John B. Breaux: “my colleagues, Herb Stein, the economist and sometimes humorist, once said, ``If your horse dies, we suggest you…”

“my colleagues, Herb Stein, the economist and sometimes humorist, once said, ``If your horse dies, we suggest you dismount.'' Mr. President, both parties today are trying to ride a dead horse. We have both been there and done that before. It did not work then. It is not going to work now. If only Democrats vote for the Democratic budget, it will not pass. If only Republicans vote for the Republican plan, it will pass, but it is not going to become law. There is another way. Our centrist coalition of over 20 Senators, half Democrat and half Republicans, have, in fact, offered a better way. The American people are watching us today and hoping that just once we can come together, meet in the middle, and get it done. Let me be very honest and acknowledge that our one-half of 1 percent adjustment to the Consumer Price Index is politically difficult for everyone. But let us all be honest with ourselves and to the American people and acknowledge that it is the right thing to do. If we do nothing, by the year 2012, projected outlays for entitlements will consume 100 percent of all the tax revenues we collect leaving nothing for any of the other functions of Government. It is, therefore, very clear which path we must take. The only question is, will we have the political courage to do the right thing? I think that together we can do it.”