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The Spectacle Blog
Sen. Tom Coburn, a doctor, utilized his medical expertise when he declared that “the country’s sick” while discussing his new book, The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan to Stop Washington from Bankrupting America at The Heritage Foundation’s Bloggers Briefing on Tuesday.
His diagnosis? A dysfunctional political class right here in Washington.
More specifically, he lamented the absence of leadership in the current political arena, dominated instead by politicians who focus on the “symptoms” rather than the “real disease” and its “treatment options.”
Coburn has at times been labeled a deficit hawk, but has also been a divisive figure on the right. Last year, he publicly butted heads with Grover Norquist and his anti-tax colleagues when he pushed for a plan to eliminate ethanol subsidies, which Norquist viewed as a gross violation of the advocacy group’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, as the proposal did not offset the new government revenue with tax cuts elsewhere. Coburn argued that higher revenues are necessary to reduce the nation’s massive deficit.
“[T]here has to be some revenue component to [the tax structure], and anybody that says that’s not the case, I think they’re just wrong and they’re not thinking about the long-term health of our country,” Coburn had said then.
He described his new book, The Debt Bomb, as “a compilation of how we got where we are, conflict of interest in the average politician, and why they would vote for their next election rather than the best interest of the country.”
As a three-time cancer survivor, Coburn is all too familiar with effective treatment options. His prescription for the nation’s debt crisis was a “very limited government,” which he believed to be “the principle and the key behind our freedom.” In order to attain this, Coburn called on the American citizens to demand action from their representatives.
Coburn expressed hope that “we will re-embrace [this] principle.” For more on Coburn’s commitment to principle, I heartily recommend this report by Andrew Ferguson.
View all comments (34) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Vivien Chang
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/05/25/tom-coburn-on-the-debt-disease
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RJ| 5.25.12 @ 2:36PM
Tom Coburn has been a good Senator for the cause of fiscal responsibility and in my book, it is a positive factor that he was against crony-capitalism regarding the ethanol subsidies. I hope we can get the Federal government out of the bailout, subsidy and loan businesses.
Indy| 5.25.12 @ 3:00PM
Norquist is wrong to back the ethanol subsidies. I agree with Coburn on many of his fiscal positions, however, he like Ryan disappoint me when they never tried to get the stimulus spending out of the baseline. The public would have supported it, they had a great opportunity and what did we hear? zzzzzzzzzz
Oldefarte| 5.25.12 @ 9:35PM
If he argues for a revenue element [presume increased taxiation] to reduce the defecit/debt, then he's steppin' in it big time. There is absolutely no need whatsoever to raise taxes/revenue in order to solve the problem, since the totality of the problem rest with governmental expense/spending reductions/eliminations. The government has adequate revenues, but simply spends too much money and needs to lower same. Private industry lays off/terminates employees when the economy turns south in order to maintain profitability; and government simply needs to do the same in order to begin approaching a balanced budget status over time. Some Republicans are talking lowering taxes in order to spur the economy, but IMHO same can be accompolished by getting rid of this POTUS and as many Democrats as possible, which will send a message to the business community that they can once again begin to spend money on increasing plant/equipment, new employees etc to increase their businesses. Tax cuts are unneeded and unnecessary at this time!!!!!!!!!
Clint| 5.26.12 @ 5:51AM
Dr.Ron Paul,
“When the federal government spends more each year than it collects in tax revenues, it has three choices: It can raise taxes, print money, or borrow money. While these actions may benefit politicians, all three options are bad for average Americans.”
Oldefarte| 5.26.12 @ 4:59PM
No DA [obviously you and your blowbuddy]. Government can CUT/ELIMINATE/DECREASE EXPENSES/COSTS/DEPARTMENTS/
AGENCIES etc. Governmental accounting has two elements, REVENUES and EXPENSES. Defecit reduction can be accompolished by either/both revenue increases or expense reductions. I suggest the two of you take your TWO SHORT SHORTS to an Accounting 101 class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aware| 5.27.12 @ 11:40AM
"Government" will "cut" spending when pigs fly and you get a clue. "Governmental accounting", now I'm falling off my chair laughing!
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 12:10PM
Don't hurt yourself crawoling back up on your HIGHCHAIR, squirt! Oh and DA, if enough CONSERVATIVES cand become elected to congress and to replace the FAIR SHARE----MILLIONAIRE FAT CATS NEED TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN ORDER TO REDISTRIBUTE [IE '''''STEAL'''''] socialist POTUS that you and your elected in 2008, you damned right governmental spending can [and will] be '''''CUT'''''' fool. Start hoarding your FOOD STAMPS cause yous gov-ment WELFARE bout ready to disappear startin in January!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clint| 5.26.12 @ 8:14PM
Not When It Already Has Spent More Than It Has Already Has Collected In Tax Revenues, Israel Firster Smear Bund RINO-CINO , Bibi's Fart Eater.
Dr. RON PAUL “PLAN TO RESTORE AMERICA”
SPENDING:
Cuts $1 trillion in spending during the first year of Ron Paul’s presidency, eliminating five cabinet departments (Energy, HUD, Commerce, Interior, and Education), abolishing the Transportation Security Administration and returning responsibility for security to private property owners, abolishing corporate subsidies, stopping foreign aid, ending foreign wars, and returning most other spending to 2006 levels.
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the.....e-america/
Do Your Homework Before Ya Run Your Ignorant Bibi Slut Mouth, Bibi's Israel Firster Fart Eater.
Oldefarte| 5.27.12 @ 10:55AM
Great, I've got a undergraduate degree in Accounting, and spent 35 years practicing same, and this dumb SOB living in a double wide is trying to argue with me concerning governmental defecits. Go stick Father Ron jock strap up your anus, you dumb POS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.27.12 @ 10:58AM
You DOUBLEWIDERS simply don't ever seem to comprehend how truly STUPID you really are. It is said that IGNORANCE IS BLISS, and in your case that hold true in spades. Go back to reading your mentor/Father Ron's newsletters and shut the 'F' when trying to converse in things you know nothing about, DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.27.12 @ 11:06AM
Additionally, your Father Ron ain't goin' nowhere except to the old age home in LJ, DA; so get your ignorant face out of his equally ignorant newletters and expand your -50 IQ to other things besides his BS. If Father Ron ain't electable, his pronouncements ain't worth the toilet paper they're written on, capiche? So Father Ron is 'F' ing you just like your other parish priests are, you dummie. Father Ron ain't gonna eliminate anything cause he's gonna be retiring in LJ with his TOO SHORT SHORTS and his political monetary fortune from selling newsletter subscriptions to idiots like you. Bett get a new political racehorse ClintyPoo, cause your old hag Father Ron is ready for the political candidate glue factory !!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.27.12 @ 11:09AM
Hows your Media Matters $20 weekly check holding up for promoting your domestic terrorist candidate on conservative blog sites holding up? Able to mke the payments on your doublewide okay I hope in the MAINLINE TRAILER PARK?????????????
Clint| 5.27.12 @ 5:10PM
How's Your 30 Pieces Of Silver, Judas Israel Firster Traitor Bastard Bibi Cabana Boy, Bibi Fart Eater ?
Ronald Reagan,
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."
Now, Deliverance Banjo Pickin' River Sex Inbred Fart Face, Tell Us About Your Chickenhawk, Mittens.
Clint| 5.27.12 @ 4:59PM
Why Don't You Try And Make Me Shut The " F", Israel Firster Smear Bund Coward, Fart Mouth ?
Hmmmmmm Gutless Wuss, Bibi Fart Eater ?
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 2:56PM
No, all of us here would prefer you to continue your STUPIDITY 24-7, which is evidence of irrational DUMBARSEDNESS of your Media Matters political handlers paying you $37.50/hour to proclaim your anul-related gastrification of verbal insanity, disguised as [TOO SHORT SHORTS] Father Ron's newsletter subscription-copied editorialization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:54PM
Translation: Bean Farts Is A Bloviatin' Keyboard Israel Firster Bibi Cabana Boy Coward,Who's Body Can't Cash The Checks His Big Mouth Is Writin'.
Clint| 5.27.12 @ 4:54PM
Gee, Deliverance Banjo Pickin' River Sex Inbred, Fart Pampers, All I Got Is A Lousy Degree In Economics An A Crappy History, As A Manager For Westinghouse Credit Corporation And G.E.'s Financial Arm, Before Managing My Own Business And Am Reduced To My Crappy Home On The Mainline And A Lowly 70 Acres Gentleman's Horse Farm In Bucks County.
You Seem So Clogged & Cranky This Fine Day,Fart Britches.
Take Your Prune Juice & CallBibi In The MorninG, Pampers Ass.
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 2:59PM
Call your Media Matters boss Arlen and tell him you're still a political blogging prostitute for the POTUS and the Democrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:01PM
Wow, GE huh? Ol Jeff a HO for Barry.....are you also?????????
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:03PM
Working for ol Jeff.....talk about '''''gutless'''''!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:06PM
And after Jack raised GE up to such heights too.......SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!!!!!
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:40PM
Duuuuuhhhhhh !
Reginald H. Jones & Jack Welch, Jr.Were Chairmen & CEO's Of General Electric When I Was With Them.
Dumb Ass Mittens' Kitten Israel Firster Bibi Cabana Boy, Bean Counter, Bean Farts.
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:30PM
Duuuuuuhhhhh !
Michael A. Neal Is The Chairman and CEO Of GE Capital.
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:45PM
Call Bibi & Tell Him You'll Service Him, As Soon As You Get Done Strokin' Mittens' Fur.
Bean Fart & Obama Stroke Foreign Nations' Agendas.
sweeterjan| 5.28.12 @ 2:44AM
capiche? So Father Ron is 'F' ing you just like your other parish priests are, you http://www.vendreshox.com dummie. Father Ron ain't gonna eliminate anything cause he's gonna be retiring in LJ with his TOO SHORT SHORTS and his political monetary fortune from selling newsletter subscriptions to idiots like you
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 9:47AM
Interesting, How Many Of These Israel Firster Smear Bund Goebbels Propagandist Bibi Cabana Boys Are Anti-Catholic Bigots, As Well.
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:04PM
Interesting too about ol Barry HOS sticking together, huh??????
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:11PM
Shazam....Father RonJeff... now that SPLIANS everything....GE-Solyndra HOS!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:17PM
The taxpayers' defecit/debt money being sucked up/Solyndrified Barry's COMMUNITY ORGANIZING/GEAFYING TURBINES for the HOMOS..... the cat been let out of the bag, folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 5.28.12 @ 3:24PM
I DON'T HEAR YA .....JEFFBOY GOT YA TURBINES???????
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:56PM
Duuuuuhhhhhh !
Reginald H. Jones & Jack Welch, Jr.Were Chairmen & CEO's Of General Electric When I Was With Them.
Michael A. Neal Is The Chairman and CEO Of GE Capital.
Dumb Ass Mittens' Kitten Israel Firster Bibi Cabana Boy, Bean Counter, Bean Farts.
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 5:02PM
The Only Cat's Bag That You Play With Is Mittens', Bean Farts.
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:58PM
Interesting, That So Many Of You Israel Firster Smear Bund RINO-CINO Mittens' Kittens Are Anti-Catholic Bigots, Bean Farts.
Clint| 5.28.12 @ 4:20PM
Obama's An Asshole,Who Likes Assholes Like You Do , Deliverance Banjo Pickin' River Sex Inbred, Bibi Fart Sniffer.