Bush calls for balanced budget, smaller government

MUSCATINE - Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush told a crowd Wednesday that America needs a president who follows through on his word.

Appearing at Elly's Tea and Coffee House, Bush addressed an array of issues, from a balanced-budget amendment to shrinking the federal workforce.

During a question-and-answer session, he also spoke to a variety of issues including the Second Amendment, the national debt and term limits.

The former Florida governor said Washington needs a balanced budget and that the only way it will happen is if the president is someone who is principled, says what he'll do and has the courage and leadership to make it happen.

Bush said his two terms as governor gave him experience to be a leader who gets results.

'We should have a system in Washington where they are the servant, not the master, which means we shrink it and shift the power back,” Bush said.

'If we reform how Washington works, we'll start seeing growing income in our own communities, which is exactly what should happen,” he added.

Bush said he wants to disrupt the order in Washington to achieve a high and sustained economic growth where people are creating a more peaceful world - one based on American leadership.

There is mounting concerns, Bush said, for too many people in the nation - veterans, farmers, military personnel and children in failing school systems.

'I worry about the people that now believe that our economic system doesn't work for them,” Bush said.

'My motivation relates to the people who have lost, or are beginning to lose, hope. This county needs to restore hope and optimism,” he told the crowd.

Former Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Art Sensor called Bush the 'best qualified candidate by far.”

Sensor asked during the question-and-answer session about term limits. Bush replied that he thinks they're needed, and are in place in Florida state government.

'It thought he did a good job answering my question,” said Sensor. 'He has a lot to talk about, a lot of positive things.”

Kathy Miller of Muscatine said she was impressed.

'He is much more dynamic in person. I appreciate his passion. All the things he did as governor are very impressive,” she said.