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Conrad Burns on Budget & EconomyFormer Republican Senator (MT, 1989-2007) |
JONES: That’s easy for me. Eliminate unconstitutional departments and agencies.
BURNS: There’s only one way to control the deficit--grow the economy and control spending. We have brought down spending on the discretionary spending - the part we have some control over. The non-discretionary part is troubling. We’re continuing with the tax cuts which have energized the economy--that’s the way you take care of the deficit. We didn’t ask for 9/11, or Katrina, or the war on terror. We always grew through it. You grow the economy and control spending and that’s the way you take care of the deficit.
TESTER: When it comes to funding for Montana, we took the third biggest cut in FY05, in that discretionary funding. Out of 13 subcommittee chairs, Sen. Burns is ranked 10th in getting dollars to this state for critical projects. It’s time that we spend the money wiser, that we prioritize better, and start looking out for middle class folks.
BURNS: His record is very clear on that, and my record is very clear also. I don’t vote for tax increases.
TESTER: Sen. Burns talks about how he doesn’t raise taxes. He’s spending more money than the economy is growing--that’s putting a tax burden on our children. If you think that’s a way to do business, it certainly wouldn’t have worked on our farm. You are a borrow-and-spender, that’s unequivocal.
BURNS: You said to some students, “I want to lower your tuition.“ Since you’ve been in the senate, tuition has gone of 48%. I have no control over that--you do, with the board of regents. You’ve got your hand on the throttle.
TESTER: You want to talk about a throttle--your hand on the throttle has doubled the national debt in 5 years. On our kids! If my folks had done that on our farm, they’d have lost the farm. You’re running this country into bankruptcy. China’s buying our debt, because he can’t balance our checkbook.