Linder Responds To State Of The Union

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Linder (R-GA) released the following statement following President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address:

"I share the President's stated desire to create a foundation for prosperity for the American people, but I do not believe that the steps he announced this evening can achieve that goal. His "freeze proposal' is excellent as a concept, but is almost meaningless in practice when it comes after a year of unprecedented spending increases. Between FY 2009 and FY 2010, non-defense discretionary spending increased 17.4 percent; and, if you include the $862 billion stimulus bill, non-defense discretionary spending has increased by a whopping 57 percent since President Obama took office. We don't need a "freeze' at these extraordinarily high levels; as a starting point, we need a commitment to freeze spending at 2008 levels."

"I wanted to hear President Obama be bold. His baby step is better than no step, but we must do so much more if the President is to fulfill his promise to protect the financial interests of the American people."

"It is time to lead. To continue to blame the Bush Administration for our nation's economic woes lacks class. The dramatic spending increases came, not from President Bush's eight years in office, but from President Obama's one year in office. As unemployment levels continue above 10% and the middle class shrinks, it is time for this Administration to look within and accept responsibility for its own failed policies. Only then can we begin to work together and enact real change for the better."

"Last, I was personally offended with his attack on partisanship by Republicans. Specifically, he ridiculed the senate filibuster that was used so effectively by his side when in the minority. I could not help but think of the comment he made when the Republican Leadership was included in a discussion of the stimulus package last spring. He allowed them to begin to offer a different approach and then dismissively cut them off with this comment; 'We won'."

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