Bloomberg
by Robert E. Wright
February 18, 2013

Every February since 1896, the U.S. Senate has observed the birthday of George Washington by having one of its members read his 1796 Farewell Address into the record.

The ceremony is usually purely symbolic. This year, however, it could influence policy: The country’s first president had some interesting ideas about the national debt that might resonate as Congress gears up for more fights over spending and taxes.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-18...ebt-echoes.html