Pres. Carter's State of the Union speeches: on Principles & Values

For the first time in a generation, we face no crisis

For the first time in a generation, we are not haunted by a major international crisis or by domestic turmoil, and we now have a rare and a priceless opportunity to address persistent problems and burdens which come to us as a nation-quietly and steadily getting worse over the years.

We here in Washington must move away from crisis management, and we must establish clear goals for the future-immediate and the distant future--which will let us work together and not in conflict. Never again should we neglect a growing crisis like the shortage of energy, where further delay will only lead to more harsh and painful solutions.