Here, too, the premise that guides us should be that of sustained prosperity for the world. Given America's newfound dynamism and competitive prowess, we will all be better off if the world makes the same transition we are asking of ourselves. Sustained prosperity is about fairness and lifting everyone to higher economic ground, and to achieve that I would take several new steps. Health care reform, educational reform, worker retraining and displacement assistance are essential and to meet those priorities I have proposed universal healthcare access, and educational reform measures centered around proposals for lifelong learning centers, Infostamps, improved recruiting and pay for teachers, and greater accountability in our schools. Not only must we broaden the participation of workers in gainful economic activity we must invest heavily in their skills in order to boost the quality of their individual contributions.
Prosperity is about both the quantity, as well as the quality of the American work effort.
Providing access to quality healthcare and education for all Americans will be an enormous step towards building prosperity on the foundation of growth. It will ensure that the economy of the future has the workers and entrepreneurs it will need for us to sustain our rapid growth in years to come. It will ensure that every American is able to contribute to our prosperity, and to enjoy its fruits. And it will give every American confidence that he or she will be protected from the risks the new economy creates. Small businesses account for the bulk of job creation in the US, and they must be singled out for special attention.