Henry Bonilla: “three basic concepts--the past, present, future--are the real subjects before us today. Make no mistake about it, our…”

“three basic concepts--the past, present, future--are the real subjects before us today. Make no mistake about it, our debate over a balanced budget amendment is really a debate about America's future. The first concept--the past--is where this debate begins. In the distant past, responsible budgeting and small Government allowed Americans to realize economic growth and a standard of living unmatched in human history. Unfortunately, the record of the present is quite different. We are creating a legacy of Big Government, deficit spending, and increasing national debt. These errors have produced a large debt with high interest payments, a heavy tax burden, and limited budget choices. Continuing these errors will only mean more problems and fewer choices in the future. The outlook for the future is in our hands today. If we reject the balanced budget amendment we will be choosing our children's future for them. We will be choosing a future of limited choice and massive debt, a future of heavy burdens and limited benefits, a future where debt payments threaten the living standards of all Americans. Without a balanced budget, we will be choosing a future in which hope and the American dream will only be memories from the past. The future can be bright and the American dream restored if we join together and pass the balanced budget amendment.”