Republicans–many of whom I don’t care for because they aren’t real conservatives–need to watch out. While I agree that an aid bill for Sandy shouldn’t include a bunch of pork spending, $50 billion is a drop in the bucket for government spending. What really needs to happen is significant cuts in welfare spending, wasteful government spending, worker pay, and the like. If you are going to fight wasteful spending, go for the homerun then take what you get.
Why am I saying this? Well, David Cameron and the Conservative/Tory Party has been in power here in the UK for the past 3 years. They have made changes to benefits, reorganized the NHS, and made other unpopular stands but the deficit continues to grow. Not many people here like the tories. Why? Because they see them as “mean.” Personally, I think they are fiddling on the small things while the real root of the problem remains untouched.
So, what is the root of the problem in DC? The growing welfare state. The monster that is the federal government. Wasteful government spending. Addressing it is tricky, sure. But, it must be done. At the least, actual cuts must be made in the federal budget. The Connie Mack Penny plan would be a good place to start. Next, power that Washington stole from the States and people must be returned. Third, government agencies need to simply go away (Department of Education, Health and Human Services to name two).
Will it be unpopular? Sure. But let’s stand and fight where it matters. Just like Babe Ruth swinging for a home run, the conservatives should go for broke and ask for everything. Will it fail? Sure. But then just bring it up again. And again. And again.
[Update 2013-01-17 08:07:49] I’m taking a short break from this topic.
Image from salfalko via flickr