Political Quotes

“But on this particular issue we see the world very differently, which is to be respected, and it is with full respect that I say this sequester is not necessary. These across-the-board cuts were put into place to be so difficult and so painful that both parties would come together and come up with a solution. The President has tried and tried. He said to both parties: Why don't we meet in the middle? Let's replace the sequester, these mindless cuts, with other cuts that make sense and are not painful, and the other half with tax reform, doing away with subsidies, tax loopholes such as the billions of dollars a year oil companies have been getting that don't make sense, since they are the most profitable companies probably in the world. But Republicans' answer to that: We are not going to look at taking away these tax breaks from big companies. We are going to not look at trying to see whether millionaires or billionaires can pay anymore. We want to replace the sequester with more cuts. I know it is a fast-moving country we live in. Lord knows you have gone through some difficult times in Massachusetts and I thank the Presiding Officer for her leadership. But we do not have that short a memory. We remember this awful recession that almost turned into a depression. We know because it is basic--I am an economics major; it was a long time ago--but there was a basic understanding that when times are tough the government doesn't turn to austerity.…”