Political Quotes

“I rise on the day when President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address to America. I can tell you that in Maine we are proud of America and hopeful about the future. But we are also concerned about where we are today. We are concerned because Maine's rate of unemployment keeps rising, in some counties as high as 9 percent, and in some labor-market areas as high as 32 percent unemployment. We are concerned because we have lost over 23,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 8 years. And we are concerned because just 3 weeks ago we received devastating news that Great Northern Paper Company, where I worked for 29 years and one of the largest employers in my district, has filed Chapter 11, and both mills have been shut down since December 26. I know that across the country people are hurting and they need our help. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the plan the President will discuss tonight will bring that help. The so-called economic stimulus package is based on tax cuts that go primarily to the wealthiest Americans. It does nothing to create jobs or fuel the economic activity that would help folks back home at Great Northern Paper Company. Mr. Speaker, there is another way. Today I ask the President along with my colleagues here on both sides of the aisle to at least consider the Democratic stimulus plan.”