years. i don t consider that a tax increase at all, because you are reducing revenue that would otherwise come into the treasury under the alternative minimum tax, and i think almost all of us think is unfair, and replacing it with revenue by reducing tax expenditures, which even the most conservative economists in the country say needs to be done. mr. president, that is the blueprint that senate budget committee democrats are laying before our colleagues. we re under no illusions here. we know that this is a year in which the normal process is not being followed. we skwrupbd stand that there is we understand there is a leadership negotiation at the highest level. so we understand this is not going to be dealt with in the normal course of doing business. we understand there is a leadership negotiation. but we believe there are some ideas in this package that deserve consideration as those negotiations go forward. mr. president, i thank my colleagues for their courtesy and t