In the midst of his first overseas trip as U.S. President, Barack Obama
is reminding Americans that they live in an interconnected world. His weekly radio and
Internet address focuses on the need to work with other countries to
deal with economic and security problems.
President Obama's weekly address, recorded on Air Force One, amounted to a postcard from Europe.
But it was a postcard with an important message.
"In
this new century, we live in a world that has grown smaller and more
interconnected than at any time in history. Threats to the nation's
security and economy can no longer be kept at bay by oceans or by
borders drawn on maps," he said.
He reminded Americans that the
terrorist threat is global, that pollutants from one country can impact
climate around the world, and that abuses by bankers in major financial
centers like New York and London can have a ripple effect through the
international economy.
"The challenges of our time threaten the
peace and prosperity of every single nation and no one nation can meet
them alone," he said.
President Obama said that is the reason
why he came to Europe. And he cited the results of the G20 economic
summit in London as an example of what can happen when leaders from the
world come together to tackle a global crisis.
"All of us are
now moving aggressively to get our banks lending again," he said. "All
of us are working to spur growth and create jobs. And all of us have
agreed on the most sweeping reform of our financial regulatory
framework in a generation."
Mr. Obama also reflected on his
one-on-one talks on the sidelines of the London summit with the leaders
of China and Russia, and advances being made to build a strong working
relationship with Beijing and Moscow. And he referred to his ongoing
discussions with NATO allies about his new strategy for Afghanistan and
Pakistan.
"As we have worked this week to find common ground and
strengthen our alliances, we have not solved all of our problems. And
we have not agreed on every point or every issue in every meeting. But
we have made real and unprecedented progress," he said.
The
Republican Party response to the president's weekly address dealt with
domestic economics - primarily the fight in Washington over the federal
budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
Speaking for the Republicans,
Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said the president's budget plan
will make America's current economic crisis much worse.
"Put simply, the Democrats' budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much from our kids and their kids," he said.
Congressional
Democrats pushed a modified version of the president's spending plan
through the House and Senate on Thursday, despite strong Republican
opposition.
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