Webloggin » Control Federal Spending

Via NewsMax:

New U.S. Debt Ceiling: $30,000 Per American
Thursday, March 16, 2006

The Senate voted Thursday to allow the national debt to swell to nearly $9 trillion, preventing a first-ever default on U.S. Treasury notes.

The bill passed by a 52-48 vote. The increase to $9 trillion represents about $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.

The measure allows the government to pay for the war in Iraq and finance Medicare and other big federal programs without raising taxes. It passed hours before the House was expected to approve another $91 billion to fund the war in Iraq and provide more aid to hurricane victims.

The partisan vote also came as the Senate continued debate on a $2.8 trillion budget blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year that would produce a $359 billion deficit for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The debt limit increase is the fourth such move - increasing the debt limit by a total of $3 trillion - since President Bush took office five years ago.

What do we have to do to get the federal government to control their spending?!?

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the convoluted politics behind federal budget cuts. I also realize that most of our congressmen really don’t want to reduce the size of the federal budget.

Regardless, the fact of the matter is that these people work for us. The American public has loudly expressed its displeasure in our elected officials several times recently and succeeded in changing some decisions made by the federal goverment. For example, when President Bush nominated Harriett Meiers a lot of people were very outspoken in their opposition to that decision. It wasn’t too long after that when Meiers withdrew herself from consideration. More recently, Americans were able to block the now infamous Dubai port deal.

So why is it that we are unable to exert any influence on our government when it comes to spending? Congress is increasing federal spending at such an incredible rate that it makes you wonder if they have ever seen a spending program they didn’t like. I can’t say that I know anyone who is happy with the way this Republican Congress and Republican President are handling the budget.

[Read more and discuss...]