Louise Slaughter: “I am absolutely hard pressed to see how some people define ``success.'' I read in the New York Times front page that 80…”

“I am absolutely hard pressed to see how some people define ``success.'' I read in the New York Times front page that 80 percent of the marines who died of upper body wounds would have lived if only they had the proper equipment. I know that soldiers who serve in the National Guard and Reserve are losing their homes and their jobs, but never mind about that because the stock market is great. Aren't we doing well? It hasn't hurt us a bit. We haven't called for any sacrifice at all from the American people in this. My heart is broken. I am ashamed and chagrined that this business about the booming economy could be brought into this debate about life and death. My worry is about the young people who go over there and don't get the proper care that they need. I couldn't believe the testimony of Tillman's brother yesterday and Jessica Lynch who said the military lied about them. What are we doing in this country? The country that fought the Second World War to save this world, we've been reduced to this, that we decide as long as the stock market is good, the world is good, and let them go over there and die because we are going to give them some kind of government we don't even know they want? For heaven sakes, to every man and woman in country there comes a moment to decide, Mr. Speaker. This is one of those moments.…”