Pres. Nixon's State of the Union speeches: on Government Reform

Nations change, they adapt, or they slowly die

For almost 2 centuries since, the Nation grew and the Nation prospered. But one thing history tells us is that no great movement goes in the same direction forever. Nations change, they adapt, or they slowly die.

The time has come for a new partnership between the Federal Government and the States and localities--a partnership in which we entrust the States and localities with a larger share of the Nation's responsibilities, and in which we share our Federal revenues with them so that they can meet those responsibilities.

To achieve this goal, I propose to the Congress tonight that we enact a plan of revenue sharing historic in scope and bold in concept.

Reduce from 12 Cabinet Departments to 8

1. Human Resources: dealing with the concerns of people--as individuals, as members of a family--focused on human needs.
2. Community Development: dealing with rural communities and urban communities--and with all that it takes to make a community function as a community.
3. Natural Resources: concerned with our physical environment, with the preservation and balanced use of those great natural resources.
4. Economic Development: concerned with our prosperity--with our jobs, our businesses, and those many activities that keep our economy running.