by Mark Silva
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, delivering the Democratic Party's radio address today, said Americans elected a new Congress last year "to set America on a new course.''
This involves restoring honesty to government, providing opportunity in the economy and bringing the war in Iraq to "a responsible conclusion.''
"Democrats take this mandate for change seriously,'' Durbin said in his address to Americans today. "But, as this Congress nears the end of the year, Democrats share your frustration. You're tired of infighting and inaction in Washington -- so are we.''
So is President Bush.
While applauding the Senate for finally acting on a temporary fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax, to protect many taxpayers from its reach, and calling on the House to act as well, Bush also is chiding Congress for failing to act on home-lending reforms at a time of crisis for many homeowners. In his radio address today, Bush said:
"These common-sense measures have been before Congress for months. Congress needs to pass these measures quickly -- and send them to my desk, so we can help homeowners in need and protect the American Dream for all our citizens.''
This is the text of Durbin's radio address:
“Hello, this is Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. Throughout our history Americans have faced challenges and pulled together to find strength and move forward. We’re a ‘can-do’ people. Sadly, Republicans in Washington are determined to make this a ‘no-can-do’ Congress.
“Republicans have decided it’s in their party’s interest to prevent Congress from facing the real challenges of our day. They think the less a Democratic-led Congress achieves, the better it’s going to be for Republicans in next year’s elections. But those elections are 11 months away! And America needs help now.
“The mortgage crisis isn’t just your neighbor’s problem any more – it’s everybody’s problem. Two-point-two million Americans are facing foreclosure, and 44 million families who are making their mortgage payments – a third of all homeowners – are seeing their home values decline because of the mortgage meltdown. Yet, Senate Republicans blocked two bills this week that would help families facing foreclosure hold on to their homes, and keep the mortgage crisis from spreading.
“The same thing happened with a bill to keep dangerous toys out of American stores and homes. Twenty-five million dangerous toys have been recalled this year – that’s an all-time record. And still not one Republican senator would cosponsor a stronger toy-safety law.
“After the Battle of Antietam, President Lincoln was angered when General McClellan wouldn’t go on the attack in the Civil War. Lincoln asked his General, ‘If you're not going to use your army, may I borrow it?’ I’d like to ask the Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, if you’re not going to use your power to solve the problems facing our nation, may we borrow it?
“The American people elected a new Congress last year to set America on a new course: To restore honesty to government and opportunity to our economy, bring the war in Iraq to a responsible conclusion, and bring our troops home to the heroes’ welcome they have earned.
“Democrats take this mandate for change seriously. And we’ve made a good start. We’ve put the middle class first again – cutting taxes for working people, and raising the minimum wage for the first time in 10 years. We’ve made America safer by implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which the Republicans had ignored for three years. And we passed the toughest ethics laws in history.
“But as this Congress nears the end of the year, Democrats share your frustration. You’re tired of infighting and inaction in Washington – so are we. It’s time for compromise and cooperation. Forty-seven million Americans still need health insurance, 160,000 brave Americans are still stuck in the crossfire of Iraq’s civil war, gas and oil prices are at record highs, and working families are having a tough time making ends meet.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. Democrats are committed to overriding President Bush’s veto and providing health care for 10 million American children – kids not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid and not lucky enough to have parents with health insurance – and passing a new national energy policy that lowers energy bills and begins to reverse global warming. And we are determined to end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring the fight back to Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda.
“We hope the Republicans will join us. After all, to paraphrase President Lincoln, what’s the point of having power if you won’t use it to help America?
“Democrats will keep fighting for change. From the Land of Lincoln, this is Senator Dick Durbin. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend.”
This is the text of the president's radio address, which was released on Friday:
" Good morning. Today I want to talk to you about some important policies affecting taxpayers and homeowners this holiday season. On Thursday, the United States Senate passed a bill to fix the alternative minimum tax, or AMT. The AMT was designed to ensure that the wealthy paid their fair share of taxes. But when Congress passed the AMT decades ago, it was not indexed for inflation. As a result, the AMT's higher tax burden is creeping up on more and more middle-class families, and as many as 25 million Americans would be subject to the AMT. On average, these taxpayers would have to send an extra $2,000 to the IRS next year. This is a huge tax increase that taxpayers do not deserve and that Congress must stop.
"I congratulate the United States Senate for acting to do so. Now it's up to the House of Representatives to move the bill. They've already delayed the bill so long that $75 billion in tax refund checks could be delayed next year.
"I urge the House of Representatives to get the Senate-passed AMT relief bill to my desk before they adjourn so I can sign it and protect millions of families from higher taxes and avert any further delay in the tax refund checks next year.
"I also know many Americans are concerned about meeting their mortgage obligations. The private sector and the government both have a role to play. More than three months ago, I announced a series of targeted actions to help responsible homeowners avoid foreclosure. And on Thursday I met with Treasury Secretary Paulson and Housing Secretary Jackson, who updated me on the progress.
"The first step we took was to launch a new initiative at the Federal Housing Administration called "FHA Secure." This program gives the FHA greater flexibility to offer refinancing to homeowners who have good credit histories but cannot afford their current payments. In just three months, the FHA has helped more than 35,000 people refinance their homes. And in the coming year, the FHA expects this program to help more than 300,000 families.
"Second, we helped assemble the HOPE NOW Alliance, which includes lenders, loan servicers, investors, and mortgage counselors. HOPE NOW is an example of the government bringing together members of the private sector to voluntarily address a national challenge -- without taxpayer subsidies or government mandates. This group has agreed on a set of industry-wide standards to help struggling homeowners by refinancing an existing loan into a new private mortgage, or by moving them into an FHA Secure loan, or by freezing their current interest rates for five years.
"Lenders are already refinancing and modifying mortgages on a case-by-case basis. By taking a systemic approach, HOPE NOW will be able to help large groups of homeowners all at once. HOPE NOW estimates that up to 1.2 million homeowners could be eligible for assistance. And HOPE NOW has set up a counseling hotline that Americans can call 24 hours a day. I urge homeowners who are worried about rising mortgage payments to call 1-888-995-HOPE to get help.
"Third, the federal government is working to reduce the likelihood of similar problems in the future. Regulators are taking action to make the mortgage industry more transparent, reliable, and fair. Our goal is to ensure that homeowners receive complete, accurate, and understandable information about their mortgages.
"These measures will help many struggling homeowners -- and Congress has the potential to help even more. Yet in the three months since I made my proposals, Congress has not sent me a single bill to help homeowners. If Members are serious about responding to the challenges in the housing market, they can start by taking several important steps.
"Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the FHA. This bill could allow the FHA to help 250,000 families by the end of 2008. Congress needs to temporarily reform the tax code to help homeowners refinance during this time of housing market stress. And Congress needs to pass funding to support mortgage counseling. With this funding, we could help more homeowners choose the mortgage that is right for them.
"As well, Congress needs to pass legislation to reform Government Sponsored Enterprises like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. By strengthening the independent regulation of these institutions, we can ensure they focus on their mission to expand homeownership in a fiscally responsible way.
"These common-sense measures have been before Congress for months. Congress needs to pass these measures quickly -- and send them to my desk, so we can help homeowners in need and protect the American Dream for all our citizens.
"Thank you for listening."
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Dick Durban,
The war in Iraq is coming to “a responsible conclusion”, we are winning and America is living up to our obligations to provide support to the Iraqi people while they go through the difficult task of establishing their government. That is “a responsible conclusion”.
What is not responsible it the democratic efforts to withhold funding from our troops. Not only is it not responsible it is a betrayal to our troops and to America in general. The dems do not have a mandate to make us surrender. You don’t have any mandate at all. 51-49 What mandate? Give me a break.
Posted by: CJ | December 8, 2007 12:14 PM
Our frustration is with Durbin and the rest of his fellow Democrats who no longer think independently, but parrot the party line like an R2D2 robot. Illinois does not need automatons in the Senate, we need senators who have their own convictions, their own thoughts and their own ideas, just as Dick Durbin was before he joined the Democratic leadership.
Posted by: Hassan | December 8, 2007 1:04 PM
Since when does Little Dickie Durbin know anything about open and honest government?
Actually, Dick, I am frustrated by a Democratic Congress that is more interested in nonsense, more interested in being nice with terrorists at the expense of safety for the American people, and a Democratic Congress that undermines the U.S. 24/7.
Posted by: John D | December 8, 2007 1:08 PM
what is mr. durbin going to do about all the illegal aliens flooding into our country and will he shut off the water for those already here?.
Posted by: john | December 8, 2007 1:08 PM
Your right Dickie boy, were frustrated with you and your party.i.e. your ratings are lower than President Bush's. Your party just wants to block all the Presidents programs, not because there bad,just because their his.You better shape up for the coming election season or you might find yourself and others like you on outside looking in.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | December 8, 2007 1:15 PM
I thought Congress was to write the laws not the president. Aren't they supposed to enact legislation the people want not the guys in the WH? I'd love them to write legislation that supports the troops...it should support the troops and pay for the soldiers to come home...
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 8, 2007 1:22 PM
The time has come for you and your cohorts to stop bashing America. Stand up for our fighting men and women and stop making excuses for your lame attempts to put important issues aside and blame the other side for your do-nothing Congress. Shame on you.
Posted by: sondra k miller | December 8, 2007 1:22 PM
Durbin and the dems frustrated? Amazing!! They control the house and senate, and still can't get anything done, not that they have anything worthwhile proposed anyway. Same old bleeding hearts rail about contrived issues rather than meaningful changes. And this from Dick Durbin, who has never had any job that wasn't tied to the public trough.
Posted by: Roget | December 8, 2007 1:31 PM
What is NOT responsible is the fact the the Republicans in Congress have set a record for fillibusters, blocking vitually EVERY bill from being debated. And then blaming the Democrats for not getting anything done. It is unfortunate that in this democracy a simple majority means nothing.
I for one, applaud Senator Durbin. We are in debt deeper than ever in our history and the Republicans don't seem to want to do anything about it. They want our children to deal with it. Very nice.
And, by the way, if you see what is happening in Iraq as winning, no wonder everything is so messed up.
Posted by: Sam Greco | December 8, 2007 1:32 PM
If only it were a "reasonable conclusion" we could act but it is not that is your error. Fighting has temporarily stopped but no real government has emerged in Iraq. Nor will it as long as we remain.
And to speak of not supporting the troops, I beg to differ - I as a democrat want to keep them alive. I've done a lot more than slap a magnetic sign on my car. It was the republicans who sent a scanty force with improper armour in the first place, remember?
Posted by: Kelly | December 8, 2007 2:06 PM
CJ,
Mandate for surrenduring? What are you talking about?
Ask yourself, ask Dubya - where is the Iraqi political compromise? Where is the Iraqi political solution? Where is the U.S. pressure to bring about the afortementioned?
Where is the "We'll stand down when they stand up?"
Where is the "Mission Accomplished?"
Posted by: Doug Zook | December 8, 2007 2:21 PM
We are frustrated with you dickie durbin!!! The gall of this guy!! Your ratings are lower than the president's Dickie so it's time for you to keep your mouth closed for once!
Posted by: Brad | December 8, 2007 2:37 PM
I can’t believe that Dick Durban’s opening paragraph is to blame the other guy, what a loser.
What does it say about someone’s character if their first objective is to blame someone else for their failures?
Posted by: Joe | December 8, 2007 3:19 PM
Doug Zook,
If you can’t see the pressure the US is bringing to the war on Terror you are blind. As for the Iraqi battlefront we are winning and the country may be able to heal and indeed become a democratic beachfront over the next several years. In the mean time we must and will continue to improve security to enable a chance for lasting peace.
And just in case you haven’t noticed, the most comprehensive Middle East peace effort has just gotten underway. We need to support Bush and press our next president to keep this effort and all its participants engaged.
This is the time to overcome the calls for withdrawal and surrender: Give peace a chance.
Posted by: CJ | December 8, 2007 3:58 PM
My American dream is two impeachments - earboy and chainsaw.
Posted by: rncbs | December 8, 2007 4:59 PM
A democrat from Illinois - 2nd only to Louisiana in the corruption department - says he and his fellow democrats want to bring honesty to government.
ok
Posted by: Terry | December 8, 2007 5:17 PM
CJ,
You didn't respond to my query. I reiterate. Where's the Iraqi polical solution?
"...the most comprehensive Middle east peace effort..." Oh, really?
I don't want to denigrate Dubya's long belated effort because I'd like to see it succeed, but how does a one day meeting in Annapolis amount to squat?
To come full circle - terror is a tactic - not an end game. Semantics aside, I'd like to hear that bin Laden and his minions have been captured or better yet blown to kingdom come. This will have a tremendous demoralizing effect on like-minded terrorist scumbags like no other. Not ridding the world of this evil man has provided enormous aid, comfort, and recruiting propaganda.
Dubya had the good will, moral high ground and inpetus of virtually the entire world to go into Afghanistan to go after bin Laden when the Taliban wouldn't give him up. And what did the moron (Dubya) do? Put most of our military resources into going after Saddam Hussein.
So here we are.
Posted by: Doug Zook | December 8, 2007 7:18 PM
Listen to all the whining loser Repuplics,seven years of hell and you whiners are worried about Durbin.
We're proud of our Senators that represent Illinois.
Maybe you folks would feel more at home living in Alabama!
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 8, 2007 7:25 PM
So according to the Senator, the problem is with the competition and not the product.
Senator, the reason this Congress is so ineffective is that the legislation you keep proposing is ridiculous. Take for example the SCHIP bill that would have extended taxpayer funded healthcare to people making $80,000!!!
There is a measure to break any filibuster or override any Presidential veto ... its called responsible legislation. If you propose it, and enough Congressmen support it, it will pass any obstacle. But when you propose ridiculous legislation such as to "cut and run" from a war where the tide has turned in our favor, that's called irresponsible legislation and it will not get enough support. Therefore, the problem is the product Congress produces, not the competition.
Posted by: Ben R. | December 8, 2007 7:54 PM
Doug zook,
You sound like a very negative person that has a mindset of a loser and I can’t change that for you.
But for others that have read your points I will address this, first off the political process in Iraq will take time just as it did in the founding of this nation, how many years did that take? And we did not have people that would blow themselves up in crowded market places to kill innocents to interfere with the political process.
The question you seem to face doug is which side are you on. By constantly attaching the president and our country people like you damage our nations cause. Readers, if doug zook was indeed on the enemies side what would he do or say differently than he already does?
As for your reference that the “one day meeting in Annapolis amount to squat”. frankly Doug again you are lying or ignorant on this issue. Everyone knows that the summit was held up to be “a start”, bringing together in a constructive environment more of the national players than any effort ever before it. The summit was never held out as an end game. The process continues, the conditions are right, one big obstacle Arafat, who made a fool of Clinton when he started the infinata as a response to Clinton’s efforts to force peace. How many people were blown up by Arafat and his terrorists? Arafat is dead, died in the ruins of his compound, living in his own waist for months.
With countrymen like you doug who needs enemies.
Posted by: cj | December 9, 2007 9:43 AM
Raving loon,its so apprapro.When I lived in Illinois I disliked our senators and when I retired out of state I found I like them even less. So take your very liberal senators and your high property taxes along with the high cost of living.You deserve them.
Not to mention that in my
short lifetime 4 of your outstanding governors have gone to jail.Now thats a record to be proud of.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | December 9, 2007 4:57 PM
cj,
People like me are former B-52 crew chiefs. People like me had their fathers serve 20 years in the military including two tours in Vietnam.
People like me have nephews who did two combat tours in Iraq.
People like me aren't brain dead sheep who walk right off the cliff because some cowboy-in-chief who deserted in time of war wants to get even with some tinhorn dictator for trying to kill his daddy.
Wanna play more patriotic than thou? - "bring it on."
Posted by: Doug Zook | December 9, 2007 8:26 PM
zook,
I don't care what you say you did in the past, I does not matter. It does not give you a blank check to hurt America today.
It doesn't change the negative impact people like you are creating now.
I don't beilive you are patriot, I believe you are a blowhard that knows little and you think like a loser.
My America is full of winners and does not surrender because blow hards like you think we should.
Posted by: CJ | December 9, 2007 9:14 PM