Political Quotes

“I believe a little common sense would go a long way in our Nation's Capital if the Congress would just use it. Madam Speaker, the people in the 15th District of Illinois, and, yes, I believe people throughout America overwhelmingly, believe it is time for this Government and this Congress to balance our budget. This week we may get a chance in this body to vote on a balanced budget amendment. Madam Speaker, as my colleagues know, the average American has to balance his budget every week or every month, whenever he gets paid, and, as my colleagues know, it is no different for a farmer in Piatt County, IL. If he does not balance his budget, Madam Speaker, the next year he will be out of business. Or an auto worker in Bloomington, IL; he has to balance his budget or there will not be any money there to educate his children, to provide health care or recreation. A balanced budget is just common sense, Madam Speaker. Here are some statistics about the debt we have piled up which should shock us all: In 1994, Madam Speaker, our deficit will be, according to CBO, $223 billion. Now that is $600 million a day. In 1996, Madam Speaker, it is going to be lower, $166 billion according to the estimate. But that is still almost half a billion dollars a day. And in 1999, Madam Speaker it is going to start back up, and we will be over a half a billion dollars a day. The interest is soon going to be more than a billion dollars a day on the national debt.”