Barack Obama

“ I’ll keep laying out my ideas to give the middle class a better shot in the 21st century, and I’ll keep reaching out to Republicans for theirs. But gutting critical investments in our future and threatening national default on the bills that Congress has already racked up – that’s not an economic plan. Denying health care to millions of Americans, or shutting down the government just because I’m for keeping it open – that won’t help the middle class. ”

“ There are no tricks to grow the economy. Reversing the long erosion of middle-class security in this country won’t be easy. But if we work together and take a few bold steps – and if Washington is willing to set aside politics and focus on what really matters – we can grow our economy and give the middle class a better bargain. And together, we can make this country a place where everyone who works hard can get ahead. ”

“ What we’re lacking is action from Washington. And that’s why, in addition to proposing ideas that we know will grow our economy, I’ve also put forward a strategy for breaking through the Washington logjam – a “grand bargain” for the middle class.
I’m willing to work with Republicans to simplify our tax code for businesses large and small, but only if we take the money we save by transitioning to a simpler tax system and make a significant investment in creating good, middle-class jobs. We can put construction workers back on the job rebuilding our infrastructure. ”