On the recordMarch 9, 2011
I want to tell you, there has to be shared pain all across the country if we are going to get out of the problem we are in. We can no longer kick the can down the road without spilling the soup all over our kids. The time for action is now. The time for leadership is now. If we look at history, what we find is the average age of a republic is 207 years. All republics before us have failed. How have they failed? What is it that caused them to lose their economy and their freedom? Was it an invading army? Was it some natural disaster? None of those things. If we go back in history, every one that has failed has failed over fiscal issues, the very issues that confront us today. I think it is time America cheats history. I think it is time we come together and solve these big problems. It is going to be painful for everyone. It means some Senators are going to lose their seats if they do the best, right thing for America.
