Political Quotes

“I take the floor to join my colleague from Wisconsin and my other colleagues in support of their attempt to ease our seniors' fears and to help set some parameters for the debate on the balanced budget amendment. The fact is, the Social Security system is not causing the deficit. Its revenues and surpluses should not be used to mask the deficit nor should its outlays be counted as part of expenditures. Because of these very compelling facts, it is clear to me that Social Security should be exempted from the balanced budget amendment. Unfortunately, as has been pointed out by various Senators, there is a great deal of confusion in the country over what the balanced budget amendment will mean. The Members on the other side of the aisle have recently voted down the right-to-know amendment that would have gone a long way to answer these difficult and important questions that are confusing the American people. I think this is unfortunate. Throughout the debate in the House and here in the Senate, Members from the other side of the aisle have continued to say 'everything is on the table.' Asked if that included Social Security, most have tried to be reassuring. Well, when someone tells me that everything is under consideration and then adds that we'll protect Social Security only after being prompted, forgive me for not being too heartened by their words. I say as my father used to say, put it in writing.”