Republicans Defend Economic Plan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, Jr., R-Oklahoma, touted the Republicans' past work and future plans for what he termed "three basics of government -- health, education and welfare" -- in the GOP's weekly radio address Saturday.

"All of this is the American dream, a dream that says to anyone in this country, if you work hard, study hard, dedicate yourself, make responsible choices, you can be all you want to be," Watts said.

Watts slammed teachers unions and the Department of Education, saying they had taken "too much local control" from communities. He praised Republican efforts to reform the system, saying the Congress has "strengthened education." (236 K WAV sound)

Watts said the Republican economic plan would strengthen Medicare despite Democratic claims to the contrary, and praised the recently successful welfare reform bill. (274 K WAV sound)

"We must continue to be a caring nation that measures compassion by how few people are on welfare because we've given them the means to climb the ladder of economic opportunity," he said. (116 K WAV sound)

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• President Clinton's Weekly Radio Address - August 17, 1996

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