Bob Dole: “balancing the budget is all about sacrifice. To paraphrase Webster's Dictionary, that means surrendering things we prize…”

“balancing the budget is all about sacrifice. To paraphrase Webster's Dictionary, that means surrendering things we prize for a higher purpose. Sacrifice is also about fairness. We call this share, and share alike. It makes no sense to me then that Congress would create a giant corporate welfare program when we are reforming welfare for those trapped in a failed system. But, that is exactly what would happen if we pass telecommunications reform in it current form. No doubt about it, balancing the budget the passing telecommunications reform will ensure America's place as the world's undisputed economic leader. They are both bills that look to the future, not to the past. TELECOM GIVE-AWAY With that said, however, I question whether telecommunications reform is worth the television broadcaster's asking price. The telecommunications conference report gives spectrum, or air waves, to television broadcasters that the Congressional Budget Office has valued at $12.5 billion. Many say that figure is low, including the Federal Communications Commission which believes it is worth almost $40 billion. That is $40 billion with a ``B.'' Other estimates run even higher, up to $70 billion and beyond. The bottom line is that spectrum is just as much a national resource as our Nation's forests. That means it belongs to every American equally. No more, no less. If someone wants to use our resources, then we should be fairly compensated.…”