Political Quotes

“Gen. George S. Patton once said, ``if everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.'' Mr. President, I have no doubt that this budget is going to pass. There appears to be a lot of sentiment on both sides of the aisle that the deal must be approved even though it is flawed in many respects. But, like General Patton, I hope each of us and every American will actually evaluate the budget agreement on its merits before deciding whether or not to go along. I, for one, have concluded that the deal-- on its merits--should not be supported, and there are several reasons why. First, consider the deficits that are projected under the budget agreement. The deficit this year is expected to total $67 billion. We are trying to get a zero deficit--to balance--by the year 2002. But under this budget, the deficit goes up, not down. It climbs 34 percent--to $90 billion next year--and then remains in that range for 2 more years. Only in the final 2 years of the 5-year plan--in 2001 and 2002--would the deficit drop dramatically. Think about that. We are at a $67 billion deficit now, and we are trying to get to balance in 5 years. This budget lets Congress and the President go on a spending binge for 3 years, and then requires us to eliminate a $90 billion deficit in just 2 years. It cannot be done. It is as if you decided to go on a diet and lose 20 pounds by the Fourth of July.…”