Nancy Pelosi Should Make This Speech

I Am Determined To Focus the Attention
Of Congress on Important Questions

And now, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Nancy Pelosi:

Thank you. I am determined to focus the attention of congress on those great questions that as a nation we need to consider. I am determined to find and follow the ways of wisdom in helping this nation to find a firm footing and a sure path to a future that is worthy of future generations. I am determined to find what policies that government should best follow so that twenty-five years from now, today’s youth will be grateful for our choices.

Remember those early Republican claims concerning the pursuit of an Iraq war-- that is would cost only $50 billion or so, that it would be a matter of “mission accomplished” in only a short while? There were many amazing claims. Amazing claims -- that time has shown totally wrong.

Remember the Republican claims that they had an economic theory that would actually work? Six years ago the nation’s debt was $5.5 trillion and today the debt is $8.5 trillion. There has been a debilitating $3 trillion increase in the debt in just six years. The amazing Republican economic claims were also wrong.

And so, in these two huge issues of war and economy, the kindest comment that could be said is that, “mistakes were made.” These mistakes incurred huge costs. Everyone must pay and some must pay much more than is their share of these huge costs, and the huge costs for these mistakes are just beginning to be incurred -- the costs will last for generations.

Choices have consequences. Our nation’s future is imperiled by costly “mistakes.” As individuals, the future impinges upon us and compels us to make plans. But as a nation, we have no plan to deal with many important questions. How do we as a nation avoid costly mistakes and instead make those choices that will lead to a good future? In my judgment, a big part of successfully facing the future is simply to make the commitment to do so. As I said, I am determined to focus the attention of congress on those great questions that as a nation we need to answer. We need to find a way to deal with clear thinking the important questions that face our nation.

I will ask congress to appropriate money to bring together the best thinkers and best informed minds to create meaningful studies to help congress address these questions:

• How can the United States become a more effective democracy?
• What economic policies would best help create more prosperity for all Americans as well as more world wide prosperity?
• How can world poverty be eliminated?
• What are the reasons for terrorism and what US policies would lead to terrorism being diminished or eliminated?
• What policies should the US follow so that the danger of nuclear poisons and nuclear weapons may be eliminated?
• What policies should the US follow to develop energy?
• What policies should the US follow to best protect the environment, both worldwide and nationally?

So, the question we must deal with is how do we make good choices so that we can secure a great future for the next generations? We need a twenty-five year plan, based on the best thinking that is available.

The task of government is to lead with wisdom. The huge errors in Iraq and in our economy were the result of politics, the result of a failed democracy -- not the result of objective thinking guided by a profound understanding of the common good. Now that the Democrats have a forum of leadership, we need to demonstrate our commitment to the common good via clear thinking and shared problem solving; we need to structure a thoughtful process that shows no fear of objectivity and truth, and that seeks the best insights and ideas. I am urging the House of Representatives to meet the challenge that I am outlining and to act on this request immediately.