[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H6726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WHY IS TAX RELIEF A THREAT TO DEMOCRATS?

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, why is the idea of giving tax relief to 
taxpayers so upsetting to many Democrats?
  Could it be that Washington would rather have more money to spend, 
and the politicians on that side would rather spend more money?
  Why is it that Democrats refuse to acknowledge that the Republicans, 
the Republicans, have passed lockbox legislation to protect Social 
Security and Medicare while Democrats in the other body have blocked 
Social Security lockbox legislation?
  Why do Democrats mischaracterize the effect of the Republican tax 
relief package on the national debt, ignoring the $2 trillion in debt 
reduction that we provide for?
  Why do Democrats refuse to admit that the Republican proposal 
allocates $2 for Social Security and Medicare for every $1 in tax 
relief?
  Why is the new Washington spending not a threat to fiscal discipline 
whereas tax relief is?
  Why do Democrats call for higher spending and attack Republicans as 
extremists for cutting spending while at the same time attacking 
Republicans for failing to exercise fiscal discipline? Why?

                          ____________________