[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CLINTON AND THE BUDGET

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 1995

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that President Clinton cares 
little about what the American people want. The American people want a 
balanced budget. They want Medicare saved. They want to look toward to 
a brighter future. The continuing resolution my Republican colleagues 
and I passed is a down payment on that future.
  I have heard over and over again the rhetoric on the catastrophic 
nature of a Government shutdown. Frankly Mr. Speaker, a Government 
shutdown is not catastrophic, not balancing the budget is. In fact, the 
vast majority of people will not even notice the Government is shut 
down. The mail will still be delivered. Social Security checks will 
still go out, and air traffic will continue flow.
  The overwhelming majority of phone calls, faxes, and letters coming 
into my office on this issue are very supportive. I received a fax from 
a senior citizen in my district that said ``Hang tough. Shut Government 
down. We seniors want a balanced budget in 7 years. And we want 
Medicare fixed, even if we have to pay some increase for the sake of 
our kids and grandkids. Hang tough!''
  Mr. Speaker, while the folks back home are willing to hang tough, the 
President seems only willing to play golf. We've done our job.I urge 
the President to do his.

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