Op-Ed: Reckless, Runaway Spending - But How Are We Going to Pay the Bill?

Op-Ed

Reckless, Runaway Spending - But How Are We Going to Pay the Bill?

By Representative John Flemming

After nearly 6 months of representing the 4th Congressional District in Washington, I find a very dangerous trend continuing from the liberal leadership crafting the laws of this country. Under the direction of an Administration, which claims we can't spend money fast enough, the 111th Congress has become the poster child for reckless, runaway spending.

Anyone who voices opposition to this "borrow and bailout" mentality is quickly silenced with anti-democratic tactics and measures used to stop legislation and amendments from being offered that would protect American taxpayers. Enough is enough.

Our President recently commented that the United States is out of money, but this honest assessment of the Treasury has done little to slow the pace of federal spending that can only be funded by borrowing money from countries such as China.

Government is getting bigger, while the wallets of American families are getting smaller.

Since the arrival of the new administration, we have seen:
The deficit grow to $2 trillion for FY2009
The Second $350 billion of bailout funds released
A $787 billion stimulus bill passed with over $1 trillion in debt costs
A $409 billion omnibus approved
The budget ballooned to $4 trillion, marking the highest level of federal spending since WWII
A proposed government run health care plan with a projected cost of over $1.5 trillion

And then there was the outrageous act of tacking on over $100 billion for the International Monetary Fund onto the 2009 War Supplemental Act, a bill that provides salaries and operational expenses for our men and women on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There is no one I hold in higher regard than the men and women on the front lines in this global war on terror, but liberal leadership reduced funding for our troops by 22% while increasing funding for international assistance by 66%. In their haste to approve more spending, regardless of the consequences, defense funding that would ensure our troops have what is necessary to complete their mission was cut to fund a global bailout.

We are now willing to assist third world countries at the expense of the American taxpayer and on the backs of the brave men and women who are fighting the war on terror. American citizens and American soldiers deserve better.

Our national security was attacked and health care is next.

According the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposed government run health care plan will cost $1.6 trillion. This is money the United States government does not have. For this plan to work, American families are going to face tax increases, future inflation and see health care services rationed. Pocketbooks will not only be at risk, lives will be at stake as well.

I opposed every one of these measures and will continue to do so.

The citizens of Northwest Louisiana know they can count on me to fight for fiscal responsibility and accountability. However, my colleagues that don't respect the fact that you can spend your money better than the government need to hear from you.

Enough spending, enough taxing and enough government expansion. Let your voices be heard in Washington and insist Congressional leadership represent the American people, not their own liberal agenda.

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