‘We Believe in Free Enterprise’: See Excerpts from George W. Bush’s Rare Public Speech
- Posted on April 10, 2012 at 3:50pm by
Becket Adams
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“We believe in free enterprise…We believe our economy can be more robust and therefore provide better opportunities for our citizens,” former president George W. Bush said during a rare public speech given on behalf of the George W. Bush Institute to the New York Historical Society.
The former president has explained that he has kept out of the limelight and avoided commenting on public policy since leaving office because he has been busy launching the Bush Institute, which he says is intended to have a “concrete effect,” Forbes‘ Steve Schaefer writes.
“The Bush Center’s 4% growth initiative is aimed at finding ways to achieve sustainable, annual growth of 4%, well ahead of the present rate, in large part by focusing on taxes,” Schaefer adds.
The former commander-in-chief continued:
We believe that one of the clearest expressions of freedom is that the aggregate demand of the citizens determine that which is produced…We trust people when it comes to spending their money, and so should our government.
Watch excerpts from Bush’s address (via Forbes):
The president focused on America’s current economic issues.
“Much of the public debate is about our balance sheet…or entitlements, the overhang is daunting,” Bush said.
However, unlike the current administration, the former commander-in-chief claims the best solution for America’s fiscal woes is to grow the private sector as opposed to the public sector. Growing the public sector is easy: “just raise taxes,” Bush joked.
“If the goal was public sector growth, it’d be a short conference,” Bush said. “We believe that the best policy is that which creates a robust private sector.”
The former president addressed president Barack Obama’s oft-repeated call to raise taxes so that everyone “pays their fair share.”
“If you raise taxes on the so-called rich, you’re really raising taxes on the job creators,” Bush said. “If the goal is private sector growth, you’ve got to recognize that the best way to achieve that growth is to leave capital in the treasuries of the job creators.”
“I wish they weren’t called the Bush tax cuts,” the former president said as an aside. “If they were called some other body’s tax cuts, they’re probably less likely to be raised.”
“But if you raise taxes, you’re taking money out of the pockets of consumers,” he added. “And it’s important for policymakers to recognize that all the doubt about taxes causes capital to stay on the sidelines. Uncertainty means capital (fuel for private sector growth) simply won’t move.”
In regards to this last point: he’s right. U.S. business owners cite the tax code and the uncertainty that comes with it as one of the main reasons they choose to move their business out of the U.S., according to a recent Harvard Business School study:
(H/T: Mediaite)
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Comments (92)
yolina
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:45pmI really do miss Bush!
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 7:14pmLike other comments here, when I saw some coverage of this and saw that it was from a speech today, I thought “Man I miss that guy.”
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 7:33pmGood God it was good to hear his voice again!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:14pmThank’s George for giving the heads up on this Obama dude even though it might have been unethical but it sure would have helped.
Report Post »socialism.rocks
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:43pmhttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2987025203_fc2c517522_o.jpg << fact conservatism dont work
Report Post »awakeningiscoming
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:12pm@SocialismRocks- troll much?
p.s. it’s “doesn’t”, not “don’t”.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:32pmFaith… is a Belief plus Action… otherwise Belief is just a Hope or Wish. The Bush Action was for Progressive Socialism & Big Government.
Report Post »lmao@dems
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:14amHey socialism.rocks, your right Socialism is rocking Grease and every other country that has it! Including America. You have not seen a free economy in your lifetime unless your over 100 years old. Dumcraps hide behind Business to raise taxes because they know people like you will say yea raise there taxes, because you can not figure out that they will pass that cost to you and me and every other consumer, it is called cost of doing business. But people that are told what to think instead of how to think by into there propaganda such as YOU.
Report Post »horsefeathers99
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:17pmCan’t believe that with our liar in chief taking this country down into the abyss…….
I actually miss Bush.
Will the election become like this country is run by a dictator…..
Report Post »http://www.dailypaul.com/225552/obama-sold-vote-count-to-company-in-spain-linked-to-soros
applehill
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:59pmI agree… Just hearing his voice makes me think of a more peaceful time. Now if you disagree with the president you’re a hateful racist.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 4:45amAnd… the Ancient Romans… missed the pervert Caligula… once crazy Nero was in power!
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 7:47amIt was nice to hear him again. I miss he and Laura everyday. His approach to gevernment wasn’t always something I agreed with, but is was so much better than we get from Sweet Old Barack.
George wasn’t trying to bankrupt the country and repeal the constitutiion.
OMG 2012
Report Post »OccupyWashington
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:05pmBush wasnt Reagan, but he wasnt a traitor like Obama either….
Report Post »321481
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:15pmBush looks like an angel compared to Obama, maybe we can get him to be Prez. while Obama goes on an extended vacation.
Report Post »ottknot
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:43pmAnyone remember the feeding frenzy this man went through for his 8 years in office? I remember seeing him speak, and then listening to the talking heads go on and on. When i listened i heard an earnest man, one i disagreed with often, but he was genuine. Substance.. Ive been wondering for years now what’s missing from our current president. It’s substance. There is no there there. He’s a ghost. When President Bush (or jeez, just about any president in my memory) spoke you knew he was telling the country what he thought. The current president is reading a script, playing the part of the president. Can’t say what he truly believes because the majority would find it abhorrent. And call me what ever youd like, I don’t care. He has no substance. Watching this video, more than any Ive seen lately … made me kinda sad.
Report Post »Bush Hating Conervatives make me sick
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 3:17pmI agree every other President spoke with morals and convictions.
The Difference between Obama and other Presidents.
All Previous Presidents, love this country and they saw the good in America.
Obama was taught to see the bad in America
He doesne’t believe in America exceptionalisim!
This is God’s gift!
Obama was raised in not seeing the good in America or God.
That‘s why we don’t understand him
That‘s why we can’t relate to him, or better yet he can’t relate to us!
I men why don’t he use his American name Barry Setro, cause he don’t like America.
So he uses his Muslim name
We myst get him out of the white house.. Obama is a Ocupier
George W Bush was my President!
He’s a Patriot, and he Loves his country!
Report Post »ChildofJesus
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:14pmI miss him.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:21pmnot me. i hated when the republicans were making the government bigger and eliminating our freedoms. at least with the democrats in charge – the republican party pretends like they care.
i hope the republicans take the house and senate and never get the president unless someone like ron paul is in there
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:07pmbut george bush said we had to abandon the free market in order to save it.
so he is only for free market in the good times? he is a lollipop free marketeer
Report Post »Bartlebee06
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:03pmSOY, you are spot on my friend! I wish more people would wake up.
Report Post »David
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 12:08amI’m glad that someone on this message board is awake! Small government and free markets For The Win!
Report Post »marvel
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 10:00amRon Paul supporters FTL.
Report Post »Bush Hating Conervatives make me sick
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 3:25pm@SOYBOMB315
I didn’t agree with TARP at the time. Neither one of were in his shoes, he was told the country was
going to collapse.
They were going to make a run on the banks, we could’ve been looking at another great depression.
Who know what would‘ve happened if he didn’t unact TARP.
Easy for you to sit there in your moms basement, and monday morning quarterback
Report Post »roy g. biv
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:06pmHindsight is 20/20, the lesser of two evils, apples and oranges, however you compare the current administration to the previous is your call. Around four years ago…my business was stronger, my bank was fuller, and I had a pretty good idea of what my future held. Today?
Report Post »!Not so much!
soybomb315
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:16pmgeorge bush was president during a bubble economy. the economy these days has more to do with the federal reserve than quick fix policies by either party. no matter what – the recession happens in 2008
republicans are a slight improvement over democrats but dont kid yourself – we would not be in great shape if mccain won
Report Post »lisa2994
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:52pmHe was one of the only Presidents who had any emotion in him about this country or the people in it! He was not perfect but better than what we have now!
Report Post »Harold B
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:48pmEconomic laws are mathamatical, scientific, provable, and repeatable.Obama is a Harvard graduate and he knows what works and how an economy works. Obama is a brilliant and accomplished economist and his record proves it He has not made a single mistake in pursuing his goal to break the American econmy, take it over then create a universal socialist utopia. It will be racially balanced with Caucasions getting 100% employment at sub- minimum wages and expanded tax liability in order to create a socially just nation.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:18pmUnfortunately you have fallen for the Obama is brilliant schtick. Obama is a babbling idiot without a teleprompter, no one has seen his college transcripts (probably for a reason), he has a law degree but was never a practicing lawyer. No Obama is not brilliant, he is an ideological fool with a dangerous agenda and past.
Report Post »just my opinion maybe not yours
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:52pmBlackhawk1 – Did you read the post above??? Harold was making the point that Mr Obama is doing exactly what he set out to do! There was Sarcasm within his words!!! At least that’s how I read it!!
Report Post »harley10
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:44pmyou are so right. he told us exactly what he was going to do trans form does not always mean improve. case and point everything he’s done.
Report Post »RedManBlueState
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 11:31amYou are both right.
Everything Obama is doing is calculated and deliberate in the attempt to bring down the greatest, freest, most blessed nation on earth. He is also an incompetent, bumbling, idiot who’s job is to read the teleprompter, and then disappear “on vacation.” He’s just a figurehead puppet for his NWO masters.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:42pmI just don’t have one good thing to say about Bush. Sorry Bush fans. Same goes for the current President(?)
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:55pmHe saved us from the ugly spectacle of ALGORE & LURCH.
Gotta give credit where credit is due.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 5:32pmStill thinking on that one, Billy…lol. Sort of a catch 22 from my perspective.
kiddopup
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:40pmBush just like all rinos not free enterprise crony capitalism just like Obama and it will unfortunatly be the samre with Romney our last 4 presidents have went to Harvard or Yale or both and it looks like either one that wins will be from Harvard and concil of foriegn relation will guide foreign policy so the wars will go on until we go broke so I guess PRAY FOR THE country because either one and I think the constitution is done.We know what Obasma is and that he wants and has spit on the constitution Romney will do the same OUr choice will be a marxist progresive or a global progressive it sucks both ways
Report Post »ASonOfLiberty1776
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:38pmGeorge Bush believes in free enterprise the same way Barack Obama believes in limited constitutional government — he doesn’t. Have we forgotten TARP so quickly? Hate the bailouts? George Bush was the man who started the whole thing…
Report Post »Moozmom
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:31pmHe is correct. Business owners are scared out of their minds about the future of this country. Their relationship with banks have deteriorated over the last 4 years. The banks are quite smug and happy-they took the federal dollars, redecorated their offices, instituted more marketing programs for their business, but say “no” to the small business owner. They say “no” because there were strings attached to the federal dollars they were forced to take. I say forced because that is the truth. They were bought by the feds,. There is really only one bank now-and it is the feds.
Report Post »db321
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:44pmIt is so event – when you hear him state what he believes in – I believe him – when Obama states what he believes in – He blames Bush! When he is not blaming Bush – I don’t believe him.
America lost Reagan to Alzheimer’s shortly after he left Office – On one hand – I would love to hear Reagan speak again, on the other, I kinda glad that Reagan is not around to see what Obama has done to this Great Nation!
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:29pmThis country needs leaders who will “raise us up,“ instead of ”trying to do for us what we can better do for ourselves
Report Post »bharris0
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:26pmBush was just as big of threat to our nation as the communist-in-chief. He gave us the unpatriotic act, the TSA and homeland security. He also assaulted the constitution every chance he had.
We can do much better than he or Odumbo.
Report Post »ASonOfLiberty1776
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:39pmThat’s definitely the truth.
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:25pmI miss Bush more than ever!
Report Post »http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/apr/10/obama-compares-presidential-race-1964-ar-2146930/
righthanddrive
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:24pm“Uncertainty means capital (fuel for private sector growth) simply won’t move.” GWB.
Report Post »With that statement W makes idiots of all the Keynesians and socialists in the Obama administration. These smart guys from all the Ivy League schools must surely have known that ‘expectations’ and ‘uncertainty’ were key drivers in the General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. With the Admin’s class warfare running at full blast it is no wonder that people with capital and the innovators have hunkered down. Let’s do the right thing and make BHO a one term-er. Take our medicine by cutting spending and paying down the debt and clearing out the flotsam and jetsam of regulations like the EPA, Dept of Energy etc so that our children can have a better life.
Cactusjack
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:22pmI didn’t agree with everything George W and his administration did, but believed he was an overall honest man with good intentions, who tried to do the right thing for the most part! Unlike that lieing, cheating, illegitimate B****d we currently have occupying the White House, who has diminished any honor the office once had.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:31pmYou forgot arrogant and lazy.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:13pmI’m glad he is speaking out. It is about time. Come on George, give Obama the hard time he deserves.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:09pmThis was the same guy that said we have to suspend free enterprise to save it? The same guy that expanded Dept of Educ, created Big Sis, expanded entitlements. And I voted for him twice (20 times when I was in Illinois, JK).
He is better than Obama, but That is like saying, I like it better when someone only poked my left eye out with a pickle fork, this new guy sawed off my leg with a rusty knife.
Report Post »T-2
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:22pmI miss having my left eye poked out.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:42pmsigh, me too.
Report Post »warr9553
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:08pmu dont know what yourve got tell its gone
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:04pmInteresting how so many people denounced Bush, now most would love to have him back.
Report Post »jackbauer
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:29pmI know I would. Those where the good ole days compared to now. Say what you will about the guy, he did what he said, he meant what he said, and you always knew where he stood. Considering that he had to deal with 9/11 and the aftermath he did okay. Maybe he shouldn’t have take us to war in Iraq or spent so much on DHS or Afghanistan but somehow I think the critiques would have been after him either way. Remember the “why didn’t he connect the dots” that led to 9/11. I distinctly remember every Democrat I know talking about how bad the economy was from year 2 of his administration. They talked it down until they finally got what they wanted. It‘s funny I don’t hear any of them talking economy now and there’s no comparison.
Report Post »unsalvageable.org
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:02pmI never thought I would miss hearing him give a speech…boy was I wrong.
Report Post »caleejr
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:14pmand he did it without a teleprompter!
Report Post »supertas
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:02pmRemember the billboards “Miss me yet?”. Brother, you aint’t a lying.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 3:55pmI miss George.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:06pmMe too, and I am tired of everything being blamed on him.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 4:07pmBush may not have been the best President we have had but at least you knew he loved this country and would never intentionally bash it’s founders or try to apologize for our past.
Report Post »right
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 6:58pmMe too.
Report Post »He is a good man.