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President Obama: I just came to Parkville on a day where we are unveiling our
budget, and I'm doing so for a reason.
But before I do that I just want to thank Principal Buddy Parker,
who is showing us around, as well as Susan Yoder,
the eighth grade science teacher who we just visited
with in her classroom.
Over the last few weeks I've traveled the country,
talking about what we need to do to win the future;
talked about the need to invest in innovation,
so that the next big idea is discovered here in the
United States of America.
I've talked about the need to invest in high-speed rail and
high-speed Internet, so that companies can move goods and
information faster than ever.
And this week, I'll be talking about the need to invest in
education -- in places like Parkville -- so that every
American is equipped to compete with any worker,
anywhere in the world.
These investments are an essential part of the budget
my administration is sending to Congress.
Because I'm convinced that if we out-build and out-innovate
and out-educate, as well as out-hustle the rest of the
world, the jobs and industries of our time will take root here
in the United States.
Our people will prosper and our country will succeed.
But I'm also convinced that the only way we can make these
investments in our future is if our government starts living
within its means, if we start taking responsibility
for our deficits.
That's why, when I was sworn in as President,
I pledged to cut the deficit in half by the
end of my first term.
The budget I'm proposing today meets that pledge -- and puts
us on a path to pay for what we spend by the middle
of the decade.
We do this in part by eliminating waste and cutting
whatever spending we can do without.
As I start -- as a start, I've called for a freeze on annual
domestic spending over the next five years.
This freeze would cut the deficit by more than $400
billion over the next decade, bringing this kind of spending
-- domestic discretionary spending -- to its lowest share
of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was President.
Let me repeat that.
Because of our budget, this share of spending will be at its
lowest level since Dwight Eisenhower was President.
That level of spending is lower than it was under the last three
administrations, and it will be lower than it was
under Ronald Reagan.
Now, some of the savings will come through less waste
and more efficiency.
To take just one example, by getting rid of 14,000
office buildings, lots and government-owned properties
we no longer need, we can save taxpayers billions of dollars.
And when it comes to programs we do need,
we're making them work better by demanding accountability.
Instead of spending first, and asking questions later,
we're rewarding folks inside and outside government who
deliver results.
And to make sure that special interests aren't larding up
legislation with pet projects, I've pledged to veto any bill
that contains earmarks.
Still, even as we cut waste and inefficiency,
this budget freeze will require some tough choices.
It will mean cutting things that I care deeply about --
for example, community action programs in low-income
neighborhoods and towns, and community development block
grants that so many of our cities and states rely on.
But if we're going to walk the walk when it comes to fiscal
discipline, these kinds of cuts will be necessary.
I'm also looking forward to working with members of both
parties to take steps beyond this budget freeze -- because
cutting annual domestic spending won't be enough to meet our
long-term fiscal challenges.
As the bipartisan fiscal commission concluded,
the only way to truly tackle our deficit is to cut excessive
spending wherever we find it -- in domestic spending,
defense spending, health care spending,
and spending through tax breaks and loopholes.
So what we've done here is make a down payment,
but there's going to be more work that needs to be done,
and it's going to require Democrats and Republicans coming
together to make it happen.
We've begun to do some of this with $78 billion
in cuts in the Defense Department's budget plan,
by ending tax breaks for oil and gas companies,
and through billions of dollars in savings from wasteful health
spending -- savings we'll use to make sure doctors don't see
their reimbursements slashed and that they stay in the
system seeing patients.
But here's the thing.
While it's absolutely essential to live within our means,
while we are absolutely committed to working with
Democrats and Republicans to find further savings and
to look at the whole range of budget issues,
we can't sacrifice our future in the process.
Even as we cut out things that we can afford to do without,
we have a responsibility to invest in those areas that will
have the biggest impact in our future -- and that's especially
true when it comes to education.
Right now, this school, Parkville,
is preparing our kids for the jobs and careers of
the 21st century.
It's a school that nurtures what students are passionate about
and prepares them for success.
Students in the magnet program here start out by taking courses
in each of four subjects -- from applied engineering to
environmental science -- gradually focusing their
studies on one subject over the next couple of years.
I'm told the most popular subject at
this school is engineering.
And that's important, because today the most common
educational background for America's top business
leaders isn't economics.
It's not finance.
It's not even business.
It's engineering.
Engineering and math, critical thinking,
problem solving -- these are the kinds of subjects and skills
that our kids need to achieve success in the 21st century.
That's why we're spearheading a drive to prepare more than
10,000 new math and science teachers over the next five
years, and train 100,000 more current teachers
in those fields.
That's why we're pushing forward on a Race to the Top in our
schools that has led over 40 states to raise their standards
for teaching and learning for less than 1 percent of what we
spend on education each year.
That's why we're protecting the more than $800 increase that we
added to the most widely used federal scholarships,
and making the tough choices to put them on a firm footing
for years to come.
And that's why we're on track to meet the goal that I set when I
took office: By 2020, America will once again have the highest
proportion of college graduates in the world.
I know the American people understand why
this is so important.
And I think that those of us who are working in Washington need
to understand why these investments in the future
are so important as well.
I mentioned in my weekly radio address a letter that I recently
got from a woman named Brenda Breece.
Brenda is a mom.
She's a special ed teacher in Missouri, and her husband,
David, lost his job when the local Chrysler plant shut down.
So money has been tight for the family,
and they've had to sacrifice the little things that they
can do without.
One thing that Brenda knows she can't afford to sacrifice is her
daughter Rachel's education.
And that's why she's looking, as we speak,
for a second job to help put Rachel through college,
and ensure, as she told me, that "the money is there to help
Rachel with her future."
What's true for Brenda's family is true for the larger American
family: Education is an investment that we need
to win the future -- just like innovation is an investment that
we need to win the future; just like infrastructure
is an investment that we need to win the future.
And to make sure that we can afford these investments,
we're going to have to get serious about cutting back on
those things that would be nice to have but we can do without.
That's what families across the country do every day --
they live within their means and they invest
in their family's futures.
And it's time we did the same thing as a country.
That's how we're going to get our fiscal house in order.
That's how we'll grow our economy and attract new jobs
to our shores.
And that's how America we will win the future in the
21st century.
Thanks very much, everybody.
Parkville Middle School, can you hear me now?
Students: Yesss!
President Obama: Well, it is wonderful to see all of you.
And I want to thank your terrific principal,
all the great staff who helped to arrange this visit.
First of all, Malia and Sasha say hi.
Students: Hi!
President Obama: Michelle says hi.
Students: Hi!
President Obama: Happy Valentine's Day.
(applause)
Have you guys been exchanging valentines?
Students: Yes --
President Obama: You are? A little bit, huh?
In addition to coming here to wish you happy Valentine's Day,
the other reason I'm here is because what you guys are doing
here at Parker -- at Parkville -- the principal is Parker --
what you guys are doing here at Parkville is so important
to our future.
We live in a world that is getting smaller because
of technology.
You saw recently what was happening in Egypt -- people
with Facebook and Twitter led an entire revolution
in their country.
And we were watching it live on television.
Twenty years ago, 30 years ago, that would have been impossible.
So the world is getting smaller and what it means is,
is that there are terrific opportunities for us to partner
with people around the world, but it also means that the world
is more competitive -- because when you graduate from high
school and when you graduate from college,
you're going to be competing with people all around the world
to make the best products and the best services.
And so, for us to be successful as a country,
you're going to have to succeed.
And for you to succeed, you're going to have to be able to
possess the skills and knowledge of a 21st century economy.
And that means math, and that means science.
And so we wanted to come here to highlight the great work that
you guys are doing in math and science and engineering,
because we want the kind of success that we're seeing at
this school spread all across the country.
And that requires we make investments in great teachers
and good equipment and labs and the Internet.
And it means that we've got to make sure that we're emphasizing
every day how important education is and we're putting
our money behind it.
So right now I'm in the process of putting together
a big federal budget.
And some of you may know that we've got a big deficit because
we just came out of a big recession,
and so people are worried about how we're going to be able to
pay for things in the future.
And the message that I delivered today was,
just like in your own households,
if things get a little tight you may stop going out to dinner or
stop going to the movies, but you're still going to make sure
that you're paying for the things that are really important
like heat or fixing the roof or your parents are setting money
aside for your college education -- we've got to do that same
thing as a country.
And so I wanted to make sure that we came to your school
today to highlight it and also applaud you for your success.
So I'm just hoping that everybody here knows we're
proud of you; that you guys are working hard,
that you stay focused because your success ultimately is going
to mean America's success.
All right?
Now, I think I'll take time -- I'm not supposed to do this,
but I think I'll take time for like two questions.
So anybody have any questions?
All right, this young man right here.
He had his hand up right away.
Student: What does it feel like to be President?
President Obama: What does it feel like to be the President?
You know, some days -- some days you're burdened by some
really tough decisions.
Some of you may have family members who are in Afghanistan,
for example.
And I'm the Commander-in-Chief, and so I'm responsible for
sending those young men and women over,
who are doing an amazing job.
Some of them get hurt.
Some of them get killed.
And so you feel a responsibility that is profound about making
that decision.
Even though you think it's the best thing to do for the
country, it's one that carries an unbelievable cost.
There are days where you feel really excited because something
that you got done you know is helping somebody.
So when we passed the health care bill that we passed --
and it was controversial.
It was a lot of work.
It was -- and some people still don't like it.
But I would get letters from people who said,
my kid couldn't get insurance before and now I feel secure
because they're able to get health insurance so that when
they get sick they're able to get health care.
So that makes you feel good.
Every day I feel proud and privileged to have the chance
to work in this office.
But I'll be honest with you.
There are certain parts of the job that are kind of tough,
like I'm kind of in this bubble.
I can't go anywhere, I can't just -- if I want to just go
to the corner drugstore and buy some shaving cream
or something --
(laughter)
-- or if I just feel like taking a walk with Bo -- like I can't
do anything spontaneous.
And that kind of gets on your nerves.
And the other thing is people know who you are everywhere
-- obviously.
(laughter)
So you have to -- you always have to like shave and comb
your hair and --
(laughter)
-- you can't just roll out of bed and be out there.
(laughter)
So that kind of stuff can be a little tough.
Young lady right here.
Student: Is there a lot of stress in --
President Obama: Stand up, I'm sorry.
What's your name?
Student: Brianna --
President Obama: Brianna. So what were you saying?
Student: Is there like a lot of stress when you --
President Obama: Like when I'm working on the economy or something?
Student: -- when you're working on the economy --
President Obama: Well, look, there's stress involved.
But let me tell you something.
I promise you there's stress involved being the principal
of a middle school.
There's stress involved being a teacher.
One of the things that I want everybody here to understand is,
is that whatever profession you choose,
whether it's being president, being an engineer,
being the principal of a school, being a teacher,
there are going to be some stresses involved.
There aren't that many jobs out there that you just kind of sit
back and have fun all the time.
But that's part of growing up, and that's part of being
successful, is managing that stress.
The one thing that I think helps me handle the stress
is if I feel like, at the end of the day,
I've done the best possible job I can do,
even if not everything has worked out exactly the way I
planned it, then I feel okay.
What bothers me is if I feel like, gosh,
I could have done -- I could have done better on that.
So you guys should take the same attitude with respect to school.
I mean, look, I know 7th and 8th graders,
you guys have got your own little stresses.
And growing up is stressful, and taking tests are stressful,
and getting that paper in on time is stressful.
The key is just making sure that you're hungry for knowledge,
you're working hard, you're getting better all the time.
If you do that, then you can look yourself in the mirror
and say, I'm doing my best.
And if everybody here is doing their best,
I'm confident you guys are going to succeed and thrive.
All right?
Well, I'm very proud of you guys.
Thank you, everybody.
(applause)
Thank you.