Obama defends his wide-ranging reform agenda amid recession[SIZE=-1]
With the rumblings of dissent building over the breadth of reform proposals coming from the White House, President Barack Obama said this morning that America can--and must--take on so many challenges even as the economy continues to decline.
"I know there are some who believe we can only handle one challenge at a time." the president said before he announced his plans to reform the nation's education system, following on the heels of initiatives on health care, capping emissions, and averting economic catastrophe.
Obama compared his agenda to other presidents who pushed changes through tough times. Abraham Lincoln, he said, accomplished much during the Civil War, and Franklin Roosevelt dealt with depression and a world war.
"And we don?t have the luxury of choosing between getting our economy moving now and rebuilding it over the long term," Obama said. "America will not remain true to its highest ideals?and America?s place as a global economic leader will be put at risk?unless we not only bring down the crushing cost of health care and transform the way we use energy, but also do a far better job than we have been doing of educating our sons and daughters; unless we give them the knowledge and skills they need in this new and changing world."
The president outlined five "pillars" of his school reform agenda:
- Investing in early childhood initiatives
- Encouraging better standards and assessments
- Recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers
- Promoting innovation and excellence in America?s schools
- Providing every American with a quality higher education
"So, yes, we need more money," he said near the end of his remarks. "Yes, we need more reform. Yes, we need to hold ourselves more accountable for every dollar we spend."
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