Joel Hefley: “200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote that if he could add just one amendment to the Constitution, it would be a…”

“200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote that if he could add just one amendment to the Constitution, it would be a prohibition against Congress borrowing money. Such an amendment, he reasoned, would defend the American people from the tyranny of government by keeping the Federal Government within its constitutional bounds. If Jefferson thought taxation without representation was bad, he should see it with representation. Unfortunately, Mr. Jefferson never got his amendment and the Government we have now is the culmination of his fears--a bloated and ineffective mass that stretches its constitutional authority to the limit. How bad is it? This year, with the introduction of his budget, Bill Clinton claimed his administration's policies had solved the budget crisis. His Director of OMB, Leon Panetta, stated that Republicans would have killed to be able to offer this budget. And we have been exposed to Democrat after Democrat crowing about the strength of the economy and their success at cutting the deficit. What were they all cheering about? According to Clinton's budget, the deficit will fall to $175 billion next year. Then it will rise to $182 billion in 1997, $256 billion in 2001, and $365 billion in 2004. In Washington, this is considered success. Obviously, something stronger is needed. Despite these awesome numbers, some groups still oppose the balanced budget amendment.…”