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Following are excerpts from Congressman John Boehner’s (R-West Chester) remarks to the opening session of the 112th Congress which will convene today at 12:00 p.m.:
“We gather here today at a time of great challenges. Nearly one in ten of our neighbors are looking for work. Health care costs are still rising for families and small businesses. Our spending has caught up with us, and our debt will soon eclipse the size of our entire economy. Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions.” …
“The American people have humbled us. They have refreshed our memories as to just how temporary the privilege to serve is. They have reminded us that everything here is on loan from them. That includes this gavel, which I accept cheerfully and gratefully, knowing I am but its caretaker. After all, this is the people’s House. This is their Congress. It’s about them, not us. What they want is a government that is honest, accountable and responsive to their needs. A government that respects individual liberty, honors our heritage, and bows before the public it serves.” …
“Our aim will be to give government back to the people. In seeking this goal, we will part with some of the rituals that have come to characterize this institution under majorities Republican and Democratic alike. We will dispense with the conventional wisdom that bigger bills are always better; that fast legislating is good legislating; that allowing additional amendments and open debate makes the legislative process ‘less efficient’ than our forefathers intended. These misconceptions have been the basis for the rituals of modern Washington. The American people have not been well served by them.” …
“We will not always get it right. We will not always agree on what is right. A great deal of scar tissue has built up on both sides of the aisle. We cannot ignore that, nor should we. My belief has always been, we can disagree without being disagreeable to each other. That’s why it is critical this institution operate in a manner that permits a free exchange of ideas, and resolves our honest differences through a fair debate and a fair vote. We may have different – sometimes, very different – ideas for how to go about achieving the common good, but it is our shared goal. It is why we serve.”
[Press release and photo forwarded from Boehner’s office. This official Speaker of the House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the Speaker of the House of any Member of Congress.]
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#1 by Anonymous on January 5, 2011 - 5:12 pm
>So how many tissues did he use for his tears!
#2 by hh on January 5, 2011 - 5:28 pm
>that the best you can do?
#3 by Anonymous on January 5, 2011 - 7:09 pm
>Thats the best that could/would be posted!
#4 by Jeff on January 5, 2011 - 7:43 pm
>“There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul.” -Arnold BennettI want leaders who lead with passion and sincerity. Who feel as well as lead, who think from a feeling heart.The days of over-blown machismo are OVER and DONE! Real men know their strength lies in there ability to realize their humanness. “The greatest weakness of all is the great fear of appearing weak”
#5 by Kurt on January 5, 2011 - 8:24 pm
>I still don't understand the censorship thing that people think is happening. I've seen plenty of barbs from each side consistantly. I wonder if some people post a comment, don't see it posted within an hour or so, and then get miffed. Sometimes I post comments and it can take a full day or so for them to be approved. Part of the system, which is fine with me.
#6 by Anonymous on January 5, 2011 - 9:54 pm
>My guess is that every in-coming speaker's speech is very similar to this kind of "we're humbled, this is about the people, not us" speech. Now it's time to govern. On that front, my views going into the 112th congress are largely summarized here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jan/04/republicans-good-theatre-dreadful-governing.
#7 by Anonymous on January 5, 2011 - 11:21 pm
>If they truly represent the people, let them work for similar wages, insurance, benefits and retirement. People, get out and vote, most of these people need to go. They are too busy worrying about lining their pockets and futures. Isn't it obvious. You have a voice, use it. Whether you are republican, democrat or whatever. When will you use your voice? I don't think this government is what our forefathers invisioned. We are so screwed…
#8 by Bob on January 6, 2011 - 1:11 pm
>We don't have a United States Congress. They have become a world congress, they seem to think it is their duty to spend billions of the US citizens tax money trying to represent and solve all the problems all over the world. When they get back to representing the US citizens, only, and only then, will they be doing what the US congress was set up to do.
#9 by Anonymous on January 6, 2011 - 1:27 pm
>He hasn't been in his position 24 hours and already the Repubs are backing off of their promises. Open debate on all bills yet they plan to vote to kill healthcare next week with no debate or hearings? Whether you like the healthcare bill or not, that is not what they promised. Also, the repubs are going to ignore data from the CBO in favor of their own "estimates". What a clever way to avoid "paying for" the programs and political favors they like while arguing against the dreaded spending by others. Just more of the same. They will tell the sheep what they want to hear and then back to business as usual.Boehner is the elite of the "career politician". Once more, people believe the rhetoric and won't question the bull. And for the record, Ohio has seen hiring increases now for the last 10 months. So please don't tell me later it was because of the recent election.Blah, Blah, Blah!
#10 by Anonymous on January 6, 2011 - 5:10 pm
>One of Big John's first actions…..appoint Michelle Bachman to the Intelligence Committee. God help us all!
#11 by Anonymous on January 6, 2011 - 8:09 pm
>"Under fire for already backtracking on promises for more openness, House Speaker John Boehner admitted Thursday there are limits."I promised a more open process. I didn't promise that every single bill was going to be an open bill," said Boehner during his first news conference as the new House Speaker."Backpedaling and double-talk at it's finest! Can you say "Career Politician"?Congrats, Tea Baggers! You swallowed it hook, line and sinker!
#12 by Curt on January 7, 2011 - 10:18 am
>The pledge that the GOP released before the election stated there would be an "up or down" vote on the obamacare bill. They are doing what they said they would do. I know some of you liberal dems have all the talking points prepared for you but remember one thing. The last congress set an all time record for limiting debate and refusing to allow the minority to make ammendments. By the way, Pelosi spent 5 TRILLION dollars in her four years as speaker. That includes one trillion in just the last seven months. Carry on with your talking points, just remember some of us are adults and know better.
#13 by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 4:24 pm
>Curt,You need to turn the channel and stop watching so my FAUX News. Talk about "talking points". I agree about the last congress, however, the same was done during the Repub congress years of the Bush Admin. Both sides are playing games. But I find it funny that an "Up or down" vote is being confused with an open debate. With that philosophy, nothing would ever be debated again. Face it, the Repubs are just as corrupt and full of BS as the Dems. The Repubs are already backing off many of their campaign promises. If you "adults" believed that wouldn't happen, then I've got other fairy tales to tell you!No talking points about it. I listened to them and heard what they said. I read their press releases. Just because they now try to play with the words doesn't mean I can't see their game. Too bad you don't. You and rest of the Tea Baggers can continue to bury your heads in the sand.
#14 by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 4:26 pm
>Is it just me or does he look a little like Frank Burns?
#15 by Curt on January 7, 2011 - 4:33 pm
>Annonymous 11:24. I disregarded anything you had to say when you resorted to calling names. Very mature. But I guess thats why you remain annonymous.
#16 by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 7:52 pm
>Curt, you mean when you said "Carry on with your talking points, just remember some of us are adults and know better." you were paying me a compliment?People in glass houses…….
#17 by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 8:55 pm
>Just for grins: The press has recently been trying to pin down members of congress regarding what specific spending cuts they would propose. My question: What would DJ readers (personally) be prepared to give up to balance the budget and decrease spending? A few options: Would you give back some of your social security? Your medicare benefits? Your farm subsidy? Your mortgage interest deduction? Your child tax credit?
#18 by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 10:30 pm
>Curt, everyone knows Curt. You know, it's Curt everybody. Curt isn't annonymous. Let's face it, if you are a politician in Washington these days and your lips are moving, you are probably lying. What if the Republicans and Democrats could just do the right thing, you know, what they were elected to do. It will never change so long as their pockets continued to be lined as they see fit. That's what it's really all about. Vote them all out if you really want to see change.
#19 by Kenneth Finton on January 8, 2011 - 4:39 am
>DAVID LETTERMAN has a bigger gavel. One new thing, we do have is a brand new first – a orange-colored Speaker of the House.