in Iraq would create a new sanctuary for extremists and a strategic threat to their survival. These nations have a stake in a successful Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors, and they must step up their support for Iraq's unity government. We endorse the Iraqi government's call to finalize an International Compact that will bring new economic assistance in exchange for greater economic reform. And on Friday, Secretary Rice will leave for the region, to build support for Iraq and continue the urgent diplomacy required to help bring peace to the Middle East.

The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent, and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy, by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom, and to help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East.

From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence, and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. And they are looking at Iraq. They want to know: Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists, or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom?

The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security. Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue -- and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.

Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world -- a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties, and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them -- and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and our grandchildren.

This new approach comes after consultations with Congress about the different courses we could take in Iraq. Many are concerned that the Iraqis are becoming too dependent on the United States, and therefore, our policy should focus on protecting Iraq's borders and hunting down al Qaeda. Their solution is to scale back America's efforts in Baghdad -- or announce the phased withdrawal of our combat forces. We carefully considered these proposals. And we concluded that to step back now would force a collapse of the Iraqi government, tear the country apart, and result in mass killings on an unimaginable scale. Such a scenario would result in our troops being forced to stay in Iraq even longer, and confront an enemy that is even more lethal. If we increase our support at this crucial moment, and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home.

In the days ahead, my national security team will fully brief Congress on our new strategy. If members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change, we will adjust. Honorable people have different views, and they will voice their criticisms. It is fair to hold our views up to scrutiny. And all involved have a responsibility to explain how the path they propose would be more likely to succeed.

Acting on the good advice of Senator Joe Lieberman and other key members of Congress, we will form a new, bipartisan working group that will help us come together across party lines to win the war on terror. This group will meet regularly with me and my administration; it will help strengthen our relationship with Congress. We can begin by working together to increase the size of the active Army and Marine Corps, so that America has the Armed Forces we need for the 21st century. We also need to examine ways to mobilize talented American civilians to deploy overseas, where they can help build democratic institutions in communities and nations recovering from war and tyranny.

In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us. These young Americans understand that our cause in Iraq is noble and necessary -- and that the advance of freedom is the calling of our time. They serve far from their families, who make the quiet sacrifices of lonely holidays and empty chairs at the dinner table. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. We mourn the loss of every fallen American -- and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

Fellow citizens: The year ahead will demand more patience, sacrifice, and resolve. It can be tempting to think that America can put aside the burdens of freedom. Yet times of testing reveal the character of a nation. And throughout our history, Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can, and we will, prevail.

We go forward with trust that the Author of Liberty will guide us through these trying hours. Thank you and good night.

North Dakota: Hold on to Your Wallets the Democrats are in Charge!

Change in House Rules Will Allow Tax Increase by Simple Majority Vote

BISMARCK, ND – Today, North Dakota Republican Party State Chairman Ken Karls criticized Congressional Democrats, including Earl Pomeroy for their decision to change House Rules, laying the groundwork for future tax increases.

“After promising the electorate time and again during the campaign, that the Democrats would not raise taxes, in her first week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the Democrats on a strictly party-line vote to lower the number of votes it takes to raise taxes in the House. The House rule, drawn from Newt Gingrich’s 1994 Contract With America has kept the lid on tax increases by requiring a 3/5ths or 60% majority in order to raise taxes. Now, Congressman Pomeroy’s Democrat Party voted unanimously to change the rule so that the 3/5ths majority can be waived. By the way, all Republicans voted against the change on a strictly party-line vote.

“There is no reason to change that rule, except to lay the groundwork for increasing taxes. The Democrats have not changed their stripes. Congressman Pomeroy and his fellow Democrats remain committed to the proposition that they know better how to spend your money than do you. Democrats consistently refuse to acknowledge the history of tax cuts. Every time taxes are cut, the people keep more of their own money, and that ultimately results in increased spending, more jobs and increased tax collections.”

The impact of the Democrat’s change in the House Rules was highlighted in a Washington Times story from January 7, 2007. (House Rules Change Clears Ways for Tax Increases, Donald Lambro, The Washington Times, 1/7/2007)

This attempt by the Democrats to make it easier to raise our taxes is being assailed by prominent taxpayer groups.

"American taxpayers need to hold on to their wallets because the new House rules concerning taxes are not worth the paper they're written on," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

"After spending an entire year on the campaign trail claiming she will not raise taxes, the first vote Nancy Pelosi brings to the floor for a vote as speaker will open the door to billions and billions of dollars of tax increases over the next two years," Mr. Norquist said. (House Rules Change Clears Ways for Tax Increases, Donald Lambro, The Washington Times, 1/7/2007)

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Pomeroy's Party Shuts Down U.S. House for Football Game

Democrats Choose the Pigskin over the People

I thought you would find this story from today's Drudge Report concerning the Democrats decision to not be in session today because of tonight's College Football Championship Game very interesting.

That is the new Demcorat controlled Congress hard at work!

Click here to view the full story.

Bush Economy Continues to Surge

Economy Watch …

Hiring, Paychecks Up Strongly In December

The Associated Press: "Employers Boosted Hiring And Fattened Workers' Paychecks In December." "Ending 2006 on a positive note, employers boosted hiring and fattened workers' paychecks in December, capping a year in which the country's unemployment rate averaged a six-year low of 4.6 percent. … Employers added 167,000 new jobs to their payrolls in December, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.5 percent." (Jeannine Aversa, "Good News On Jobs: Hiring, Paychecks Up Strongly In December," The Associated Press, 1/5/07)

Ø "Paychecks Grew Briskly Last Month." "Workers, many of whom had seen their pay eaten by inflation, saw their average hourly earnings jump to $17.04 in December, a 0.5 percent rise from the prior month. Over the past 12 months, wages grew by a strong 4.2 percent, a gain last exceeded in November 2000. Wages are now growing faster than consumer prices, which should leave people with more money to spend. That's good for workers and for the economy because consumer spending is a big force driving overall economic activity." (Jeannine Aversa, "Good News On Jobs: Hiring, Paychecks Up Strongly In December," The Associated Press, 1/5/07)

Ø "The Job Hunt Got Shorter In December." "The average time that the 6.8 million unemployed people spent in their job searches was 15.9 weeks, the shortest in more than four years. The unemployment rate for blacks dropped to 8.4 percent in December, the best showing in more than five years. The rate for Hispanics dipped to 4.9 percent, a two-month low." (Jeannine Aversa, "Good News On Jobs: Hiring, Paychecks Up Strongly In December," The Associated Press, 1/5/07)

National Economic Council Director Allan Hubbard: "The Economy Is Going To Continue To Be Strong. ... Wages Are Going Up." "We've had great productivity growth during this Administration. I think we've averaged over 3 percent since the President's been in office. This gives companies plenty of room to increase wages, and we're delighted that real wage growth has started being realized for the American worker. And this always happens later in an economic expansion, and we expect it to continue." (Bloomberg's "Bloomberg On The Markets," 1/5/07)

OMB Director Rob Portman: "We Think [The Economy] Is On A Sound Footing." "If you look at the predictions from the private sector, from the forecasters, they're generally good. Our own predictors within the Federal government – which is the Treasury Department, our Office of Management and Budget, and the Council of Economic Advisers – shows steady growth next year. It also shows steady revenue growth – not to the level we've had in the last couple of years, our projections, I think, are relatively conservative, but it does show steady revenue growth, which helps us to be able to get the budget deficit down and eventually to balance the budget." (Bloomberg's "Marketline," 1/5/07)

NORTH DAKOTA INCOME TAX FORMS IN THE MAIL

BISMARCK, N.D. - According to Tax Commissioner Cory Fong, about 110,000 North Dakota Individual Income Tax Booklets were mailed to North Dakota taxpayers recently.

"The booklets are mailed to taxpayers who prepared their own 2005 paper return," said Fong. The Tax Department does not mail a paper booklet to taxpayers who filed electronically or paid a tax preparer to prepare and file their tax return last year.

In addition to filing the traditional paper return, taxpayers may file their individual income tax return electronically. The booklet provides information about three methods of electronic filing: through a tax practitioner, using purchased software, or through an Internet on-line service. Fong indicated the electronic filing provides taxpayers with the fastest and most accurate method of filing.

"Our focus in the Tax Department is to provide North Dakota taxpayers any refund due to them as promptly and efficiently as possible," said Fong. "E-file incorporates a question and answer "interview" format to help taxpayers quickly and accurately complete both the federal and state income tax returns at the same time."

Taxpayers receive their refunds faster when they are processed electronically rather than those filed by paper. Refunds for taxpayers who use e-file and direct deposit are generally processed within a week. Refunds for manually processed paper returns can take up to six weeks to process.

Taxpayers who do not receive a booklet but would like one mailed to them should contact the Tax Department at 701.328.3450 or visit the department's web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/. Many libraries, post offices, financial institutions, and tax practitioners throughout the state also have the booklets on hand.

Fong encouraged taxpayers to ask their tax preparer about e-filing. Taxpayers can learn more information about e-filing as well as access other tax forms and instructions by visiting the Tax Department's web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/.

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Governor John Hoeven: Driving an Agenda for Growth - Expanding and Diversifying our Economy

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today in his State of the State Address said that the State of North Dakota is financially strong, fueled by an agenda that is driving economic growth.

“In 2000, North Dakotans earned 84 percent of the national average in per capita personal income. As of last year, 2005, we increased that figure to 91 percent,” Hoeven said. “Today, I challenge us to go further: Let us resolve that we will not only meet, but exceed the national average in personal income, and achieve a higher standard of living for all North Dakotans – and we will do it within the next decade.”

“We’re rising up because we’re driving an agenda for growth,” Hoeven said.

That means creating more good-paying jobs with aggressive economic development. Innovative programs like the Counter-cyclical Ethanol Production Incentive, investment tax credits and Centers of Excellence are transforming our economy in energy, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, technology and tourism, our five targeted industries, as well as a growing life sciences sector.

That means building our energy future with new and innovative technologies, like biofuels, wind, new technology power plants, and carbon sequestration.

That means seizing the opportunity to reform the way we fund K-12 education. We have the means and opportunity to make the most significant reform in K-12 education in more than a generation. Building on the work of the Commission on Education Improvement, we can ensure a quality education for all North Dakota children and reduce the local cost of education for our citizens.

That means providing more funding for higher education to keep a college education affordable, and linking our campuses with growth and opportunity. Centers of Excellence link our campuses and the private sector as engines of economic growth by developing new products and services.
That means reducing the burden of taxes on our citizens, including a $116 million property tax relief plan and elimination of the tax on home heating fuels.

And that means building on our position of leadership as the safest state in the country with a statewide plan to help ensure that North Dakotans continue to feel safe in their homes, businesses and schools.

That means ensuring quality services for our seniors and others who need our help, including support for the continuum of care, and enhanced Medicaid funding for low income individuals, persons with disabilities and seniors.

That means securing our state’s future with a sustainable budget plan, and a strong financial reserve of more than $400 million.

“These are big plans, but we can achieve them. Together, we will continue to transform our economy to build a higher standard of living and better quality of life for ourselves and for our children,” Hoeven said.

STATE OF THE STATE HIGHLIGHTS

Hoeven outlined a number of new projects to illustrate the state’s vitality and the importance of driving an agenda for growth. North Dakota’s energy, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, tourism technology-based business and life science sectors are growing:

We’re driving growth in North Dakota’s Energy sector:

Acciona Wind Energy USA is developing a 180 megawatt wind farm in Dickey County, which will include wind towers in both North and South Dakota.

FPL Energy is preparing an application to site a large-scale wind farm of up to 160 megawatts with transmission located in Cavalier County.

Through Lignite Vision 21, the state is developing new clean-coal power plant projects, coal gasification, and coal-to-liquids, which include carbon sequestration.

Using our Transmission Authority, we can help build the transmission necessary to develop both more large-scale wind farms and power plants.

In Northwest North Dakota, Murex Petroleum, Whiting, and EOG Resources are working to build new pipeline systems and processing plants to capture and market valuable natural gas currently flared off oil wells – and with our proposed new pipeline authority, we’ll have the tool to help them get the job done. Capturing and marketing this gas will help our environment, as well as our economy.

We’re driving growth in North Dakota’s Agriculture sector in partnership with energy:

In McLean County, Great River Energy, NDSU, and a coalition of ranching and dairy producers are working to build a 30,000 to 50,000 head cattle feeding operation in conjunction with the new Blue Flint Ethanol plant in Underwood. And the venture has the potential to grow to 200,000 head, between the feed lot and area cow-calf operators. Blue Flint will provide the cattle feed as a byproduct of ethanol production, and the cattle waste can then be used to produce methane for heat or electricity, as well as fertilizer. This is a big step forward for renewable energy and for value-added agriculture.

Spiritwood Energy Park near Jamestown will be a more than $400 million co-generation facility. It includes a 100 million gallon ethanol plant, an expansion of the malting barley plant – making it the largest in North America – and a 40 megawatt power plant. The power plant will provide electricity to the grid and steam to power both the ethanol plant and the malting barley plant. Further, the ethanol plant will use waste water from the malting facility and produce cattle feed as a byproduct.

A new $9 million state of the art research greenhouse facility funded in the Governor’s budget can help the state with breakthrough technologies, like optimized switch grass and cellulose for ethanol.

NDSU’s Centers of Excellence for Agbiotechnology and Oilseed Development will enable us to further develop and enhance biodiesel.

“Today, many states are adopting a goal to derive 25 percent of our nation’s energy from renewables by 2025,” Hoeven said. “We can and we will achieve that, but we must set our sights higher. We can produce far more energy from all sources. We can double the amount of energy we supply to the nation by 2025. We can lead the way forward in both energy and agriculture.”
We’re driving growth in North Dakota’s Advanced Manufacturing sector:

We’re building on an already dynamic advanced manufacturing sector, with companies like Goodrich, Cirrus, MW Industries, and Marvin Windows and Doors, a partner in NDSU’s Center of Excellence for Surface Protection.

Marvin built its first North Dakota plant in Fargo. The company then expanded to Grafton, where it now employs 465 people. The company will soon have five major manufacturing facilities in North Dakota. They are currently completing construction on two new 200,000 square foot facilities in the West Fargo Industrial Park. Altogether, Marvin Windows, along with related companies Rite Screen and Cardinal Glass, now employ more than 1,600 people in North Dakota.

We’re driving growth in North Dakota’s Technology-based Business sector:

We’re forging ahead with technology-based businesses – companies like Microsoft, PacketDigital, Alien Technologies, and Eagle Creek Software – and building on their success.
Through our Centers of Excellence program, we’re helping other companies develop and grow, too.

NDSU’s Center for Advanced Electronic Design and Manufacturing will help companies like Phoenix International, PemStar, Appareo, Imation and Pedigree further expand our state’s technology-based business sector.

We’re driving growth in North Dakota’s developing Life Sciences Business sector:

Like advanced manufacturing, we’re beginning to build a life sciences sector in North Dakota. Companies like PRACS Institute, Odyssey Research, Clinical Supplies Management, and Aldevron are creating the foundation.

UND’s Center of Excellence for Life Sciences and Advanced Technologies will work with Alion, Avianax, Agragen, and BORDERS to create cutting-edge vaccines against emerging diseases and make other medical advances. These exciting new ventures will add to this dynamic new business sector in our state.

We’re driving growth in Rural Business:

We’re tapping the economic potential of rural North Dakota. Fargo Assembly is headquartered in Fargo, but the company has plants in Lisbon, Edgeley, Ellendale, Michigan, and Lehr. MTI, headquartered in Mohall, has 10 locations in rural communities around the state. These include Kenmare, Bottineau, Rugby, Stanley, Grafton, Langdon, Fessenden, Devils Lake, and Beulah. And Verety, which is located in Fargo and Grand Forks, also has locations in Steele, Rugby, Wishek and Fessenden.

Dickinson State’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Revitalization is working with Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing to build on this concept. They have locations not only in Killdeer, but in Dickinson, Hettinger, and Halliday, as well.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

North Dakota is on the move

The people of North Dakota have created over 17,000 new jobs and 1,600 new businesses over the past five years, with personal income growth of nearly 25 percent – 10 percent faster than the national average. Wages have grown 21 percent, compared to just 15 percent for the rest of the country, and the state’s gross domestic product has grown to over $24 billion annually, a 37 percent increase. Growth has also been driven by overseas trade, with foreign exports having doubled to $1.2 billion annually since 2001.

Building on our Progress

“Because of the success of our economic policies and the resolve of our people, we can drive new big ideas to improve the lives of all North Dakotans. We can reform education financing, improve government services, build on our leadership in law enforcement, reduce the burden of taxes, and continue to drive the transformation of our economy – not just to compete, but to truly succeed in a global marketplace.

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President Bush: What The Congress Can Do For America

By President George W. Bush
The Wall Street Journal
January 3, 2007

Tomorrow, members of the 110th Congress will take their oaths of office here in Washington. I will have the privilege of working with them for the next two years – one quarter of my presidency, plenty of time to accomplish important things for the American people.

Together, we have a chance to serve the American people by solving the complex problems that many don't expect us to tackle, let alone solve, in the partisan environment of today's Washington. To do that, however, we can't play politics as usual. Democrats will control the House and Senate, and therefore we share the responsibility for what we achieve.

In the days and weeks since the November elections, I have been encouraged by the productive meetings I've had with many of the new leaders in Congress from both parties. I am hopeful we can find common ground without compromising our principles.

I believe we share many of the same goals for the people we serve – and with good will and hard effort, we can find practical ways to advance the American Dream and keep our nation safe.

My principles are no secret. I have campaigned on them in my races for governor and in two presidential contests, and I have worked hard during my presidency to translate these principles into sound policy.

I believe that when America is willing to use her influence abroad, the American people are safer and the world is more secure. I believe that wealth does not come from government. It comes from the hard work of America's workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. I believe government closest to the people is more responsive and accountable. I believe government plays an important role in helping those who can't help themselves. Yet we must always remember that when people are hurting, they need a caring person, not a government bureaucracy.

These are all common-sense principles, and they provide the basis for how I will approach governing with the new Congress. We've proved it can be done: When our nation was attacked, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the Patriot Act and reform our intelligence agencies. When our economy was struggling, we worked together to pass tax relief that has helped our economy grow, create jobs, and raise the standard of living for the American people. When we saw that our public schools were failing our children, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, insisting on high standards, accountability and better options for parents.

The outcome of the elections has changed the balance of power in Congress, yet the priorities for keeping our country safe and prosperous go beyond party labels.

Our priorities begin with defeating the terrorists who killed thousands of innocent Americans on September 11, 2001 – and who are working hard to attack us again. These terrorists are part of a broader extremist movement that is now doing everything it can to defeat us in Iraq.

In the days ahead, I will be addressing our nation about a new strategy to help the Iraqi people gain control of the security situation and hasten the day when the Iraqi government gains full control over its affairs. Ultimately, Iraqis must resolve the most pressing issues facing them. We can't do it for them.

But we can help Iraq defeat the extremists inside and outside of Iraq – and we can help provide the necessary breathing space for this young government to meet its responsibilities. If democracy fails and the extremists prevail in Iraq, America's enemies will be stronger, more lethal, and emboldened by our defeat. Leaders in both parties understand the stakes in this struggle. We now have the opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus to fight and win the war.

America's priorities also include keeping our economy strong. The elections have not reversed the laws of economics. It is a fact that economies do best when you reward hard work by allowing people to keep more of what they have earned. And we have seen that businesses can expand and hire more workers when they have more money to invest – and since August 2003, America's employers have added more than seven million new jobs.

It is also a fact that our tax cuts have fueled robust economic growth and record revenues. Because revenues have grown and we've done a better job of holding the line on domestic spending, we met our goal of cutting the deficit in half three years ahead of schedule. By continuing these policies, we can balance the federal budget by 2012 while funding our priorities and making the tax cuts permanent. In early February, I will submit a budget that does exactly that. The bottom line is tax relief and spending restraint are good for the American worker, good for the American taxpayer, and good for the federal budget. Now is not the time to raise taxes on the American people.

By balancing the budget through pro-growth economic policies and spending restraint, we are better positioned to tackle the longer term fiscal challenge facing our country: reforming entitlements – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – so future generations can benefit from these vital programs without bankrupting our country.

One important message I took away from the election is that people want to end the secretive process by which Washington insiders are able to slip into legislation billions of dollars of pork-barrel projects that have never been reviewed or voted on by Congress. I'm glad Senator Robert Byrd and Congressman Dave Obey – the Democrats who will lead the appropriations process in the new Congress – heard that message, too, and have indicated they will refrain from including additional earmarks in the continuing resolution for this fiscal year.

But we can and should do more. It's time Congress give the president a line-item veto. And today I will announce my own proposal to end this dead-of-the-night process and substantially cut the earmarks passed each year.

The strength of our economy also requires us to address some of the biggest issues facing the American people – greater energy security, comprehensive immigration reform, and affordable health care. While progress has been made in each of these areas, we must do more. I look forward to working with Congress on these difficult issues.

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Our Founders believed in the wisdom of the American people to choose their leaders and provided for the concept of divided and effective government. The majority party in Congress gets to pass the bills it wants. The minority party, especially where the margins are close, has a strong say in the form bills take. And the Constitution leaves it to the president to use his judgment whether they should be signed into law.

That gives us a clear challenge and an opportunity. If the Congress chooses to pass bills that are simply political statements, they will have chosen stalemate. If a different approach is taken, the next two years can be fruitful ones for our nation. We can show the American people that Republicans and Democrats can come together to find ways to help make America a more secure, prosperous and hopeful society. And we will show our enemies that the open debate they believe is a fatal weakness is the great strength that has allowed democracies to flourish and succeed.

To the new members of the 110th Congress, I offer my welcome – and my congratulations. The American people have entrusted us with public office at a momentous time for our nation. Let them say of these next two years: We used our time well.