The Direction of our Country

Floor Speech

THE DIRECTION OF OUR COUNTRY -- (House of Representatives - April 02, 2009)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. BOOZMAN. As part of my commitment to the people of Arkansas' Third District, I hold mobile offices in all 12 counties so that I can hear their concerns and help them when I can. As part of that, I relay their troubles here.

For many of the people I saw in Fayetteville on Friday, their attendance at the mobile office was a first. Like so many other people that I hear from through phone calls, e-mails, they are scared with the direction of our country.

They've seen Democrats pass a massive stimulus bill that was full of pet projects but short on job creation, job protection, and protections for pension plans. They've seen President Obama tout an omnibus bill that increases government spending, but what they're looking for is how Washington is tightening its belt, just like so many of them are.

Last week, President Obama said, ``It's with a budget that leads to broad economic growth by moving from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest.'' Unfortunately, President Obama isn't living up to those words with his budget proposal that spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much.

My constituents are upset--and they have every reason to be. ``No more Federal deficit spending, please. I beg you to stop the financial bleeding.'' This is from Leslie in Harrison. She e-mailed me last week, ``We cannot afford to continue spending for programs we don't need. What we need are legislators with the veracity and tenacity to stand up and cut the spending programs and pay off the national debt.''

Leslie, I hear you. I too have serious doubts. One reason is the proposed Federal budget would enact the largest tax increase in the history of the United States.

I also hear Rebecca from Wesley, who wrote, ``I'm 63 years old and have worked very hard. I pay my bills and do not want to pay the bills of others. I'm so furious with what is going on in Washington. No to all tax increases, no to any laws that will increase utility rates, no to government-run health care. I have no confidence that the government can run anything.''

We need to work to regain the confidence of the hardworking Americans like Leslie and Rebecca that they had in the past in our government, but no longer. This requires us to vote against budget proposals that include cap-and-trade and that hurt small businesses and discourage charitable giving.

We need a road to recovery that includes curbing wasteful spending, focusing on job creation and debt control. We need to do what is best for our country, and I'm committed to looking for alternative solutions and fighting for a capitalistic democracy.

Source