(CNN) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addressed the  Republican National Convention on Wednesday. Here is the text of that speech:



Former Gov. Mitt Romney says Sen. John McCain will rein in government spending.



Romney: Thank you. Thank you so very much. Ann and I love you all. We have a deep feeling in our hearts for you.



We respect you for the values you have and the vision we have for America together. Thank you so much, our dear friends. We sure love you. Thank you.



You know, for decades now, the Washington sun has been rising in the east. You see, Washington has been looking to the eastern elites, to the editorial pages of the Times and the Post, and to the broadcasters from the -- from the coast. Yes.  Watch Romney's entire speech »



If America really wants to change, it's time to look for the sun in the west, because it's about to rise and shine from Arizona and Alaska.



Last week, the Democratic convention talked about change. But what do you think? Is Washington now, liberal or conservative? Let me ask you some questions.



Is a Supreme Court decision liberal or conservative that awards Guantanamo terrorists with constitutional rights? It's liberal.



Is a government liberal or conservative that puts the interests of the teachers union ahead of the needs of our children? It's liberal.



Is a Congress liberal or conservative that stops nuclear power plants and off-shore drilling, making us more and more dependent on Middle Eastern tyrants? It's liberal.



Is government spending, putting aside inflation, liberal or conservative if it doubles since 1980? It's liberal.



We need change all right: change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington.



We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington: Throw out the big-government liberals and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin.



It's the same prescription for a stronger economy. I spent 25 years in the private sector. I've done business in many foreign countries. I know why jobs come and why they go away. And I know that liberals don't have a clue.



They think that we have the biggest and strongest economy in the world because of our government. They're wrong. America is strong because of the ingenuity, and entrepreneurship, and hard work of the American people.



The American people have always been the source of our nation's strength, and they always will be.



We strengthen our people and our economy when we preserve and promote opportunity. Opportunity is what lets hope become reality.



Opportunity expands when there's excellence and choice in education, when taxes are lowered, when every citizen has affordable, portable health insurance, and when constitutional freedoms are preserved.



Opportunity rises when children are raised in homes and schools that are free from pornography, and promiscuity, and drugs, where there are homes that are blessed with family values and the presence of a mom and a dad.



America -- America cannot long lead the family of nations if we fail the family here at home.



You see, liberals would replace opportunity with dependency on government largesse. They grow government and raise taxes to put more people on Medicaid, to take work requirements out of welfare, and to grow the ranks of those who pay no taxes at all.



Dependency is death to initiative, to risk-taking and opportunity. It's time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is.



You know, it's time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother.



Our economy is under attack. China is acting like Adam Smith on steroids, buying oil from the world's worst and selling nuclear technology. Russia and the oil states are siphoning more than $500 billion a year from us in what could become the greatest transfer of economic wealth in the history of the world.



This is no time for timid, liberal, empty gestures.



Our economy has slowed down this
What type of party does Romney support? What did Romney say it's time for?
Republican to stop the spread of government dependency and fight
question: What type of party does Romney support?, answer: Republican | question: What did Romney say it's time for?, answer: to stop the spread of government dependency and fight