Bill Delahunt: “I was going to make that point and you did it for me. But let me say what we now see is big government, big government…”

“I was going to make that point and you did it for me. But let me say what we now see is big government, big government promulgating and pursuing an agenda that is not a conservative agenda. I think we should make that distinction. It is a neoconservative direction because traditionally Republicans have been committed to responsible government, pay as you go, live within your means. And government is important, but there are areas where government does not have a role. And yet here we are today with this President and this Republican majority presiding over the largest expansion of government in American history. And the expansion of government only benefits a small segment of the American population. That is what I would suggest is causing the anxiety and the negative reaction that we hear when we march in those parades. What about this Medicare drug program? It sounds good, but it is not helping me. Who is it helping? And how do you respond to a question: Why can't you negotiate with the large drug companies and secure discounts like you do through the Veterans Administration? Why can't you secure discounts of 40, 50, 60, 70 percent? Why can't you do that? Why can't Congress insist? And the answer is because the Republican leadership will not allow it. It simply won't allow it. And, Congressman, we read about the oil companies, the energy companies, Big Oil, if you will. We understand that in 2002 their combined net profit was $35 billion; that's a lot of money.…”