Cliff Stearns: “Teddy Roosevelt once said, ``The only safe rule is to promise little and faithfully to keep every promise; to speak…”

“Teddy Roosevelt once said, ``The only safe rule is to promise little and faithfully to keep every promise; to speak softly and carry a big stick.'' That is where that great quotation came from. Well, America's new policy seems to be one of empty promises and empty threats, a policy toward China where we speak softly and carry no stick whatsoever. My colleagues, we have the opportunity to send a message to the world that America will not support this rogue nation, that we will not condone terrorism, oppression, and intolerance. today we have the opportunity to effect a change in China's policies, and tell the rest of the world America allies itself with only those nations that advance and encourage fairness, those nations who foster democracy, and those nations who embrace freedom. We hold the power today, my colleagues, the power to help the people of China break the bonds of mass misery, not for their votes, not for their money, but because it is right. It is the right thing to do.”