A banking reform plan to bring America’s financial system into the 21st Century, so that our banks remain safe and secure and can continue to make job-creating loans for our factories, businesses, and homebuyers.  I do think there has been too much pessimism.  Sound banks should be making more sound loans, now.  And interest rates should be lower, now.  In addition to these proposals, we must recognize that our economic strength depends upon being competitive in world markets.  We must continue to expand America’s exports.  A successful Uruguay Round of world trade negotiations will create more real jobs, and more real growth, for all nations.  You and I know that if the playing field is level, America’s workers and farmers can outwork and outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere.

And with the Mexican free trade agreement and our Enterprise for the Americas Initiative we can help our partners strengthen their economies and move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere.

The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more power and opportunity in the hands of the individual.  That means new incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment through enterprise zones.  It also means tenant control and ownership of public housing.  Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege of wealth.  They are the birthright of every American.

Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity.  Every one of us has a responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry, and hate.  We will continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statutes, and I will once again press the Congress to strengthen the laws against employment discrimination without resorting to the use of unfair preferences.

We’re determined to protect another fundamental civil right:  freedom from crime and the fear that stalks our cities.  The Attorney General will soon convene a crime summit of the nation’s law-enforcement officials.  And to help us support them we need a tough crime control legislation, and we need it now.

As we fight crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy for combatting drug abuse.  Recent data show we are making progress, but much remains to be done.  We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, forever.

Good health care is every American’s right and every American’s responsibility.  So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention initiatives—­for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly—­ to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling.

It’s time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve.  One of the reasons there is so much support for term limitations is that the American people are increasingly concerned about big-money influence in politics.  We must look beyond the next election, to the next generation.  The time has come to put the national interest ahead of the special interest—­and totally eliminate political action committees.