Richard Zimmer: “it is time to put up or shut up. In today's Washington Post a deputy House majority whip is quoted as saying we don't…”

“it is time to put up or shut up. In today's Washington Post a deputy House majority whip is quoted as saying we don't need a balanced budget Constitutional amendment. ``We shouldn't hide behind the Constitution,'' he says. He goes on to say ``If we want to balance the budget we should have the courage to just do it.'' Well, here is your chance to just do it. The Solomon budget is your only chance. Neither the President nor the Budget Committee majority has a plan to balance the budget this year, this century, next century or ever. The Solomon budget is the only game in town. For those of you who say all we need is courage, you can show some today by voting yes. For those of us who are committed to a balanced budget amendment because we believe it is the only thing that will force Congress to get its fiscal house in order, here is an opportunity for us to show we have the courage of our convictions and to move from easy rhetoric to painful reality. Here is a chance to put the taxpayers' money where our month is. There are cuts in the Solomon budget that I strongly disagree with. If I had written it myself I would have done it differently. But those of us who advocate a balanced budget have a moral obligation to get specific and show how it can be done. Let us show our constituents that Congress is able to do what every family has to do, what every business has to do, indeed what every State Government has to do and that is to live within our means.”