Austin Scott: “What a great challenge and what a great opportunity we have at this time in history in this country to move us forward…”

“What a great challenge and what a great opportunity we have at this time in history in this country to move us forward to the next phase, to a higher calling, to a more significant meaning of the greatness of this country, to build on that foundation that we have. But before we can do that, I agree with my colleague, we have got to balance our books. We cannot go on this way, running our government and running our Nation on borrowed money from these foreign governments. That has to stop, especially at a point when we are in the shape that we are in in the rest of the world. Double that with our trade deficit. Double that with our war on terror. Double that with our fight for petroleum and energy costs, which we are so dependent on foreign countries for as well. Now, you mentioned a couple of points that I think the American people need to perhaps home in on. One you mentioned was the veterans. It is so important for us to point out that these budget cuts that the President is offering to offset tax cuts, which he is going to have to borrow most of the money for, are not offset by these budget cuts. But the one that hurts me so much is the veterans. You pointed it out. Another issue that the administration is standing and blocking the door of is this: I was over in Iraq and Afghanistan, hugging the soldiers, looking at them facing death every day, sent in harm's way.…”