Ted Poe: “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign…”

“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the United States Government cannot pay its debts. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. That was a statement by Senator Barack Obama in 2006. Driving up our national debt from $5 trillion to $9 trillion is irresponsible. It is unpatriotic. Once again, Senator Barack Obama in 2008: Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices on to the backs of our children and our grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I, therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit. Senator Barack Obama, 2006. But that was then; this is now. The President, last week, said, without an increase in the borrowing limit, ``the whole world will have problems.'' In other words, we are all going to die. The sky is going to fall unless the United States raises the debt limit. He seems to be a little bit inconsistent on positions regarding the debt limit. Of course, now the debt limit is up to $17 trillion, double what he talked about several years ago of not raising.…”