Political Quotes

“I think the assumption of the projection is a no-change scenario, just like an assumption of the GAO study which has been cited was a no change. GAO then, literally in less than 2 years from the time they made this projection, based on a no-change scenario, in effect, says that is now moot or irrelevant because important changes have been made and therefore the dynamics are very different. The biggest problem on the deficit as we look ahead is the health care issue. If you look at the components of where they expect to have a deficit problem, it is in the health care field, and obviously we have a tough problem to deal with in health care. Despite not dealing with it last year, it is my understanding that most Members think something has to be done and it has to be addressed. What will be done and how is another open question. But there is obviously a matter there that has to be addressed. Suppose I said to the Senator, well, we have a capital budget and we are going to have $150 or $200 billion a year in the capital budget-- which would be $1 trillion over 5 years--of capital investment, just like a business would make a capital investment or State and local governments would; would the Senator be upset by that? Would he regard that as being imprudent, as sort of an irrational policy?”