IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WE WERE taught that America is the land of opportunity. What America hasn't always been, however, is the land of equal opportunity.
To its credit, America is always progressing, trying to expand the opportunities of those who have little or none.As we decide who to vote for in November, we should think back to those basic grammar school lessons and consider carefully what kind of country we want America to be.
As we move toward the 21st century, we should ask how, as a nation, we can best prepare for the future and seize all the opportunities of a new economic age - for ourselves, our families and the future of America.
Looking back at President Clinton's record over the last five years and looking ahead to his plans for the next four, his actions and policy goals have always been about expanding the opportunity to succeed for those who don't have it and about protecting the opportunity to succeed for those who already have achieved it.
His actions have been about providing opportunities, demanding responsibility and building a shared sense of community. The president is committed to building a bridge to the next century that is wide enough and sturdy enough for all Americans to walk across.
On two critical issues - educational and economic opportunity - Clinton's actions demonstrate that he is the best person to move America forward.
Expanding opportunity through educational reforms has been one of the president's priorities. Clinton increased funding for Head Start to provide education to tens of thousands of additional children. He reformed the student loan program to make college more affordable for millions of students. He created AmeriCorps to give young people the opportunity to earn money for college by serving their community in schools, hospitals and police stations.
Recognizing that more needs to be done, Clinton has set forth his agenda for the next four years. The president is calling for a tax deduction of up to $10,000 per year for the cost of college tuition and training; for many, this will make college an achievable dream. Experts estimate that more than 17 million students and 14 million working families would benefit from this tax relief.
The president has also challenged Americans to ensure that every child in America can read by the end of the third grade. He plans to mobilize 1 million community volunteers to give youngsters this opportunity.
Clinton has further expanded opportunity by ensuring that we have a healthy economy that provides employment for those willing to work and take responsibility for their lives.
The president won enactment of the largest deficit-cutting plan in history, implemented economic policies that have created 10.5 million new jobs and made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses.
The deficit is down by 60 percent. The unemployment rate plummeted to a seven-year low of 5.1 percent in August.
By signing tough trade agreements that protect American workers against unfair competition and open up foreign markets, the president has boosted American exports by 31 percent.
These actions give children, families and all Americans a better chance to make the most of their lives.