Watson Coleman: “I want to spend time talking about the Defense authorization bill. Before I do, I want to respond to this question, are…”

“I want to spend time talking about the Defense authorization bill. Before I do, I want to respond to this question, are we better off? I think it is a good question. But the question has to be phrased: Are we better off today than we were after the impact of September 11? My colleagues across the aisle continually block out of their minds the impact of the devastating attack on American soil of September 11 and the challenges this country faced--both emotional, from the scars of the terrible loss of life, as well as the economic impact. That is the question. Are we better off today with the Taliban not operating freely in Afghanistan? Are we better off today with Saddam Hussein no longer supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, no longer operating the torture and rape chambers? Are we better off today fighting terrorism in Iraq rather than again back on our shores? Are we better off economically? Mr. President, I have in front of me an article in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, and I will refer to a couple sections. It says, in April, Minnesota broke all kinds of job records, led by the State's largest drop in unemployment, to 4.1 percent from 4.8 percent. Economists used words such as 'spectacular' and 'breathless' to describe the job gains they say were part of the national turnaround.”