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Washington, D.C. –  To mark the 5^th anniversary of the failed stimulus plan, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today pointed to the mounting $17.3 trillion government debt, slow economic growth and disappointing unemployment rates as proof that massive government spending is not the solution to our nation’s economic problems.

In a video message, Rubio highlighted the need for real solutions that control Washington’s spending, while also incentivizing a vibrant free enterprise system that empowers people with the skills needed to take advantage of the opportunities of the 21^st century.

“If you recall five years ago, the notion was that if the government spent all this money — that, by the way, was borrowed— that somehow the economy would begin to grow and create jobs. Well, of course, it clearly failed,” Rubio said. “Five years later, underemployment is still too high, the number of people that have dropped out of the workforce is astounding, unemployment remains stubbornly high and our economy isn’t growing fast enough — proof that massive government spending, particularly debt spending, is not the solution to our economic growth problems.

“Here’s what would be a solution: A vibrant free enterprise economy and a people with the skills and the education needed to take up those jobs that a vibrant free enterprise economy would create. That’s what our policy makers should be focused on — policies that bring our tax code, our regulations and our massive $17 trillion debt under control,” Rubio added. “Sadly, that’s not what we’re getting from the White House, that’s not what we’re getting from this administration.”

View Rubio’s full remarks on YouTube here. For television stations interested in airing today’s remarks, a broadcast quality video is available here.

A full transcript of the video message is available below:

Today is the 5^th anniversary of the failed stimulus program. If you recall five years ago, the notion was that if the government spent all this money — that, by the way, was borrowed— that somehow the economy would begin to grow and create jobs. Well, of course, it clearly failed.

Five years later, underemployment is still too high, the number of people that have dropped out of the workforce is astounding, unemployment remains stubbornly high and our economy isn’t growing fast enough — proof that massive government spending, particularly debt spending, is not the solution to our economic growth problems.

Here’s what would be a solution: A vibrant free enterprise economy and a people with the skills and the education needed to take up those jobs that a vibrant free enterprise economy would create. That’s what our policy makers should be focused on — policies that bring our tax code, our regulations and our massive $17 trillion debt under control. Policies that encourage innovation and energy and trade and hi-tech. And also policies that help people acquire education in the 21^st century. It’s never mattered more.

We cannot  continue to rely on a broken 20^th century education model to empower our people with the skills they need for the middle class jobs of the 21^st century. Sadly, that’s not what we’re getting from the White House, that’s not what we’re getting from this administration.

But I hope that in the years to come we can change that, because I honestly believe that no people on Earth are better positioned to take advantage of the promise of the 21^st century than Americans are. All they need now is for their leaders to give them a chance. And that’s what I hope we’ll do.

So thank you for your continued support. May God always bless America. Thank you.