Inaugural speech: Obama promises to elevate role of tech

In his inaugural address today, President Barack Obama said technology will play a key role in helping to stimulate the economy, transform health care and improve the effectiveness of government programs.

“The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift,” he said. Beyond roads and bridges, that action would include building “the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.”

Obama said his administration would elevate science “and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.” Indeed, a draft economic stimulus bill contains $20 billion in health information technology spending in the form of incentives for Medicaid and Medicare providers.

The president said science and technology would also be crucial to “harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.”

He also said political arguments about whether government is too big or too small are no longer relevant. The question is whether government successfully delivers services.

“Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward,” Obama said. “Where the answer is no, programs will end.” In addition, those who manage taxpayers’ dollars will be held accountable “to spend wisely, reform bad habits and do our business in the light of day.”