Porter Goss: “I think this is a time that this body can use to begin to focus on the issues of the day in a more relaxed and a more…”

“I think this is a time that this body can use to begin to focus on the issues of the day in a more relaxed and a more meaningful and organized way. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, there is a little out there today that is catching more attention or more need in the way we go about business in our country than health care and all of the proposals for health care reform that are out there. It has come to my attention that as more and more seniors, small businesses, and middle-income families understand the serious flaws in the President's Government-run health plan, they are saying ``No'' in ever-increasing numbers. And now despite intensive White House wooing, the national AARP reportedly refused to make the endorsement the President had worked so hard to attain. Why? The executive director of AARP, Mr. Horace Deets, said, ``An organization's endorsement is only as valid as the degree of support it enjoys from its members. It's our members' endorsement that the President wants.'' Seniors know Government-run health will likely lead to reduced quality, less choice, and waiting lines for important medical procedures. They know, our seniors know, that health reform does not have to mean Government-run health care. They know there are other choices out there that we are debating or need to debate. They are asking us to get busy working on them.”