Berry: State of the Union Address Not the Right Direction for America

Berry: State of the Union Address Not the Right Direction for America

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) issued the following statement today following the President's annual State of the Union address:

"President Bush and our Republican Leaders in Congress are so consumed by a culture of corruption they have lost touch with the needs of the American people. They care more about lining the pockets of wealthy K Street lobbyists, than helping American families overcome the economic challenges of today.

After five years in office, President Bush has a poor track record of putting people before private interests. He provides billions of dollars to prescription drug companies while seniors struggle to access prescription medications. He subsidizes the oil and gas companies who have increased the price of gas by 89 cents since his first day in office, and he tried to gamble away America's retirement security by handing Social Security to Wall Street.

We simply cannot afford another year of policies that force us to take a step back instead of moving forward. Right now countries all across the world are gaining ground on the United States by investing in the future of their citizens. They do not have 12th graders who score near the bottom in math and science tests, or schools and businesses that lack access to broadband Internet service in an increasingly technical world. And most of all, they do not turn a blind eye to technologies that will help their country establish its energy independence.

President Bush missed his opportunity tonight to admit past mistakes and move forward with an agenda that overcomes the cycle of government corruption. We need a new direction for America where honest leadership results in solutions and the priorities of working families become the priorities of America."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ar01_berry/sotu.html