Kent Conrad: “That, in fact, is the case. We were excluded in every way. The only time we were included is at the meeting that is…”

“That, in fact, is the case. We were excluded in every way. The only time we were included is at the meeting that is required by the rules. There is a requirement there be at least one meeting of the conference committee, and we were there. We made our statements. We were ushered out, and that was the end of the conversation. I said I do not think that is the way our Forefathers intended the process to work. One of our colleagues on the other side said: Well, our Forefathers never envisioned political parties. That is true; they did not envision political parties. But they did envision the abuse of power by a majority. That is one of the things that consumed them in writing the Constitution of the United States. They were deeply concerned that a majority would run roughshod over the rights of a minority. They did not see it in terms of political parties. They did see it in terms of majority power and minority rights. This majority has adopted the view that it is only about majority power. That is a mistake. That is not what the Founding Fathers intended. Here are the results of that kind of mistake. When you look at the deficits, our colleagues say they are going to improve the deficit. But in fact, here, as shown on this chart, is a comparison of the budget conference report and the deficits it produces compared to what would happen if we put the Government of the United States on autopilot.…”