Ed Case: “good evening and aloha. Today, I stand here as a proud member of the 37 Member-strong moderate, independent Democrat…”

“good evening and aloha. Today, I stand here as a proud member of the 37 Member-strong moderate, independent Democrat Blue Dog Coalition. These Members come from all parts of our country and they are dedicated to these three basic propositions: first, the budgetary and fiscal integrity of our country is of paramount importance; second, our country's finances are royally messed up; third, there is a way out of this cesspool if we are honest about why we are here and what we all must do together to fix it. I have served here for 15 months now, and when I go home I am asked two questions. Number one, what is our biggest challenge in our country? Number two, what is the biggest surprise in my mind from having served here? My answer to both is the same: the financial condition of our country now and well into the next generation. Why is it our biggest challenge? I think it is pretty straightforward and obvious when we think about it because our very ability to provide what we want to provide for ourselves and our children is reliant on a strong fiscal foundation. Otherwise, it is just talk. Need to protect ourselves here at home and overseas. Where is the money? Need to improve education and health care. Take care of the poor and needy, need to provide the infrastructure, need to honor our commitments to Medicare and Social Security. Yes, where is the money? It is not there right now. We know that. Let us face up to it.…”