[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SPENDING PRIORITIES

  (Mr. GARY MILLER of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. We have heard much debate today about 
saving Social Security and spending 62 percent of the surplus to do it. 
I agree with that 100 percent. Our Medicare has to be ensured to be 
there for our generation and the generation to come. The same is true 
for defense. How can we expect those defending our Nation to feed their 
family using food stamps? It is deplorable and we need to change that.
  But if we listened to the President's State of the Union, it is 
obvious big government just came roaring back. When do we start 
trusting the American people? What do we do with the remaining 38 
percent of the surplus if we are going to spend 62 percent for Social 
Security? Let us give the people their money back.
  We talk about making sure we are going to better education for the 
future. When will we start trusting parents? When will we start 
trusting school boards? When will we start trusting teachers to provide 
education?
  The Federal Government has 790 various programs associated with 
education. The mandates associated with those programs generally cost 
more to implement than they receive from the Federal Government. That 
has to be changed.
  Let us start trusting parents; let us start trusting taxpayers; let 
us start trusting individuals with their rights.

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