[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             TAX INITIATIVE

  Mr. SMITH. Let me also say in regard to the tax initiative that the 
Senator brought up a few moments ago, this again goes to the heart and 
soul of the differences between our two parties.
  George Bush said recently on national television that it might be 
nice if the American people just gave--it has not happened since 1952--
one party, in this case the Republican Party, the opportunity to 
govern. The Democrats have had that opportunity once under Clinton, 
under Carter, to do it, and we did not see the debt go down. We did not 
see deficits diminish. On the contrary, we saw the opposite. Give us a 
shot at it. If we do not do well, throw us out. That is fair. Give us a 
shot. That is what President Bush said.
  There is such a dramatic difference. How many times have we heard the 
debate from our friends on the other side that somehow growth is bad, 
making a profit is evil, that there is something wrong with that; and 
yet at the same time this debate occurs we see dollars being taken 
away, almost stolen, from the families of America. So we promote big 
government with the dollars taken from our families and at the same 
time denying them the opportunity to do the things that they would like 
to do for themselves, including education, getting a job, and being 
able to be productive in society.

  There are no jobs, as the Senator pointed out, if there is no growth 
in America and if there is no opportunity for businesses to create 
those jobs. Government should not be in the business of creating jobs. 
The economy--business--should be creating jobs. That is what we are all 
about.
  Somehow we have gotten into this debate that it is evil for anybody 
to make any money. I am pleased to hear when people make money. It 
delights me because I know somebody is getting dollars when somebody is 
making money.
  The Senator brought up the point about the luxury tax, which I am 
proud to say I opposed and voted against, where all the people who 
built boats and luxury cars lost their jobs because of the tax 
increase, and people did not buy then.
  When are we going to get the message that the greatness of America--
we grew more at any time in the history when we did not have an income 
tax. Again, it is taking dollars. If all of the dollars that have been 
taken away from the American families throughout especially the last 40 
or 50 years--if it worked, welfare would have been a success. We would 
not have all the crime we have today. We would not have to be spending 
money on crime or on welfare and other things that we find we are not 
satisfied with in America. The truth is, it has not worked. Since it 
has not worked, we should try something new.
  What we have--and you hear the American people say they are tired of 
the gridlock, the deadlock, tired of you fighting with each other. 
Again, the issue here is standing for principle, standing up for 
principle, because we believe deep in our hearts that these principles 
we espouse are right, they are correct, and we need to move this 
President. He is not moving. We understand that. If he is not moving, 
and we go as far as we go, we go to the American people, and 
essentially the decision is, very simply, we either move on with more 
debt and more deficits, or we move toward more growth, more economic 
prosperity, and more revenues to the Treasury, as the Senator pointed 
out.
  Again, going back to the issue of missile defense, same thing--two 
very, very, important issues, if not the two most important issues that 
we face today in America, and a President with a distinctly different 
position than the House and the Senate.
  I really want to compliment the Senator from Arizona, who is now in 
the chair, and the Senator from Oklahoma for two very, very worthwhile 
points in bringing to the attention of the Senate --although it is in 
the middle of the debate on a farm bill. Sometimes when other Senators 
are not here to participate in that debate, we have the opportunity, 
under Senate rules, to make these points. They are excellent points. I 
want to compliment both Senators.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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