President Obama's Weekly Radio Address (April 18, 2009)

HIGHLIGHTS:

It's not news to say we're living through challenging times: the worst economic downturn since The Great Depression; a credit crisis that's made the downturn worse; a fiscal disaster that has accumulated over a period of years.

We had budget surplusses in the year 2000. Eight years later we had a projected budget deficit of $1.3 trillion. We were forced to make investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We have to restore a sense of accountability to our federal budget. We are on an unsustainable course.

Today we can't perpetuate a system in Washington of making decisions behind closed doors on programs that exist solely on the power of a lobbyist group. If we're going to rebuild our economy on a solid foundation we need to change the way we do business in Washington.

That starts with the painstaking work of examining every dollar of government spending and asking ourselves, 'Is this program essential?' Or can it be done some other way. It's a process that has already begun. That means stopping the fraud and abuse in our Medicare program and reforming our health care programs; strengthening whisteblower programs for misuse of funds. I will ask all my department and agency heads for specific proposals.

Finally, in the coming weeks, I will be announcing the elimination of wasteful or ineffective government programs. I've assembled a management, budget, and technology experts to lead us in this effort to make sure the federal government is truly working for the American people. The goal is give all Americans a voice in their government and know exactly how we are spending their money. None of this will be easy. Big change never is. I am confident we can break our bad habits and start living within our means again. This is how we will get our deficits under control and move from recovery to prosperity. That's how we will give the American people the kind of government they expect and deserve: one that is efficient, accountable, and fully worthy of their trust.

Thank you.