Remarks to the National Association of Home Builders in Columbus, Ohio

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Oct 11, 2004

He also doesn't understand when he's saying tax the so-called-rich, he's raising the taxes on the small-business owners of America. My opponent's plan would raise taxes on over 900,000 small-business owners, the Subchapter S corporations, the sole proprietorships, people just like you. Small businesses are the engine of job creation in our country. Small businesses create 7 out of every 10 new jobs. It makes no sense to tax the job creators as our economy is getting stronger. We should not punish free enterprise. We ought to encourage free enterprise in America.

Now, I've got a plan to help this country move forward. I believe tax--the tax relief we passed ought to be made permanent. I've got a practical way to make sure Americans get health coverage without empowering the Federal Government. We've got a clear view of how to make sure Social Security fulfills its promise to our younker folks. We're going to help more families find dignity and independence in a home they call their own. We're going to build an ownership society, where everyone has a stake in the success of America and everyone has a chance to realize the great promise of our country.

And you're helping people realizing that success. It must be a fantastic feeling to be a part of the American Dream. It must be great to see--it must be magnificent to see somebody walk in to their home and feel the pride of ownership, the fantastic feeling of saying to a son or daughter, "Here's your room. Here's our piece of property."

I want to thank you very much for what you're doing. I want to thank you for helping pull our economy through some tough times and helping this Nation get on that hopeful path for a bright future. I appreciate your hard work. I appreciate your optimism. I appreciate your love for America.

May God bless you, and may God continue to bless our country. Thank you all.

NOTE: The President spoke at 10:01 a.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred to C. Kent Conine, immediate past president, and Bobby Rayburn, president, National Association of Home Builders; Carolyn Hobson, wife of Representative David L. Hobson; and Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley and Auditor of State Betty Montgomery of Ohio.