LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
01.08.26-Discussion of FOREIGN POLICY debates, compare TIP'S role in Central America to his opposition to Vietnam. O'NEILL says that the two situations are similar. Tells stories about being criticized in Boston for caving in to the flag-burning radicals and defending his position. Says REAGAN is all alone in believing that his Latin America policy is right. DUKE asks if it's proper for Congress to dissent from the President's foreign policy. O'NEILL says that he can't approve of REAGAN'S policies, it seems REAGAN has seen too many Western movies. The U.S. shouldn't go and flex its muscles in front of small nations. 01.11.10-O'NEILL questioned about the moral character of the government. O'NEILL says that there was a lack of moral force for the first year and a half of REAGANOMICS, people like SENIOR CITIZENS hurt, the handicapped, the poor, and it was wrong the way REAGANOMICS supporters made charges of welfare cheater to justify the cuts. Discussion of the spirit of the Congress, O'NEILL says it's gone to become a more fractious and divided establishment in official business, but ironically more close-knit socially. The youth of Congress a factor, more cameraderie after hours. 01.14.50-DUKE asks about O'NEILL'S future, he says he feels a little guilty about holding the Speaker's seat so long, he'll know the time to quit gracefully, and there's no chance he'll make himself a lame duck. Discusses his plans to retire in Cambridge and a new house on Cape Cod, can't leave Cambridge behind. Talks about his wife finally moving to Washington, jokes that now the House is assured to recess promptly at 5:00 because he has to get home to dinner. Jokes that his propensity for storytelling is seen by some as a sign of age. 01.18.34-O'NEILL tells a funny story about JIM BOWLER, elected to Congress at age 84. Says he never imagined it would last this long, but he's had a chance to meet so many people and see so many things, why give it up?