Mike Thompson: “Our Founding Fathers knew historically governments like to pass laws abridging freedom of speech. They knew historically…”

“Our Founding Fathers knew historically governments like to pass laws abridging freedom of speech. They knew historically that governments like to pass laws or carry out activities that constitute illegal searches and seizures, and that is why we came up with the fourth amendment. Governments historically like to do things that we decided a long time ago that we don't want them to do. What has history shown with regard to our ability to pass a balanced budget, or our ability to restrain spending? If we have any track record at all, it is one that is clear as can possibly be and that is we do not have that ability, we do not have that will in order to do that. Interestingly and parenthetically, after it was over with, in Q and A, Senator Packwood was asked, 'Senator Packwood, where do we get that will?' He thought for a minute and said, 'I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that the only thing that will cause it will be term limits.' But that is a debate for another day. I yield the floor.”