President Obama's Weekly Radio Address (Feb 28, 2009)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Two years ago we set out on a journey to change the way that Washington works. In so many town halls and backyards, they spoke of a government that treats their tax dollars as responsibly as they treat their own paychecks. It is the change that the American people voted for and that I sent in the budget to Congress this week.

I promised an economy that runs on clean, renewable energy. This budget puts us on that path. Through investments in wind and solar power, advanced bio power, and cleaner American cars and trucks.

This budget keeps the promise of reform in health care for every American.

I promised a competitive education with new incentives for teacher performance and tax credits for college bound students, and incentive for those who do go to achieve their degree.

Given this reality, we'll have to be more vigilant than ever to make room for the investments we do need. I promise to do this by continuing to go through the budget line by line to remove projects and programs we don't need.

I realize that passing this budget won't be easy. It represents a threat to the status quo to Washington. We're going to protect and preserve health care by making it competitive. We're ending taxpayer subsidies and make college more affordable. Gas companies won't like tax breaks, but we need a renewable economy. This won't sit well with lobbyists. They will be ready for a fight. I have a message for them: so am I.

I work for the American people. I came to provide the sweeping change this country demanded at the polls in November; change that will grow our economy, expand our middle class, and keep the dream alive from the day that it began.