Political Quotes

“one message that Tennessee has conveyed to me in very clear terms over the past years and most recently over the weekend as I traveled in east Tennessee is that they want a balanced Federal budget, and they believe and they know that the only way to accomplish this is through passage of the balanced budget amendment. Tennesseeans and the American people in general understand full well today the consequences that will result from further irresponsible deficit spending--rising long-term interest rates, lower productivity, and deteriorating living standards. They understand full well that with Federal spending on auto pilot, the debt continues to grow, interest rates will continue to escalate, and we cannot guarantee that in the future there will be enough money to fund Social Security. Gross interest on the debt is now the second-largest single Federal spending item after Social Security. Mr. President, the American people understand full well that balancing the Federal budget will not be easy; there will be tough choices to make. But their message to Washington is that they as individuals make tough choices every day. They balance their own budgets and they expect the Federal Government to do likewise. Mr. President, this is not a problem that will disappear. It must be addressed now, by this Congress.”