Political Quotes

“today's newspapers report that the International Monetary Fund is about to make a $7.6 billion loan, the largest in its 50-year history, to Mexico. By far the largest contributor to the IMF is the United States. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago it was announced that the Clinton administration had agreed to put up $9 billion of an $18 billion loan package for Mexico. All this was and is being done without a vote by Congress. This is all separate from and in addition to $40 billion in loan guarantees the President wants Congress to now approve. Mr. Speaker, A.M. Rosenthal, the New York Times columnist, says today, ``It is not common sense to lend $40 billion more to a country whose leaders have so botched things up to be handled by the same American officials who participated in tamping down the economic truth'' about Mexico's economy. The Times also reports that Mexican officials are strongly denying they will agree to any tougher conditions to fight illegal immigration or drug trafficking to the United States. Apparently, though, our financial powers are going to pour billions into Mexico, using taxpayer dollars, even though there is no grassroots support. In fact, there is overwhelming opposition by the American people.”