Who says bipartisanship is dead in
Rep. Tom McClintock, a Republican from Elk Grove, is part of the new GOP majority in the House. But in his maiden floor speech of the 112th Congress today, he had praise, and criticism, for Democratic and Republican presidents alike.
Calling for this Congress to restore prosperity, he said government has to cut red tape and slash spending - all to advance economic freedom for consumers and businesses. "That's the fundamental problem that we face today. Our government has not only failed to protect the freedom that creates prosperity, but it has become destructive of that freedom," he said.
McClintock gave Democrats Bill Clinton and Harry Truman a pat on the back for reducing excessive spending that robs individuals of the freedom to decide where to spend and invest. And he slapped Republicans George W. Bush and Herbert Hoover for increasing spending.
As for the current occupant of the Oval Office? Democrat Barack Obama, of course, is in the negative category, according to McClintock.
"Presidents like Coolidge, Truman, Reagan and Clinton who have reduced government spending relative to GDP all produced dramatic increases in productivity, prosperity and the general welfare of our nation," McClintock told his colleagues.
"And presidents like
"Our government is embarked on the latter course, and this Congress must reverse that direction," he added.
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