General Wesley Clark says America's economy can be bullish again if there is a change in leadership. In the second of four speeches on New American Patriotism, Clark focused on the economy.

"I am bullish on America," Clark told a group of supporters at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, "but I am bullish on America only if we make the right decisions for our economy."

Clark emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction. The current ten-year projection for the deficit after the Bush tax cuts, the cost of the war on terror, and a recession is $5 trillion.

"FDR ran on the New Deal. Harry Truman promised a Fair Deal. George W. Bush ran on the Free Lunch," Clark said. "The Free Lunch, it turns out, was a bunch of baloney."

Clark's economic plan, Saving for America's Future, will reverse the negative effects of the failed Bush tax plan by rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, those who make more than $200,000 per year. It would protect the repeal of the estate tax for small businesses and family farms.

The plan will end corporate welfare and close tax loopholes. It will streamline the government and improve efficiency. Also, the plan includes more efficient use of resources in Iraq by working closely with American allies to share the financial burden.

"I will support every dime we need to keep America strong," Clark said. "But I will never tolerate billions of dollars of waste or inefficiency just because it has a military label on it. We should have the same standards with our domestic spending."

Clark's plan will save more than $2 trillion over the next decade for deficit reduction and investing in priorities like healthcare and education. Clark said that job creation and debt reduction go hand in hand.

"My 'Saving for America's Future' plan starts by bringing the basic value of responsibility back to Washington," Clark said. "We just can't have new spending proposals without saying how we're going to pay for it. It's not that complicated of an idea -- but somehow people have forgotten it. When in you're in a hole, stop digging. This country is in a pretty deep hole. And I have a plan to get us out."

In the coming weeks, Clark will continue his New American Patriotism Tour. He will outline policies on national security and health care. He previously spoke on his vision for public service and job creation.

"New American Patriotism is something that comes not only from our leaders but from our citizens, from Americans like you, who work the long hours, make the tough choices, and make the sacrifices to give your children, and all our children, a better future," Clark said.

Photos used with permission from Beatrice Moritz.