What Real Spending Restraint Looks Like (James Inhofe)

WSJ ^ | 3/11/10 | James Inhofe

[pissant]

American families and state governments across the country are cutting spending and making hard decisions about their budgets. It is time the federal government did the same.

Unfortunately, Congress has long demonstrated an innate incompetence in restraining itself. And a proposal to curb spending that is being floated by many of my colleagues—a one year moratorium on earmarks, those special provisions members insert into bills to direct funds to their districts or states—will do no good.

An earmark moratorium won't save any money. Why? Because instead of reducing the federal budget, it will empower Obama administration bureaucrats to spend the funds members of Congress would have sent home through earmarks. Also, last year's earmarks accounted for 1.5% of discretionary spending. Where's the focus on the other 98.5%? Earmarks are nothing more than a distraction from the real spending and debt crisis facing our nation.

Earlier this year, President Obama announced a three-year freeze on discretionary spending for all nonsecurity-related agencies. On the surface, that seems like a good idea. But the president's plan would freeze spending at fiscal year 2010 levels, which are 20% higher than spending levels just two years ago. In addition, the $787 billion stimulus package Mr. Obama signed into law last year provided a substantial spending cushion to nearly every federal agency, making the spending freeze largely irrelevant.

I've introduced legislation called the Honest Expenditure Limitation Program (HELP) Act. Instead of locking in the president's 20% spending increase, my plan reduces nonsecurity discretionary spending over a five-year period. Once it reaches the 2008 spending level, my bill then freezes spending there for an additional five years.

[pissant]

Jimbo, you ought to consider running for the Presidency. Ranked the MOST CONSERVATIVE member of the Senate.

[dalebert]

for sure

[lewislynn]

He's forgettable because we don't hear from him much even though when we do he's always right on and refreshing.

We need more of him more often.

[Flycatcher]

Inhofe has led the charge against the hoax of global warming too -- and almost singlehandedly.

He's a FEARLESS conservative.

God bless him!

[Bhoy]

Inhofe is one of bravest men in politics. Smart too.

[Sequoyah101]

Good Okies are like Will Rogers, speak little but say a lot.