Deficit Spending - What Can Be Done?
by Larry Davis - Posted July 20, 2011
Deficit Spending |
In case you haven't heard, we have a national debt. The Federal Government has increased deficit spending again in 2011. It has borrowed and “invested” over 14.4 trillion dollars more than it has collected in revenues (taxes). This year the government will need to borrow 42 cents of every dollar it has committed to spend.
Remember the first occasion when you heard Smokey say," Only you can prevent forest fires"? Yeah, in that moment, you stopped and thought, "Me, how can I prevent forest fires?" And then that little light began to brighten, and you realized Smokey was using a clever way to arouse your conscience. When visiting our nation’s parks and forests, you remember that it is your responsibility to be careful with fire. If everyone is careful, many of the fires can be prevented. Yet we hear each year about fires caused by careless people who just didn't have the time or proclivity to fulfill their responsibilities.
Now let's take another moment and think about who’s to blame for the out-of-control spending in Washington? It must be you; it can't possibly be me. After all, I have voted in almost every election since I was eligible. Of course, numerous times I've gone to the polls and selected candidates I've never heard of simply because I like the sound of their names better than their opponents' names. I can't seem to recall how that worked out, probably because, by the time I exited the polling place, I couldn't recall for whom I had voted, let alone keep up with who won or what they did while in office. Okay, maybe I need to accept some of the blame.
Now please, don't attempt to argue that this is not your narrative. Unless you've never darkened the entry of a polling booth or you've always taken the truly apathetic option and voted straight party ballots, I find it difficult to believe you've always been well enough informed on the philosophy and principles of the candidates to select the most qualified.
Yes, I'm very aware of how we're all so busy attempting to make ends meet that it's difficult to set aside time to attend a political forum or watch a boring debate. Anyway, everyone knows the candidates tell you one thing during the campaign and do another after they're elected. What's more, I can get an idea of their philosophy and principles by listening to “unbiased” sound bites on the evening news or reading the opinion of the editor in the local newspaper just prior to the election. On the other hand, I wager you can discuss with me the latest news of the contract talks in the NFL and NBA or maybe what's happening on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Let's take a closer look at that old tired and worn-out excuse of not having the time. Reports for 2010 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics disclose 96% of all Americans age 15 and above admit to spending an average 5.4 hours per day doing leisure and sports activities. Remember that that's per day! Of those, 79% expend 3.4 hours watching television. And what are the most popular TV shows? According to a Harris poll taken in March 2011, the top 5 shows are the following: #1-NCIS, #2-CSI, #3-M*A*S*H, #4-Two & a Half Men and #5-Seinfeld. Is this for real?
Do you believe these activities are more important than investing a couple of hours a week keeping up with what the folks who control or regulate 100% of all business activity in this country are doing? What, you don't think they control or regulate 100% of the economy? Don't take my word for it. Just ask any business owner if every decision to invest and grow production does not factor in the taxes and regulations imposed on them by the Federal or State Governments. If he tells you “no,” just return in a couple of months and ask the new owner, assuming the building has a new occupant.
According to Real Clear Politics’ average polling data in June 2011, 73.4% of us disapprove of the job Congress is doing, and only 19.2% approve. Wonder what the other 7.4% think? I guess they don't have an opinion. (Well, there goes another wise old proverb: everyone has an opinion on any subject.) How can it be that, when almost 75% of the voters disapprove of the job Congress is doing, election results from 1982 to 2010 show that, when an incumbent ran for re-election, 87% of the Senators and 94% of the Representatives were successful? What must they do to lose their jobs--steal from our grandchildren?
(Sorry, that sarcastic remark was just too easy.)
Just for the record and without using reference materials, how about taking a little quiz to determine your knowledge of a dozen folks who are presumed to be working for you? Name the President of the United States, President of the Senate, Majority Leader of the Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, your U.S. Senators, Speaker of the House, your U.S. Representative, your Governor, Lt. Governor, State Senator and State Representative.
You should be proud if you were able to name twelve folks holding these positions; but if you missed even one, do your really believe you should be allowed to vote? Entering the polling place to select the public servants who will determine the laws, regulations and amount of money that will be taken from your wallets is an awesome responsibility. It is a responsibility for which many in this world would risk their very lives just for the opportunity. All you need to do is take a little time to get involved and informed. Remember, only you can stop the spending!!!
