Rand Paul: “the FY 2008 budget is a monument to irresponsibility and profligacy. It shows that Congress remains oblivious to the…”

“the FY 2008 budget is a monument to irresponsibility and profligacy. It shows that Congress remains oblivious to the economic troubles facing the Nation, and that political expediency trumps all common sense in Washington. To the extent that proponents and supporters of these unsustainable budget increases continue to win reelection, it also shows that many Americans unfortunately continue to believe government can provide them with a free lunch. To summarize, Congress proposes spending roughly $3 trillion in 2008. When I first came to Congress in 1976, the Federal Government spent only about $300 billion. So spending has increased tenfold in 30 years, and tripled just since 1990. About one-third of this $3 trillion is so-called discretionary spending; the remaining two-thirds is deemed 'mandatory' entitlement spending, which means mostly Social Security and Medicare. I am sure many American voters would be shocked to know their elected representatives essentially have no say over two-thirds of the Federal budget, but that is indeed the case. The most disturbing problem with the budget is the utter lack of concern for the coming entitlement meltdown.”