Posted on 09/26/2005 2:16:59 PM PDT by MNJohnnie
Seeing the words "smart" and "government" in the same sentence is about as common as seeing the word "humble" used to describe Donald Trump. It just doesn't happen. On the contrary, watching government in action is often a lesson in stupidity. Given the opportunity to accomplish a task, government will invariably spend more money, waste more time, and point more fingers than other possible solutions. In the aftermath of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina, America saw all levels of government at their worst: layers of bureaucratic chaos leading to pointless delays, partisan posturing rather than constructive debate, and a new mantra of "spend whatever it takes" to solve the problem.
Now, with the Bush administration looking to top $200 billion in hurricane recovery funding, a group of conservative House Republicans is asking a question that unfortunately is being asked less and less by Republicans: how will we pay for this? These Republicans have devised a plan, known as Operation Offset, which is based on the simple premise that rather than going into more debt, hurricane relief should be funded in large part by cutting unnecessary programs and eliminating "pork" spending by both Republicans and Democrats. This plan makes sense and represents core conservative principles of smaller government and less spending.
Remember those principles? Remember when Republicans fought for reductions in spending and the elimination of federal programs. Now all we seem to get are pledges to "reduce the rate of growth" of federal spending. What in the world is that? As conservatives, we should now be happy that we are not spending as quickly or to the same extent as Democrats would? These House conservatives remember, and through Operation Offset, they are offering a plan that shows respect for the American taxpayer.
(Excerpt) Read more at gopusa.com ...
Ping
We want a kosher budget--no pork!!!
Delay needs to be relieved. He's been awful this session.
If he keeps it up,the voters may do that in 06.He needs to get on board.
This issue is NOT going to go away. Smart leaders either get on board or get steam rolled. Everyone knows Newt Gingrich. Can anyone even remember the name of the Leader Newt replaced?
Might find this article intresting
Thanks for the ping. There were those who believed that DeLay was setting up the Democrats when he said there was no pork or fat in the budget. I didn't think he was setting up anyone but sadly, that he seems to believe his own words.
If one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress honestly believes there is no fat in the budget and isn't willing to look at cuts, then the GOP has lost a key issue in the next election. When someone like Pelosi is able to say she'd be willing to give up some pork for her state, and the GOP won't do the same, we're in trouble.
We can all feel good about supporting Republicans and never speaking badly about them on this forum, but if we become an echo chamber and don't understand that not only the press reads comments on this forum, but also Congress reads this forum, then we're missing out on an opportunity to let our feelings be known about spending.
I've called my Congresscritters, but there's no sense pretending on this forum that I/we are happy with the current spending habits of Republicans.
You are right. However, ask yourself this. Do you see ANYONE on the other side even talking about this? This is a golden opportunity to force people to put down a vote on the issue. Right now too many National Pols are talking tough on the budget and doing nothing. This is one way to seperate the wheat from the chaff. We actually need to see them take some actions, not just mouth the slogans
I have heard a few Democrats talk about the big spending Republicans. Schumer, for one, as I recall. Only a lamebrain would actually believe Schumer :-)
However, it's given the left an issue and I believe they will run with it. They talk pretty frequently about the deficit. They do it in terms of how the tax cuts helped the wealthy, etc., and I don't see the conservatives countering with the social programs and tax increases that the left would surely implement if given power again.
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