Governor Bush's philosophy -- Responsible Leadership

From the first day of this campaign, Governor Bush has talked about the goal of a responsibility era. Even before that, it was his concern as a governor. For too long, our culture has sent the message, "If it feels good, do it. If you've got a problem, blame somebody else." Each of us must understand we are responsible for the choices we make in life.

Usually, in the political season, you hear promises. We've heard eight years worth of them from this administration. But the responsibility era is not a set of promises -- it is a set of challenges, for the American people and their government. It is not something a president can do for us. It is something we must do together.

Governor Bush believes younger workers should be trusted to invest some of their payroll tax for their own retirement, as part of a stronger Social Security system that builds personal wealth and independence. Al Gore won't even consider it.

To see Governor Bush's leadership on Social Security, click here for video from his Republican convention speech.

Government works best when it relies on the good judgment and common sense of the people themselves. Americans are not asking for bigger, more intrusive government. But they deserve a government that gives them the tools to dream and build and prosper on their own.

In a responsibility era, government should trust the people. But in a responsibility era, people should also be able to trust their government. Public officials should call on Americans to be responsible. But lectures can't replace leadership. Our leaders must show some responsibility themselves.

The first duty of responsible leadership is to confront problems -- not pass them along to others.

Our country, even in these good times, faces some big challenges. On Social Security, the crisis is coming -- in the red within two decades, bankrupt by 2037. Al Gore ignores the long-term problems of Social Security -- and lashes out at anyone who proposes a solution. His idea is to issue government IOUs to fill the Social Security trust fund -- a massive transfer from one government pocket to another. These IOUs amount to $40 trillion, and eventually they will come due. It is our children and grandchildren who will pay them, with massive new taxes.

It is not responsible leadership to deny future generations a chance to have a secure retirement -- all for the purpose of frightening the greatest generation into believing that reform is their enemy. This kind of generational warfare, as practiced by Al Gore, is the worst kind of old style politics. More importantly, it is a failure of leadership.

There was a time when leaders spoke of passing the torch to a new generation of Americans. On Social Security, Al Gore would pass the buck to a new generation of Americans -- leaving trillions in debt to voters he will never face.

As president, Governor Bush will set a new tone in Washington. He will put this election behind us, and work with the other party. He will do everything he can to restore civility to our national politics -- a respect for honest differences, and decent regard for one another. He will strengthen Social Security for all generations.