Freedom Watch
Less Could Be More
Government today is so big it is almost impossible to measure how wasteful and incompetent it has become.
When Thomas Jefferson famously said, “The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases,” he wasn’t merely talking about the politics of his day, but the politics of human behavior across generations and across continents. President Reagan no doubt had this principle in mind throughout his presidency. Reagan updated Jefferson with his suggestion that “as government expands, liberty contracts.”
We hear a lot of rhetoric today about ending the “politics of the past,” but there is no question more relevant or timely than the timeless question Jefferson and our other Founders asked: “What is the proper scope of government that will maximize freedom, prosperity, and security?” Our key policy debates revolve around this question, whether politicians admit it or not. The answer from our Founders, which was enshrined in our Constitution, is unmistakable: the best government is a limited government.
The past few decades in America have been a story of progressives who didn’t like that answer slowly unraveling the limitations on government through Congress and the courts. Consider where we are today. Since 1999, the total size of government, not adjusted for inflation, has doubled. Since 2001, non-defense discretionary spending (spending for things like health care, education, and the environment that have nothing to do with the military) has increased 50 percent when adjusted for inflation. Since 1994, Congress has approved more than 90,000 earmarks. And every year, Congress creates more and more regulations (i.e., the health care bill and the financial reform) that take away freedom in the name of security and progress.
Government today is so big it is almost impossible to measure how wasteful and incompetent it has become. The defense budget is such a mess it is impossible to audit. In almost every area of government there is a tremendous amount of duplication and waste and barely any metrics or measurements for success.
For instance, we have 70 different sets of bureaucracies in at least six agencies to help feed hungry people without any way to measure success. There are at least 105 different programs across nine agencies to encourage our young people to go into math, science, and engineering with no way to measure success. We have 78 job training programs outside the Department of Labor that also have no measurement for success. If these are legitimate federal roles and a good use of billions of taxpayer dollars, why not have one or two programs to perform each function instead of 100?
We also have a government that traps children in failing schools, entices low-income families into mortgages they can’t afford, offers access to government health care programs but not health care (Medicaid has a 40 percent denial rate), and takes away private property through eminent domain and other land grabs.
With the explosive growth in government this is an important moment in our history to revisit Jefferson and ask: Has all of this well-intentioned government made us more prosperous and free? Are we twice as prosperous when government doubles in size? Has the 50 percent increase in non-defense discretionary spending since 2001 given us 50 percent more opportunity? Obviously, the answer is no. In just the past two years, spending on discretionary programs has increased at 16.9 percent while wages have increased less than 2 percent. More troubling, we are on the edge of an economic abyss, with our $13 trillion debt threatening to bankrupt our country. The scope of our debt-which has hit 90 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP)-is already preventing the creation of 1 percent of GDP a year, which translates into 1 million fewer jobs.
The American people are figuring out that Jefferson isn’t so antiquated after all. More government gives us less freedom, less opportunity, and less hope for the future. With Congress’s approval rating at a well-earned 11 percent, I’m more confident than ever that “We the People” are poised to take back their government and their freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (78) | Leave a comment
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R Martin| 9.14.10 @ 8:22AM
Senator Coburn, until you actually DO something about the expansion of government, you're part of that 11 percent approval rating. You say there are 70 bureaucracies and six agencies charged with feeding hungry people, but how many are teaching them to fish? The whole welfare octopus is a shocking disgrace. Productive people are forced by government to transfer a portion of their wealth to others who have an unlimited appetite for even more such payments. And yet those recipients clearly have enough disposable income to support an illegal drug trade which is so much in the news today because of its avarice and violence. Want to reduce the size of government, senator? Start there and allow citizens to use their income more productively.
Toto | 9.14.10 @ 8:57AM
"We also have a government that traps . . . entices low-income families into mortgages they can't afford. "
Remember the Fannie Mae fiasco?
Deregulation is not what it's cracked up to be.
As the country’s greatest modern champion of deregulation, Ronald Reagan contributed more to today’s unstable business climate than any other American.
Recent troubles in the American economy can be attributed to a weakening of business regulation in the public interest, which is, in large part, a consequence of Reagan’s anti-government preaching. In the absence of oversight, lending became a wildcat enterprise. Mortgage brokers easily deceived home buyers by promoting sub-prime loans, and then they passed on bundled documents to unwary investors. Executives at Fannie Mae packaged both conventional and sub-prime loans, and they too, operated almost free of serious oversight. Fannie’s leaders spent lavishly to hire sixty Washington lobbyists who showered congressmen with campaign funds. Executives at Fannie were generous to the politicians because they wanted to ward off regulation.
Mr. Coburn, you should have offered a little more objectivity.
Booger| 9.14.10 @ 9:09AM
Dear Tootoo,
In regards to Fannie and Freddie, the collapse was not a result of deregulation. In point of fact it was actually caused by an onerous new regulation introduced by the Carter administration and pushed by Clinton: affirmative action in lending. The insistence that the denial of a mortgage loan for any reason whatsoever (credit score, income, etc.) to blacks or hispanics constituted racism led to many members of these groups being granted loans they could not pay. If you will study the map of the worst affected areas in the housing collapse, you will discover a strong correlation with recent hispanic immigration. This correlation is not coincidental, there is a causative factor, namely former AG Reno's threats of prosecution against "racist" lenders. If the government had not interferred, this whole fiasco would never have happened.
Additionally, it was government interference (TARP, et al) that exascervated the problem. Had the government simply stayed out, Fannie, Freddie and their ilk would have been liquidated and their assets purchased at discount prices by more competitive entities. Instead, they were preserved to continue to provide multi-million paychecks to the cronies of Demosocialist congressmen, as well as huge donations for the campaign coffers of said congressmen, all of which has nothing to do with deregulation and everything to do with government interference.
Cordially,
Booger
Toto| 9.14.10 @ 10:08AM
I stand by my remarks about Ronald Reagan's deregulation blunders.
Here's what deregulation did for the banks and savings an loans:
Deregulation practically eliminated the distinction between commercial and savings banks.
Deregulation caused a rapid growth of savings banks and S&L's that now made all types of non homeowner related loans. Now that S%L's could tap into the huge profit centers of commercial real estate investments and credit card issuing many entrepreneurs looked to the loosely regulated S&L's as a profit making center.
As the eighties wore on the economy appeared to grow. Interest rates continued to go up as well as real estate speculation. The real estate market was in what is known as a "boom" mode. Many S&L's took advantage of the lack of supervision and regulations to make highly speculative investments, in many cases loaning more money then they really should.
When the real estate market crashed, and it did so in dramatic fashion, the S&L's were crushed. They now owned properties that they had paid enormous amounts of money for but weren't worth a fraction of what they paid. Many went bankrupt, losing their depositors money. This was known as the S&L Crisis.
In 1980 the US had 4,600 thrifts, by 1988 mergers and bankruptcies left 3000. By the mid 1990's less than 2000 survived.
Time for you AmSpec readers to take your mule blinders off.
Miss Alabama| 9.14.10 @ 10:30AM
Toto,
Ditto for your thoughts.
But I would like to express, once again, my anger at Ronald Reagan for cutting off funding to the Office of Noise Abatement, a misquided move that has diminished the quality of our lives significantly.
With little fanfare and few citizen groups to mourn the loss, the United States government terminated federal funding for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) in 1982. The States were put on notice that they would no longer be assisted in their efforts to curb noise pollution.
Despite the growing awareness in the 1970's that noise was a dangerous pollutant, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in accordance with the views of its leader President Ronald Reagan, terminated its funding for ONAC. The Noise Control Act (NCA) of 1972 had largely assigned the responsibility of curtailing noise to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ONAC was the vehicle by which EPA was to carry out its mandate under the Noise Control Act that specifically stipulates the protection of Americans from the harmful effects of noise. Despite the fact that there was a federal law on the books guarding people against noise pollution (Noise Control Act of 1972), former President Reagan was permitted by Congress to eliminate funding for ONAC.
Now we live in a cacophanous landscape of loud car and truck mufflers, huge speakers in trunks of cars emitting bass booms that awaken us at night, etc.
The Republican party has done enormous quality-of-life damage by insisting on government deregulation.
To paraphrase Toto, y'all need to remove those mule blinders.
Hank| 9.14.10 @ 10:39AM
You said it, Miss Alabama.
I am so sick of these boom cars! Teenage punks careen down our roads and streets with mufflers loud enough to be heard a mile away.
My neighbors' young children are awakened at all hours by these noise-loving barbarians.
It is outrageous that auto supply stores are allowed to sell these noise polluters.
We need noise regulation rules now. Right now! We need to demand the reinstatement of Noise Abatement and Control.
Noise in the USA is making life more hellish for all of us. Europe does not allow loud mufflers.
Regulation now!
HANK| 9.14.10 @ 11:47AM
And get off my lawn!
Ghastlyone| 9.14.10 @ 11:27AM
I don't know if this is a joke ^ or you're being serious. If you're being serious, then wow...just wow. I've heard it all now.
If it wasn't for that damned evil Reagan, we wouldn't have all these cars driving around bumpin', waking up the neighborhood.
Sounds like you just need to move out of the ghetto. Or did Fanny and Freddie not help you get a mortgage to do so?
Albert| 9.14.10 @ 5:53PM
Miss Alabama, if this is a serious post, then your sanity must be called into question. Exactly why is it the business of the FEDERAL government to deal with LOCAL noise issues? Do you expect Elliot Ness to come careening around the corner in his 1932 Model A V8, Tommy Guns blazing, after each and every boom-box car and un-muffled mortorcycle? You have a telephone (I assume) so call your local law enforcement and have THEM deal with it. The nice men in white coats with the butterfly nets will be arriving shortly. Beautify yourself!
Joe| 9.14.10 @ 7:46PM
As a citizen, can Miss Alabama demand that "the local law enforcement" prevent auto supply stores from selling hellishly noisy mufflers?
The government could (and should) make these noise polluters illegal. Get my point?
Albert| 9.15.10 @ 10:30AM
The answer to your first question is "yes." Or rather, she could petition her City Council to create and enforce noise standards, and ban for sale any mufflers that do not meet local requirements. This is a job for LOCAL government, not federal government. Read the 10th Amendment. Noise standards are not a delegated power to Congress, therefore it is by definition a state or local issue. Your point is stupid.
scotchieguy| 9.15.10 @ 12:07AM
What in the hell are you talking about? Where in the US Constitution does it say anything about noise abatement? This is a local matter, and you need to re-learn your seventh grade civics.
Christian| 9.17.10 @ 2:49PM
If you're biggest concern in life is a few loud cars driving through your neighborhood, you should be thankful because most of the rest of the world has bigger problems.....try counting your blessings and think about how much worse your life could be and put things in perspective.
Ghastlyone| 9.14.10 @ 10:43AM
Here we go again with the "Reagan caused our current economic mess" bullshit.
It's funny all you leftists always refer to Reagan time and time again, but always conveniently leave out the leftist controlled congress that was actually running the country at the time.
So STFU and spare us with the "Reagan caused this mess" you asshat.
Miss Alabama| 9.14.10 @ 11:05AM
Ghastlyone,
Please try to keep a civil tongue. No need for name-calling.
Stooping to the level of name-calling is . . . well . . . it's . . . stupid and so juvenile. And we aristocratic Southern girls--genteel to the bone-- can't abide it.
So many AmSpec commenters, unfortunately, need lessons in remedial manners.
Perhaps your local community college offers a course in rudimentary manners that includes the subject of how to engage in polite, civil discourse.
If so, you could certainly benefit from enrolling.
Miss Alabama wishes you all the best in your efforts to learn how to adopt a more civil tone.
It will be a struggle for you, but please persist. In the end you will thank me.
Madge| 9.14.10 @ 11:07AM
bitch!
Ghastlyone| 9.14.10 @ 11:13AM
There's no such thing as a "civil tongue" when talking to (or about) leftists.
Margie| 9.14.10 @ 11:19AM
Civil this: Leftists are liars!
Loshooligan| 9.14.10 @ 2:33PM
Miss Alabama while your ostentatious show of intellect is apparent in this posting, I feel that one should learn from their own advise. Therefore I offer a few class selections for you:
PSY 220-High and Mightness- The art of self importance.
BIO 104-Hypermetropic Nasal Deficiency-How to diagnos short sightedness when looking down ones nose.
HIL 110- Hillbillonics- How to speak conversationally with hillbillies. This class is most important for those southern belles who have no idea what its like to speak to people outside of the plantation.
HUM 225- High Society Uppitiness- The study of how snobbery can brow beat those who have been deamed lower class, because they don't look or sound like me.
GEO 160- Finding Ones Place In The World- How a 5 mile impact meteorite impact crater located in Elmore County, created the only know feature in Alabama to be lower than your intellect.
Albert| 9.14.10 @ 6:09PM
Miss Alabama, I believe your English is ghastly, and your Southern Aristocrat parents were remiss in educating you properly. Please advise me: are manners "remedial" or are they "rudimentary?" These words are not interchangeable, but you use them interchangeably. And please note that one does not get "lessons in remedial manners." However, one might get remedial lessons in manners. ("Remedial" means as a remedy.) Further, manners, being the development of higher civilization, are by definition not "rudimentary." Manners are an advanced trait. Miss Alabama, I think you could benefit from enrollment in a remedial English class, which your local community college does indeed offer. Lastly, "civility" is a conservative trait. Socialists are by nature infantile and uncivilized.
Willis| 9.14.10 @ 8:24PM
So endeth the lesson.
Tom| 9.14.10 @ 10:52AM
Toto,
I disagree with your assessment over the reasons behind the failure of S&Ls; in the 80's. In my opinion the single most important factor was the rise of short term interest rates imposed by the Fed in order to stem inflation. Short term rates were much higher than long term mortgage rates which increased pressures on S&Ls; to engage in more risky lending. The S&Ls; were collateral damage to the fight to end an inflationary spiral that jeopardized the entire economy.
Ryan| 9.14.10 @ 10:57AM
We're not talking about the S&L issues of the 80s; we're talking about the modern era where Fannie and Freddie were DIRECTLY at fault and nothing was done.
If you're going to address anything, they MUST be part of the conversation.
Loshooligan| 9.14.10 @ 5:34PM
Toto are you high? I see a sharp decrease in your medical marijana profits if you keep smoking your product too much.
It is obvious that your 're receiving your US economic news from the same web site that reports that GW Bush was responsible for 9/11, Rosie O'Donnell is on a diet, the Black Panthers don't intimidate voters, and Elvis lives in the back of a dinner in Hoboken, NJ.
Loshooligan| 9.14.10 @ 5:43PM
Toto are you high? You are really going to see a major decrease in your medical marijuana profits, if you keep smoking your product.
I bet you get your economic news from the same web site that says GW Bush caused 9/11, Rosie O’Donnell is on a diet, Black Panthers don’t intimidate voters, and Elvis is living in back of a dinner in Hoboken NJ.
Albert| 9.14.10 @ 5:45PM
Mr. ToTo: Your remarks about the S&L scandal do not quite tell the story. S&L's did not merely "take advantage" of "deregulation" or a "lack of supervision." What happened was another GOVERNMENT boondoggle. The feds changed the S&L insurance requirements (FSLIC) to cover $100,000 per account, where before it was limited to $20,000 per person. This meant that S&L's were insured and backed by federal tax dollars, freeing up S&L's from prudent, modest investments to junk investments insured by the taxpayers! How can you lose with coverage like that? At least that was the story. This is not deregulation. It is federal subsidy. If someone wants to invest in high risk ventures, he should be free to do so at his own risk. He should not be insured against loss by taxpayers, as Democrats (plus John McCain) provided. The S&L collapse of the 1980's was again, a government operation, sponsored by Democrats. It was the subsidies that made it happen, not "deregulation."
Eric Cartman| 9.14.10 @ 11:08AM
We are the Movers, Imagination Movers
You got to sing about it.
I think what this situation
Needs is some imagination."
Hi everyone! Imagination Movers here! Hey guys - hey Warehouse Mouse. . Hi Cartman! Glad you're here again!
Yeah, well, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the unimaginative, douche bag Liberals who insist on hanging out over at my place being unimaginative and douche baggy. Assholes!
Now, now Eric. All we have to do is us our imagination and get a big idea and help them out!
Yeah, Scott? Ya think so? I'll bet ya tickets to see me perform Poker Face you're wrong. Ounce a douche bag Liberal asswipe, always a douche bag Liberal asswipe.
Well, lets find out, okay? Give us a job! Not just any job, like that vtwin asshole, either! He's worthless! Yeah, doesn't even know how to use the word "it's" What a douche bag! He's retarded, Rich, cut him some slack.
Whatever, guys! Okay, you want a big job? There's this chick - Toto . I can't figure out if she's named after that suck ass 70s band or Dorothy's dog that was butt raped by flying monkeys! It doesn't matter, but it might explain a lot. Anyway, we were talking about the hideous size of the U.S. Government.
Yes, it's huge Eric! Yeah, like the old Soviet Union! I agree! And it's breaking our backs and we'll probably go bankrupt! Yeah, and if it keeps writing dumb ass regulations and forcing mandates on us, we'll probably have to kill Warehouse Mouse to meet some health regulation! Squeeeaaak! We're not saying we will, Warehouse Mouse. Yeah, we'll just hide you with some illegal aliens that the governments is supposed to be stopping but won't! Yeah, they'll never find you - won't even look for ya! Squeak, squeak, squeak! You're Welcome Warehouse Mouse!
Okay, great. Now that your mouse is safe, can we get back to my problem? Look, we're trying to have a serious discussion about what this stupid ass government can actually do efficiently and do you know what that dumb ass Toto said? She said this:
"Recent troubles in the American economy can be attributed to a weakening of business regulation in the public interest, which is, in large part, a consequence of Reagan’s anti-government preaching. In the absence of oversight, lending became a wildcat enterprise."
WOW! What a dumb ass douche bag, Eric! Yeah, That's probably the dumbest ass thing I ever heard! She needs to be butt raped more buy flying monkeys again! You're right Rich! Especially since the douche bag government is the one who wrote and pushed regulations to help the "poor" buy "homes"! Yeah, and by poor we mean the stupid layabouts who failed high school, get fat on food stamps and vote for people like Charlie Rangel . I think he has you, Scott! This job is too big even for us! Yeah, Toto is dumber than vtwin! Probably related - brother/sister offspring.
Well? I think I won. Pay up, Scott! Wait, you're my friends. You can come for free if you do one thing for me.
Sure! Yeah! You name it. Squeak!
On your way over, go butt rape Toto!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qST5eVLudrQ
Edward White| 9.14.10 @ 12:29PM
Cartman, I suggest you reread your post. I'm sorry to say so, but my 13-year-old son can write better than you.
Your "humor" is lost on me. As a conservative and a regular reader of A.S., I would prefer to read comments that intelligently address the issue.
Your screaming insults make us all look like idiots. Although I may disagree with Toto, I think he has made a legitimate point that deserves thoughtful consideration. Part of what he has to say is true.
Take a look at the compositions of the so-called Leftists. Do you see how their reasoned, polite and well-written opinions are expressed without resulting to vulgarity? All you can do is spew profanities and obscenities.
And if they are out-and-out Leftists, why do they read this blog regularly? And their comments are not always critical. In fact, Miss Alabama frequently agrees with A.S. writers. I don't think she is a Leftist; she is, rather, an objective thinker.
Objectivity. Take note.
Eric Cartman Apologizes | 9.14.10 @ 1:11PM
Dear Mr. White. I have given deep and serious though t to your thoughtful reply and objective argument. And ya know, I've learned something today. First, I leaned that people like you who have politely sat there being objective and reasonable have contributed more to our precarious economic position than that old, winkled, hippy bitch, Miss Alabama (who I never even addressed when visiting with the Imagination Movers - so pull your head out of your ass, please). But more than that, if you agree with any part of Toto's lefty rant about Reagan and deregulation, then you need to be butt raped along with her. Either that or you're full of shit calling yourself a conservative.
But I digress. Let's stay on topic, which would be you. That you humorless establishment Republicans - and let's be honest, that's who you probably are - agree with Toto the Stupid Douche, comes as no surprise to us. Your type have stood politely by debating how far left the country should move, not trying to stop the Left's agenda. You are more useless than a flaccid penis at an orgy. You and your type should just stop pretending to be conservative and go hang out with Toto, Miss Alabama and the rest of the Left and kiss Nancy Pelosi's ass while Barney Frank gives it to you from behind.
What should really scare you is that more young Conservatives are becoming Eric Cartman Conservatives. We've had it with you oh so polite, "objective and reasoned" conservatives - i.e. RINO, Liberal Losers. We've tried it your way and now you wimpy punks are in our way. So don't go away mad, just go away. In other words, kiss my balls. Is that civil and objective enough for you?
Sincerely,
Eric Cartman
PS: Since Gays can't reproduce, how did you get a 13-year old "son"?
xyz&2+3| 9.14.10 @ 3:09PM
Eric Cartman must sit and read this thread over and over. He always has to respond. Poor thing. So much grimey time on his dirty, little hands.
I think he may be one of those Christian Fundamentalist boys who are home-schooled. His comments are written in an adolescent voice, and he's got that Fundamentalist anger--the kind that you hear when those Baptists from Tennesee stand at soldiers' graves screeching "Faggots!" with all their twisted, demented might.
Anyway, if Cartman is the pimply-faced adolescent boy I imagine (the 7th grade bully), I give him an F for his eFForts in responding to today's posts.
Even 7th graders are more capable at political analyses than Cartman. And 2 + 3 = ___. See if you can fill in the blank Ericky boy, or are you too FFFFFlustered?
Eric Cartman| 9.14.10 @ 3:30PM
WOW, xyz&2+3! You're imagination is more pathetic than any Liberal ass wipe so far! (And that's saying a lot!) I mean, Christian conservative, Baptist, home schooler from Tennessee who shouts "Faggots" at dead soldier's funerals! LOL That's hilarious! You got every Lefty bugaboo demographic in there, didn't you? LOL (By the way, the Baptists you are thinking about are from Kansas, asshole LOL).
Wait, wait wait - you're Gay, aren't you? That jab at your pal about not being able to reproduce made your brain go "PING"! and you lost it, right? HA HA HA! That's rich! That's why you obsess over school yard bullies, isn't it? They teased you for being Gay, right?! Jeez, sorry about your playground experiences. You have to get over it. We did.
Me? I have a cold and am just sitting around preparing a Power Point presentation on "Management Accounting and Control Systems: Assessing Performance over the Value Chain" while I'm home ( if you really want to know). It's just fun teasing you Liberal assholes! I get to make fun of you AND spread a little joy - a twofer! WEEEEEE! *sniffle*
Eric Cartman| 9.14.10 @ 3:51PM
WAIT! Wait just a gosh darn minute! You're not xyz&2+3! You're really Miss Alabama and you're pissed about me calling you an old, wrinkled hippy bitch, aren't you? Okay, that crack was out of line. I have no idea if you're wrinkled or not. You could go to the Botox shop with Nancy every week, so I'm sorry about that.
However, if you're not Miss Alabama and really are xyz&2+3 and you want to help me out, I have to write a short paper (10 pages or so) on full-cycle cost management. You can use Robin Cooper and Ragine Slagmulder's article (Achieving Full-Cycle Cost Management) as a good starting point. This Power Point is a BITCH! I'll be here all evening!
scotchieguy| 9.15.10 @ 12:18AM
Man, you need to chill. Why be such a dipshit? You are giving everyone here that is actually conservative a bad name...now why don't you crawl back into that little hole of yours and leave us all to our peace. You are truly a disgrace.
Reasonable Conservative| 9.14.10 @ 2:06PM
I agree, Mr. White. For example, here is a reasonable program that reasonable and objective Conservative Republicans and Liberal Democrats can come together on. I'm sure this program would fit your criteria of being reasonable and that reasonable conservatives like us should have no problem funding with federal tax dollars:
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/75198
ShelbyGT500| 9.14.10 @ 1:53PM
This must be a joke. Ronald Reagan did more to make our ecomomy grow, including deregulation, less government, and lower taxes, than all the presidents combined. Toto is just another Marxist who wants to rewrite history by trying to make the illogical argument that more regulation is good for businesses. It is never good for businesses and it hurts our economy.
Bryan from Boston U. | 9.14.10 @ 3:58PM
Warning!
Reading these vile comments may be hazardous to your mental and physical health!
Bryan from Boston U.| 9.14.10 @ 5:58PM
Going to BU is worse, however.
John | 9.26.10 @ 7:11AM
How convenient of you to excuse Barney Frank, Maxine Waters, Chris Dodd, and Mr. Meeks (currently running for Senate in Fla.) and other Democrats from blame. It's ALWAYS the fault of the Pubs, Democrats are just innocents who have zip to do with this mess. Yeah, ok...whatever you say.
It just amazes me how Libs just assume the rest of us have amnesia and have forgotten the mess created by the Dems involved in sweetheart loan arrangements (like Dodd) with Countrywide and other lenders who were sewned into Fannie & Freddie. Hey Lib, you may THINK we're stupid, but we are NOT.
Enjoy November 2 and prepare for even worse for the Democrat Party moving forward in 12.
jgdonahue| 9.26.10 @ 11:11AM
The lobbyists and the executives at Fannie Mae - you can look it up - are executives that are ALL Demoscratic - Jim Johnson, Franklin Raines, and Jamie Gorelick - none of whom have been put in jail . As for the regulators - just go to Sept 11, 2003 NYT article - Barney Frank explaining that there is no need ofr additonal oversight - as wanted by the evil Bush Adminstration. Go to the history books and learn!
Dai Alanye | 9.14.10 @ 9:04AM
Why would any knowledgeable person criticize Coburn, who IS one of those attempting to do something about bloated government?
scotchieguy| 9.15.10 @ 12:20AM
I agree w/ you 100%... the man is so underrated.
Alan Brooks| 9.21.10 @ 5:36PM
We could do means testing and levy a defense tax so EVERYONE pays to defend their property.
But you don't want such-- not destructively creative enough for you.
Okie| 10.15.10 @ 12:32PM
I think you are preaching to the choir. Senator Coburn WANTS all those things for our country, but before you go laying blame to him, consider he CANNOT do it alone. Elect more like minded individuals as him and we will SEE a smaller (hopefully just as efficient or more efficient) government. We cannot expect our federal government to "take care of us" and that's what so many of these wasteful agencies are designed to do - redistribute our money to "take care" of our citizens. I agree with you... it's time to cut the cord, teach them to fish, and let our citizens freely donate to causes they see as worthy, rather than redistributing their monies through the federal government.
Louis Jenkins| 9.14.10 @ 8:29AM
With all the programs that our District of Criminals have assumed, no small wonder Communism looks better than what we're using. Let's be honest here, a smaller government is much more appealing than the mongstrocity we now have. Yes, we're looking forward to Nov., but that will not cut the government. We've got to have people, us too, willing to cut, cut, cut.
"For instance, we have 70 different sets of bureaucracies in at least six agencies to help feed hungry people without any way to measure success. "
That's the problem. There's no way of measuring the success, or FAILURE, of these circuses. Get rid of the multi-programs! They can hide the waste, the failure, and bilk the nation out of millions of dollars.
Louis Jenkins| 9.14.10 @ 2:48PM
Another stupid program. (slightly off color) Ha, ha. Wasted money.
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/75198
Ken (Old Texican)| 9.14.10 @ 9:54AM
Senator,
God bless you sir!
It has to feel awfully lonely just trying to do the right things.
We have a 'Stupid' right among these comments blaming President Reagan for our woes.
Sir, you just can't fix stupid. I just hope and pray un-stupids will get off their butts and vote R this go around...then light a fire under the butts of the Rs.
Thank you for your service, Sir. You have been at war since the day you were sworn in, and more folks should be aware of it.
Ken
Margie| 9.14.10 @ 11:11AM
Why Ken, how DARE you suggest such a thing! Vote R? Don't you know that even by thinking it no less actually writing it you are making yourself a "serial traitor to conservatism?"
No, as Glen Beck said this morning~ We need to teach that it's not whether you win or lose it's how you play the game!"
And another brilliant statement~ "Don't vote for the party, vote for the individual!"
And there's more: "Republicans are Progressives and voting for them is just inching us toward the Left the same as the Democrats, just sloooower!"
What a genius!
Joe Parker| 9.14.10 @ 3:17PM
Just curious:
Are Madge and Margie the same person?
I've read Madge's remarks on other topics, and her wording is so much like the fanatical Margie, who goes off her rocker quoting crackpot verses from the book of Revelation (except she spells it Revelations).
And speaking of CRACKPOT, it's the crackpot character of the writers to this blog that lure me into reading American Spectator. Crazy? You betcha. Nearly all of you are are singin' loony tunes.
Thanks for the laughs.
T. G.| 9.14.10 @ 3:25PM
Hey Joe. I laughed too when I read Madge's one word response to Ms. Alabama's highfalutin' comment. But I wish people would not stoop to low-class street talk.
Sometimes theres alot of humor on here, but I don't like the vulgar talk that some of these characters use. Theres no need for trashy talking on this page, and I think thise posters should be censored. What do you think.
Margie| 9.14.10 @ 3:32PM
Liar. No, it wasn't me posting that but it IS fitting, isn't it?
And I have never wrongly written Revelation, as in the book of.
So buzz off now, the Daily Kos is missing you.
Madge| 9.14.10 @ 3:54PM
Liar. No, it wasn't me posting that but it IS fitting, isn't it?
And I have never wrongly written Revelation, as in the book of.
So buzz off now, the Daily Kos is missing you.
Margie| 9.14.10 @ 3:59PM
Ah yes. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Enjoy yourself, Madge!
Madge| 9.14.10 @ 5:40PM
Here we have a description of Miss Alabama in Revelation (It's just as Margie and I have imagined her):
Revelation 17 verses 1-3:
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Margie| 9.14.10 @ 6:40PM
Uh, I don't think so, troll. But don't let me stop you. It's free country and you have the right to be stupid.
Clinton nee Publius | 9.14.10 @ 10:13AM
I see the Senator has a convenient case of amnesia. Who do you think you are fooling, Senator? You aren't fooling any of us. I admit it takes guts to post the article - especially since you are part and parcel to the problem and our economic emancipation and personal freedoms won't occur until we are rid of people just like you. Maybe you are safe now, but I think you can look forward to the Tea Parties coming into your backyard and blowing your butt right out the window. You sir, are part of the corruption. You sir, are part of the GOP problem we have had to deal with for 30 years.
You sir, are a lying weasel of a politician who is part of the K-Street crowd that routinely sells us out in favor of business-as-usual, big-government spending.
If you really wanted to help our country you would resign immediately in favor of a real patriot.
Ghastlyone| 9.14.10 @ 10:49AM
What this guy said ^
Ken (Old Texican)| 9.14.10 @ 11:03AM
Clinton,
You have the right name for that post. Are your pants on fire?
Again, thank you Senator for fighting the good fight.
DrTomVoter| 9.14.10 @ 1:16PM
Who is this "we" you are talking about, the "Troll Movement?" As a proud active member of various "tea party" organizations in the Great Red State of Oklahoma, I can attest that your rant against Dr. Tom would be politely ignored, or you would be laughed out of the room, in all of them. Now you better get to work. The latest Rasmussen shows Dr. Tom up by 43% (67% to 24%) in his re-election bid.
Mike Rogers| 9.16.10 @ 8:19AM
Dr No is one of my favorites!
Tom Coburn is a frequently lonely voice standing up for our rights against an overgrown government.
The only way he is part of the problem is that the minority can only block some of the bad bills - we make him effective by sending reinforcements. We need many more Coburns and DeMints.
To the person who said that voting "R" is sinful, I would say that third party candidates will ensure that the Dems win - if we do our duty by selecting the best candidates in primaries, and then keeping their feet to the fire (with subsequent primary challenges if necessary), then we will gradually remake the Republican Party in our Conservative image.
Siegfried X| 9.14.10 @ 12:04PM
Have the Republicans changed their RINO ways? In 2005 the Republican majority congress said they were going to stop cutting spending because there was no fat left in the budget! (Bush was president then)
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that Republicans have done so well in cutting spending that he declared an “ongoing victory,” and said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget.
Mr. DeLay was defending Republicans’ choice to borrow money and add to this year’s expected $331 billion deficit to pay for Hurricane Katrina relief. Some Republicans have said Congress should make cuts in other areas, but Mr. DeLay said that doesn’t seem possible...
Asked if that meant the government was running at peak efficiency, Mr. DeLay said, “Yes, after 11 years of Republican majority we’ve pared it down pretty good.”
At a time when the infamous Bridge to Nowhere was making a mockery of Republican claims of fiscal restraint, many of his colleagues expressed disbelief. Anti-earmark champion Rep. Jeff Flake said flatly that there was “a lot of fat to trim.”
http://blogs.investors.com/cap.....n-spending
Mike Rogers| 9.16.10 @ 8:22AM
RINOs do not change their ways - we replace them in primaries! We the People are changing the Republican Party and gradually squeezing out the RINOs. We won't win the whole war in one election, but we have the RINOs running scared - let's keep up the pressure and turn that into a stampede for the exits!
Pat| 9.14.10 @ 12:39PM
Once upon a time America produced planes, trucks, cars, electronics, machine tools – a vast array of products for export to the world and consumption at home. After WWII, our compassion led us to give Europeans and Asians the money to purchase our many products - the Brits informed us they wouldn’t be paying us back for their massive war loans - we said fine, that’s OK, we understand. American men came home from work filthy, covered in grease, their fingernails black with dirt. American women read books by Betty Crocker and worried about the grease fighting power of Tide versus Oxydol. We were a mighty industrial nation but all that would shortly change.
Nowadays, American men are concerned with what color tie goes well with a blue shirt under a gray pin striped suit. American women have power lunches and see their kids by appointment on week-ends. But the words “Made in America” still convey a message of high quality, attention to detail and manufacturing expertise. Of course our products changed over the years – today we lead the world in the production of “government” and “financial manipulation”. Recently, in D.C., the wives of a visiting delegation of South American politicians were gushing over some finely woven, handcrafted regulations on display in the rotunda – words like "how precious", “exquisite” and “darling” were heard to describe these beautiful regulations about to be issued by the Labor Department. A matched set of Treasury Dept. regulations in attractive gift boxes was drawing a crowd, particularly since they were on sale at 25% off marked price.
The politicians, like their wives, were impressed with America’s manufacturing efficiency when it comes to new legislation. They expressed collective wonder over the speed and accuracy with which our Government Printing Office can produce thousands of copies of a 3,290 page bill controlling RV parking spaces within our national parks. Clerverly inserting and then editing financially massive “pork” and “earmark” clauses within new legislation regulating America’s soy bean industry drew intense interest. And our record of accident reduction related to vicious paper cuts among government workers was dubbed “impressive” by all the delegates.
During Q and A, a question arose as to whether America was perhaps spending too much money on the production of government. A White House spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous, fielded that particular question with the response: “Absolutely not, Americans love government and we hope to see a 17% increase in regulatory production next quarter.”
blackwatch| 9.14.10 @ 1:14PM
$6,ooo,ooo toad tunnels, $10,000 Ministry of Propaganda DOT road signs at all Obama Shovel ready projects, Lifetime Medical, Dental, retirement for Congress, etc, etc, etc, Wasteful spending uber alles!!!
We need to take a meat cleaver to every Congress persons office and show them how to cut--cut--cut. Time to take the Budget back to FY1999 and then trim the waste further back from there.
We currently have a $14,000 billion federal debt. If we paid $500 billion in principle to eliminate the debt (with no interest) it would take 28 years to get to zero debt. Where are we to get an extra $500 billion dollars in this economy? We have to take it from existing spending that's how.
Frankly until the GOP takes a serious stance and demands that our government stop all deficit spending from now AND starts making a dent in the federal debt they are just talking out of their anuses.
Senator Coburn stop the election season blather. Let's see the GOP game plan to balance the budget in FY2011 and pay down the debt by at least $500 billion per year. Future generations in this nation do not deserve to be screwed and burdened with our debt like what we are doing to them now.
Do it or risk rebellion or bankruptcy--your choice.
Mike Rogers| 9.16.10 @ 8:26AM
Tom Coburn does not talk, think, or act like the "ruling class" - why do you think he is personally responsible for government overreach, when he is fighting against it?
He is part of the rebellion, and we need to support him!
Redstateboy| 9.14.10 @ 4:40PM
Like I've been say'n for a while now... Y'all better get use to hear'n the sounds of Sirens wail - cause we're all gonna be hear'n that sound a lot in the next few years.
and you Liber-ul Bastards - who think Big Government is so all-fired Great.. how do you defend this!?!?!? All George W. Bush's fault??
Loshooligan| 9.14.10 @ 4:49PM
>>>>>>>>>>>THIS JUST IN
Loshooligan| 9.14.10 @ 4:56PM
>>>>>CUBA IS CUTTING 500,000 GUBMENT JOBS.
Can you believe this....Cuba is cutting jobs? Where's Michael Moore? How does he feela about his beloved Cuba cutting all these jobs? How many of these jobs are health care givers?
It's official....communism doesn't work. Cuba has finally figured out before the US that the gubment is not the best employer.
Ooohh man this is not going to bode well for all the lefties in this country. Their greatest economic model is failing!!!
Its going to take Vtwit days to come up with some real good Reagan era BS to divert attention from this story. He might have to go as far back as the Eisenhower Doctrine to get some good cover up stories.
Ghastlyone| 9.14.10 @ 5:50PM
Here's the link for all you Leftist cocksuckers so you can read for yourselves...http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704190704575489932181245938.html
I'm sure Michael Moore and friends will somehow link this Cuban tragedy to Bush somehow.
Albert| 9.14.10 @ 6:23PM
"...the timeless question Jefferson and our other Founders asked: 'What is the proper scope of government that will maximize freedom, prosperity, and security?' Our key policy debates revolve around this question, whether politicians admit it or not."
I am afraid I must respecfully disagree with this statement. The assertion that our key policy debates revolve around this question is predicated on the assumption that all parties involved actually desire to "maximize freedom, prosperity, and security." This assumption is patently false. It should be clear by now that leftists and socialists (e.g. "Democrats") have absolutely no interest whatsoever in maximizing freedom, prosperity, or security. The Democrats' sole motivation is self interest, getting elected and enjoying the power and perks of high office. And of course, expanding that power and those perks as far as possible. Democrats are motivated by power, prestige, and money. They seek office not to make America a more prosperous nation, but to "get theirs" and to satiate their limitless egos. If they have to ruin others to gain more power, they will do it (and they have). Indeed, governmental power expands when freedom, prosperity, and security are MINIMIZED or even eliminated. This is why history is rife with dictators, despots, and "maximum leaders."
Brian| 9.14.10 @ 6:28PM
The Government is the largest employer is every congressional district. I understand there are 100 million Americans dependent upon gov pay checks. Politicians that talk about "cutting ear marks" are just trying to divert attention from the real monster in the room of massive gov pay rolls and pensions.
bill| 9.14.10 @ 11:01PM
Great piece! Specifics! I love the phrase "without any way to measure success"
Solo| 9.15.10 @ 2:21PM
Who is anyone kidding?
WE could literally shut the entire Federal government down tomorrow (with the exception of the military and the courts) and none of us would ever know the difference--except that our lives would most likely get better.
Then....we could literally cut the military budget in half and still be the largest and most effective military in the entire world.
Whether republican or democrat, the politician derives his/her power by spending money. Our money. That money is obtained through taxes.
And...you cannot tax a society into prosperity. You cannot regulate a society into liberty.
That ANYONE, republican or democrat, would even cast a single vote on any new regulation or any new (and most of the existing spending) is a moral abomination!
I don't care what party you are, you blood-sucking bastards are destroying us!
Tyrants, all!
One day, you'll go too far.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
Christian| 9.17.10 @ 2:03PM
I have been reading the posts and wow.....I think the biggest problem in the fact that the line between Democrats and Republicans is becoming pretty blurred........there are republicans that are pro-abortion and Democrats against Obama....hmmmmm.....the facts are this, it's time for the government to get an enema and clean it all out. They are all talking out both sides of the mouth and only thinking of themselves. It's time to elect a group of people who make UNDER $50,000 a year and can balance their checkbooks to run our country. Most of the founding fathers may have had money at one point, but most died penniless because of their love for this country and the Constitution they wrote and signed. It's time for people to see our government for what it is.....an out of control monster wanting to control everyone. They are trying to take all local farmers out so they can control our food supply, they are trying to control our healthcare, finances, etc. and pretty much everything else so they are "god". We are instructed by God to take care of those in need, but it's not the government's job to tell us we need to bottle feed 3rd and 4th generation welfare sponges. Our churches and we as a community are to be helping those fallen on hard times and be good to each other. It blows my mind that my husband who has been battling cancer doesn't get support or help from our government and he's paid in his whole life, but yet, the loser down the street who pops out 10 kids from 6 fathers get schooling, food, shelter, etc. or the other loser who can work circles around him gets disability because they can "work the system". Our problem is too many hands in the pot and lining their own pockets with it and not enough saying, "No, we should take a pay cut, and give back to those who put our greedy butts in office". How about one of these pigs taking their millions they waste on their commercials tearing apart their opponents and giving it to a local charity or here's a thought, put all that campaign money in the budget and cut our taxes! Wow, what a concept. We have nothing but greedy people who came from money running our country and they have no concept of what middle class or poverty is, if they did, our country would be run differently. All I can do is vote for the lesser of the two evils and pray for God's intervention. As for some of the Liberals writing on here, I'll pray for you and God to change your hearts and quit blaming one prez for the problems that have been going on since JFK and maybe even before him. EVERY prez has had their hand in this mess and we should stop pointing fingers at one or two and see them all for what they are. Who gave away the Panama Canal? Who signed in HMO's?.....yes, let's look at them all in their imperfections and greed....ok?