NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “And it sets up another challenge because as we transition from the policies and the politics of debt, if you will, to…”

“And it sets up another challenge because as we transition from the policies and the politics of debt, if you will, to the policies and politics of surplus, that can be fraught with challenges as well. We have seen one of the temptations here to say, well, there is a surplus so let the good times roll, let us spend as if there is a never-ending spending spree. And it reminds me, if I can personalize this to a certain degree at my own expense and self-deprecation, Mr. Speaker, and viewers from coast to coast will note that some would say I have somewhat of a robust physique. One of the challenges I face is when I go on a diet and I lose 5 to 10 pounds, I celebrate by cracking open a pack of cream puffs. That kind of defeats the purpose. And I do not mean to trivialize this debate but try to bring it home because it is so easy to rush back into old familiar habits that may not be good for us and in the process negate the very real progress that has been made, and, doubly defeating, rush right back into the failed policies of taxing and spending and debt and deficit and create conditions that, far from a continued and sustained growth pattern economically, lead us back into cycles of boom and bust.”