Political Quotes

“I would like to express my strong support for the Conrad-Gregg fiscal task force amendment. I thank Chairman Conrad and Senator Gregg for crafting a proposal that rises above petty Washington partisan bickering. When my oldest daughter Caroline was born in 1999, our Nation's debt stood at about $5.6 trillion. Our country welcomed her with an unpaid bill totaling $20,000--the amount every American would have to pay up in order to balance the budget. But there was reason for hope. A President was working with Congress, using pay-go and discretionary spending limits--and reducing our annual deficit down to virtually zero, even running a surplus in a much stronger economy than today's. Two years later, we welcomed Caroline's younger sister Halina into our family. Our debt had jumped to about $5.8 trillion. She also owed about $20,000. We had a new administration with new priorities--tax cuts that were not paid for, a prescription drug plan that was piled on the deficit, and unfunded mandates like No Child Left Behind, and the war in Iraq. In 2004, we welcomed our youngest daughter Anne. The debt had skyrocketed to over $7.3 trillion. Anne's share of the national debt stood at $25,000. By Caroline's 10th birthday last year, the national debt stood at about $11 trillion--double what it was when she was born. She owed about $36,000 at this point. I would have to say that is a lousy birthday present for any 10-year-old.”