MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. (Blue MauMau)- While visiting a supply chain technology company, World Wide Technology, Inc. in Maryland Heights, Missouri, President George W. Bush on Friday addressed the economic forces impacting consumers and business.  Many of these economic pressures are having a strong affect on small business and restaurants.

The president addressed high energy costs, which is of one of the top concerns of small business owners. The president urged that the solution lay with Congress to stop blocking exploration of oil on American ground and to approve refineries. He also spoke of the need for continued research into alternative energy. "In the short run, we didn't allow exploration for oil and gas in places like Alaska, our outer-continental shelf. And guess what happened? World demand exceeded supply, and now you're paying for it," he stated.

The president denied that food costs were rising because of his push for corn-supplied ethanol. The president declared, "the reason why food prices are high now is because, one, energy costs are high. And if you're a farmer, you're going to pass on your cost of energy in the product you sell; otherwise you go broke."

President Bush stated that the rising middle-class of India and China have been contributing to soaring food costs of the last year, a major concern to small business restaurateurs.

"There are 350 million people in India who are classified as middle class. That's bigger than America. Their middle class is larger than our entire population. And when you start getting wealth, you start demanding better nutrition and better food. And so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up."

One of the reasons for this discussion on the economy was the recent tax rebate of $600 per adult. The rebate is anticipated to stimulate consumer demand. "This money is going to be very helpful in helping people deal with high energy prices and food price," said the president.