-撒
老布什
1991
国情咨文全文口译
George Herbert Walker Bush
State of the Union 1991
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of
the United States Congress. I come to this house
of the
people to speak to you and all
Americans, certain we stand at a defining hour.
Halfway around the world,
we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies
and on the seas and
sands. We know why
we're there. We are Americans - part of something
larger than ourselves.
For two centuries we've done the hard
work of freedom. And tonight we lead the world in
facing
down a threat to decency and
humanity.
What is at
stake is more than one small country, it is a big
idea - a new world order, where diverse
nations
are
drawn
together
in
common
cause
to
achieve
the
universal
aspirations
of
mankind:
peace
and
security,
freedom,
and
the
rule
of
law.
Such
is
a
world
worthy
of
our
struggle,
and
worthy of our children's future.
The
community
of
nations
has
resolutely
gathered
to
condemn
and
repel
lawless
aggression.
Saddam
Hussein's
unprovoked
invasion
-
his
ruthless,
systematic
rape
of
a
peaceful
neighbor
-
violated
everything
the
community
of
nations
holds
dear.
The
world
has
said
this
aggression
would not stand,
and it will not stand.
Together, we have resisted the trap of
appeasement, cynicism and isolation that gives
temptation to
tyrants. The world has
answered Saddam's invasion with 12 United Nations
resolutions, starting
with a demand for
Iraq's immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and
backed up by forces from
28 countries
of six continents. With few exceptions, the world
now stands as one.
The
end of the cold war has been a victory for all
humanity. A year and a half ago, in Germany, I
said our goal was a Europe whole and
free. Tonight, Germany is united. Europe has
become whole
and free, and America's
leadership was instrumental in making it possible.
Our
relationship
to
the
Soviet
Union
is
important,
not
only
to
US
but
to
the
world.
That
relationship has helped to shape these
and other historic changes.
The
principle that has guided us is simple: our
objective is to help the Baltic peoples achieve
their
aspirations, not to punish the
Soviet Union. In our recent discussions with the
Soviet leadership
we have been given
representations, which, if fulfilled,
would result in
the
withdrawal of some
Soviet forces, a re-
opening of dialogue with the republics, and a move
away from violence.
We
will
watch
carefully
as
the
situation
develops.
And
we
will
maintain
our
contact
with
the
Soviet leadership to encourage
continued commitment to democratization and
reform.
If it is
possible, I want to continue to build a lasting
basis for U.S.-Soviet cooperation, for a more
peaceful future for all mankind.
The
triumph
of
democratic
ideas
in
Eastern
Europe
and
Latin
America,
and
the
continuing
struggle for
freedom elsewhere around the world all confirm the
wisdom of our nation's founders.
Tonight, we work to achieve another
victory, a victory over tyranny and savage
aggression.
We
in this Union enter the last decade of the 20th
Century thankful for all our blessings, steadfast
in
our
purpose,
aware
of
our
difficulties
and
responsive
to
our
duties
at
home
and
around
the
world.
For
two
centuries,
America
has
served
the
world
as
an
inspiring
example
of
freedom
and
democracy. For generations, America has
led the struggle to preserve and extend the
blessings of
liberty. And today, in a
rapidly changing world, American leadership is
indispensable. Americans
know that
leadership brings burdens, and requires sacrifice.
But we also
know why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are
Americans; we have a unique
responsibility to do the hard work of
freedom. And when we do, freedom works.
The conviction and courage
we see in the Persian Gulf today is simply the
American character in
action. The
indomitable spirit that is contributing to this
victory for world peace and justice is the
same spirit that gives us the power and
the potential to meet our challenges at home.
We are resolute
and resourceful. If we can selflessly confront
evil for the sake of good in a land so
far away, then surely we can make this
land all it should be.
If
anyone tells you America's best days are behind
her, they're looking the wrong way.
Tonight, I come before this
house, and the American people, with an appeal for
renewal. This is
not merely a call for
new government initiatives, it is a call for new
initiative in government, in
our
communities, and from every American - to prepare
for the next American century.
America
has
always
led
by
example.
So
who
among
us
will
set
this
example?
Which
of
our
citizens will lead us in this next
American century? Everyone who steps forward
today, to get one
addict off drugs; to
convince one troubled teen-ager not to give up on
life; to comfort one AIDS
patient; to
help one hungry child.
We have within our reach the promise of
renewed America. We can find meaning and reward by
serving some purpose higher than
ourselves
- a shining purpose, the
illumination of a thousand
points of
light. It is expressed by all who know the
irresistible force of a child's hand, of a friend
who stands by you and stays there - a
volunteer's generous gesture, an idea that is
simply right.
The problems
before us may be different, but the key to solving
them remains the same: it is the
individual - the individual who steps
forward. And the state of our Union is the union
of each of us,
one to the other: the
sum of our friendships, marriages, families and
communities.
We
all have something to give. So if you know how to
read, find someone who can't. If you've got
a hammer, find a nail. If you're not
hungry, not lonely, not in trouble - seek out
someone who is.
Join the community of conscience. Do
the hard work of freedom. That will define the
state of our
Union.
Since
the
birth
of
our
nation,
the
people
has
been
the
source
of
our
strength.
What
government can do alone
is limited, but the potential of the American
people knows no limits.
We
are
a
nation
of
rock-solid
realism
and
clear-eyed
idealism.
We
are
Americans.
We
are
the
nation that believes in the future. We
are the nation that can shape the future.
And
we've
begun
to
do
just
that,
by
strengthening
the
power
and
choice
of
individuals
and
families.
Together,
these
last
two
years,
we've
put
dollars
for
child
care
directly
in
the
hands
of
patients
instead
of
bureaucracies,
unshackled
the
potential
of
Americans
with
diabilities,
applied
the
creativity
of
the
marketplace
in
the
service
of
the
environment,
for
clean
air,
and
made
homeownership possible
for more Americans.
The
strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy, it
is in the people and their communities. In
everything
we
do,
let
us
unleash
the
potential
of
our
most
precious
resource
-
our
citizens.
We
must
return
to
families,
communities,
counties,
cities,
states
and
institutions
of
every
kind,
the
power to chart their own destiny, and
the freedom and opportunity provided by strong
economic
growth. That's what America is
all about.
I know,
tonight, in some regions of our country, people
are in genuine economic distress. I hear
them.
Earlier this month Kathy Blackwell of
Massachusetts wrote me about what can happen when
the
economy slows down, saying,
out here are hurting badly.
I understand. And I'm not unrealistic
about the future. But there are reasons to be
optimistic about
our economy.
First, we don't
have to fight double-digit inflation. Second, most
industries won't have to make big
cuts
in
production
because
they
don't
have
big
inventories
piled
up.
And
third,
our
exports
are
running solid and strong. In fact,
American businesses are exporting at a record
rate.
So let's put
these times in perspective. Together, since 1981,
we've created almost 20 million jobs,
cut inflation in half and cut interest
rates in half.
Yes,
the
largest
peacetime
economic
expansion
in
history
has
been
temporarily
interrupted. But
our economy is still over twice as
large as our closest competitor.
We will get this recession behind us
and return to growth soon. We will get on our way
to a new
record of expansion, and
achieve the competitive strength that will carry
us into the next American
century.
We should focus
our efforts today on encouraging economic growth,
investing in the future and
giving
power and opportunity to the individual.
We must begin with control
of Federal spending. That's why I'm submitting a
budget that holds the
growth in
spending to less than the rate of inflation. And
that's why, amid all the sound and fury of
last year's budget debate, we put into
law new, enforceable spending caps so that future
spending
debates will mean a battle of
ideas, not a bidding war.
Though
controversial,
the
budget
agreement
finally
put
the
Federal
Government
on
a
pay-as-you-go basis, and cut the growth
of debt by nearly $$500 billion. And that frees
funds for
saving and job-creating
investment.
Now,
let's
do
more.
My
budget
again
includes
tax-free
family
savings
accounts;
penalty-free
withdrawals from I. R. A.'s for first-
time homebuyers; and, to increase jobs and growth,
a reduced
tax for long-term capital
gains.
I know their
are differences among us about the impact and the
effects of a capital gains incentive.
So tonight I am aking the Congressional
leaders and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with
us in a
study, led by Chairman Alan
Greenspan, to sort out our technical differences
so that we can avoid
a return to
unproductive partisan bickering.
But
just
as
our
efforts
will
bring
economic
growth
now
and
in
the
future,
they
must
also
be
matched by long-term
investments for the next American century.
That requires a
forward-looking plan of action, and that's exactly
what we will be sending to the
Congress. We have prepared a detailed
series of proposals, that include:
A
budget
that
promotes
investment
in
America's
future
-
in
children,
education,
infrastructure,
space and
high technology.
Legislation
to
achieve
excellence
in
education,
building
on
the
partnership
forged
with
the
50
governors at the education summit,
enabling parents to choose their children's
schools and helping
to make America No.
1 in math and science.
A
blueprint
for
a
new
national
highway
system,
a
critical
investment
in
our
transportation
infrastructure.
A
research
and
development
agenda
that
includes
record
levels
of
Federal
investment
and
a
permanent
tax credit to strengthen private R and D and
create jobs.
A
comprehensive
national
energy
strategy
that
calls
for
energy
conservation
and
efficiency,
increased development and greater use
of alternative fuels.
A banking reform plan to bring
America's financial system into the 21st Century,
so that our banks
remain safe and
secure and can continue to make job-creating loans
for our factories, businesses,
and
homebuyers. I do think there has been too much
pessimism. Sound banks should be making
more sound loans, now. And interest
rates should be lower, now.
In addition to these
proposals, we must recognize that our economic
strength depends upon being
competitive
in
world
markets.
We
must
continue
to
expand
America's
exports.
A
successful
Uruguay Round of world trade
negotiations will create more real jobs, and more
real growth, for
all nations. You and I
know that if the playing field is level, America's
workers and farmers can
outwork and
outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere.
And with the Mexican free trade
agreement and our Enterprise for the Americas
Initiative we can
help our partners
strengthen their economies and move toward a free
trade zone throughout this
entire
hemisphere.
The budget also
includes a plan of action right here at home to
put more power and opportunity in
the
hands
of
the
individual.
That
means
new
incentives
to
create
jobs
in
our
inner
cities
by
encouraging investment
through enterprise zones. It also means tenant
control and ownership of
public
housing. Freedom and the power to choose should
not be the privilege of wealth. They are
the birthright of every American.
Civil rights
are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity.
Every one of us has a responsibility to
speak out against racism, bigotry, and
hate. We wil continue our vigorous enforcement of
existing
statutes,
and
I
will
once
again
press
the
Congress
to
strengthen
the
laws
against
employment
discrimination
without resorting to the use of unfair
preferences.
We're
determined to protect another fundamental civil
right: freedom from crime and the fear that
stalks
our
cities.
The
Attorney
General
will
soon
convene
a
crime
summit
of
the
nation's
law-enforcement officials. And to help
us support them we need a tough crime control
legislation,
and we need it now.
As we fight
crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy
for combatting drug abuse. Recent
data
show we are making progress, but much remains to
be done. We will not rest until the day of
the dealer is over, forever.
Good
health
care
is
every
American's
right
and
every
American's
responsibility.
So
we
are
proposing an aggression program of new
prevention initiatives - for infants, for
children, for adults,
and for the
elderly - to promote a healthier America and to
help keep costs from spiraling.
It's time to give people
more choice in government by reviving the ideal of
the citizen politician
who
comes
not
to
stay,
but
to
serve.
One
of
the
reasons
there
is
so
much
support
for
term
limitations is that the American people
are increasingly concerned about big-money
influenece in
politics. We must look
beyond the next election, to the next generation.
The time has come to put
the
national
interest
ahead
of
the
special
interest
-
and
totally
eliminate
political
action
committees.
That would truly put more
competition in elections and more power in the
hands of individuals.
And
where
power
cannot
be
put
directly
into
the
hands
of
the
individual,
it
should
be
moved
closer to the people - away from
Washington.
The federal
government too often treats government programs as
if they are of Washington, by
Washington, and for Washington. Once
established, federal programs seem to become
immortal.
It's
time
for
a
more
dynamic
program
life
cycle.
Some
programs
should
increase.
Some
should
decrease. Some should
be terminated. And some should be consolidated and
turned over to
the
states.
My
budget
includes
a
list
of
programs
for
potential
turnover
totaling
more
than
$$20
billion.
Working
with
Congress
and
the
governors,
I
propose
we
select
at
least
$$15
billion
in
such
programs and turn them over to the
states in a single consolidated grant, fully
funded, for flexible
management by the
states.
The
value fo this turnover approach is
straightforward. It allows the Federal Government
to reduce
overhead.
It
allows
states
to
manage
more
flexibly
and
more
efficiently.
It
moves
power
and
decision-making
closer
to
the
people.
And
it
re-
enforces
a
theme
of
this
Administration:
appreciation
and encouragement of the innovative power of
This nation was founded by
leaders who understood that power belongs in the
hands of the people.
They planned for
the future. And so must we - here and around the
world.
As Americans,
we know there are times when we must step forward
and accept our responsibility
to lead
the world away from the dark chaos of dictators,
toward the bright promise of a better day.
Almost 50 years
ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive
totalitarianism. Now we face
another
defining hour for America and the world.
There is no one more
devoted, more committed to the hard work of
freedom, than every soldier
and sailor,
every marine, airman and coastguardsman - every
man and every woman now serving
in the
Persian Gulf.
Each of them has volunteered to provide
for this nation's defense. And now they bravely
struggle
to earn for America and for
the world and for future generations, a just and
lasting peace.
Our
commitment
to
them
must
be
equal
of
their
commitment
to
our
country.
They
are
truly
America's finest.
The war in the gulf is not
a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war. For
more than five
months we,
along with the Arab League, the European Community
and the United Nations, tried
every
diplomatic
avenue.
U.N.
Secretary
General
Perez
de
Cuellar;
Presidents
Gorbachev,
Mitterand,
Ozal,
Mubarak,
and
Bendjedid;
Kings
Fahd
and
Hassan;
Prime
Minsters
Major
and