Office of the Press Secretary
Q Why do kids my age have to pay taxes --
Wed Aug 11, 2004 15:22
64.140.158.46

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 10, 2004

Remarks by the President at "ask President Bush" Event
Okaloosa-Walton College
Niceville, Florida
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040810-15.html
[snip]
Q Why do kids my age have to pay taxes --

THE PRESIDENT: Why do kids your age have to pay taxes? That's an interesting question. I guess because you're earning money, to begin with. (Laughter.) I don't know what your circumstances are. I will tell you some principles I believe. I don't believe anybody ought to pay more than 35 percent to the federal government, for starters. (Applause.) I believe that if we set priorities in Washington, we don't need to be raising taxes on the people right now. I think we can keep taxes low in order to make sure this economy continues to grow.

I'll tell you what I'm worried about -- I'm worried about if we don't make permanent the child credit -- if we don't, the child credit goes down, which will hurt families with children. If we don't make this tax relief permanent we passed, the marriage penalty is going up. If we don't, the 10 percent bracket goes away. In other words, we're raising taxes on the working people right now, which is the wrong time to raising taxes on the working people.

Yes, sir.

Q I have two things to say for you. One is, if you would use more testimonials in your campaign from military people that would prove to the American people that the Army is behind you and they're being accepted where they are and they're doing the job that they do.

THE PRESIDENT: Good idea, thank you. And not only that, I got that advice for free. Here I'm paying thousands of dollars to these high-paid political consultants, and this guy comes up with a good idea for free.

Q And the other thing is, is I'm 60 years old and I've voted Republican from the very first time I could vote. And I also want to say this is the very first time that I have felt that God was in the White House.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, all. Let me ask you a question. Do you like Jeb? Jeb plants him right here on the front row. (Laughter.)

Q Mr. President, how do you feel about the republic standing strong in these current times on a constitutional amendment that has been burdening our nation?

THE PRESIDENT: Be a little more specific.

Q Well, specifically, like one man and one woman getting married --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, okay. He's asking me about -- I think you're asking me about why I proposed a constitutional amendment to support traditional marriage; is that right?

Q Well, how you feel about it.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I support it, and I'll tell you why.

Q Yes, sir, constitutional cleansing for things that have burdened our nation that should be under the cover of the republic instead of the courts.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, that's a good question. What he wants to know is -- he's worried that the courts are defining the issue of marriage. That's what he's asking. And so am I. I believe that -- first of all, I just want everybody to take a step back from this issue, and this is an issue where all of us need to treat people with different opinions with the utmost respect. This is a sensitive topic. The debate needs to be conducted in a civilized way. But it's a serious debate.

I'll tell you why it's a serious debate. I happen to believe traditional marriage, marriage between a woman and man is necessary for a stable society. It's served civilization well throughout the years. (Applause.) Now, people say, why the constitutional amendment? And the reason why is, is because I am concerned that law on the books will be overturned by the courts. The courts have been very active in this area. As a matter of fact, in one state they redefined -- four judges redefined marriage as we know it. Four judges. And the people didn't have a decision in that process.

And I am concerned that that will continue to happen on federal law, as well. And someday, we're going to wake up and realize that the courts have defined marriage, and not the people. And so one way to guarantee that the people are involved with this very important debate is through the constitutional process. After all, states must be involved in the ratification of a constitutional amendment.

And so I support a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. I also believe the states have got the right, should they choose, to provide legal guarantees for other types of couples. To me, that is a different issue from the definition of marriage. And so that's why I take the position I took. And I appreciate your question. (Applause.)

Yes, sir.

Q President Bush --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, ma'am.

Q I understand that the Democratic leadership in Congress wants --

THE PRESIDENT: I'm looking around for you.

Q I'm here. I'm over here.

THE PRESIDENT: No, not for you. (Laughter.) Oh, okay. I got you, yes. Thank you.

Q I understand that the Democratic leadership in Congress wants to reinstate the draft that will include women with no exception. What is your position --

THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't think so. I haven't heard that, to be fair to the Democrat leadership. Maybe they have. I don't think I've heard it. John hasn't, either. No, we're not going -- we don't need the draft. Look, the all-volunteer Army is working. The all-volunteer Army -- (applause.) I really don't think, in all fairness, I haven't heard that. Maybe you have. I have not heard any leader in the Congress of either party advocating a draft. I beg your pardon. John said a couple of the guys in the House have. They will -- I know Senator McCain and I agree on this issue for certain, the all-volunteer Army works.

And the way -- I'll tell you one way how you make it work -- I just signed a defense appropriations bill, which is the fourth year in a row in which we've raised the pay of those who wear our uniform, and the pay's getting better. (Applause.) And the housing is getting better. In other words, the quality of life issues are improving. And that's one way you make -- that's how you make the all-volunteer Army work, by making sure that when somebody signs up, they're treated well -- that they're paid well, and that they're housed well, and that -- the best way to encourage re-enlistment is to make sure that the families feel welcomed and well-treated.

I'm really proud of our military. You know, one of the hard things I've got to do -- (applause) -- let me finish here -- one of the hard things that I've got to do, and I know John does it, as well, and I'm sure the Congressman does -- is to visit the wounded. We did so in Fort Lewis, Washington together. And I can tell you that your government provides fantastic medical service to those who have been wounded on the battlefield. I mean, we're taking these kids from Iraq to either a hospital in Germany or a field hospital, and then to Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospital, in record time. And we're saving a lot of lives.

And the question I always ask their loved ones is, are you being treated well. You've got a wife there that is worried about her husband who has been wounded, and I say, are they treating you well? Is your loved one getting the care needed? And, to a person -- now, look, I, admittedly -- sometimes, it's hard to tell me a different thing than, yes, we're doing great. But it's -- but the response from those whose lives we're trying to heal and save and their loved ones has been unbelievable. I mean, your government cares deeply about somebody who is in harm's way and who has been injured in harm's way.

And that is -- you've got to know something, as the Commander-in-Chief, it means a lot to be able to tell a relative, we're doing all we can to help your loved one. And we are. And we're a great country. We really are. What a fabulous nation we are. (Applause.)

Go ahead and yell it out.

Q First of all -- (inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Yes, I better give you a mike for that one.

Q (Inaudible) -- I have a brother who served in Afghanistan and is going back to Iraq. (Inaudible) --

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q -- people from around the world, but my concern is how, in Iraq, they have so many hands in the pot. I want -- (inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, thanks. That's a very interesting question. Really -- your son's going back to Iraq?

Q My brother.

THE PRESIDENT: Brother. And what she's worried about is whether or not we've got the vision and a plan to complete the vision, to complete the mission. That's a very legitimate question. And the answer is, we do. We do.

I'll tell you, the -- first, let me talk to you about my plans for your brother. When he gets over there, I'd like him to get back as soon as possible, but that's after the mission has been completed. All of us want our troops out, but what we don't want is to cut short the mission. We don't want politics -- (applause) -- we don't want politics to decide the mission. We want -- I think the best solution is to put good commanders on the ground, say, what do you need?

And so, people -- what is the mission? The mission is a free Iraq that can stand up and defend herself. That is going to change the world. I just want you to know that your brother is going on a mission that has got historic proportions to it. I mean, this is a -- this is -- we're changing history. Just think about what a free Iraq will mean in the heart of the Middle East. It's not only going to make America more secure; it's going to help change a part of the world that is desperate for freedom. People long to be free.

Too often, our foreign policy has been, let's just don't worry about the freedom aspect of society. But look where it got us. Think about it. In that part of the world, there's such resentment and poverty, and we've got kids looking for work and they can't find anything, so they become recruited by these killers. And yet, there's an opportunity to change that, by working for a free society.

And so the mission of your brother is clear. And the mission will be better accomplished and more quickly accomplished when we train Iraqis to do the job that our coalition forces are doing now. And that's the task at hand. That's the task at hand. The task at hand is to train these folks and equip these folks as quickly as possible, and as efficiently as possible.

I mean, the key is not to set artificial time lines. See, you set an artificial time line, it says -- it says to the enemy, well, gosh, all we've got to do is wait them out. It says to the Iraqis, we're going to quit on you. If the Iraqi people think that the United States is not true to its word, they will grow timid. They don't want to take a risk in case somebody comes back that's going to cut off their hands.

And so your brother is going on a mission that is a vital mission. I know you're worried about him. I can see it in your eyes. And I don't blame -- I don't blame you.

Q He's ready.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, he's ready, but, sister, you're worried, and I don't blame you. You love him, is why you're worried. And that's wonderful.

Let me tell you an interesting story, though, and I hope you keep this story -- I hope this helps you and helps everybody understand. So I'm having dinner with Prime Minister Koizumi. He's the Prime Minister of Japan. And we're having Kobe beef -- pretty good. (Laughter.) It was in Tokyo. And guess what we were talking about? We were talking about peace. We were talking about how to deal with Kim Jong-il in North Korea. He's dangerous. I thought it didn't make any sense for us to have a bilateral relationship with him because he -- the last time we tried to have one, he didn't tell the truth. So I learned a lesson, and then started to rally other nations to be involved with us to convince this man to get rid of his nuclear weapons program. And one of our partners in convincing Kim Jong-il to disarm is Japan.

Now, the interesting part of the story, I think, as far as your brother is concerned, is that during the course of the conversation, I thought it was pretty neat to be talking to a Prime Minister of a country that we had been at war with, that my Dad had actually, as a young Navy pilot, trained down the road here, went overseas -- and I know many of your dads did, as well -- to fight against the Japanese, our enemy. They were our sworn enemy. And today, or that day, I was talking to the head of a former enemy, and we're talking about keeping the world more peaceful. (Applause.)

Now, let me finish -- let me finish. There were a lot of people after World War II who did not believe that Japan could be a self-governing peaceful nation. There were a lot of people who said, well, the reconstruction effort isn't going to work. These people can't do this. But, fortunately, our predecessors in the presidency and the Senate and the Congress believed that liberty can change lives -- and never forgot that fantastic American belief that freedom has the capacity to transform lives, transform enemies to allies in peace. Some day an American President is going to be sitting down with an elected leader from Iraq, huddled and talking about how to keep the peace. That's what your brother -- (Applause.)

Go ahead, yes.

Q My dad is a retired vet -- (inaudible) -- (applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Where is he? Where's the Colonel?

Q (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you tell the Colonel, I saluted him. Thank you. (Applause.) I appreciate that. God bless you. Thank you. That's very sweet of you.

Okay, who was yelling up there? You? Okay, fine. Are you the spokesman for the rowdy bunch up there?

Q Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, well, good.

Q Okay, first of all, I want to say that I love you.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

Q And I would like to see you in office for four more years.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Are you registered to vote?

Q No.

THE PRESIDENT: See you get to ask a question, I get to ask one. Are you registered?

Q No, not yet. And --

THE PRESIDENT: Are you 18?

Q No -- and I don't want to talk about it because it upsets me. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good. That's a teenager -- I'm used to that. (Laughter.) I've been there. (Laughter.)

Q My question is, why did you let the International Court try our troops?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I haven't. I'm against the International Court. (Applause.) That's a pretty darn sophisticated question. I didn't join the International Criminal Court because I don't want to put our troops in the hands of prosecutors from other nations. Look, if somebody has done some wrong in our military, we'll take care of it. We got plenty of capability of dealing with justice. (Applause.)

Very good question. Make sure you register.

Yes, ma'am. Anybody about ready to fall out? (Laughter.) Getting a little hot? Okay, I get the message.

Q Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, ma'am.

Q I am the attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem Program here in our area. And we advocate for the best interest of children. And I know that you have a heart for our children.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q And I would like to ask if you could address our children and even the young adults who are here and tell them something that you want -- that you think is important about your past four years, and your next four years --

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks, yes.

Q -- about their safety in this country.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I appreciate that. First, my message to the children is, make right choices in life. Understand that the decisions you make as a youngster can affect you. (Applause.) My second message is, love your parents. My third message is -- seriously. My third message is, take advantage of your schooling opportunities. It's really important to learn early in life. They're -- hold up a second. (Laughter.)

You're growing up in a different time. It's probably hard for you to realize it because you don't realize what it was like, for example, to grow up in the '50s. (Laughter.) McCain