Perot Says Major Parties Skirt The Thorny Issues

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AllPolitics, Aug. 22) -- In a biting but focused talk, Reform Party nominee Ross Perot told a veterans group today that neither the Republicans nor Democrats wants to talk about the budget deficit, the trade deficit or the financial problems of Medicare and Social Security.

Perot, who appeared at a Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, said it would inappropriate to tell them how to vote in the fall. But the Texas billionaire urged the veterans to get the facts on the nation's economic woes and use their voting strength in November.

"We've got to start talking about these problems," Perot said. "Right now they don't like to.

"The two parties won't face these problems. Neither of the two parties takes responsibility. Each blames the other. My position is, they were both there when it happened, so somebody has to take responsibility," Perot said, to hearty applause.

Perot, who got 19 percent of the popular vote in 1992 but no electoral votes, ridiculed the election-year tax cuts that President Bill Clinton and Republican nominee Robert Dole are trumpeting as they campaign.

"They're going to present you, both parties, with the mother of all tax cuts to fix this," said Perot, who compared that approach to a worker deep in debt who goes to his boss and asks for a pay cut.

Still, Perot acknowledged that people like the prospect of tax cuts.

"That's what they're telling you right now and, boy, do we love it," Perot said. "Ask yourselves, are they giving you hard facts, or are they spending their time promising you free candy?"

Perot devoted nearly his entire speech to the federal debt and deficit and the skyrocketing costs of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. But he also praised veterans for their sacrifices and recounted his work with Dallas-area Vietnam veterans groups.

Perot Says Major Parties Skirt The Thorny Issues

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