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Debt Limit Debate: Graves vs. Sharpton on MSNBC
Washington, D.C., Jul 12 -
Yesterday evening, U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) appeared on MSNBC Live with guest host Rev. Al Sharpton for a debt limit debate. The Tea Party, entitlements, tax loopholes, the “Cut, Cap, and Balance” plan and more were covered during the segment. Graves Defends The Tea Party, Rejects Liberal Efforts To Deflect Blame For Debt Crisis: Graves On Long-Term Spending Cut Compromises: [7/7/11 - Wall Street Journal: Obama Gets Pushback from Liberals on Medicare, Social Security Cuts] Graves On The Loophole Straw Man Argument: ###
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Graves On How To Solve America’s Debt Crisis:
What I want on the table, and what I made clear is, cut the deficit now, cap the spending and balance the budget. That's the answer to the deficit crisis and the debt crisis we have in this nation. If we are to preserve America and our future, it’s going to take big, bold proposals. That is big.
It isn't about the Tea Party, it’s about America. It is about preserving America's future, and the Tea Party, I want to tell you, is a group of Americans that just love our heritage, love what we stand for, love the foundation and principles, and they’re willing to be vocal about right now in such an important time in our history. It’s certainly needed.
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I don't imagine you've ever been to a Tea Party rally, but there is a wide spectrum of Americans there and I’m sure many of them receive Social Security benefits, or Medicare, Medicaid. It is America well represented, and you know, if we’re talking about preserving America, it is preserving all of America and not the Democratic talking points of always going back to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. None of that is in jeopardy if the President would listen to some of the plans that are in place right now that the Republicans have put out there.
This is no time to compromise. Why are we compromising America's future and compromising spending cuts and getting our fiscal house in order? Why do we have to say, ‘Well, let’s do it over ten, twelve, fifteen years’?” Let's deal with it today.
Graves On Who Put Medicare/Social Security On The Table:
First of all, I will remind you that it was the President that brought up cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. He was the one who put that on the table.
I'm one of just a few Republicans that voted against the corporate welfare and loopholes that you're addressing.
[Note: The audio for this portion unintentionally cuts out in the video. Rep. Graves’ comment refers to H.R. 4853 (111th Congress), which he voted against and President Obama signed into law.]
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Let’s just put it in perspective. You can cut the loopholes out—we’re going to have $14 trillion in debt tomorrow still. Let’s deal with the bigger issue, Al, let’s get off the Democratic talking points. It is the debt and the deficit of today.