There's a lot of good news that people seem a little reluctant to believe. And for a lot of Americans, that's still a very legitimate complaint. But for most people, the times seem to be pretty good. Economic growth is strong. There are more jobs and opportunities right now than there have been in decades.
People have to work hard and get training, but the opportunities are there.
Of course, most of the credit goes to the American people. But by restraining spending increases, helping to open foreign markets, providing a brake on new regulations, getting the President's signature on a massive national welfare overhaul, by pushing for tax cuts rather than tax increases, and more, Congress has played a constructive role. Nobody claims our problems are all behind us. I'm sure those figures are better now, but we can't forget them. But continued economic growth gives us reason to be optimistic about the options and opportunities which should be available in the years ahead.