The president is saying through his plan that by saving instead of squandering the surpluses brought on by our discipline and prosperity, we can address much of our long-term retirement challenge in a way that lifts that burden off our children and grandchildren.
A down payment by the United States of $1 billion would provide further momentum. This down payment would make it possible for more than 10 million children to go to school and ensure that our country is contributing at least as much as the United Kingdom.
You never see a child die from education on TV. But make no mistake about it: children die from lack of education all the time. Children without an education are more likely to grow up to have HIV/AIDS. They're more likely to die in infancy or before the age of five.