could you explain whether you believe that those high tax rates are good for the economy and our international competitiveness?

A debt-to-GDP ratio above 100 percent is clearly unsustainable and puts us in the ranks of the many European countries currently in a severe debt crisis.

I have a lot of respect for you. I think you are a very bright man, and you have had one of the toughest jobs in history, and I acknowledge that.

I do not think anybody up here wants to cut entitlement programs if they can avoid it.

It's the recapitalization challenge we face beyond that.

We are going on to the fourth consecutive year of historic annual deficits.

I agree with that.

If you are going to get off on Medicare and Medicaid, maybe you could help persuade some on the other side of the aisle that addressing those entitlements would be a good way for us to help reduce our budget deficit.

we are going to have to bring this together around 1986 principles

We took a remarkably strong fiscal position and we jeopardized future generations of Americans by eroding those huge gains on fiscal discipline.

I just want you to know that you have inherited a very difficult job in one of the toughest times in history.

We have already increased the national debt by 44, 45 percent under this administration.

My biggest concern is that we have not created an environment of confidence, as represented in this budget here today.

I think you have a whole lot of children and other people are walking around with teeth that are rotting in their mouths, and causing infections, and it is very painful.

I think it is extremely important because I do know that there are millions of people in our country today that are obviously suffering and in chronic pain.

Struggle in terms of how to feed your family, or take care of your child, or go to work.