Rod Grams: “Mr. President, I join my colleagues today in offering our perspective on the State of the Union--on both last night's…”

“Mr. President, I join my colleagues today in offering our perspective on the State of the Union--on both last night's speech by the President, and also the direction I believe we are headed as a nation. Let me begin with the speech. What we heard from the President last night was vintage Bill Clinton. And that is lots of promises, lots of poll-tested proposals, lots of talk, but that all adds up to more spending and more Washington control. In fact, in about 77 minutes he made about 77 new promises of spending for Washington. Each of us want good schools for our children, security for our retirement years, a tax system that lets us meet important family obligations, and more opportunities for Americans to sell their products around the world. But empty promises from Washington are not going to help. The President believes the answer in part lies in targeted tax cuts that try to regulate behavior. It is a way to bribe the taxpayers with their own money by saying, ``If you do this for me, I will cut your taxes in return.'' That is the wrong approach.”