Dale Bumpers: “This budget is a manifestation of almost total disdain for people trying to reach for the first rung on the ladder. It…”

“This budget is a manifestation of almost total disdain for people trying to reach for the first rung on the ladder. It is protectionism at its worst of those who have much. Franklin Roosevelt once said, and I know the Senator is familiar with the quote, ``The groans of the full pocketbooks of the wealthy are louder than the churning of the empty stomachs of hungry people.'' That is not so true now as it was during the Depression, but the principle in this budget is the same. You think about cutting education $60 billion. You think of how many children will not be educated as a result of that. I have said time and time again if it had not been for the GI bill waiting for me when I got out of the service, I would not be standing here right now. And that applies to millions and millions of people. There was a very poignant story in the Post this morning about a woman who said, ``I wouldn't be in this position if it hadn't been for student loans and student grants.'' So what are we doing? We are cutting education $60 billion. Everybody wants clear air and clean water. So what are we doing? Cutting the environment. Nobody wants to see a child go without health care. So we are cutting Medicaid.”