Sherwood Boehlert: “this debate is a classic congressional debate. I think there is rhetorical overkill on both sides. The future of Western…”

“this debate is a classic congressional debate. I think there is rhetorical overkill on both sides. The future of Western Civilization does not hang in the balance depending on the outcome of this vote. I do not have any great statement to quote, but let me quote one of my favorite entertainers, Woody Allen, who once said in an address to graduates, ``We are at the crossroads. One road leads to hopelessness and despair; the other to total extinction.'' Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose wisely. We are not faced with that predicament. Here is what we are faced with, plain and simple: We impose taxes on the American people, excise taxes, dedicated taxes. We say, for example, to the airline traveler, we are going to tax your airline ticket purchase and we are going to use the funds we raise to improve the airports, to improve aviation safety. I think that is a pretty good contract. I think we ought to use the money for the intended purpose. And if we do not, we ought to cut the tax out. But let us not kid the people. Let us be honest with them. Let us use the money for the intended purpose or cut the tax. As the chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I have witnessed firsthand the growing abuse of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund now has a balance in excess of $650 million and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund has over $300 million sitting dormant.”