Emanuel Cleaver: “having come to Congress in this 109th, I am come to the conclusion that it is not good for any party to have complete…”

“having come to Congress in this 109th, I am come to the conclusion that it is not good for any party to have complete power here in Washington. It creates a hubris that then, I think, does immense damage to the Nation. Over the last 6 years, we have seen the control of Congress and the White House by Republicans; and for whatever reason, it appears that the economic direction that we have taken in the country is in favor of the upper class, and the benefits are supposed to trickle down. Mr. Speaker, there is a tsunami of frustration rolling across America. People are hurt. The average family is now paying $1,200 more a year for health insurance. College tuition has jumped 40 percent and gas prices have doubled. Housing is the least affordable in the last 14 years. A tsunami of frustration is rolling across America. Mr. Speaker, I believe we can do better. ____________________”