SectionsObama focuses on economy during Springfield stop
Heather Cole
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: News
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Sen. Barack Obama said he has a plan to provide economic relief for Missourians, in an address to a crowd of 1,400 at Glendale High School this morning.
"I am absolutely confident that we can choose our own economic destiny," Obama said.
Obama addressed the economic concerns of the nation regarding high fuel prices, the loss of more than 468,000 jobs and an increase in home foreclosures. He said he has a goal to revolutionize and transform our economy to benefit all Americans.
Obama's plan for the economy includes tax cuts of up to $1,000 for middle class families, mortgage interest rate reductions, a second economic stimulus check and a decrease in dependence on foreign oil.
"If I thought drilling off the shores of California would provide immediate relief, I'd do it," Obama said.
Obama said alternative forms of energy need to be researched and incorporated in our everyday lives to reduce the amount of oil Americans use.
About healthcare, he said the system is supposed to benefit all Americans, and he plans for everyone to have a healthcare plan as good as that provided to members of Congress.
"It's true that change is hard. We are in a time that is too risky not to change," Obama said.
He took questions from the audience following the brief speech.
A 12-year-old boy asked about the future of Social Security.
Obama said that Social Security will still be around but the raiding of the fund needs to stop and the cap must be raised.
A female audience member, who is the wife of a retired police officer, asked how quickly some of the big issues can be resolved.
Obama said that with the rising prices in groceries and fuel, people are tapping into their resources, like maxing out their credit cards, to keep up.
"People are up against the wall," he said. "You cannot solve all of these problems immediately, but I think that having a second round of stimulus will help, and my tax cut plan, that is three times better than John McCain's, will save the average American hundreds of dollars a year."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Andrew Simpson
posted 7/31/08 @ 11:19 AM CST
What does Hussein have to offer? I hear nothing but political rhetoric. He speaks of change but all I hear is socialism.
I have spent time in a country that has social healthcare and it is expensive and ill managed. (Continued…)
Alicia
posted 8/06/08 @ 10:57 PM CST
Hey Simpson, I guess you didn't get the memo that Hussein is dead. He was executed December 2006. Wow, you sure have been out of the loop for quite some time so I'll school you on a few things. (Continued…)
Andrew Simpson
posted 8/08/08 @ 4:27 AM CST
Ms Alicia: I do believe that schools are for education so how did you miss that I was talking about a presumptive president when I said Hussein? I was merely using his middle name. (Continued…)
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