Byron Dorgan: “There is a mentality that would have us believe sometimes that instant gratification is paramount--quick fixes, fast…”

“There is a mentality that would have us believe sometimes that instant gratification is paramount--quick fixes, fast foods, Minute Rice, instant coffee, instant pudding, Jiffy Lube. Hook the budget to the Constitution and pretend you have balanced the budget, but have the Federal debt keep increasing. It fits right in with the whole genre of quick and easy fix--no trouble at all. The American people know better. There is the right way to do things and the honest way to do things. Yes, we ought to balance the budget. And when we have taxing and spending decisions on the floor of the Senate to do that, join us and help us to it. I am amazed that those who come here speaking the loudest about this issue will come on one of the largest spending bills that will come before this body, the defense appropriations bill, and say, 'No, we are not spending enough. We want to add $10 billion more, and we insist that you spend it.' I am amazed that those who come to this floor and talk about balancing the budget are also the ones who come and say, 'And, by the way, we want $500 billion in tax breaks.' They propose plans suggesting $30,000-a-year tax breaks for those that have $250,000 a year in income. Why? I guess they think we can afford it. Do you know that every dollar of tax break will be borrowed and will add to the Federal debt in that plan? These are the people who are now suggesting we alter the Constitution the wrong way in order to pretend that we have balanced the budget.”