Political Quotes

“I rise at this moment to speak to the state of the economy and to call to the attention of the Senate what has transpired in America in the 2 weeks since the majority leader, Senator Daschle, brought to the attention of this country how sadly our economy is performing. Earlier I came to the floor and one of my Republican colleagues came to the floor and greeted me and said: Durbin, you have it all wrong. The economy is better. Can't you feel it? The economy is much better. I have the facts to prove it. I am anxious to see his presentation, and I am anxious to see how many people across America would agree with him because let me tell you what has happened in news reports in the last 2 weeks. These are news reports. First, our stock market has had its worst quarter since 1987--15 years. It is the worst month of September in the stock market since 1937, 65 years ago. It has also been reported that the number of Americans without health insurance increased by 1.4 million last year, to 41.2 million. The trend line, which had been moving in the opposite direction with more people having health insurance, is moving in the wrong direction now--fewer and fewer Americans with the protection of health insurance. May I add for a moment, have you asked anybody about the cost of health insurance lately? Small businesses, large businesses, labor unions, workers alike, the cost of health insurance is breaking the bank at businesses across America.”