Political Hay
Getting Back to Basics
A Tennessee Republican congressional candidate calls it as he sees it — and he doesn’t like what he sees in Washington.
Earlier this month, the Pew Center released one of those polls with results that you or I could have predicted by just talking to our neighbors: Almost 80 percent of our fellow citizens don’t trust the Federal government to do the right thing.
And why should we? The Democrat controlled Congress and the Obama Administration rammed through a health care plan most elected officials on Capitol Hill never bothered to read…and most don’t understand. Now we learn that, in fact, the bill will not lower health-care costs, but raise them. Congress and the Administration passed spending bills that have grown the size of government, raised our taxes and shrunk the futures of our children and grandchildren because of the economic mess Washington has made: in March the Congressional Budget Office reported that President Obama’s 2011 budget will generate nearly $10 trillion in cumulative budget deficits over the next ten years and raise the federal debt to 90 percent of the nation’s economic output by 2020. And never mind the Wall Street bailouts that rewarded the very people who bet against America’s economy and future.
Those are all challenges we as a nation must address. But at the same time, we have a federal government that seems bent on putting even more hurdles in front of us. Almost daily we hear about another scheme hatched in Washington to expand the federal government’s reach into each of our lives — from how we get our medical care, to what degrees our kids earn in college, the kinds of cars and trucks we drive, to the amount of salt we put on our food. And of course, there is a new institution to handle each of these, as well as a new tax or fee or budget adjustment taxpayers get hit with to pay for it.
It’s all just a bit too much. Which is why so many folks take to the streets to protest, and so many citizens are stepping up to run for office, whether on the local, state or federal level. It’s time we citizens cleaned up the messes the professional politicians in Washington created. It’s time we citizens took back our government and returned it to “we, the people” and got back to basics.
Right now, Democrats in Congress are desperate to ram as many of their radical ideas through Capitol Hill as possible. There is talk of a value-added tax on top of the income taxes we already pay, weighing our families down with greater and greater levels of payments to Washington. There are threats of more “economic stimulus” bills, where the only thing being stimulated is the growth of government. There are veiled threats of legislation that would limit our citizens’ Second Amendment rights. Frankly, I’m a little surprised this crowd in Washington isn’t looking for a way to tax our Second Amendment rights; it might be more profitable for them.
It’s not a surprise that the feds are looking for more taxes and fees from us; our national debt is at the back-breaking point. The problem is taxes and fees and heaping more financial pressure on taxpayers isn’t the way to do it. Our nation has reached a point where with debt eating away at our national productivity and competitiveness, the sustainability of our government will actually be in doubt a decade from now.
Imagine, a federal government unable to pay its bills to defend our country, to provide those basic tasks our citizens expect the federal government to undertake, never mind the tasks we’d prefer bureaucrats not get involved in. This is not the America any of us want to pass to the next generation.
It’s up to us, good, commonsense conservatives, to clean up this mess. It’s up to us to fight for the policies that shrink the size of government and expand opportunity for our citizens, to lift the burden of taxes from the backs of our fellow citizens and get America back on track.
And if we succeed, my guess is that that Pew study and the 80 percent of us that don’t trust the federal government will have shifted a bit. Because there will be far less government for us to worry about… and far more freedom to enjoy.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (37) | Leave a comment
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Ret Marine| 4.28.10 @ 8:05AM
The only thing I want ot hear from any candidate running for any office is how do we proceed with the criminal prosecution of this so-called president. Unitl he shows us the proof he's actually an American I will do anything within my humble reach to disrupt his intentions to run my country into the grave of freedom. Patriots, it time to light a fire under this liar's ( hussein obama) backside before he starts a war in our country and by his very mouth he daily preaches division and distrust.
rapid prototype | 4.28.10 @ 10:48PM
Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise."pelosi don't see much future for the Americans ... it's a decayed country. And they have their racial problem, and the problem of ^%@##$@& ...obama feelings against Americanism are feelings of hatred and deep repugnance ... everything about the behaviour of American society reveals that it's half /"[-^%, and the other half ^%#@!. How can one expect a State like that to hold TOGTHER.They include the angry left wing bloggers who spread vicious lies and half-truths about their political adversaries...
NVA Patriot| 4.28.10 @ 8:13AM
Everyone reading this blog most likely agrees with shrinking the government.
Reagan tried getting rid of the Dept of Ed. He failed because of Republicans (RINOs)
If we want to shrink government then we need to pull out departments by the roots, otherwise all we will do is chop back the plant and like a nasty weed, it will grow back.
Republicans would be a lot more credible on shrinking government if they talked about eliminating departments, e.g. EPA, Dept of Ed, NIH, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Repealing TARP, Auditing the FED, ending Automaker CAFE standards, Eliminating the Dept that decided 1.6 gallons of water is the standard for toilets needing 2 flushes to work, eliminating NPR funding, eliminating the NEA, etc.
None of those Depts are needed based on a reading of the constitution.
Let the liberals squeal about these things. Reward the taxpayer by returning the money from these programs. When the liberals squeal we need more taxes - make a minimum 2% citizenship tax that everyone pays so we don't have 47% of people not paying taxes.
The country is ready for this type of boldness. Today's GOP leaders can get on board or the next generation will do what today's leaders fail to do.
Maxwell| 4.28.10 @ 10:34AM
NVA Patriot
Could I add Amtrak and Post Office to that list? Lastly how about a flat tax or something along those lines? After all it was Biden that said everyone has to have some skin in the game. That should cut the size of the IRS.
Goldman| 4.28.10 @ 12:51PM
Actually, I kind of like Amtrak and the Post Office. Never had a problem or been inconvenienced and my mail (and myself) ends up where its supposed to go.
Nevertheless, it's time we all learned to speak Greek, as we will surely be even more broke then they are now, and reserved a Chinese or Latino name. My preferences are "Chan" and "Garcia-Flores de la Calliente."
NVA Patriot| 4.28.10 @ 6:44PM
By all means add - we need to get the libs on defense they have to FEAR the cuts and Federal department closures we will make - we should do 'comprehensive federal department shut-down' - I forgot HUD - Housing and Urban DESTRUCTUIN - that ACORN funding abomination should be terminated tomorrow....
Becky| 4.28.10 @ 8:23AM
All levels of government, not just the federal need to be downsized.
Fire your own congressman, should be a standard campaign slogan against a decade or more officeholder. Even if he is a good guy. A good guy wouldn't want perpetual office, for he's have other talents and abilities and wouldn't feel the need for control and power.
Dave| 4.28.10 @ 9:29AM
Yes Jim Tracy. I agree 100%. Thank you for running and I just sent a few dollars to your campaign.
I suggest others donate to Jim. I have been keeping watch on this race and I believe Tracy is the right person for the job.
His website is www.jimtracyforcongress.com
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.28.10 @ 10:33AM
Hey guys,
I checked out an interesting website I heard about on the radio.
www.goooh.com
It stands for "Get out of Our House" (of Representatives)
joe wilmoth| 4.28.10 @ 11:26AM
I AM RUNNING FORM SENATE 15 DIS. OF TN.
Pingback| 4.28.10 @ 1:53PM
Don’t give em any ideas : Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Blackwatch| 4.28.10 @ 2:36PM
Time to cut the budget. take the easy low handing fruit. Make each department exist on the same budget they had 10 years ago.
We need a plan to pay off the 14.5 trillion dollar debt. It will take sacrifice. Do we have any statemen or stateswomen in this country or what?
Kohl| 4.28.10 @ 2:43PM
Healthcare or wealthcare, that is the the two sides of the Healthcare Law. On the face of the law, we're told it's good for us, it will insure all and lower health care costs. The real purpose is the other side we're not suppose to talk about and be considered un-American racists with no brain or heart. This is the simple,short answer: HealthCare, Obama-style is just another cash register for the Feds to siphon away money to be spent by DC in their typical manner. We get stuck with the price-tag and never benefit from any real reforms. The same will go for Cap and Tax, VAT and Immigration reform. We pay, Washington spends, never seeking to solve the problems (if any) addressed by all this nonsense!
Pete Smith| 4.28.10 @ 2:45PM
Jim Tracy Voted to use stimulus money to balance the budget. This guy is corrupt. The American Spectator cheapens their reputation by publishing articals from liberals that supported Al Gore!
Tennessee Voter| 4.28.10 @ 3:46PM
Jim Tracy prostitutes his senate seat by passing legislation for donors. Google Ronnie Barrett and Tninvestco. He doesn't even have the support of his own county GOP. If he wants to get back to basics, he needs to fix the budget mess he helped create in Tennessee.
Gr0w1er| 4.28.10 @ 4:12PM
Just follow the money. "Caveat emptor".
abuse| 4.28.10 @ 4:43PM
INPEACH OBAMA THE COMMUNIST ,GOD OPEN YOUR EYES.///For us there are only two possiblities: either we remain american or we come under the thumb of the communist OBAMA. This latter must not occur; even if we are small, we are a force. A well-organized group can conquer a strong enemy. If you stick close together and keep bringing in new people, we will be victorious over the communist obama.======obama people have no idea of the extent to which they have to be gulled in order to be led."
"The size of the lie is a definite factor in causing it to be believed, for the vast masses of the nation are in the depths of their hearts more easily deceived than they are consciously and intentionally bad. The primitive simplicity of their minds renders them a more easy prey to a big lie than a small one, for they themselves often tell little lies but would be ashamed to tell a big one."
"All propaganda must be so popular and on such an intellectual level, that even the most stupid of those towards whom it is directed will understand it. Therefore, the intellectual level of the propaganda must be lower the larger the number of people who are to be influenced by it."
"Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise."pelosi don't see much future for the Americans ... it's a decayed country. And they have their racial problem, and the problem of ^%@##$@& ...obama feelings against Americanism are feelings of hatred and deep repugnance ... everything about the behaviour of American society reveals that it's half /"[-^%, and the other half ^%#@!. How can one expect a State like that to hold TOGTHER.They include the angry left wing bloggers who spread vicious lies and half-truths about their political adversaries... Those lies are then repeated by the duplicitous left wing media outlets who “discuss” the nonsense on air as if it has merit… The media's justification is apparently “because it's out there”, THE COMMANDER
Pingback| 4.29.10 @ 5:13PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Getting Back to Basics [spectator.or links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bill Hobbs| 4.30.10 @ 11:00AM
It is mighty interesting to read Jim Tracy write about the need to reduce government spending. His rhetoric does not match his record as a state Senator in Tennessee.
Tennessee's constitution has a provision limiting the year-over-year growth of the state budget to the rate of economic growth, measured by the growth of personal income in the state. The goal of the provision is to keep government affordable without tax increases.
The constitution allows the legislature to break the cap, a provision meant for emergency situations, but starting in 1985 a succession of governors (of both parties) and legislatures (Democrat majorities in both houses until the GOP won a majority in the state Senate in 2006 and the state House in 2008) began to override the cap almost every year. Since 1985, the spending cap has been exceeded by a cumulative $3.6 billion in first-year additional spending. Because each year's cap limit is based on the previous year's budget as the baseline, exceeding the cap in one year by $100 million equates to $1 billion in additional spending over the next decade.
Jim Tracy to the state Senate in 2002 and began serving in January 2003. He has voted for over-spending the cap every time he has had the chance to do so since then. So has state Sen. Diane Black, who is also running for the GOP nomination for the same congressional seat that Sen. Tracy is seeking.
Here are the facts:
The state budget was $8,295,084,400.00 when Black first joined the state House.
It was $9,924,479,700.00 when Tracy joined the state Senate in 2003.
During the time they have served,(1999-current) the state legislature voted to ignore our state constitutional limits on spending SIX TIMES at a combined first-year cost of $1,667,300,000.00, which is applied to the budget annually as we move ahead each fiscal year.
Let's be clear: Jim Tracy and Diane Black VOTED FOR EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR OF THAT EXCESSIVE SPENDING. Not ONE time has either Sen. Jim Tracy or Sen. Diane Black said "no" to exceeding the state constitution's spending growth restricting.
History has shown that over-spending the cap leads directly to tax increases - the sales tax in Tennessee was 4.5% in 1985 - now it is 7%. The tax increases have been necessary to cover the over-cap spending.
Today, the Tennessee state budget is $12,591,267,300.00 - and we have a $1.5 billion deficit.
If our state legislatures had respected our state constitution since just 1999, when Diane Black was first elected, today's state budget would not have a deficit, the state would have a few billion dollars in its reserve, and the Democrat governor would not being looking for a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to fill the hole.
This is the second year the state has faced a budget problem caused by all that overspending. Last year, the Legislature was able to continue to fund the excessive spending by depleting our state reserves and using nearly one billion dollars of one time federal stimulus dollars.
But there are no more federal stimulus dollars, and the bill has now come due for the reckless spending and cavalier attitude toward the state constitution's sensible spending growth formula on the part of Sen. Tracy, Sen. Black and too many other members of both houses of the state legislature (mostly Democrats, but also too many Republicans).
Instead of apologizing and staying around to clean up the mess that he and she helped to create, Jim Tracy and Diane Black are now out campaigning for a seat in Congress and promising to fight against excessive spending.
All well and good, but the people of the 6th congressional district of Tennessee have a right o ask of them, "Why, when you had the chance to stand for fiscal conservatism, do you instead always vote to grow state government at an excessive and unsustainable rate?"
And, "When did Senators Tracy and Black fight back against the majority of state senators who voted to ignore the intent of the state constitution?
Let's face it: if Senators Tracy and Black can’t convince 31 other state senators to do the right thing and reign in the abusive spending in our state budget - or, worse, wouldn't even try - then why should we trust that they will be able to convince a majority of the other 434 congressmen to stop the fiscal insanity?
Jim Tracy says its time to "get back to the basics." I agree. And the basics include not sending a fiscally reckless state senator to Congress expecting them to do anything different there than they have done in the state legislature.
As Kerry Roberts - the best candidate in Tennessee's 6th district - says, We aren't going solve problems created by politicians in Washington by sending more politicians to Washington. Instead, we need to send business people like Roberts (www.kerryroberts.com) who have a record of solving problems, rather than a record of creating and contributing to them.
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