9856 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 2, 1991 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ROSTENKOWSKI URGES YOUNG ing how many hard-working career politi­ It nearly ended a government bias toward PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN cians there are whose accomplishments defy certain types of businesses. POLITICS summary. They were just there, helping get There were some highs in the process. I the job done. went on television in response to the Presi­ And while there are always those who will dent and asked people to "Write Rosty" for HON. BENJAMIN L CARDIN carp at Congressional salaries, the fact is tax reform. Getting more than 70-thousand OF MARYLAND that anyone who is smart enough to do well letters does wonders for your ego. Especially IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in Congress can make a lot more money in if you don't have to answer them personally. Thursday, May 2, 1991 the private sector. In addition, you get to be There were some low moments. Like the a punching bag for members of the press who time the members of my own committee-a Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, we serve in the believe you have an obligation to entertain group which I am alleged to have total con­ Congress at a time when politics as a profes­ them. trol over-rejected my suggestion that we sion, never high in the public's regard, is The payoff is often subtle-it is a belief, a lower the boom on banks and decided instead viewed with greater than usual public cyni­ sense that you are helping create a better to give them a more liberal tax break than cism. Not surprisingly, confidence in Govern­ nation for your fellow citizens. A belief that they already had. ment's ability to address the many serious government can solve people's problems. And And there were the totally outrageous mo­ a hope that those solutions will be a little ments, like when the Time Magazine photog­ problems facing our country is at a low ebb. rapher got to me early in the morning after I would like to bring to the attention of my bit better because you were there. Somebody once said that all that's ncessary for evil to about three hours of sleep and me to jump colleagues a recent speech by the chairman triumph is for good men to do nothing. like a cheerleader with the capitol in the of the Ways and Means Committee. The That's one reason I'm in politics. I want to background to symbolize our victory. I speech was prepared for delivery to the Latin do something. And I hope what I'm doing is didn't jump. And didn't make the cover of School in Chicago, and its theme was the im­ right. Time either. portance of politics and government in Amer­ Nearly four months ago I faced one of the When it was all over, I was tired and toughest votes in my congressional career happy. I felt I had helped lead the nation for­ ican life. ward. Of course, legislation is a bit like a The chairman advances his belief that when I voted to give the President the power to go to war in the Persian Gulf. Had I sand castle. People have been nibbling away "however imperfect it is, the political system is at the tax code ever since in an effort to re­ the only mechanism we have to deal with known then what we know now, that would have been an easy decision. But we didn't instate their special privileges. And some many of our community problems * * * and know then. have succeeded, despite my best efforts. that government can solve people's prob­ Everyone agreed that Saddam Hussein was One of the biggest failures of tax reform lems." a bad actor who should be resisted or even was that it didn't raise additional revenues It's a message of optimism, determination, removed. But the strategy for achieving that to reduce our federal budget deficit. If working to enact tax reform was the and faith in the American system. I commend goal was less than obvious. best of times, service in Congress generally the speech to my colleagues: I'm not an expert on foreign policy. While during the Reagan years was the worst of SPEECH BY HON. DAN RoSTENKOWSKI I had a chance to visit Saudi Arabia last fall, times. Here we had a President-the man I welcome this opportunity to be with you I am not a student of the region. I don't who symbolizes our government-telling the today and return a favor. Back when I was in speak Arabic or understand the politics of American people that the government was school, assembly was one of my favorite sub­ the region, if indeed they can be understood. their enemy. Is jects. If they had awarded a letter for assem­ Syria America's friend or enemy? What There were years of wandering in the wil­ blies, I would have won one. Frankly, I don't about Iran? derness, trying to come up with a strategy remember exactly what happened at any of The President was telling me about atroc­ that would make the President-and the the assemblies. But I do know that they ities committed by Saddam's army. He was American people face reality. In 1982, when forced us to skip our normal classes, a sac­ deeply offended and I was too. On the other you were just beginning your schooling, we rifice I always made graciously, perhaps hand, my colleagues were arguing for con­ had the worst depression this country has even entusiastically. tinuing sanctions that could conceivably ul­ seen during my adult lifetime. No one So I appear before you today repaying a timately strangle the Iraqi economy. seemed to care. debt to the people who spoke at assemblies I voted for war, deciding to spend billions There were two very disturbing trends oc­ back in the olden days when I went to of dollars that could be very well spent on curring simultaneously. The first was that school. social problems here in this country. I was the rich were getting richer while the poor Let me state my theme clearly at the fully aware that my vote could result in sunk more deeply into poverty. The second start. I believe that politics is an important bloodshed. Americans. Chicagoans. Friends was that the rich came to believe they had and exciting line of work. I won't be doing it from my own Congressional district could be no obligation to help the less fortunate forever. So I'd suggest that some of you who killed in combat as a result of my vote. members of our society. are wondering about career choices think It wasn't an easy decision. But there are For years, we collected statistics and I about politics. To steal a slogan, your gov­ few decisions more important to our society made speeches about the polarization of our ernment needs a few good men and women. than whether to go to war. And I was proud society. There was no visible response until, There are worse things you could do. Some to be one of those who had an opportunity to as the Reagan years came to a close, people of them are even legal. So I'm here on a re­ make that decision. began to get the message. cruiting mission. Last year I promoted the so-called Rosten­ Now we at least say we're concerned about That probably strikes some of you as a bit kowski Challenge, a budget proposal de­ the plight of the poor, although we seldom odd. After all, politics is the Rodney signed to convince the President that there manage to bestir ourselves to actually do Dangerfield of professions. Politicians get no was no way to solve our budget problems un­ anything about it. Translating that commit­ respect. They're viewed as crooked or stupid less we embraced tax increases. ment into meaningfµl action will be a big or both. And some are, if the truth be told. Six years ago I invested more hours than I job. The working conditions are less than ideal. can count in creating a new income tax sys­ My purpose here is not to entertain you You have obligations in two cities. The work tem for America. Despite the usual with stories on the lifestyle of the allegedly is seasonal. There are months when very lit­ overpromising that leaves Americans so cyn­ powerful. Rather it is to suggest that deci­ tle is accomplished. And then there are ical, that bill made some major positive sions made by politicians have an impact on weeks when you work round the clock. steps. every one of you. And the best way to assure You are part of a system where com­ It removed more than six million poor tax.:. that stupid decisions aren't made is to make promise is a way of life. There are so many payers from the tax system completely. It them yourself by running for elected office. participants that most legislators can only simplified or eliminated many complex is­ The second best way is to be an active voter have influence at the margins. It is surpris- sues that had frustrated taxpayers for years. who demands a role in the process. •This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.