The fact that we are here today to debate raising Americas debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U. S. Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our governments reckless fiscal policies.
Increasing Americas debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that the buck stops here. Instead Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren.
America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. America deserves better."
-- Senator Barack H. Obama March 2006
