Byron Dorgan: “Senator Conrad is exactly correct. And, if I might reclaim my time, let me add to Senator Conrad's presentation…”

“Senator Conrad is exactly correct. And, if I might reclaim my time, let me add to Senator Conrad's presentation something that is not from us, but something from the New York Times. Let me read an editorial from the New York Times, because I know anyone can bring anything to this floor. You can bring a chart to this floor that says shrimps whistle, pigs fly, and the Moon is made of green cheese. You can bring a chart that shows anything you want. Will Rogers said it best about this debate. He said: ``It's not what he knows that bothers me. It is what he says he knows for sure that just ain't so.'' Let me read you the New York Times editorial about this discussion we are having: Before Congress votes on anything, it should get its facts straight. The Republicans present bogus tables suggesting their tax package is fair. The tables stop at the year 2002, before the cuts that favor the wealthy on capital gains, inheritance and retirement accounts take hold. Also, the GOP treats as burdens the tax payments that the investors will voluntarily make as they sell stocks and bonds to take advantage of a lower capital gains rate. The bizarre implication is that investors are hurt by a rate cut. These tables suggest that the middle class reaps most of the benefits. Independent analysts say that about 50 percent of the cuts will go to the richest 5 percent of the taxpayers. That is not me saying it, it is a New York Times editorial. Is the New York Times correct? Yes, they are correct.”