WALLY HERGER: “when I am home in my district I am sometimes asked, ``What can you do for the poor?'' I have two responses. First, if…”

“when I am home in my district I am sometimes asked, ``What can you do for the poor?'' I have two responses. First, if the poor look to Washington to solve their problems or to make them rich, they will be as disappointed in the future as they are today, some 32 years after failed welfare state policies were begun. Mr. Speaker, we have 32 years of evidence that increased spending on Government programs does not end poverty, it perpetuates it. On the other hand, my second response offers more hope. Washington can pursue economic policies that will allow the poor to help themselves. Washington can pursue economic policies that will make it easier for people to find jobs, will make it easier for people to find better jobs, will make it easier for people to buy a home, will make it easier for people to receive an education, will make it easier for people to get ahead. Policies that would do that include lower taxes, more commonsense regulation, less Government bureaucracy and, above all, a balanced budget. That is a program that will help the poor, not the failed promises of more Government and social spending.”