[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[House]
[Page 31841]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IS THIS REALLY THE BEST WE CAN DO?

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. The word is that, with over 15 million Americans out of 
work and desperately in need of extended unemployment benefits, 
Congress will put unemployment compensation benefits into a bill which 
will give another $130 billion for war. Remember, our Democratic Party 
took control of Congress based on widespread opposition to the Iraq 
war. Unfortunately, we're now telling the American people the only way 
they'll get their unemployment compensation is to support another $130 
billion to keep wars going.
  What a cruel choice Congress is forcing on people out of work: Put 
your sons and daughters on the firing line, and we'll pay you for being 
in the unemployment line. What a message to young Americans. No jobs 
for young people except to go to war. No chance for young people to go 
to college and have health care unless they learn to kill or be killed. 
Support this war, we tell the people, the war, which creates death, war 
which creates poverty, and war which creates unemployment, and we'll 
pay you for being unemployed.
  Is this really the best we can do?

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