[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BUDGET CONTROL ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 2011

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the 
Budget Control Act of 2011, S. 365.
  First, with all the conflict and frustration surrounding this vote, 
I'm reverting to basic principles. One of which is, ``don't negotiate 
with thugs.'' It's been long obvious that we have no partner with whom 
to negotiate; only a party that started as our comrades in government, 
then our colleagues, who evolved into our opponents, declared 
themselves our enemies and now demand that we be their enablers. I 
refuse to play.
  Thugs are in the game to destroy, not build. They would destroy the 
government, and especially this presidency. They take hostages, and 
there is much work at stake that would be their next targets. It will 
be endless. The president has given into all of their demands, and they 
remain insatiable. It's time we starved the beast. Then . . .
  They came to Washington they say committed not to do business as 
usual. Then they demanded that we protect every loophole, every 
billionaire and every greedy element in our society except those who 
need some help.
  They set-up something that is their fail safe. I call it the 
``Kevorkian Commission'' that will deliver the poison if in November, 
we don't volunteer to do it ourselves.
  We Democrats in the House were not at the table, and we wind up on 
the menu.
  There are arguments that are valid and good for voting ``aye.'' But I 
didn't come to this place to forget the homeless, the hapless and the 
hungry.
  The most vulnerable in our society don't watch their 401K plan, the 
Dow Jones Industrial Average or the futures market. Their future is 
getting through till tomorrow. They are more concerned about having a 
roof than they are the national debt ceiling. They need jobs, 
nutrition, education and encouragement. The time we've spent on this 
debate would indicate that we've bought into the trickledown theory.
  Here's what I know: the people I came here to help need real help. 
Their lives and future are really endangered. What happens to us people 
with portfolios, and Wall Street watchers is scary, but conjecture.
  Sounds hokey, but I'm voting for what I came here to do.

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