Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this a good amendment that makes a bad bill better. I am appalled at these cuts. I understand we have tough decisions to make, but I find it ironic that the people that say we need more people working and people need to pull themselves by their bootstraps want to cut off the bootstraps. They cut adult job training. They cut summer jobs. They cut job training programs. But what made it so appalling was that they would make these cuts affecting the disadvantaged only to give to the rich. Under this bill, the wealthiest 2 percent of this country would get 30 percent of the tax breaks. The wealthiest, the people with over $100,000, would get 50 percent of the tax breaks. This amendment corrects that. At least we see money going into deficit reduction, as it should be. Perhaps the poor will benefit from lower interest rates. Perhaps the poor will benefit from not having to pay as much in debt service, and we can put some of that money back, but clearly we should not be making these draconian cuts to give money to the wealthy. They say, well, they will find that money elsewhere to do the tax cut. Maybe so, but I submit that now the average American can ask the question, 'Who is getting the tax break?' I think when they see who is getting the tax break, they will reject this approach. I am pleased to support this amendment. I think it is moving in the right direction. It makes a bad bill better.”