THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 1996 TAG: 9601310003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
President Clinton's State of the Union address was magnificent. It made the American people feel good. He speaks of so much, yet he has accomplished so little.
The State of the Union address was President Clinton fighting for re-election. When he spoke about his record, he failed to mention that he vetoed the first balanced budget in 26 years, Medicare and welfare reform and tax relief for working families.
President Clinton has said:
``The era of big government is over.'' The truth: In his first year in office, he passed the largest tax increase in the history of this nation without a single Republican vote. His new budget, submitted on Jan. 6, increases spending over seven years by $346 billion more than the Republican balanced-budget act.
``For too long our welfare system has undermined values of family and work instead of supporting them.'' The truth: After admitting he would support the Republican welfare reform, he vetoed the measure.
``We have all agreed to stabilize the Medicare Trust Fund.'' The truth: President Clinton vetoed the Medicare Preservation Act of 1995 and offered no credible alternative plan.
President Clinton truly does give a good speech, but can you believe him?
I stand among the voters in the 4th Congressional District who are curious to know if Congressman Sisisky will continue to support President Clinton and his fellow Democrats, or will he change his ways to be re-elected in '96?
JOEL P. RUTKOWSKI
Chesapeake, Jan. 24, 1996 by CNB