Political Quotes

“leadership often involves seizing the moment. And right now the moment is a realbut rapidly fleeting chance to actually balance the Federal budget. For those of us who have long been dedicated to stopping the Federal Government from spending more than it takes in, the moment is now. While we're away from Washington during the recess, I hope that we will use this time to prepare ourselves for serious work on the budget when we return. We cannot let another opportunity to do what's right pass us by. I recognize the fear on both sides. The President is understandably reluctant to embrace a necessary change in the Consumer Price Index because of its effect, however minimal, on benefits for a large and vocal segment of the population. The Republican Party is reluctant to scale back its calls for a massive tax cut because of a similar effect on an equally vocal segment of their supporters. But simple math dictates that both must occur if we are truly interested in balancing the budget and keeping it in balance over the long term. And the reality is that entitlements have got to be curbed, and the resulting savings have got to go to reducing the deficit, not tax cuts. The Speaker of the House has taken a bold step by expressing a willingness to surrender tax cuts until the budget is balanced. I hope the President will meet this bold step by expressing his willingness to reconsider an adjustment in the CPI, or some other means to accomplish the same goal.”