GOP equates Americans to Chilean miners

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The weekly Republican address Saturday by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana equated the plight of 307 million Americans with the 33 Chilean miners rescued last week.

Pence began by acknowledging the rescue of the miners who spent 69 days underground in primitive conditions until they were drawn up one by one in an internationally broadcast effort.

"Today, many Americans feel trapped under the weight of historic spending and government mandates," Pence said in the GOP's weekly radio and Internet message. "This administration suggests that our choice is between the failed economic policies of the present and the failed economic policies of the past, but there is a better way."

Pence reiterated the Republican call for Congress to extend the George W. Bush-initiated tax cuts due to expire Jan. 1.

"No American should see a tax increase in January and Republicans are determined to oppose any effort to raise taxes on any American in this difficult economy," Pence said.

Congress is in recess until after the Nov. 2 midterm elections and traditionally, major votes such as the Republicans are seeking before the Christmas holiday adjournment aren't common.