Richard Gephardt: “this is a debate today that is not simply about economics and trade, it is a debate about principle and value and…”

“this is a debate today that is not simply about economics and trade, it is a debate about principle and value and belief. This country was founded not on economic principles and not on economic ideas, but on moral beliefs that have for over 200 years radiated out of this country. As the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf] said a moment ago, the revolutionary words that appear in our Declaration of Independence was the starting place of this country, which is an idea for all people. We said, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' When we made those words, we did not say they were American rights, we said they were universal rights.”