"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot
pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial
assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless
fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and
internationally. Leadership means that the buck stops here.' Instead,
Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of
our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure
of leadership. Americans deserve better."
- Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006
