President Bush in North Carolina

President Bush arrived in North Carolina today to talk about the state of the economy and to tour the Deere Hitachi plant in Kernersville. The rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of the nearly 1,000 people (800 employees and 200 guests) gathered to hear the remarks by the President as well as brief comments from Senator Richard Burr and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.

After a brief tour of the plant, President Bush gave a powerful speech. To those in attendance, it was obvious that the President spoke with great passion. He said, “American workers are the most productive workers in the world. They can compete with any worker, anywhere, any place when there is a level playing field.” He said, “We need free trade but we also need fair trade.” He pointed out that much of the machinery manufactured here in the Deere Hitachi plant is shipped to Russia.

The President pointed out that government doesn’t create wealth that businesses do. He said he had trust in the American people and that he wanted everybody who wanted a job to be able to have one. He also pointed out that the more free people are the better off their economy will be.

I had the distinct feeling that the President caught his stride today and was back on track to promote the issues that he focused on during his campaign and the promises that he made to the American people. He talked about the need for Congress to make the tax cuts permanent and to repeal the death tax. He stressed the need for energy reform and how we need to be more self-sufficient and drilling in ANWR is something that needs to happen.

The signature issue for the President has always been to reform social security. One knew today, when hearing him speak, he has not given up on this issue and he spoke eloquently about the need to move forward with this reform. As baby boomers age, the unfunded liabilities will grow and the deficit will suffer.

Many of those that I spoke with in the plant today were glad to see the President back on message. He appeared energized and laid out a plan directly to the American people. He let us all know that tax cuts have been good for the economy just as he told us it would be.

Joyce Krawiec is an activist and NC Grassroots Coordinator for Freedom Works. She can be reached at jrkrawiec@aol.com