On the recordMay 25, 2010
The headline in the Los Angeles Times read, ``Budget Woes? Just don't pass one.'' Now that's a novel idea. There must be all kinds of problems that Congress can ignore. I think that we can apply it to a number of things that are happening right now: Oil spill woes? Think about it tomorrow. Fannie and Freddie problems? Maybe a solution next year. Entitlement spending out of control? Just don't think about it. It's too bad our constituents don't have the same luxury of ignoring their budgets. The national debt currently is $12.36 trillion. The President's budget calls for $3.8 trillion in Federal spending, which will put the deficit at $1.6 trillion. These are numbers the majority wants to keep quiet. In my mind, it would behoove the majority to take a look at the spending and take an honest look at how to get it under control. Instead, the President has asked for the power of the line-item veto. It would seem to me that we could do a good job with a red pencil if the majority would allow it. But that would be real work right now, and apparently we don't do that.
