US President GeorgeBush, giving hismost crucial speech since taking office, urged legislatorsand a reluctant US public to support his tax-cut plan as acure for the ailing economy last night.
"The people of America have been overcharged and on theirbehalf, I am here asking for a refund," said Mr Bush, who aims to slash income taxes by some $1.6 trillion over 10 years.
"Tax relief is right, and tax relief is urgent. The longeconomic expansion that began almost 10 years ago is faltering," he said.
Mr Bush said: "To create economic growthand opportunity we must put money back into the hands of thepeople who buy goods and create jobs."
The President took aim at opposition Democrats who say theplan is too large and some fellow Republicans who say the projected10-year $5.6 trillion federal budget surplus leaves room for a deeper cut.
"Some say my tax plan is too big, others say it is too small. Irespectfully disagree. This tax relief is just right," he said. He warned the alternative is to see the surplus spent on pet programmes.
"Unrestrained government spending is a dangerous road todeficits so we must take a different path. The other choice is tolet the American people spend their own money to meet their ownneeds." AFP