Bush touts small-business benefit of economic plan

WASHINGTON -- Promoting his tax cut plan, President Bush said Saturday it could help small businesses whose financial health is essential to economic growth.

Bush used his weekly radio address to focus on the part of his 10-year, $674-billion proposal that many economists believe offers some of the best potential for stimulating the economy. Democrats criticize the plan as mostly favoring rich people and big corporations.

Bush said elements of the plan were designed with small businesses in mind, adding that those businesses create millions of jobs annually and account for about one-half of U.S. economic output.

"My growth and jobs proposal will encourage America's entrepreneurs and help to reward their efforts," Bush said. "By reducing taxes, encouraging investment and removing obstacles to growth, we will create a platform for future prosperity."

Critics of his plan say it would have a limited effect on small businesses and many owners would get less than the average tax cut of $2,042 that Bush cited in his address.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House minority leader who delivered the Democrats' radio address, said Bush's plan "will not have any real, immediate impact on the economy" and it will create far fewer jobs than the Democratic plan would.

Pelosi also paid tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., saying the country has made progress on his dream for equality and opportunity for all but has yet to achieve his vision.

"We celebrate Dr. King because of his dream of justice for all," she said.

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