U.S. President Barack Obama is urging Americans to back his plan to fix
the country's deeply troubled economy, saying it is critical to make
"hard choices" right now.
During his weekly address Saturday, President Obama says his budget
represents "an honest reckoning of where we are and where we need to
go".
President Obama outlined his plan to fix the economy, including
reforming healthcare, creating jobs, unfreezing the credit market and
restoring the housing sector.
The president says Friday's grim news that unemployment hit a 25-year
high represents not just numbers, but the hardships of millions of
Americans.
Mr. Obama says resolving the economic crisis will not be quick or easy.
But he expressed confidence the nation will emerge stronger and more
prosperous than before if the country takes swift, bold and responsible
action.