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Obama: U.S. must make 'tough choices'

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of the White House Forum on Health Reform, in the East Room at the White House in Washington on March 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
1 of 3 | President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of the White House Forum on Health Reform, in the East Room at the White House in Washington on March 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch) | License Photo

WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama Saturday said the United States must make "tough choices" as it faces "difficult days in the months ahead."

In his weekly radio address, Obama reminded listeners of Friday's Labor Department report that the U.S. economy shed 651,000 jobs in February, and has lost 4.4 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007 -- driving the unemployment rate over 8 percent to its highest level in a quarter of a century.

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"And we will continue to face difficult days in the months ahead," Obama said. "But I also believe that we will get through this -- that if we act swiftly and boldly and responsibly, the United States of America will emerge stronger and more prosperous than it was before."

The president recapped steps the federal government has taken in response to the recession -- including new guidelines for lenders to use in lowering mortgage payments; a Treasury Department initiative intended to generate new lending to consumers and small businesses; and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the administration has said will save or create more than 3.5 million jobs in the next two years.

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"Of course, like every family going through hard times, our country must make tough choices," Obama said. "In order to pay for the things we need -- we cannot waste money on the things we don't."

The president said the budget he introduced last week makes "hard choices" -- reducing discretionary non-defense spending and ending "unnecessary" no-bid contracts, which he said would save up to $40 billion annually.

Obama said the country will not be able to reduce the deficit down or expand the economy without addressing the cost of healthcare.

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