Lee Herbert Hamilton

“ The President's view of government is that it should not attempt to solve people's problems for them nor should it leave them alone to fend for themselves. He wants a government that gives people the tools to solve their own problems and to make the most of their own lives. ”

“ He wants to lead the country through the transition into the next century, all the time keeping the American dream of opportunity alive. He called for a new spirit for a new century, with Americans working together to build "a nation ever moving forward, toward realizing the full potential of all its citizens." ”

“ There is a shortage of federal funds; the American people do not want new taxes; and the major problems of government in recent years have been to restrain spending on current programs. Some criticize the address for not grappling with the tough problems that face the nation, like campaign finance reform, bringing entitlement spending under control, and improving the educational system. ”

“ He sees the country as being at a turning point, and he remembers that the great turn-of-the-century Presidents--Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt--governed a country undergoing profound changes and created opportunities that altered the course of history. ”

“ In perhaps the most memorable line in the address, he reminded us that "America demands and deserves big things from us, and nothing big ever came from being small".
The President believes that if the country can come together and put the divisions aside, it can work together toward unparalleled prosperity and freedom for ourselves and for the rest of the world. ”