Political Quotes

“It is interesting in this debate how the roles have been switched. It used to be not that long ago the Democrats were faulted for being fiscally irresponsible, too liberal when it came to tax and spend. In this debate over the future of Social Security, the fiscally conservative and, I think, from my point of view, the prudent approach is being pushed on the Democratic side. That is, make certain before we take the surplus economy for granted, and make certain before we talk about any changes for Social Security, that we have thought them through. Here we are in the middle of the Presidential campaign, with George Bush, the Republican candidate, suggesting sweeping changes in Social Security, changes which could literally affect millions of American families. The concept that we would somehow privatize Social Security would have been laughable not that many years ago. Now it is being said with a straight face during the course of this Presidential campaign. Unfortunately, the candidate, George Bush, who is making these statements, refuses to come forward and explain how he would achieve it. I think it is natural for those of us on the other side, those supporting Vice President Gore, to ask of him to be specific. If you are going to start talking about Social Security, start telling us in specific terms how you are going to change it and what it is going to cost us.”