Sam Gibbons: “everyone is familiar with the axiom related to the word ``assume,'' which colorfully explains why we should avoid doing…”

“everyone is familiar with the axiom related to the word ``assume,'' which colorfully explains why we should avoid doing so, everyone, that is, except the President of the United States. In his budget proposal the President assumes that the American people will not notice the billions of dollars in new Federal spending. He assumes the American people would not notice the creation of numerous additional Federal bureaucracies. He assumes that it is okay to spend over $60 billion in tobacco settlement money that has not even been sent to Congress. Finally, he assumes the American people will not notice the billions of dollars in higher fees and taxes in his budget. But let us be fair, Madam Speaker. The fault does not lie solely with the President. The American people must admit our guilt in believing his promises. We all assumed that the President was serious when he said to all America that the era of big government was over. Yet, this budget proposal is the very essence of big government. Empty promises, big government, high taxes. Mr. President, you can run from reality, but you cannot hide from the American people.”