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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2009-0166-S
2009-0166-S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
90707
Folder ID Number:
90707-002
Folder Title:
Saturday, August 15, 1992 [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
35
2
2
O
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Doc. No. / Type
Subject/Title
Date
Restriction
Classification
01. Handwritten
Re: Secure Presidential Phone Call Camp David with Brent
8/18/92
(b)(1)
Notes
Scowcroft [originally closed as 01a]. (1 pp.)
02. Handwritten
The President to Brent Scowcroft [originally closed as 01b]. (1
8/15/92
(b)(1)
Notes
pp.)
03. Cable
Cabinet Office to The White House, Re: 151740Z. (2 pp.)
8/15/92
(b)(1)
S
Page 1 of 1
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Saturday, August 15, 1992 [1]
Pinksheet Number: cap6209
OA/ID Number:
90707-002
Date Closed:
9/30/2019
FOIA/Sys Case #:
2009-0166-S[4]
Re-review Case #:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
PRESIDENT BUSH
AUGUST 15th
. 1992
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daily 8/15
COMPDAVID
qum CC frice
File
THE PRESIDENT
8.15
I am sick and tired of hearing from the
Liberal Democrats in Congress and from the
twins ,our opponents, that we have no plan
for the future of this country.
Well let me remind you-not only do we have
a plan, we have put forward ideas over and
over again that would have pulled us out of
this anemic economic growth, only to have
those ideas and plans blocked by the tired
old Democrat leaders in Congress;
The American people want progress. Well
Here's our plan for progress:
Budget Reform:
We need a balanced budget amendment to our
Constitution. We need to discipline the
Democrat spendthrift Congress. Gov Clinton
opposes this amendment. The Democrat
leadership in Congress oppose it. The
American people support it, you support it,
I support it. Let's elect a Congress that
will get the job done.
We need a line item veto for the President.
43 Governors have it. My opponent says he's
for it. Well maybe here's something we can
do. As soon as the congress comes back I
will ask the Congress to vote on the line
item veto. I will stand shoulder to
shoulder with the Republican members of
Congress and I challenge Gov Clinton to
deliver a simple majority of the Democrats
in Congress. Let's see how much of his
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
smooth oratory of promise and change is for
real.
We need a cap on the mandatory spending
that is out of control. I have a proposal
before Congress right now. Such spending
control is not easy. It will require
sacrifice but it can and must be done. I
challenge the Democrat controlled congress
to pass caps on mandatory spending
exempting Social Security.
Health Care Reform:
My opponent favors a reform plan that would
raise taxes on small business and get the
government further involved. We favor a
plan that would make insurance available to
all- to the poorest of the poor- a plan
that would keep the government from
diminishing the quality of our national
health care, a plan that will control the
costs and will offer hope to the families
that are afraid.
Education Reform
Last week the Democrat controlled Congress
approved a tired old education bill- more
of the same, more mediocrity, more
government.
Our plan- says let's bring to education the
same innovation and the same drive that has
made us the pioneers in so many other
fields. Lets give parents the chance to
choose their children's school- public,
private or parochial.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
Let's help local communities decide how to
literally revolutionize their own schools.
Gov Clinton says he is for choice. Indeed
he wrote a letter to Milwaukee's innovative
star Polly Williams congratulating her for
her foresight on choice.. But then the
powerful teachers unions got to him. And he
changed. As for me let him stand with the
old thinkers in the teachers unions I will
stand with the teachers themselves all
across this country. Thank God for those
who teach our kids.
Trade Expansion
You and I are for free trade. We know it
creates jobs right here in the USA. My
opponent says he is for it, but then he
hedges and straddles. O>K> here's a chance
to stand up and be counted. I We have
hammered out a new North American Free
Trade Agreement. The American People are
for it, you and I are for it. Where is
Governor Clinton. No, don't say on the one
hand I am for it, on the other I oppose it.
Stand up and tell the American People where
you are.
When you are President you can't duck and
weave, you can't slide away from the tough
decision, you can't be all things to all
people- so Gov Clinton where do you stand?
Legal Reform
We must get control over the reckless law
suits that are driving doctors out of
medicine, Little League coaches off the
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
care DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
field, and raising the costs of everything
in this country. We sue each other too much
and care for each other too little.
I have sent proposal after proposal to the
Congress but each one has been blocked by
the puppets of the Trial Lawyers
Association.
My opponent, supported by that powerful
lobby opposes tort reform, opposes putting
limits on these outrageous lawsuits. I ask
the American people to help me break the
gridlock and get these necessary reforms
enacted into law.
Welfare Reform
I favor reforming our tired welfare system
that continues to keep too many Americans
in poverty, stripping them of their
dignity.
My administration is working with the
states to encourage work fare. If you get a
government check you ought to be willing to
work, or you ought to be willing to learn.
And if you are not willing the system
should enforce workfare or learnfare.
Tax Reform
In my state of the union message I
challenged Congress to pass 6 tax changes
that would have stimulated our economy and
created at least 500,00 new jobs by now.
What happened- the Grid Lock Congress
failed to move.I have tried to work with
Congress. I made one well known compromise.
I n order to get our Child Care Bill
through and in order to get meaningful
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
enforceable caps on discretionary spending
I compromised with Congress on one now
infamous tax bill. Never again. They have
not changed their tax and spend ways, my
opponent now rises up out of Madison Square
Garden pledging a massive new tax increase
and even more new spending. I say enough is
enough. Give me a Congress that will help
us reform the tax code not raise taxes on
the working man and woman in this country.
RegulatoryReform.
Small Business particularly has been
victimized by the zeal of the regulators.
DanQuayle's Council on Competitiveness is
fighting back. We have placed a moratorium
on all Federal Regulations. In just
months that has saved the taxpayer $ -
.
I will continue that moratorium for the
next 6 months. I will ask Congress to break
the grid lock and pass legislation to
lighten the regulatory burden on the
American people. And i will ask Mr. Clinton
to tell his running mate Sen Gore 'to stop
advocating new regulations that will shut
down many small businesses and will impost
CAFE standards on the auto industry that
will throw hundred S of thousands of
workers out of their jobs. We've got a good
environmental record but it is not driven
by the extremes and as long as I 'm'
president it won't be.
Government Reform:
Congress must live by the same laws it
imposes on others.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
THE PRESIDENT
My terms as President are limited. It is
time to limit the terms of members of
Congress. One way to break the grid lock is
to keep the Congressional bureaucracy from
perpetuating itself. One way to do that is
term limits. Another way is to change
control of Congress itself. For 38 years
one party has controlled the House of
Representatives and look where we're at.
They can't even run a two bit post office
or tiny little bank. Help me change control
of Congress.
Anti Crime-Anti Drug
In his acceptance speech 8 years ago
President Reagan pointed out that he had
sent strong crime legislation to Congress
and it was still sitting there. Well, 8
years later let me bring you up to date. We
have sent strong crime and drug legislation
to the Congress and it is tied up in some
Committee or sub committee. Help me pass
legislation that
will strengthen the death penalty laws,
that will reform the endless appeals
process that makes justice less than swift
and less than sure.
Help me pass legislation that will have a
little more sympathy for the victims of
crime, a little less for the criminal.
Change the Habeus Corpus laws that result
in endless appeals- result in Justice that
is neither sift nor sure. And legislation
that will back up our police out on the
streets. God Bless those law enforcement
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
officers who risk their lives for us every
single day.
We have a great new program for combatting
drugs and great progress has been made. We
are doing better in interdiction, teen age
use of cocaine is down by 60% but we must
do more. We must and we will win this war
on drugs.
National Energy Strategy
The Energy plan I sent to the Congress
means less dependency on foreign oil. It
means more domestic drilling, it means
accelerated use of alternate sources of
energy-environmentally sound sources. It
means more research and less regulation.
Financial Reform
To really grow we must reform our financial
institutions making regulation simpler and
less burdensome. Making credit more
available particularly to Small Business. It
means making our banks more competitive in
this global economy.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
8-15-92
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 13, 1992
Herson, Grocol paper
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
W. HENSON MOORE
Twom
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
SUBJECT:
Growth Agenda Statement
4.5
I believe strongly that we need to pull into one concise document
your economic agenda to show the American people that you do, in
fact, have a plan. I have been talking and thinking about this
for months, but in the last week I have tried to draft one
myself. Attached is the first draft of such an effort. Much
more work needs to be done to it to add pertinent facts and to
staff the information which is in this document. I would not
have submitted it to you in the first draft form, but with the
impending personnel changes, it may not be possible for me to
work upon it further.
The interesting thing about this document is that it proves you
have, in fact, already identified all of the problems facing this
country which have an impact upon jobs and the qualify of life of
the American people. More importantly, you have already begun
work on each of those particular actions which make up the whole
of the plan. You are far ahead of Clinton as his economic plan
is vague and certainly not begun. Your's is specific, already
spelled out in existing legislation and is well on its way. All
you need is a second term to complete this growth agenda.
Good luck - we need you!
CC: Mr. Skinner
FIRST DRAFT - 8/13/92
THE PRESIDENT'S GROWTH AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
The history of the United States economy has been one of steady
growth offering each generation a better opportunity for upward
mobility than the preceding one. There is no reason to believe
that the American economy has reached a point at which it can
grow no further and, therefore, our children will not have as
good an opportunity as we had. Quite the contrary, there is
every reason to believe our economy will be stronger and better
in the future offering even better opportunities to those who
come after us. We are not sliding into decline or becoming a
second-rate economic power. Clearly, our best days are ahead if
the American people support the changes necessary to meet the
challenges as we have always done in the past.
Nothing really stands still. To argue that we must preserve the
status quo is a mistake. We must change. The only question is
what form shall this change take place? Shall we revert back to
failed policies of change of the past of bigger government, more
government regulations, more government spending, more government
control over our lives and more taxes; or should we continue on a
proven path of change which depends upon less government, more
individual freedom, more competition and more stimulus for
growth? The answer is clear that we need a continuation of a
growth agenda and not a return to a big government agenda.
In order for our economy to grow at a rate fast enough to offer
sufficient opportunity and to continue to best international
competition, there are a number of changes we must yet make in
our country to give us individually and as a people the very best
chance of success. The sum of these. changes is the President's
growth agenda. They include:
1.
Budget reform
2.
Health care reform
3.
Education reform
4.
Trade expansion
5.
Legal reform
6.
Welfare reform
7.
Tax reform
8.
Regulatory reform
9.
Government reform
10. Anti-crime/drug abuse
11. Financial sector reform
12. National Energy Strategy
13. Expansion of research and development
This twelve-point growth agenda will assure America's
economic greatness well into the next century. We must under-
2
stand that there is no one or a few simple steps which can be
taken to quickly assure our economic greatness. There are no
easy answers, but a number of substantive changes which will
solve a complex problem. Each of the items of the agenda
discussed below will have a significant impact on America's
economic future, but only when all of them are taken together can
we be assured of absolute success. These are the changes which
must be accomplished in the next four years. Others may well
appear as time goes on as our economy is not a static thing, but
one constantly changing and evolving. We can with continued
committed leadership accomplish this agenda which is the Number
One priority of a second Bush Administration.
GROWTH CHANGES
1.
BUDGET REFORM
PROBLEM: Obviously government spending over and above that
absolutely necessary draws needed funds from the
private sector into the public sector. Deficit
spending compounds the problem of excessive government
spending as the amount of credit required by the
government forces up real interest rates to a point
where the cost of money is so expensive that an economy
can not expand, or if it does, it is carrying an
expense not born by international competitors. The
3
1992 federal budget is $1/4 trillion. The deficit is
expected to be $333.5 billion. Federal spending is
23.6% of our GDP. All three of these figures are too
high and must be controlled. There does not now exist
sufficient tools for the President to be able to
control spending. The only power he now has at his is
the veto. That power alone is insufficient. Perhaps
the greatest threat to a growing economy is excessive
government spending and large federal deficits.
SOLUTION: There are three needed solutions to remedy this
situation. No one of the three will solve the problem,
but together with existing veto power and term
limitations should provide a meaningful solution which
will balance the budget, begin the long road of
retiring the federal debt and check unnecessary
spending in the future.
First, there needs to be a balanced budget amendment
added to the Constitution which will require a balanced
budget within a certain number of years. Second, a
line item veto power must be given to the President to
allow him to veto a particular expenditure or program
within a much larger piece of legislation, similar to
the power that forty-three governors now have at the
state level. Third, a cap on mandatory spending is
4
essential the President obtained from Congress in 1990
for discretionary spending. This would prevent the
Congress or the programs from spending money over and
above that cap level. The cap would be set with
allowance for growth in proportion to the number of new
clients of the particular program and inflation.
STATUS: The Balanced Budget Amendment was defeated in the House
of Representatives by twelve votes in 1992. It must be
reconsidered as soon as possible. The line item veto
was defeated in the Senate in 1992 and must also be
reconsidered. The cap on mandatory spending has been
proposed by the President and should be considered by
Congress as soon as possible.
2.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
PROBLEM: The problem of health care in this country is not one
of quality, as we have the finest in the world. The
problem is two-fold - too many citizens are without
coverage and the increasing cost. Both of these
problems contribute to a hindrance to a growing
economy. Today
percent of Americans are not
covered by health insurance. Many Americans who are
covered can not afford to leave one source of employ-
ment for perhaps a better opportunity for fear of not
5
being able to transport their coverage to the new job
and running the risk of losing their health insurance.
In addition, the cost of health care has grown at a
rate faster than that of inflation for some time now.
It is growing at the annual rate for the last decade of
approximately
percent, while inflation has
been on the average
percent. Also, as a
percent of our gross national product, the cost of
health care is steadily climbing from
of GNP
in 19 to
percent of GNP for 1991. The
rising cost is causing many businesses to drop or
forego health care for employees. Those businesses
which are providing it for employees find that the
increasing cost has a direct impact on consumer cost,
wages, as well as international competitiveness. For
example, the average American automobile has $600 of
its cost due and owing to health care of auto workers.
For our quality of life as well as future economic
strength, we must solve these two problems involving
health care.
SOLUTION: The solution is not to create a government health care
system which will almost certainly substantially
increase taxes and result in lesser quality care.
6
Federal legislation is needed to insure the
transportability of health care benefits as a worker
moves from one job to another. In addition,
legislation is needed to create a voucher system to
insure that Americans who do not now have health
insurance coverage can afford to do SO. Lastly, a
system needs to be created through legislation that
would allow small market reforms to bring down the cost
of health care.
STATUS: The Health Care Liability Reform and Quality of Care
Improvement Act of 1992 was transmitted by the
President to Congress on July 2, 1992. There has been
no action taken by the Congress. It is opposed by
those who prefer a government-run health care system
paid for by a new substantial payroll tax.
3.
EDUCATION REFORM
PROBLEM: The American education system has served America's
students well in the past, but must now be revolu-
tionized to break the mold of the past in order to
properly meet the challenges of the future. Our
students and workers much be better educated than even
before to qualify for the jobs of the future and be
more effective than workers in competing economics.
7
The American time-honored principle of competition
should be applied to education to foster across the
board improvement, an apprenticeship program is needed
for students to acquire meaningful skills with quality
training, job training for those out of school needs to
be improved as occupations change, and there needs to
be a new funding mechanism to provide the wherewithal
to any American to be able to finance any form of
education at any time during life. Substantial changes
need to be made in the American education system to
insure that every citizen receives the training at any
point to offer them the possibility of taking full
advantage of any and every opportunity. The most far-
reaching education agenda ever touching every facet of
education in the United States has been proposed
consisting of five separate parts (American 2000, Jobs
Training 2000, Apprenticeship 2000, Lifetime Credit
Line, and the GI Bill for Children).
SOLUTION: The America 2000 program creates federal support for a
school choice program and a demonstration project in
each Congressional District in the country of a new
American school. This is to provide funding for a
"break the mold" new education school format to be
tried and tested and then to develop new schools.
8
The Freedom of Choice is to allow American parents to
determine the appropriate public, private or parochial
school for their children. This will not only create
new schools, but will create the badly needed competi-
tion between schools in the United States to offer the
finest form of education.
The Jobs Training Act 2000 proposes to replace the
- fragmented and inefficient panoply of current federal
job training programs with one new coordinated, market-
driven system that would allow a worker to go to one
place to determine all of the possible programs avail-
able to him or her. The Apprenticeship 2000 program
would allow a high school student to begin working in a
qualified apprenticeship program while going to high
school to be able to learn a meaningful skill which,
upon graduation, will likely result in gainful employ-
ment.
The Lifelong credit line is designed to offer every
single member of a household up to $25,000 over a life-
time loan for any educational purpose at any type of
educational institution. This is to provide the
finances to attend a private trade school, a particular
institute of some sort, as well as other educational
institutions charging a tuition. This will be avail-
9
able throughout the lifetime of the individual citizen
in order to assist in changing careers or mastering new
skills necessary for new opportunities.
Lastly, the GI Bill for Children has been proposed to
create a $1,000 voucher for students to be able to use
at any elementary or secondary school of their choice
whether public, private or parochial. This creates the
funding to make choice a reality for all Americans.
This opens up opportunities for financially disadvan-
taged students which now are not possible.
STATUS:
The America 2000 Excellence in Education Act was
transmitted by the President to Congress on May 22,
1991, and has not yet been enacted by Congress. The
choice provision is opposed by the education unions.
The Jobs Training 2000 Act was transmitted by the
President to Congress on April 28, 1992, and has not
been enacted by the Congress.
The National Youth Apprenticeship Act of 1992 was
transmitted by the President on Congress on May 13,
1992, and has not been enacted by the Congress.
10
The Lifelong Learning Act of 1992 was transmitted by
the President on May 14, 1992, and has not been enacted
by Congress.
The State and Local GI Bills for Children was
transmitted by the President to Congress on June 25,
1992, and has not been enacted by Congress. It is
opposed by the education unions.
4.
TRADE EXPANSION
PROBLEM: No economy can achieve its potential under the false
flag of protectionism. The United States is the
largest exporter of goods and services in the world.
In the past several years, growth in exports has been
the one bright spot in our economy. Free and fair
trade offers the best opportunity to create the most
jobs in the future. Where trade barriers are
eliminated, the United States obtains a direct benefit.
It is necessary, however, to successfully negotiate
internationally to eliminate discriminatory subsidies
by other governments for their exports, remove barriers
to the importation of American goods and services, and
to protect American intellectual property rights.
These negotiations are ongoing worldwide, regionally
11
and bilaterally. An aggressive program of continued
negotiations is essential in order to expand our
exports and, therefore, sustain economic growth.
SOLUTION: Globally, the Uruguay round of the GATT negotiations is
currently underway. These negotiations need to be
concluded to reduce subsidies and barriers. Region-
ally, the North American Free Trade Agreement has been
successfully negotiated. It must now be implemented to
open up free trade between Canada, the United States
and Mexico. The implementation of this agreement will
create a substantial number of jobs in the United
States, as well as help relieve the illegal immigration
problem of Mexicans into the United States. Bilater-
ally, there are a number of problems which can be
addressed with individual countries to improve trade
relations.
STATUS: GATT negotiations are currently underway and could be
concluded by the end of 1992. NAFTA negotiations have
been completed and is now awaiting Congressional
approval.
5.
LEGAL REFORM
12
PROBLEM: This country simply has far too many lawsuits. This
results in a tremendous cost to our economy which, in
turn, causes a higher overhead to our businesses than
those of foreign competitors. This results in higher
prices to American consumers, fewer jobs and fewer
exports. For example, American corporations spend a
higher percent of their budgets on legal costs than
corporations anywhere in the world. In addition, the
rate of lawsuits in this country has grown from
in
to
in 1992, or a
percent increase. In health care, for example,
it is believed that $20 billion a year is spent by the
health care system not to improve the care of patients,
but to conduct tests which have no therapeutic or
diagnostic value, but only to serve as protection from
potential lawsuits.
SOLUTION: Legislation is needed at the federal level to reduce
cost and delays in the civil justice system, to deter
litigation which lacks merit by requiring for many
private cases in federal court that the losing party
reimburse the winning party for attorneys' fees, and to
propose caps on certain possible awards, such as in
medical malpractice. The result of these changes will
save the economy a substantial sum of money which can
13
be utilized in higher wages, new investment in
businesses and investment in new technologies.
STATUS: The Access to Justice Act of 1992 was transmitted by
the President to Congress on February 4, 1992. There
has been no action on the legislation. It is strongly
opposed by trial lawyers.
6.
WELFARE REFORM
PROBLEM: Too many Americans find it necessary to avail them-
selves of welfare at the state and federal levels. Too
many of those remain on the welfare rolls and do not
become productive citizens. In addition, welfare is a
tremendous cost to the American taxpayer. The movement
of people from welfare rolls to into productive jobs
increases the productivity of our economy, increases
taxes being paid by formerly unemployed recipients, and
reduces the tax burden upon the economy to support
these programs. Making our citizens more productive
and reducing the cost of a government program both
cause our economy to become more competitive and
stronger.
14
SOLUTION: The states should be encouraged to experiment with ways
to reform the welfare programs of the country. Almost
all such experimentation and reform will require a
waiver of applicable federal laws. The federal
government should not only encourage requests for
waivers, but should move very expeditiously to approve
them.
STATUS:
Six states have submitted waivers to the federal
government since
(Wisconsin, California,
New Jersey,
and
),
which have all been approved.
7.
TAX REFORM
PROBLEM: It is obvious that an oppressive tax system can thwart
growth in an economy. The tax system should be amended
to encourage production and growth.
SOLUTION: The capital gains should be reduced from its present
level of
to 15% in order to encourage the
investment into capital which increases growth and
productivity. There needs to be a new investment tax
allowance to encourage the recovery of revenue spent
for investment on equipment. In addition, a simplified
15
and liberalized treatment of depreciation under the
alternative minimum tax is necessary in order to more
fairly allow producers to recover costs incurred in the
production of income. Further, to encourage home
ownership and the construction of homes, there should
be a new $5,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers.
Individual Retirement Account withdrawals should also
be altered to allow withdrawal from them to buy a home
for the first time without paying a penalty. Lastly,
the research and development tax credit currently in
law needs to be extended permanently.
STATUS:
Legislation was transmitted by the President to the
Congress on
and has yet to become
law.
8.
REGULATORY REFORM
PROBLEM: Excessive government regulations can have a very
adverse impact on growth of the economy. Even
necessary regulations can be obstructive or have a
greater impact than absolutely necessary in an
unfortunate way upon commerce. It has become obvious
that the normal regulatory process of the government is
producing an excessive number of regulations and that
16
many needed regulations are going too far in their
impact on the economy.
SOLUTION: A regulatory moratorium is in place and must be
continued until proper control has been exerted and a
new process is developed for reviewing regulations.
The Council on Competitiveness, headed by the Vice
President, should continue its valuable work in
reviewing regulations and continue to be funded by the
Congress.
STATUS:
A moratorium is in place, the Council on Competitive-
ness continues its work, although the Congress has
withdrawn all its funding for fiscal year 1993.
9.
GOVERNMENT REFORM
PROBLEM: Government can not and should not try to ensure
economic growth as that would entail the picking of
winners and losers at which the government is not
adept. Government needs to do two things to help the
economy achieve expansion. First, it needs to get out
of the way and not be a bureaucratic burden. It needs
to be efficient and not be involved unless absolutely
necessary. Second, we must reduce the cost of
17
government wherever possible to, in turn, reduce taxes
upon the economy which funds could be better spent in
wages and investment. Both the Executive Branch and
Legislative Branch of government have grown over the
years more than necessary and both need to be paired
back. In addition, the country does not need the
service of professional politicians, but citizen public
servants. People who come to Washington to serve for a
limited time will make courageous decisions in the best
interest of the country as opposed to career
politicians who are concerned about their political
future.
SOLUTION: The number of Cabinet departments has grown to the
present level of fourteen and the number of federal
agencies has grown to an additional forty-seven. The
departments should be reduced from fourteen to eight
and the forty-seven agencies down to five. In
addition, Congressional staff has grown from 22,000 in
1960 to 38,000 in 1992, or a 72% increase. Personal
staff of Members of Congress has increased from 5,804
in 1967 to 12,100 in 1992, or a 108% increase. In
order to reduce the cost of the Congress and to
increase its efficiency, personal staff to Members of
Congress should be cut in half or roughly back to the
level in 1967, and committee staff should be cut by
18
half the amount of their increase since 1970. In
addition, there should be term limits placed on Members
of Congress as currently exist for the President.
Members of the House should be limited to no more than
six two-year terms and members of the Senate to no more
than two six-year terms.
STATUS:
Legislation is being crafted.
10. ANTI-CRIME/DRUG ABUSE
PROBLEM: Crime and drug abuse are certainly a social ill of
gigantic proportions, but they are also an unnecessary
drain upon the economy, costing resources which could
be going into an expanding economy and creating a
governmental and societal problem resulting in our
being less competitive. The problem is a growing one
involving both supply and demand for drugs. Fifty
percent of all crime is caused by illegal use of drugs.
A tougher crime bill is needed at the federal level. A
1988 study shows that 51% of all the violent offenders
in 36 states and the District of Columbia were back on
the streets within two years after conviction and 76%
were out within four years. Offenders sent to prison
19
need to be imprisoned longer to keep them off the
streets and to serve as a deferent.
SOLUTION: New federal legislation needs to be passed dealing more
effectively with violent crime. Additional federal law
enforcement officials and U.S. Attorneys to apprehend
and try them as well as additional prison facilities
are needed to deal repeat violent offenders and drug
traffickers.
STATUS: The Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1991 was
transmitted by the President to the Congress on March
11, 1991, and still has not been passed. The President
has proposed a substantial increase in FBI agents, BATF
agents, DEA agents, marshals, U.S. attorneys and
regional federal prisons. The proposals will be sent
to Congress as part of the Fiscal Year 1993 budget
proposal.
11. FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM
PROBLEM: Available capital is an absolute essential to growth in
an economy. One of the sources of that capital, relied
on very heavily by small, new and expanding businesses,
are financial institutions. These institutions have
had difficult times in recent years in part due to laws
20
and regulations preventing them from adjusting to
changing markets. Banks should be able to expand
nationally as can other businesses in order to be more
efficient and better serve markets. In addition, banks
ought to be able to engage in an expanded line of
financial services currently prohibited by archaic laws
in order to be more competitive. Further, there are a
number of rules and regulations imposed upon banks
which are regulatory overkill and cause them to be less
efficient, increasing the cost of money to borrowers
and, thus, the cost of capital to an expanding economy.
SOLUTION: Legislation needs to be passed at the federal level
permitting banks to expand nationally either by merging
with, or acquiring out-of-state institutions or by
opening branches in other states. This legislation
should also authorize banks to engage in an expanded
line of federal services. In addition, legislation
should be passed which repeals or delays a number of
provisions in existing law which impose unnecessary
numerous micro-management and regulatory expenses on
banks.
STATUS: The Financial Institution Safety and Consumer Choice
Act of 1991 was sent to Congress and a form was passed
21
by the Congress which, however, did not enact those
proposals necessary in order to allow banks to compete
more effectively by expanding into other states and new
lines of financial services. These provisions should
be reconsidered and passed by the Congress.
The Credit Availability and Regulatory Relief Act of
1992, which removes many of the micro-management and
over-regulatory burdens was transmitted to the Congress
by the President June 24, 1992, and has not been acted
upon.
12.
NATIONAL ENERGY STRATEGY
PROBLEM: To be able to grow and to be competitive, the economy
must have access to sufficient supplies of energy,
reasonably priced, with due regard to the environment.
Today, the United States economy consumes 40% of its
energy in the form of petroleum, of which 42% is being
imported. Imports are steadily growing. The cost of
imported oil now constitutes half of our trade deficit.
In addition, there are concerns about sufficient
electricity supply in certain areas of the country in
the coming decades.
22
SOLUTION: A National Energy Strategy is needed to analyze all
forms of energy and determine what incentives are
needed and what barriers should be removed to ensure
their availability to consumers. That strategy will
encompass actions taken administratively by the federal
government, legislatively by Congress and actions to be
taken by the states. Such a strategy will be a
continuing area for action for many years into the
future and will encompass many facets, rather than a
few simple acts with any dramatic effect.
STATUS: The first edition of the National Energy Strategy was
announced by the Administration in February, 1991,
after a year and a half's effort. Executive Branch
implementation has been underway since then.
Congressional legislation has passed both Houses of
Congress and an acceptable conference report will
hopefully be sent to the President for signing before
the end of the year. The second edition of the
National Energy Strategy is due in 1993.
13. EXPANSION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROBLEM: To have a growing economy and best overseas competi-
tion, we must continually invest in both basic and
23
applied research. From that research comes all
technology and new cutting-edge good and services, well
as more efficient production methods for existing ones.
This translates into more and better jobs.
Unfortunately, the United States does not invest as
much as a percent of our GNP in research and
development as do two of our major competitors; for
example, Japan and Germany. A failure to invest in
research will result in lost markets and jobs in the
future.
SOLUTION: The research and development tax credit currently in
the law requires extending on a too regular basis,
which does not allow for long-term planning and
reliance. Therefore, that tax credit should be made
permanent. In addition, the federal budget must
continue to expand its support for basic research in
its own federal laboratories, as well as in joint
ventures with private industry and universities.
Further, the results of that research must be
transferred from those laboratories into the private
sector in order to create new technologies and jobs.
STATUS:
Legislation was transmitted to the Congress by the
President to make the R&D tax credit permanent on
and has yet to become law.
24
The budget forwarded to the Congress by the President
for Fiscal Year 1993 requests an investment of over
$76 billion for research and development, a record sum,
and an increase of nearly $2 billion over that
currently being spent in 1992. The President is
supporting, amont many others, two of the world's
largest science projects, the Superconducting Super
Collider and the Space Station, as examples of
significant commitment to research and development. In
addition, the Administration has created the National
Technology Initiative through which American business
and industry are interrelating with federal
laboratories to establish Cooperative Research and
Development Agreements to both move technology from
federal laboratories into the private sector and to
facilitate joint research projects.
Congress must be pressed to support these budget
requests and projects financially or to maintain a
first-line commitment to research and development.
CONCLUSION
This is the President's growth agenda, plan or program for
creating jobs in this country for the remainder of this decade
25
and well into the next century. This is an ambitiou, integrated
and comprehensive program to complete in a second term. As you
can see from looking at the status of each of these thirteen
particular growth changes, work on all of them is well underway,
however, and all that is necessary is continued strong leadership
with a commitment to their success. The cumulative effect of
these thirteen changes are billions of dollars in savings to the
economy and the creation of hundreds of thousands, if not
millions, of new jobs. When this agenda is studied closely, one
can easily conclude that the President indeed focused on the
major changes which must be accomplished in order to continue to
keep the faith of this generation to the next for a better
quality of life.
26
GEORGE BUSH
Burhe
personal of
ABC
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
Document Originally
11
Attached to
Following Page
COPY
CAMP/DAVID
PERSONALE
THE PRESIDENT
August 15, 1992
Dear Dan,
Last night Bar, 3 grandkids and I went to
see the Keys play Durham's Bulls. Peter Kirk
was our host. He spoke glowingly of you,
telling me in the process he was on the
Committee to select expansion teams. He was
high on what you're planning for Portland.
He also mentioned the plans for New Haven
and Yale Field.
I pass this along just FYI. Go Minor
League!!!!!
Great seeing you and Bunny up there in
Maine. I'm up here working on the houston
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
speech, ready to take on clinton-Congress
(linking 'em together) -- it will be fun.
All Best,
MATERIALS FORWARDED TO THE PRESIDENT
August 15, 1992
(to Camp David)
ACTION
notsent
1.
Condolence letter to Dan Rostenkowski re his sister's death.
2.
Recommended phone call to participants attending the final
walk through for the Republican National Convention at the
Houston Astrodome.
CLASSIFIED
1. Cabinet Correspondence from Holiday -- note from the
Secretary of Labor, letter from Edward Madigan, Carla Hills
Memo on China Trade Negotiations
INFORMATION
1. Horner memo re Jake Simmons per the President's request; a
memo re Rock Schnabel; a memo re Jerry Jennings -- FEMA
Deputy
2. Draft Statement re International Broadcasting.
3. NSC package re NAFTA and Uruguay Round.
REMARKS
1. Convention Welcome Rally
2. Houston Gala
SCHEDULE
1.
And accompanying briefing papers
Presidential Phone Calls
Camp David
DATE: 8-15-92
935
TIME:
incoming/outgoing
WITH: Dan Rostenkowski
SUBJECT:
attached
sich 3 months ago
bad last
hospital 1/2 month
"stall in the with you r
"famly value is the key n
FOLLOW
UP: None - very funds
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
CK
HP
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Rosty:
Barbara and I were deeply saddened to learn of
your loss. The days ahead will not be easy, but
maybe it will help a little bit to know that your
many friends here at the White House are thinking
of you.
All of the Bushes send our sincere condolences to
you and your family.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Dan Rostenkowski
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
02 AUG 14 P4: 35
August 14, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
NICHOLAS E. CALIO nec
Assistant to the President
for Legislative Affairs
SUBJECT:
Marcia Rostenkowski
Earlier this morning, Chairman Dan Rostenkowski's sister, Marcia
Rostenkowski, died of cancer. The wake will be held on Sunday
from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Funeral services will be Monday at
10:00am at Saint Stanialaus Kostka Church. He can be reached at
312-276-3055. If you would prefer to write a note, the address
is Dan Rostenkowski, 1372 West Evergreen, Chicago, IL 60622
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01. Handwritten
Re: Secure Presidential Phone Call Camp David with Brent
8/18/92
(b)(1)
Notes
Scowcroft [originally closed as 01a]. (1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Saturday, August 15, 1992 [1]
Date Closed:
9/30/2019
OA/ID Number:
90707-002
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2009-0166-S[4]
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
Deed of Gift Restrictions
(b)(1) National security classified Information
C(1) Closed by Executive Order 13526, governing access to national
(b)(2) Release would disclose Internal personnel rules and practices of an
security Information
agency
C(2) Closed by statute or by the agency which originated the information
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute
C(3) Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
gift [formerly listed as only C]
Information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion
of personal privacy
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
purposes
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
financial institutions
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
his advisors, or between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA]
concerning wells
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
02. Handwritten
The President to Brent Scowcroft [originally closed as 01b].
8/15/92
(b)(1)
Notes
(1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Saturday, August 15, 1992 [1]
Date Closed:
9/30/2019
OA/ID Number:
90707-002
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2009-0166-S[4]
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
Deed of Gift Restrictions
(b)(1) National security classified information
C(1) Closed by Executive Order 13526, governing access to national
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
security information
agency
C(2) Closed by statute or by the agency which originated the information
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute
C(3) Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
gift [formerly listed as only C]
Information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion
of personal privacy
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
purposes
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
financial Institutions
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical Information
his advisors, or between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA]
concerning wells
Presidential Phone Calls
Camp David
DATE:
8-15-92 TIME:
incoming/outgoing
WITH:
Sam
SUBJECT:
Ethanol attailed
talk on I paural
waive n
FOLLOW UP: San must pricipals
on Howton.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 13, 1992
Herson,
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
W. HENSON MOORE
Twom
vuricle
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
SUBJECT:
Growth Agenda Statement
8-9-92
I believe strongly that we need to pull into one concise document
your economic agenda to show the American people that you do, in
fact, have a plan. I have been talking and thinking about this
for months, but in the last week I have tried to draft one
myself. Attached is the first draft of such an effort. Much
more work needs to be done to it to add pertinent facts and to
staff the information which is in this document. I would not
have submitted it to you in the first draft form, but with the
impending personnel changes, it may not be possible for me to
work upon it further.
The interesting thing about this document is that it proves you
have, in fact, already identified all of the problems facing this
country which have an impact upon jobs and the qualify of life of
the American people. More importantly, you have already begun
work on each of those particular actions which make up the whole
of the plan. You are far ahead of Clinton as his economic plan
is vague and certainly not begun. Your's is specific, already
spelled out in existing legislation and is well on its way. All
you need is a second term to complete this growth agenda.
Good luck - we need you!
CC: Mr. Skinner
CONFIDENTIAL
THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C. 20506
AUG 14 1992
CAB
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Carla A. Hills
CASH
8-15-92
SUBJECT:
China Trade Negotiations
The next round of Chinese market access negotiations, based on
our Section 301 investigation, will be held August 19-21 in
Beijing. I have told the Chinese Ambassador that failure to
reach agreement in August would result in the immediate
publication of a list of products on which we may take trade
action (i.e., increase tariffs). Following the October 10
termination date for the Section 301 investigation, we would make
the decision whether actually to retaliate.
All agencies have agreed that the list would cover $3.9 billion
of Chinese exports to the United States. The public will have
30 days to comment about the possible negative impact. The
interagency group has also decided that, should retaliation be
necessary on October 10, the maximum amount would be $1.3 billion
of Chinese exports.
The $3.9 billion figure was selected (1) to be large enough to
have a significant impact on the Chinese to stimulate them to
negotiate more seriously and (2) to demonstrate to the Congress
that we are serious in our negotiations with China.
DECLASSIFIED
PER NSC WAIVER, #2021-02
By MC NARA, Date 7/16/21
CONFIDENTIAL
SECURE
Presidential Phone Calls
Camp David
440
DATE:
8.15.92 TIME:
incomping/outgoing
WITH:
Adm J Howe
attacked
SUBJECT:
he talled to Steven Wall
no bug problem have
little tranble with "A"
P.2.
FOLLOW UP:
III talk to Bent
tournow
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
03. Cable
Cabinet Office to The White House, Re: 151740Z. (2 pp.)
8/15/92
(b)(1)
S
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Saturday, August 15, 1992 [1]
Date Closed:
9/30/2019
OA/ID Number:
90707-002
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2009-0166-S[4]
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
Deed of Gift Restrictions
(b)(1) National security classified information
C(1) Closed by Executive Order 13526, governing access to national
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
security information
agency
C(2) Closed by statute or by the agency which originated the information
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute
C(3) Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
gift [formerly listed as only C]
information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion
of personal privacy
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
purposes
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
financial institutions
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
his advisors, or between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA]
concerning wells
GEORGE BUSH
Phone
Calls
FILE
no action
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
Presidential Phone Calls
Camp David
DATE:
8.15
TIME:
805
incoming/outgoing
WITH:
Nich Brady
SUBJECT:
Sent JB a FAX
Can't go alverd on VAT,
Lay type tax
Thiyd accuse me of
tax increase
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
FOLLOW UP:
Telecopy
To:
The President
Telecopy #
(301) 271-1369
Nicholas F. Brady
From:
Telecopy # (202) 622-0000
Telephone # (202) 622-0190
Number of pages to follow
six
Date
8/14/92
NICHOLAS F. BRADY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
August 14, 1992
MEMORANDUM TO: JAMES A. BAKER, III
FROM:
Nicholas F. Bradyh715
Attached is the Steeper poll on the tax reform option. My
observations are the following:
(1) There are a significant number of advantages in the
plan that are accepted by the public; i.e. with a well
executed sales program we could mount a successful
offense.
(2) Even though these positive features are granted by the
public, there is a lack of intensity in their support
for the concept.
(3) One negative in particular the fact that this could be
portrayed as a hidden tax--is very powerful. There may
be some others (not polled) as well.
(4) Based on the polling questions which are not overly
optimistic, the poll produces a more positive reaction
than I expected.
(5) The thing that jumps out at you, particularly in light
of the electorate's right course/wrong course feelings,
is the public's desire for an initiative with
specifics. The fact that they would accept a tax
initiative from the President is striking.
(6) Responses to the tax pledge question indicate that we
would have to deal with that question clearly from the
outset.
In summary the poll confirms what we all feel: some plan,
any plan, from the President produces a positive result.
While the tax reform option represents a very risky initiative,
the poll demonstrates that it is a viable option. The decision
still goes back to 1) How far are we behind? and 2) What are our
other options.
If we are not yet ready to pull the trigger but want to keep
the option alive, we could consider the following approach for
the President's speech.
"Bill Clinton has said he plans to increase taxes, increase
spending and increase the deficit. His plan will shackle small
business and cost 2,600,000 jobs.
"I couldn't disagree more. We should stop tinkering at the
margin. We should get about the business of fundamental tax
reform to meet the challenges of the 21st century. We should
transform the tax system to create more jobs, increase our
competitiveness, simplify the tax law and reduce the tax burden
on the middle class.
"This is the charge I will take to Congress. I am
convinced we can achieve these goals while reducing the deficit
and forcing government to live within its means."
CC: The President
Richard G. Darman
Robert Teeter
ATTITUDI TOWARD TAX SYSTEM
Some people think the tax system in this country nanda major changes because it le tee complicated, is
untair to middle income veters, and it discourageo aavings and Investment. Do you agree or disagree with
this opinion of federal taxes?
Agree
90%
Disagree
8
Depends [VOL] I
Don't know
1
Refused
-
Here are some goals for changing our tax system. For each one, please tall me how important you think it Is
on a zero to tan scale with ten meaning EXTREMELY IMPORTANT and zero meaning NOT AT ALL
IMPORTANT. You can use any number from zero to ten, the higher the number, the more important you
think the goal is.
Net
imp.
Neut
Imp.
6-10
1
10
Mean
Simplify the system so that most
American taxpayers could file their
73%
=
is
7.5
taxes by telephone or on a single
page.
Simplify the system to that most email
businesses could file on a two-page
74%
14
8
7.7
form.
Have no taxes on savings and
investment income, Including interest
60%
19
18
6.7
income. dividends, and capital gains.
Change the system so American
business can compete better against
84%
8
6
8.4
Japan and Germany.
Reduce income tax rates 80 that middle
income families would pay $1,000 to
78%
=
10
8.0
$2.000 LESS In taxes each year.
increase the personal exemption to
help families raising children.
86%
8
5
8.4
Change the system to encourage more
savings and business investment to
94%
4
2
9.0
create more jobs.
Change the system 80 that paopie with
ILLEGAL incomes pay mere taxes than
81%
8
7
8.5
they do new.
ATTITUDES TOWARD NEW TAX
in order to accomplish these goals and not Increase the budget deficit, the government would have to pass
new tax in order to make up for the lost revenue from these changes. Here are come things that may reau
from this new tax. For each one. please tell me II you would be very wiling, somewhat willing, somewhat
unwilling. or not at all willing to accept H in order to accomplish ALL the goals you thought were important.
Very Smwt Gmwl
Net
Collepend
WILL WEI, Unwill.
will
WIII. Umwill.
The new tax would be on the sale
of goods between businesses that
would be passed on to the consumer
and raise prices about five parcent
15% 48 15
20
64% 35
on all consumer goods other than
food. medicine, and utilities.
The new tax would be like having a
16% 50 10 21
66% 32
national sales tax.
The new tax would be hidden from
most people. and veters would have
13%
15
13
55
28% 68
to keep close attention to stop the
government from raising It each time
It had & budget crunch.
The new tax would fall more heavily
on people who tend to apand more
20% 28 17 28
48% 45
than they make each year.
Do you think if all the goals were accomplished and the new tax was passed, these changes would help or
hurt the national economy?
Help
69%
About the same (VOL)
3
Hurt
16
Don't know
9
Refused/NA
*
Defends [VOL]
2
Do you think if all the goals were accomplished and the new tax was passed, these changes would help or
hurt you financially?
Help
47%
About the same (VOL]
11
Hurt
36
Don't know
5
Refused/NA
-
Demonds (VOL)
2
Overall, considering the implications of the new tax and the goals that could be accomplished with it
Including considerable tax simplification, greater business investment, lower Income tax rates, and others you
this overall change to our tax system?
thought were important, would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose
Strengly favor
27%
Semewhat favor
50
Somewhat oppose
11
Strengly oppose
8
Don't know
4
Refused/NA
- -
Collepsed
Favor
77%
Oppose
in
WTATION
Suppose George Bush as considering making these changes. H
IfI things h might do bout it.
For each one, please tall me if your opinion of him would be much-more favorable, somewhat more
faverable, somewhat less favorable, or much less favorable # hadid it.
Much Smwt No Smwt Much
more more Diff. less less
Collepsed
fav. fav. (VOL) fay, fav.
Fav. Untay.
He announced he wanted to
accomplish all the goals you rated
in his second term and would look
for ways to accomplish them without
10% 42 8 18 19
52% 37
committing to a specific proposal
at this time.
Me anneuneed he wanted to
accomplish all the goals you rated
in his second term plus the new tax
25% 44 5 11 14
69% 25
we discussed. but that he would
saek public reaction and help in
working out the details.
He ennounced he wanted to
accomplish all the goals you rated
in his second term plus the new tax
we discussed. and was going to take
the lead in pushing for the passage
of the whole program through Congress
32%
35
6
10
15
67% 25
in the first 100 days of his new term.
If George Bush proposed all these changes and they did not result In a net tax increase. do you think he
would or would not be breaking nis "no new taxes" piedge again?
Would break his pledge
42%
Would not break his placine
48
Don't know
10
Refussd/NA
#
8-13-72
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
Recession/Congress
Draft
Will we be out of the woods by November?
file
No. Recoveries don't work that way. Like an injury or an
illness, an economic recovery takes time. This one has been
especially stubborn -- partly because of a lot of separate
adjustments and restructurings going on at the same time,
partly because of difficult economic conditions worldwide,
but also partly because of crass, cold politics. I must
reluctantly say what what I know to be true: that the
Democratic leadership of this Congress cynically chose to
keep the pain level high in an election year rather than
pass the measures I urged to speed recovery.
I know this to be true, they know it, it's time the American
people knew it.
But despite this Congress, the recovery is progressing. And
at the same time we're establishing a firm base for a
vigorous, sustained surge of economic growth and new job
creation beginning next year and continuing through the
1990s.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
Accept 2nd Draft
8/16/92
Thank you. Thank you very much.
I accept your nomination.
I It accept am proud it with pride, to have purpose at and determination. my side an outstady
V.P. Dan Quayle. He has maligone the most mtain
press bashing I have even seen. HSO Indgement is
I look forward eagerly and enthusiastically to this
campaign, to this election and to what together we can
good his vision q a strong ad prosprous Annia
make of these next four years.
is ow vision and tojetten we will take on
the Clinton .Com tichet we will take on their itto
These can, and with your help they will, be four of the best
Devocents years in America's who control history. this Company tax - spend
coryress and we will win -not for
but for the Anureas people
Never before has this nation had the combination of strength
and opportunity that we have today.
mution
The long, hard, twilight struggle of the cold war is over. RR
And
I salute Presidents Abson, Ford, a Reager
all of whom to showed that peace through
ad
Avength was essential. Now we ve won the Cold
Never has any victory meant so much for the future of all
Was
humanity.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--2--
Because of this victory, today we do live in a new world.
time
and because wein made frunds out of loy for
Because of this victory every child in America can finally
go to bed at night free of the fear of nuclear annihilation.
Let the other side her talling
"chan" - this is real change, historic charge, and my Anne
Because of this victory, focus now, as we all SO
earnestly NOW let want no to focus do, on the truly noble and uplifting work strong
of expanding peace and prosperity at home and abroad.
long last can enlist in this great enterprice the resources
and attention that were SQ urgently demanded by half a
century of having to wage hot war and cold war.
I'm Very proud that we won this victory, in the end, without
firing shot. We won with careful diplomacy, probing the
reach of the possible never grandstanding, always closely
Not
hader
mindful of both the force and fragility of the surge toward
freedom in the Soviet empire. Decades of American strength,
our
sacrifice and determination made that victory possible. In
the end, patience and persistence combined made it peaceful.
This triumph is not ours alone. This is freedom's triumph,
won by the blood, sweat and determination of brave people
Deter
everywhere. Thous who fought the Korea Even
the symel the carry desenus will the cardit From the
Great hurseo # Don't stown.
But it means that the one nation made up of people from all
nations -- the one nation conceived in liberty and dedicated
to the proposition that all persons are created equal --
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--3--
that nation, our nation, stands proud and strong as the
unquestioned leader of the free world and the whole world.
In this new world, it's important that WO understand that
Beace and prosperity are now one. The new world economy is
one world economy. Our markets are global markets.
Advancing technology and expanding trade are leveling
borders and quite literally opening a world of new
opportunities. This is nestime fon - protection
own who went it both ways
This is the two from free trade - fam tracks
Nothing illustrates the change more dramatically than the
Boad to than on the ours side who
way we now help our former enemies learn the ways of a free
society and a free market system, while they us
I will fight to bing NAFTA
we him that free Fare trade
maintain peace in the world's trouble spots. By helping
sanda says on the one had Im for it but on the
them create their market systems, we open new markets for
nears none American jobs - My oppoint
our American products. By winning their partnership in
stude I in against it. well when your Presedit
peace, we lower our cost of defense while making all nations
you more cait secure. hape your bets like this. You have to tal
a clear position and you cart wony about the
special intents. I stud for opening maluts
abroad, for fever trade baniss for 4 know
Tonight I want to talk with you plainly about where we are
the Annual wouled can ant woule, out produce
today as a land and a people.
any worker angular In the would
And about the 1990s a decade that can shape mankind's
future as none before has ever done.
The 90s will be a time of extraordinary challenge -- of
breathtaking change at home and abroad -- and of
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--4--
opportunities for America that will truly stretch the
imagination, if we sieze those opportunities at the right
time and in the right way.
That "if" will depend on the choice you make less than 10
weeks from now. No choice in your lifetimes will be as
significant OK far-reaching as your choice in this first
national election since the cold war ended.
It's your responsibility to choose the leader of the Western
world at one of the most critical junctures in its history.
And it's your responsibility to choose between two
dramatically opposing views of America's nature, its future
and what it will take to get us there.
That's why we need plain talk and searching thought -- plain
talk by each candidate for president and by all the
candidates for Congress, and searching thought by every
individual voter. The nation's future and your childrens'
future are both at stake.
First, let me speak about where we are and what we face.
Then I'll define for you what I see as some of the key
differences between my approaches, my values and my
principles and those that guide the other party. I'll
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--5--
explain where I believe we should be going and how we should
get there, and why.
Then you decide.
First, let's look at where we are.
At home we're recovering from a difficult, stubborn
recession.
We went into the recession not all at once but region by
region, sector the sector, and it's clear that recovering the
same way. Some parts of the country are doing well. Others
are still hurting badly. Some industries are once again
flourishing. Others are still struggling.
I know the hurt that a lot of people feel: the worker who's
given 20 good years to the same company and now wonders if
his job will be there tomorrow, the parents who sacrificed
for years to educate their children and now find the kids
can't get jobs that use that education -- these and so many
others.
I wish I could say that all traces of the recession will be
gone by November. I cannot. They will not. I can say the
recovery would be a lot farther along today if the
obstructions libual
leadership of this Congress had not blocked the economic
A
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--6--
stimulation package I urged in my State of the Union message
in January -- that package would already have created
500,000 new jobs. But despite Congress, we are recovering.
We've had (five) straight quarters of economic growth. That
growth is still too slow. Unemployment is still too high,
But the job market is growing stronger. The question now is
not whether we complete the recovery, but how quickly. Even
on that score the signs are looking up.
The issue at stake in this election, however, is whether we
handle our present troubles in a way that promotes vigorous
and sustained economic growth in the long-term future.
We how have solid groundwork in place for precisely that
sort of growth. We are in position, better than anyone alse
in the world to capitalize on the sweeping changes taking
place in the global market-place. We've already cleaned up
tighter
the horrendous financial messes that posed an imminent
threat to our economic security just four years ago --
failed savings and loans, unstable banks, a monumental Third
World debt crisis. Our industries have largely done the
painful restructuring that was needed to make them world-
class competitors once again. The world is turning our way.
In the battle between planned economies and market
economies, market economies have won -- and they've won
because they work.
Our industies have been restructive
we Exports are the are * brown nation in production- that was
are work... are #1 / in the world
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--7--
The knock-America crowd who paint apocalyptic pictures of
American industrial decline shout that we've lost the
industrial race to the Germans and Japanese. That's not
only untrue. It stands truth on its head.
The facts are these, and it's important that the American
people know them.
The United States today -- listen carefully -- is the
world's number one nation in productivity -- 10 per cent
ahead of Germany, 30 per cent ahead of Japan. That means
our workers are the number one workers in the world.
Our economy is the strongest economy in the world.
Our
total output is twice that of Japan four times Germany's,
and greater than the entire European Community's combined.
Right here in the U.S. we produce one quarter of output of
the entire world.
Inspite A the fact that may are initing we eat have
Our people have the highest standard of living in the world.
Our industry has the strongest science and technology base
in the world.
Our farmers are the most productive farmers in the world --
(2) per cent of our people feed the other (98) per cent,
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--8--
with an abundance left over to sell to the rest of the
world.
We're the world's number one exporter, and America's exports
are growing at a rate four times greater than the average of
the other industrial countries. American firms sell twice
as much overseas as they did just five years ago. Now with
not
and
the new North American Free Trade Agreement those exports
fact
will climb dramatically faster. Those increasing exports
translate directly into new jobs for American workers.
Our inflation rate is the lowest it's been in a quarter
century, and interest rates are the lowest they've been in
two decades.
For all the pain we've had in the last two years, the plain
fact is that we're still in better economic shape today than
any other major industrial power in the world.
when all we keen frau the CG tichest ad the soulments in Corgins
You probably didn't how this but has could you
So when I talk about the opportunities ahead in the 1990s, and
for
one of those is the solid prospect of an enormous surge of
the code
economic growth rising prosperity and new jobs here in
America as our own recession ends, as it will, as the
heads on
precess R talley
distressed global economy revives, as it will, as we
TV is
continue to bring trade barriers down, as we will, and as
those many nations now developing market economies come on-
bad one Higs ha
stream as producers, consumers and traders.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--9--
That prospect is now a virtual certainty unless we short-
sightedly throw it away.
What we make of the 1990s depends absolutely on the choices
we make in this election.
Herr's what we stand for (Zodlich inent)
That's because the differences are stark and fundamental.
These are differences in values, priorities and philosophy.
They're also differences in our approach to the political
process. You can see them clearly by looking at the two
ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.
What America suffers from today is not too few new ideas,
but too many wrong ideas. Those wrong ideas have taken
put ane
stubborn root in the U.S. Congress. And the entrenched
Democratic leadership of Congress and my opponent are the
Tweedledum and Tweedledee of this election.
One party -- the Democratic party -- has controlled the U.S.
House of Representatives for the last 38 years -- nearly two
full generations. In that time we've had eight presidents,
but one permanent House. The same Democratic party has
controlled the Senate for all but six of those years.
They've surrounded themselves with perks and privileges,
they've entrenched themselves behind a wall of incumbent-
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--10--
protection schemes that would make Fidel Castro blush,
they've expanded their staffs
-fold and increased their
own legislative budgets
-fold, they've high-handedly
exempted themselves from the laws they impose on everyone
else and they've thumbed their noses at any government
reform that might threaten the comfort, the power or the
permanence of their own private little empire on the
Potomac And they have tocked one found
today plans a you. recourcy. health cave, house, every crim,
There's been a lot of talk this year about "gridlock" in
went
was
min
Washington. Believe me, I know about that gridlock.
For four long years I have gone the extra mile in trying to
work with the majority leadership of this Congress. I have
requested, cajoled and compromised. They have ignored,
x3/
cap
3 man 3
"
blang
delayed and obstructed my policies for providing more jobs,
in
better health care, better education for children, and the
blocked
eradication of the plague of crime and drugs that infests
h,
cons
our great cities.
For the whole twelve years of the Reagan and Bush
administrations together, we have fought the Democratic
leadership of Congress to set America free -- free from
their orgy of taxation, regulation, manipulation and
litigation that still causes strangulation.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--11--
I have had enough. The American people have had enough of
this Congress.
We need a new Congress.
That's one part of the choice before you this November.
Remember: Congress levies every dime of taxes, appropriates
every dime of spending, and tells the president how to spend
every dime. Congressmen who won't balance their own budgets
can't be trusted to balance the federal budget. And this
Congress has shown time and again that it lacks the
political will to discipline its own spending by itself.
So use your vote to give us a Congress that will approve a
constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.
by
Give us a Congress that will approve the line item veto.
Give us a Congress that will put the people first by setting
term limits for itself. Harry Truman wanted term limits for
Congress. We have term limits for presidents. What's right
for the presidency is right for Congress.
And give us a Congress that understands the need to junk the
ways that have failed and get on with ways that work.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY George Bush Handwriting
--12--
This year offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a
really new Congress, one willing at last to join a reform-
minded administration in a real reform of government.
Between redistricting, scandals, frustration and public
revulsion, unprecedented numbers of incumbents have dropped
out or already been beaten in primaries. There will be more
new members of the House this year than any time since 1946,
and maybe more than ever.
A lot of people flocked to the banner of Ross Perot this
year because they wanted change, they wanted reform, they
wanted to shake up Washington. I want change, I want
reform, I want to shake up Washington -- and that's why I
ask you tonight for a Congress that will stop blocking
reform and standing in the way of change. That memo
?
more Repubuins.
At that other convention last month in New York, my opponent
did his level best to keep his own party's leaders in
Congress out of sight. By the hidden hand of the convention
organizers those leaders were magically transformed into a
sort of invisible government, stuffed away in a basement
storeroom somewhere in the hope that for those four days in
the spotlight no one would notice.
That transparent attempt at deception showed how embarrassed
our opponents were by their own Congress. But it was as
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--13--
phony as my opponent's economic plan, with its $200 billion
of new taxes that he says will come only from the "rich."
Buy that, and you'll win a place on the sucker list of every
snake-oil salesman in town.
For a member of Congress, hiding from the television cameras
is the ultimate sacrifice. That sacrifice only showed how
desperate the Democratic leadership of Congress is to get
its hands on the White House too, so it won't have anyone
standing in the way of its own tax-and-spend agenda and its
own self-perpetuation.
I will have to give our opponents credit for one thing. For
weeks now they've warned you to watch out, that we were
going to denounce them as just another gang of tax-and-spend
liberals. And sure enough --- now you can see it. That's
one thing we both were right about.
It's said that you can tell a lot about a person by the
antion
company he keeps. When I look at the people around my
twice
opponent I see all the familiar liberal pundits, the tear-
America-down crowd and the whole assortment of left-wing
pressure groups. I see the ambulance-chasing trial lawyers'
lobby, the anti-reform teachers' union, the self-serving
government employees' unions, the trade protectionists, and
every hungry feeder at the public trough. I see the same
Congressional leaders who have blocked every government
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--14--
reform for the past four years, who forced through the 1990
tax increase and (were only stopped by the threat of my veto
from forcing through) / (tried to force through) more than
(20) other tax increases.
The choices in this election are fundamental, because they
go directly to the fundamental questions of what we ask of
government, what we expect of it, and what we reserve to the
people themselves.
America was born in rebellion against an overreaching
government. From the start, our message to the world has
been one of freedom. We've prospered by setting free the
energy and the ingenuity of individual people.
Our opponents in this election put their trust first in
government. We put our trust first in people. We reject
the welfare state. We reject the role of government as a
nagging national nanny.
We expect people to live responsibly, and to take
responsibility. We expect government to be accountable to
the people, not the other way around.
That means we tax as little as we can, and leave each wage-
earner as much as we can.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY George Bush Handwriting
15--
It means we fight to turn back the tide of needless,
officious, harassing regulation that drains the life out of
small business all across America.
,
It means we try to hold government back from interfering
where it has no business.
It means we strive to instill at every level of government
this simple but clear understanding: that government exists
to serve the citizen, not the other way round. That
everyone who deals with any government agency, at whatever
level, has a right to be treated with courtesy and
consideration, and that we'll judge every agency by the
quality of service it provides and the efficiency with which
it provides it.
It also means that we do all in our power to protect and
expand the individual rights of every citizen.
That's why, with the landmark Americans with Disabilities
Act, we moved forcefully to bring (40) million disabled
Americans into the economic and social mainstream, not as
wards of the state but as productive individuals conributing
to the best of their abilities.
That's why we reject bigotry, we abhor anti-semitism, we
strongly defend the civil rights of every individual
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--16--
citizen, but reject absolutely the alien notion of quotas
for groups of citizens, quotas that would divide us into
categories rather than uniting us as a people.
There's another fundamental issue that divides us, that goes
to the heart of how we pursue prosperity.
We are determined to return America to an agenda of real
economic growth. Growth to create jobs, growth to provide
economic security for all, growth to produce a greater
abundance for all.
Growth -- accelerated growth -- must be the keystone of the
new American prosperity.
In a growth economy, some people will do better than others.
That's good. That's called incentive. Our opponents
distrust profits. When they see them, they try to tax them
away.
Our opponents give lip service to growth -- but they not
only count their golden eggs before they're laid, they kill
the only goose that can lay them.
They talk about jobs -- but keep throwing sand in the
engines of job creation.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--17--
Instead of deregulating, they propose whole mountains of new
burdens heaped on the backs of struggling employers.
Between their tax increases, these new federal mandates and
their reckless additional slashing of defense, what they've
already put forward would cost more than two and a half
million jobs.
Their new business taxes and new mandates alone would cost
American businesses -- that's America's job producers -- in
just the next year more than half the total profits they
earned in all of last year.
And they call this a plan for prosperity?
I do have a plan for prosperity -- a new american agenda,
one that will make us safe and strong at home and abroad.
This agenda will be my number one priority for my second
term.
This is not an agenda of new bureaucracies, new controls,
new taxes and new requirements, enforced by new armies of
federal second-guessers. Quite the opposite.
This agenda builds directly on the solid foundation of
proven experience. It taps into the roots of what built
America to begin with, and made it the strongest and freest
country in the world. It's sensible, serious, and it's not
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY George Bush Handwriting
--18--
a collection of new tax-and-spend programs. Again, quite
the opposite. And, a new Congress willing, it will happen,
and it will work.
The central reality of the 1990s is that the world is
changing economically as fast as it is politically.
In this new world, the key to our own domestic economy,
insuring our prosperity and that of our children, will be
our continued ability to compete successfully in the rapidly
emerging global economy.
To do this, we need to make some basic changes here at home.
The good news is that what it takes to maintain and extend
our leadership abroad is precisely what it takes to build
prosperity at home, to strengthen our economy, improve our
communities, preserve our values, prepare the next
generation and better the conditions of our people's lives.
My agenda for change starts at the heart of the problem: the
federal government itself.
In America today, government is the problem.
Every day we read in the papers about a General Motors or an
IBM restructuring the meet the competition, to strip away
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--19--
layers of bureaucracy and make itself leaner, more
efficient, more effective, to raise quality and lower costs.
The one big institution in America that has resisted that
kind of restructuring is the Federal government.
Why? It has no competition. It's a self-satisfied
monopoly. And the body that writes its laws -- Congress --
likes things as they are.
So we have to provide the discipline.
We need the line item veto. We need the balanced budget
amendment. We also need enforceable caps on the growth of
Federal spending.
One every one of these, the present Congress has blocked the
action I have asked.
And now as it winds down to its unproductive close, it's
going to be sending me its regular spending bills -- with no
serious proposals for change.
I will not accept business as usual.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--20--
We already are cutting defense, as severely as prudence
allows. Now I will use my veto to impose a freeze on
overall domestic appropriations.
e are already cutting defense. Now I will use my veto to
impose a freeze on overall domestic appropriations. I will
veto any individual spending bill that is higher than I
requested in my budget.
This will help for the short term. But for the longer term
we need more. Bureaucracy feeds on bureaucracy and
compounds the problems of spending, waste, resistance to
reform, and gridlock.
Therefore, I will cut out whole layers of waste in the
bureaucracy. I will ask the Congressinal reformers in the
new Congress to cut in half the bloated personal staffs of
the current Congress. I will ask the new Congress to cut
the number of Cabinet departments in half. Then, we should
pass the amendment to limit Congressional terms -- the same
way a president's term is limited. This, at last, will do
what the American people want: cut government and end the
deadlock.
Together, we can do one more thing. I propose that every
individual taxpayer should be able to make a choice -- to
check a box on his or her tax return, and set aside up to 10
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--21--
percent of the tax payment. This set-aside amount would be
designated and used for only one purpose: to reduce the
federal debt. And to be sure that the government didn't
just turn around and buy more debt with the other hand, I
would require that for every tax dollar that people choose
to set aside to reduce debt, the spending ceilings would be
lowered by an equivalent amount -- so that both debt and
spending would be cut.
If the Congress won't choose to reduce spending and debt, we
should let the people do the job.
Now let's talk about taxes.
Four years ago I overestimated my ability to wrestle the
present Congress to the ground and block its determination
to tax more so that could spend more. When I pledged "no
new taxes" I thought I could deliver, and for a long while
afterward I still thought I could deliver. But I
underestimated the determination and the strength of the
patting
real
caps
&
spudes
7
pro-tax Congressional forces. They won.
A
But that's the past. The question now is the future. And
for the future, which would you trust more to get taxes back
anotherity
down again -- the one fought to keep them down, and lost or
the ones who fought to raise them, and won
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY George Bush Handwriting
--22--
Already the Democratic ticket has proposed the largest tax
increase in history. They have also proposed a "pay-or-
play" health plan that would impose on most small businesses
plan.
3
a 7 to 9 percent increase in the payroll tax. That's just
what they've proposed for openers.
The choice is clear: They want to raise taxes. We do not.
But beyond simply resisting Democratic tax-raising that
would destroy jobs, we have a more positive challenge:
When we get a Congress we can work with -- a Congress
serious about change, a Congress that will not extort a tax
increase -- here's the direction in which we should go:
-- We should reduce the current income tax rates
across-the-board -- not raise taxes.
-- We should increase the personal exemption -- to help
defray the costs of raising a family.
-- We should simplify the tax system -- especially for
the now desperately overburdened small business people, who
are the ones that create more than three out of every four
new jobs in America, when we let them. We should restrain,
small business payroll taxes, not raise them as our
opponents would.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--23--
-- And yes, we should reduce the capital gains tax --
now the most punitive capital gains tax in the whole
industrialized world -- and cut the cost of capital for job-
creating investment, in order to increase jobs, not destroy
them.
[INSERT Bob Zoellick domestic reform block]
And there's another element essential to our strategy of
economic growth that's also crucial to rebuilding our sense
of community.
I'm talking now about the need to come to grips at last with
America's poisonous addiction to suing one another. The
deluge of damage suits is driving doctors out of medicine,
it's driving Little League coaches off the playing field,
it's driving small businesses all across the country out of
business, it's raising extravagantly the cost of everything
in America, and it's got to be curtailed.
I'm determined to wage a full-fledged campaign in the new
Congress to win reform of the laws under which this torrent
of lawsuits is brought -- and if this means war with the
American Trial Lawyers Association and its kept claque in
the Congress, then so be it.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--24--
When I look at the people around my opponent, I see a lot of
the people who've fought us at every turn on the basic
battleground of values -- human values, social values,
family values and community values.
I happen to believe very deeply in the worth of each
individual human being, born or unborn. I also believe very
deeply in the importance of the family in transmitting
values, nurturing values, and making its members whole by
making them loved and cherished.
I believe strongly in the importance of community -- people
helping people, caring, joining together as they share their
hopes and build their dreams. That's why my Points of Light
programs mean so much to me -- that, and because I know in
my heart that they reflect the best and most enduring in the
American spirit.
And I believe very strongly that the single most important
key to meaningful social progress in America is one that has
to come not from government but from family, friends,
teachers and community: instilling firmly in the next
generation a set of standards. What kinds of behavior are
acceptable and what are not acceptable. What their
obligations are to their family, friends and neighbors.
What is moral and immoral, right and wrong, constructive and
destructive.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--25--
These are the fundamentals on which a free society rests.
In the last couple of decades there's been a revolution
against standards. It's been chic to sneer at standards.
But this won't last. It can't last. People need to know
what's right and wrong. Children want to know what's right
and wrong.
Standards do have a place in school, just as I believe
voluntary prayer has a place in school. If the right
standards are not taught, the wrong standards will be
learned. It's as simple as that.
Because we are a free nation, we have to be doubly vigilant
in guarding the values on which freedom rests. We can't be
fully free in our own communities, and wonder where the next
bullet or knife is coming from. We can't be free when our
neighbors are enslaved by the scourge of drugs. We can only
win that freedom by inducing others to share our values --
values of mutual respect, consideration, decency and honor.
It's that basic. But it was on those basics that our
country was founded, and from those basics that it grew.
Ours is a spiritual nation. We must never forget that. The
spirit of freedom gave us birth, the spirit of giving made
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--26--
us whole, the spirit of justice gave us meaning, and the
spirit of God sustains us. I do not believe anyone could
succeed as president who did not believe in God and commune
with Him in prayer.
We're also a nation built on an ethic of work. Solid, hard
work, not just for economic reward but as a social and
spiritual good in itself. We fulfill ourselves in work, in
service, not in what we get from the community but what we
give to the community.
That's where the real satisfaction lies, and that need to do
and to serve, to create and to leave something solid behind
for future generations, that need is rooted deep in the
human soul.
We always have lived for the future. We always must.
We are a global power. We must remain a global power. We
must conduct ourselves as a global power. The world is
changing. It's a complex, difficult place. What works in
one part of it doesn't necessarily work in another. We have
to balance force with diplomacy and realism with idealism.
The last four years have seen the most profound, the most
dramatic, and the most profoundly hopeful, changes in the
world in all of the 20th century. We didn't achieve those
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--27--
by ourselves. We played an important role. But if we had
slipped, if we had over-reached or over-reacted at the wrong
times, we could have set history back by decades or even
generations. I for one am very proud of the caution and
deliberation we exercised, and I think history will judge
that on balance the results vindicated that cautious but
deliberate approach.
The perils of the decade ahead are different in both kind
and degree from those of the cold war now ended. But they
do require vigilance, preparedness, steadiness and strength.
Even as the nations of the former Soviet Union dismantle
their nuclear stockpiles, third world tyrants are scrambling
the develop or acquire their own. The continuing tragedies
in Bosnia and Somalia remind us vividly that human nature is
not all benign -- and though the cold war is over, the the
work of securing the peace is not yet done.
After leading the greatest military force ever assembled to
victory in World War II, President Eisenhower used to
comment that plans are useless, but planning is essential.
What he meant was this: Conditions change. We must be
always ready to adapt to changing circumstances, sometimes
at a moment's notice. But it takes meticulous preparation
to know how to adapt. That's a product of experience,
diligence, understanding and planning -- not just producing
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--28--
a press release with nine points, but examining the
alternative conequences of dozens of possible strategies.
When I made the decision to send our troops into war in the
1944
Persian Gulf, I remembered vividly the day when my roommate
on the aircraft carrier Jim Wykes flew off on his very first
combat mission, and never came back.
I will never, never, lightly commit America's sons and
daughters to the slaughter of war. But I also know that
freedom must be defended, sometimes in faraway places.
That's why, when World War II broke out, I enlisted at the
age of 18.
It's always been one of the prides and one of the glories of
America that we act not for ourselves alone, but for all
mankind. That may sound self serving. But it's true And
we should be eternally proud of what America's flag means
not only to ourselves but to people everywhere on earth who
cherish freedom. We should be proud that it's recognized
everywhere as a symbol of the dreams, the aspirations and
the achievements that are America, that millions of
Americans have fought and died to protect, and that have
been and remain the finest, truest, highest hope of mankind
on earth.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
--29--
When I took the oath of office four years ago, I made a
private VOW that with God's help, I would do everything
within my power to be true to the hope that that flag
represents. I repeat that VOW to you tonight.
Thank you, and may God bless each and every one of you.
####
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 15, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
B
SUBJECT:
Libyan Search for Intermediaries
UN Resolutions 731 and 748 call on Libya to meet certain demands
regarding cessation of terrorist activities and turning over
suspects and information regarding the bombings of Pan Am 103 and
UTA 772. To date, they have failed to satisfy these demands,
seeking instead to engage the United States, the U.K. and France
in negotiations leading towards normalization of relations. In
so doing, they are seeking out private citizens, journalists and
former elected officials who might provide an entree to the White
House. Some of these people may have private interests in
improving relations with Libya. Others are simply well-
intentioned persons who are willing to use their personal and
professional contacts with White House staff to deliver messages
from the Libyans.
The Administration strongly discourages these private
initiatives. The official, and only acceptable, channel for U.S.
communications with the Libyan Government is through the Belgian
Embassy which represents U.S. interests in Tripoli. The UN
Secretary General also has a specific mandate to make any special
arrangements required for the implementation of UN Security
Council Resolutions 731 and 748. As long as people continue to
act as intermediaries, the Libyans may believe that our demands
are negotiable, and indeed, may also believe that some of these
private channels are officially sanctioned and likely to be
productive. These factors act as disincentives for them to
comply with the UN Resolutions and obscure our simple,
straightforward policy based on these Resolutions.
2
DISTRIBUTION:
Chief of Staff
W. Henson Moore
Max Marlin Fitzwater
Clayton Yeutter
Phillip D. Brady
D. Allan Bromley
Nicholas E. Calio
David F. Demarest, Jr.
C. Boyden Gray
Edith E. Holiday
Constance Horner
Roger B. Porter
Gary J. Andres
John A. Gaughan
Ronald C. Kaufman
Charles E. M. Kolb
Walter Kansteiner
Patricia Presock
Susan Porter Rose
Gail R. Wilensky
Rose M. Zamaria
David J. Beightol
Paul J. Collins, Jr.
Eric Melby
Stephen Farrar
John S. Gardner
David C. Gompert
John A. Gordon
Teresa A. Gorman
Anne B. Gwaltney
Arnold I. Havens
Edward A. Hewett
Virginia A. Lampley
Daniel B. McGroarty
Douglas H. Paal
William T. Pryce
C. Nicholas Rostow
James L. Pavitt
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 15 , 1992
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
OUT
8:07 AM
8:14
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Washington, D.C.
8:08 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 7-3105
OUI
8:20 AM
Mr. Digger Phelps
Tlkd with
Residence, Bethesda, Maryland
Major Wissler
301-657-4798
8:22 AM
INC
PM
OUT
9:07 AM
10:19
Mr. Steven D. Provost
No Answer-keep trying
9:08 AM
Office, Washington, D.C.
Tlkd-ok
MMCK
PM
456-1125
10:07 AM
OUT
9:10 AM
10:24
Secretary Samuel K. Skinner
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
10:19 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 7-2287
OUT
9:31 AM
9:34
Congressman Dan Rostenkowski
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Chicago, Illinois
9:32 AM
312-276-3055
Had
PM
OUT
9:39 AM
10:01
Mr. Robert M. Teeter
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Washington, D.C.
9:40 AM
347-2200
HSCE
PM
QUI
11:06 AM
Senator Robert J. Dole
WCL
Office, Washington, D.C.
11:07 AM
INC
PM
224-6521
OUT
AM
General Brent Scowcroft
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
12:23 PM
HNCX
12:22 PM
12:25
White House Signal 7-2260
OUT
AM
Mrs. Barbara P. Bush
Tlkd-ok
Aspen Lodge, Camp David, Maryland
12:25 PM
INC.
12:25 PM
12:26
Camp David Signal 4-1612
QUI
AM
Secretary Samuel K. Skinner
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
1:01 PM
INC
12:51 PM
1:05
White House Signal 7-2287
OUT
AM
LTC Paula K. Trivette
Tlkd-ok
Sycamore Cabin, Camp David, Maryland
12:59 PM
HSCI
12:59 PM
1:00
Camp David Signal 4-1736
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 15 , 1992
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
QWY
AM
Admiral Jonathan T. Howe
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
4:35 PM
INC
4:34 PM
4:39
Secure Voice x7434
OUT
AM
Mrs. Barbara P. Bush
Tlkd-ok
Aspen Lodge, Camp David, Maryland
6:17 PM
THE
6:17 PM
6:18
Camp David Signal 4-1617
OUT
AM
Mr. Ray Price
Tlkd-ok
Red Oak Cabin, Camp David, Maryland
6:18 PM
MACK
6:18 PM
6:19
Camp David Signal 4-1720
QMI
AM
Mr. Willard Hemingway
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Greenwich, Connecticut
6:20 PM
INC
6:19 PM
6:25
203-869-8141
OUT
AM
Senator Phil Gramm
PRESUS Cancel
Residence, Houston, Texas
6:56 PM
HUX
6:50 PM
713-939-9841
OUT
AM
Mr. Robert M. Teeter
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
7:05 PM
INC
7:01 PM
'7:19
336-7090
our
AM
Senator Phil Gramm
Tlkd-ok
Rice University, Houston, Texas
7:20 PM
INC
7:09 PM
7:22
713-285-5101
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS
LOCATION Camp David, Maryland
DATE 15 August 1992
TIME
MOVEMENTS
No Movements
WHCA FORM 15, OCTOBER 15, 1980
PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS
LOCATION Camp David, MD
DATE August 15, 1992
TIME
MOVEMENTS
0735
Laurel
1100
Wye Oak - Wallyball
1215
Jogging
1225
Aspen
1625
Laurel
1830
Aspen
WHCA FORM 15, OCTOBER '74. ALL PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM ARE OBSOLETE.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 15 . 1992
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
QMX
AM
Admiral Jonathan T. Howe
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
4:35 PM
INC
4:34 PM
4:39
Secure Voice x7434
OUT
AM
Mrs. Barbara P. Bush
Tlkd-ok
Aspen Lodge, Camp David, Maryland
6:17 PM
INC
6:17 PM
6:18
Camp David Signal 4-1617
OUT
AM
Mr. Ray Price
Tlkd-ok
Red Oak Cabin, Camp David, Maryland
6:18 PM
INC
6:18 PM
6:19
Camp David Signal 4-1720
QMY
AM
Mr. Willard Hemingway
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Greenwich, Connecticut
6:20 PM
INC
6:19 PM
6:25
203-869-8141
OUT
AM
Senator Phil Gramm
PRESUS Cancel
Residence, Houston, Texas
6:56 PM
INC
6:50 PM
713-939-9841
OUT
AM
Mr. Robert M. Teeter
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
7:05 PM
INC
7:01 PM
7:19
336-7090
our
AM
Senator Phil Gramm
Tlkd-ok
Rice University, Houston, Texas
7:20 PM
INC
7:09 PM
7:22
713-285-5101
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
OUT
AM
INC
PM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TELEPHONE MEMORANDUM
SIGNAL SWITCHBOARD
August 15 , 1992
TIME
NAME
ACTION
PLACED
DISC
OUT
8:07 AM
8:14
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Washington, D.C.
8:08 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 7-3105
our
8:20 AM
Mr. Digger Phelps
Tlkd with
Residence, Bethesda, Maryland
Major Wissler
301-657-4798
INC
PM
8:22 AM
OUT
9:07 AM
10:19
Mr. Steven D. Provost
No Answer-keep trying
9:08 AM
Office, Washington, D.C.
Tlkd-ok
INC
PM
456-1125
10:07 AM
OUT
9:10 AM
10:24
Secretary Samuel K. Skinner
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
10:19 AM
INC
PM
White House Signal 7-2287
OUT
9:31 AM
9:34
Congressman Dan Rostenkowski
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Chicago, Illinois
9:32 AM
312-276-3055
INC
PM
OUT
9:39 AM
10:01
Mr. Robert M. Teeter
Tlkd-ok
Residence, Washington, D.C.
9:40 AM
347-2200
INC
PM
QWY
11:06 AM
Senator Robert J. Dole
WCL
Office, Washington, D.C.
11:07 AM
INC
PM
224-6521
OUT
AM
General Brent Scowcroft
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
12:23 PM
INC
12:22 PM
12:25
White House Signal 7-2260
OUT
AM
Mrs. Barbara P. Bush
Tlkd-ok
Aspen Lodge, Camp David, Maryland
12:25 PM
INC
12:25 PM
12:26
Camp David Signal 4-1612
OUT
AM
Secretary Samuel K. Skinner
Tlkd-ok
Office, Washington, D.C.
1:01 PM
INC
12:51 PM
1:05
White House Signal 7-2287
OUT
AM
LTC Paula K. Trivette
Tlkd-ok
Sycamore Cabin, Camp David, Maryland
12:59 PM
INC
12:59 PM
1:00
Camp David Signal 4-1736
PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS
LOCATION Camp David, Maryland
DATE 15 August 1992
TIME
MOVEMENTS
No Movements
WHCA FORM 15, OCTOBER 15, 1980
copy
CAMP/DAVID
THE PRESIDENT
August 15, 1992
Dear Peter,
Once again we are in your debt.
That was a very relaxing evening last night
at Grove Field. You are right, there is
something about minor league ball that is
down to earth, family, and wonderful.
Thanks for your hospitality.
These "drop ins" can really put a strain on
people, I know, so please thanks all who
helped make us feel so at home.
Most Sincerely,
CyBur
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - George Bush Handwriting
daily
MD
BASEBALL
mmmm
Maryland Baseball
////////////
Peter M. Kirk
Hagerstown Suns
Eastem League
Chaifman
Frederick Keys
Carolina Leogue
Class AA
Class A
14504 Greenview Drive
Suite 207
Laurel, MD 20708-3202
Phone: (301) 317-1652
Fax: (301) 317-1654
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON D.C.
Mr. Peter M. Kirk
Chairman
Maryland Baseball
14504 Greenview Drive, Suite 207
Laurel, MD 20708-3202
daily
(Self-Typed)
Personal
TO: DAN BURKE
DAVID
OF A B C
MARK ENVELOP
PERSONAL
THE PRESIDENT
August 15, 1992
Dear Dan,
Last night Bar, 3 grandkids and I went to
see the Keys play Durham's Bulls. Peter Kirk
was our host. He spoke glowingly of you,
telling me in the process he was on the
Committee to select expansion teams. He was
high on what you're planning for Portland.
He also mentioned the plans for New Haven
and Yale Field.
I pass this along just FYI.Go Minor
League!!!!!
Great seeing you and Bunny up there in
Maine. I'm up here working on the houston
speech, ready to take on Clinton-Congress
(linking 'em together)-- -- it will be fun.
All Best,
Gg
CC: Marlin Fitzwater
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Daniel B. Burke
President and Chief Executive Officer
Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.
21st Floor
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023-6298
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 15, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
B
SUBJECT:
Libyan Search for Intermediaries
UN Resolutions 731 and 748 call on Libya to meet certain demands
regarding cessation of terrorist activities and turning over
suspects and information regarding the bombings of Pan Am 103 and
UTA 772. To date, they have failed to satisfy these demands,
seeking instead to engage the United States, the U.K. and France
in negotiations leading towards normalization of relations. In
so doing, they are seeking out private citizens, journalists and
former elected officials who might provide an entree to the White
House. Some of these people may have private interests in
improving relations with Libya. Others are simply well-
intentioned persons who are willing to use their personal and
professional contacts with White House staff to deliver messages
from the Libyans.
The Administration strongly discourages these private
initiatives. The official, and only acceptable, channel for U.S.
communications with the Libyan Government is through the Belgian
Embassy which represents U.S. interests in Tripoli. The UN
Secretary General also has a specific mandate to make any special
arrangements required for the implementation of UN Security
Council Resolutions 731 and 748. As long as people continue to
act as intermediaries, the Libyans may believe that our demands
are negotiable, and indeed, may also believe that some of these
private channels are officially sanctioned and likely to be
productive. These factors act as disincentives for them to
comply with the UN Resolutions and obscure our simple,
straightforward policy based on these Resolutions:
2
DISTRIBUTION:
Chief of Staff
W. Henson Moore
Max Marlin Fitzwater
Clayton Yeutter
Phillip D. Brady
D. Allan Bromley
Nicholas E. Calio
David F. Demarest, Jr.
C. Boyden Gray
Edith E. Holiday
Constance Horner
Roger B. Porter
Gary J. Andres
John A. Gaughan
Ronald C. Kaufman
Charles E. M. Kolb
Walter Kansteiner
Patricia Presock
Susan Porter Rose
Gail R. Wilensky
Rose M. Zamaria
David J. Beightol
Paul J. Collins, Jr.
Eric Melby
Stephen Farrar
John S. Gardner
David C. Gompert
John A. Gordon
Teresa A. Gorman
Anne B. Gwaltney
Arnold I. Havens
Edward A. Hewett
Virginia A. Lampley
Daniel B. McGroarty
Douglas H. Paal
William T. Pryce
C. Nicholas Rostow
James L. Pavitt