On the recordJuly 7, 2011
Well, let me just note that we had a sense-of-the- Senate resolution on the floor, and we had a cloture vote on it that I think everybody voted to go to the bill. That is what the leader wanted to do. We go to the bill. But it is really nothing because if it passes it has no impact and makes no change whatsoever. It basically says we should tax the rich more. Well, we can debate these issues, but I will just note that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, which is an organization for the development of world businesses has concluded that the United States has the most progressive tax system in the world. We always thought the Europeans were more hostile to wealth and more socialistic than we were, but that is their analysis. As Senator Blunt said, how much more do we want them to pay? Maybe they should pay more. Let's debate it and let's talk about it. But that is not going to fix our problems. Senator Johnson was a successful businessman, an accountant. I have seen his work. I am so glad he is on the Budget Committee. I guess he and Senator Enzi are the only accountants around here, and we are glad the Senator is here. I have seen his work. He actually adds up numbers and makes spending charts. He showed me one this morning, trying to figure out a way to change America. But my first question is--the Senator was a successful businessman and he had never been a politician before, so why did the Senator run?
