Etheridge reaction to presidential address


Washington, D.C. -— U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to Congress on Tuesday night:

“…The President laid out a comprehensive plan to address the economic and fiscal crises we face, and to rebuild and recover the nation. The President was frank in assessing the tough challenges we face, but he reminded us that as Americans we always overcome our difficulties. Our challenges are interrelated — we cannot just address one, we must address them all if we are to return to a path of sustained growth.

“I was pleased to see the President speak about the role that education will play in our economic recovery. If we are going to emerge from the economic crisis a stronger nation, we must invest in our future workforce, our students. Education is an investment, not an expenditure — what we spend on investment now will bring us great dividends in the future.

“We face serious economic problems. We must confront the long-term challenges we face, and take steps to provide fiscal stability and to grow our economy over the long term. We must invest in our priorities, like reforming the health care system, making our country energy independent and strengthening our education system. While we must make investments, we must also make hard choices. Responsibility means spending wisely. The President will send his budget to Congress on Thursday, which calls for cutting the deficit in half. I look forward to working with the President to return our country to a course of budget discipline.”