Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the House Republican Budget

[Charleston Chew]

Run time: 11:23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNsWT11Z_Bw   Posted on YouTube: March 09, 2011 By YouTube Member: SenatorFranken Views on YouTube: 9   Posted on DU: March 09, 2011 By DU Member: Charleston Chew Views on DU: 1292

 
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

M. President, I rise today to discuss an incredibly important subject, our nation's budget deficits. The deficit for Fiscal Year 2009 was about 1.4 trillion dollars. The total national debt is now just under 13.2 trillion dollars. These numbers are staggering-and represent a tremendous threat to our nation.

Now, we've been hearing a lot about these numbers over the last few months from members on both sides of the aisle. We've heard about the economic dangers of running these deficits, the dangers to us, to our children, and the very future of this nation. I share these concerns over the direction of our budget deficits and our rapidly-growing debt.

I've held these concerns for some time, as a matter of fact. In a New York Times op-ed way back in 1988, I expressed my alarm that we had gone from being the world's largest creditor nation to its largest debtor nation. I noted then that the accumulated trade and budget deficits of the Reagan years worked out to about $20,000 per family.

What frustrates me is that I've heard these deficit and debt numbers serve as an excuse for not passing an extension of unemployment benefits. We've been unable to get cloture on these extensions, despite spending weeks of the Senate's time on this matter and despite numerous attempts. Opponents say, our deficits must be addressed, our debt can't grow any larger. We've got to draw a line in the sand, and insist that these benefits be fully paid for.

http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=931
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[MNBrewer]

1. Now THAT'S a Minnesota Progressive!!!!!!

I couldn't be prouder that he's representing me in the U.S. Senate.

[drmeow]

2. I think I'm in love :)

and I'm SO jealous that I don't have a Senator like him!

[timefortherevolution]

3. Speech Speech Speech Speech. Start TALKING TO AMERICA

in the simple way repugs do!

Sheesh, its like listening to Obama! ZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Put it in terms so that a majority of suffering idiots understand it!

[MrMickeysMom]

4. huh?

Are you not impressed with his speech?

[timefortherevolution]

6. I'm the #1 fan of Al Franken. But dems need a Frank Luntz

who knows how to deliver even the deadliest of policies to the middle class and make them vote for it.

How do you think Karl Rove got a c- legacy grad to the office of the presidency?
Because he knew how to sell his deadbeat candidate to the American public.

Dems have NEVER understood this.

[pam4water]

8. If you are too slow to understand Franken's speech you are too slow to vote. Your responce

sound contrived to me.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrived

[timefortherevolution]

11. When you resort to name calling, you lose me.

Keeping your head buried and not open to ideas is no way to win over the public.

Keep it up.

[jillan]

5. I watched it live - he was amazing.

[Mnpaul]

7. Cut Franken loose on the Republicans

No more mister nice guy. Rip 'em a new one. :applause:

[midnight]

9. Exon Mobil payed not taxes? No wonder this country has deficit problems...

[Charleston Chew]

10. Al Franken: God Spoke

Al Franken: God Spoke is a 2006 documentary film featuring political commentator and current United States Senator Al Franken.

Al Franken: God Spoke, captures the emergence of Al Franken as a political commentator. The film is shot over the course of two years and follows Franken from his highly publicized feud with Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly to his fierce campaign against president George W. Bush during the 2004 election.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x561182

[Charleston Chew]

12. Sen. Franken on Protecting Women's Health

Sen. Franken opposes the proposed Republican amendments to limit women's access to reproductive health.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x552040

[Enthusiast]

13. Fantastic!

Make the rich pay their fair share!

[Charleston Chew]

14. Sen. Franken: Stop the Corporate Takeover of the Media

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Sen. Al Franken (D.-Minn.) told more than 2,000 bloggers and organizers attending the Netroots Nation conference in Las Vegas on July 24, 2010, that our media system is at risk everywhere we turn - from our free speech online to the growing power of companies who own a massive number of media outlets.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x489357
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