Gus Bilirakis Calls Greek Crisis a 'Wakeup Call' for the United States

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is the grandson of Greek immigrants and serves as a co-chairman of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress. But looking at the collapse of the Greek economy and recent actions of that European nations government, Bilirakis said there was a lesson here that the U.S. should heed.

"It's heartbreaking to watch the events in Greece and I pray that the people of Greece will have the strength, determination, and patience to get through this economic crisis," Bilirakis said on Wednesday. "I am pleased Greece took the right course of action and passed austerity measures, but the situation in Greece should serve as a wakeup call to all nations, including the U.S. Sadly, we could be in the same predicament very soon if we don't get our own financial house in order. That's why I'm pushing for a balanced budget amendment and dramatically lower spending. Governments must live within their means, period."