McCollum Statement at SOTU Listening Session with Minnesota Community Leaders
McCollum Statement at SOTU Listening Session with Minnesota Community Leaders
Monday, January 30, 2006
"Tomorrow night, President Bush will deliver the annual State of the Union address
with millions of Americans watching the speech from their homes. Like the majority of Americans who believe our nation is moving in the wrong direction, it is my sincere hope that President Bush honestly and directly confronts the many serious issues facing our nation.
Today, I am here to listen to the voices of Minnesotans who reflect the values, realities and dreams we share as Americans. The true State of the Union is the reflection of the American peoples' reality and the challenges they face in their everyday lives. The collective successes and sacrifices of our citizens must be honored, and never taken for granted. This is especially true when we have tens of thousands of troops in harms way and their loved ones are praying for their safe return.
The voices we will hear from today are all citizens who aspire to keep America a land of opportunity, freedom and hope. Sadly, during my five years in Washington, I have witnessed a pattern of destructive policies and corrupt politics damaging our nation's interests and harming the very citizens whose well-being depends on a government that values human dignity.
If the State of the Union was solely an assessment of the American people's courage, commitment and compassion to meet our nation's challenges - I say our nation is strong, determined and yearning for visionary leadership. But if the State of the Union is a reflection of Washington's role in leading America, I am afraid that the American people have been left behind by a White House and Congress out of touch with the reality of our families and the everyday needs of the American people.
The challenges facing our nation are serious. They must not be dismissed with political spin or fancy words written by a team of White House speech writers. Our nation's future and the challenges we face require a shared vision and a common commitment to put the interests of the American people, not ideology, corporate lobbyists or political contributors, first.
What issues are the United States and the American people facing while Congress and the White House is mired in an endless stream of indictments and corruption scandals?
* 46 million Americans have no health insurance and healthcare costs are forcing job layoffs and harming small and large employers.
* The War in Iraq is approaching its third anniversary with 140,000 U.S. troops in harms way. Peace and security in Iraq must be the responsibility of Iraqis, not Americans, and it is time for a strategic withdrawal of U.S. troops over the next year. The War in Iraq was wrong and it is time for American soldiers to stop dying for the administration's failed policy.
* Medicare's new prescription drug benefit, which was allowed to be written by drug company lobbyists to ensure drug company profits, is the best example of a culture of Congressional corruption and special interest favors at the expense of seniors and the disabled.
* Our nation's federal budget deficit exceeded $300 billion last year and is projected to exceed $400 in 2006. This Congress has raised the U.S. limit on borrowing by $3 TRILLION in the past 5 years. Our nation's economic future is at risk with foreign governments and investors owning our debt - a debt our children and grandchildren will be required to pay. Fiscal responsibility is no longer a political choice, it must become a moral obligation.
* Education is a priority for all Minnesotans because we know that investing in our children yields a highly skilled workforce and engaged citizens. Unfortunately, "No Child Left Behind" has undermined K-12 education with unfunded mandates, burdensome testing and a focus on failing schools, not successful students. At the same time, Congress has approved nearly $13 billion in cuts to federal financial aid for higher education. Access to high quality public education and affordable higher education is the foundation of our democracy and our economic success. We need to invest in education, not abandon federal commitments.
* Energy prices for our families are skyrocketing and we now ample evidence those fossil fuels are creating global climate change. It is time for an energy revolution that ends our dependence on Middle East oil, creates a new global economy based on renewables and sustainable energy sources, creates millions of jobs, significantly reduces greenhouse gases, and restores American leadership as the most innovative, productive society in world history. This is an American challenge that I hope President Bush will embrace, not deny.
* We will hear much about illegal immigration in 2006 from leaders in both Washington and St. Paul. The failure of the federal government to ensure the security of our nation's borders while we are facing a global terrorist threat is absolutely negligent. People and illegal drugs pour across our border with Mexico. The border needs to be fixed through intense and joint security measures with Mexico, not a Berlin style wall as was recently passed by Congress.
* Undocumented workers live in our communities and contribute to our economy. They should be provided an opportunity to achieve legal status. Those who commit crimes must be deported. Our nation needs to fix the problem of illegal immigration with reality-based solutions, not by scape goating the people who work in our farm fields, build our buildings and clean our hotel rooms.
* Finally, the culture of corruption in Washington must end. It is not "lobbying reform" that is needed, but rather tough "anti-corruption" measures that hold Senators, Representatives, and administration officials accountable to live by the rules they make and the laws they pass. The sickening standard of policy making based on political contributions must end because it is a disease that is destroying our nation's democratic process.
There is a lot of ground to cover. The voices we will hear from today will offer insights and experiences I will carry with me to Washington and put forward as I work in Congress to keep America strong, free and meeting the needs of our families.
Allow me to introduce our panelists who will be offering testimony today. Each panelist will make a two to three minute statement. And, if time allows at the end of statements,
I would appreciate the opportunity to ask questions.
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