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Today's Poll: Do you trust the GOP in Congress to support spending cuts?

By Howard B. Owens
mike nixon

I am a very fiscal conservative..... I tell you right now that there is no way anyone on either side of the isle wants to do any cutting. I feel that they are all out for themselves and the votes they can get back home. Thats it. They all talk a good game, but none want to go home and tell their people they didn't bring anything home. Washington has become very self serving for career politicians. To much, what can my Government do for me.

Jan 4, 2013, 9:59am Permalink
Tim Miller

Not really - they will SCREAM about spending and how we MUST MAKE SPENDING CUTS while a Democrat is in office, all while supporting increases for their supporters. "Cut everything except what MY people want!" Yet, as soon as a Republican gets in office, they will become really, really quiet about the need to control spending.

(No, this is not a troll, and I know that a similar statement can be made about Democrats by simply substituting a couple words above - but the question was "Do you trust the GOP in Congress to support spending cuts?", so that is the question I answered.)

Jan 4, 2013, 10:01am Permalink
mike nixon

Tim, you are right. BUT......
In the last 5 years never before, ever, ever, ever before. Has the congress, senate and executive branches spent the money they did in such a short period of time. I will also mention that never before has such an amount of money been spent that was unfunded. The Senate hasn't passed a budget in almost 8 years. All the money they are spending right now as we speak is completely unfunded and borrowed. EVERY STINKING PENNY!?!?!.

Jan 4, 2013, 10:18am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Ron Paul's New Year's Resolutions for Congress

by Ron Paul

As I prepare to retire from Congress, I’d like to suggest a few New Year’s resolutions for my colleagues to consider. For the sake of liberty, peace, and prosperity I certainly hope more members of Congress consider the strict libertarian constitutional approach to government in 2013.

In just a few days, Congress will solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. They should reread Article 1 Section 8 and the Bill of Rights before taking such a serious oath. Most legislation violates key provisions of the Constitution in very basic ways, and if members can’t bring themselves to say no in the face of pressure from special interests, they have broken trust with their constituents and violated their oaths. Congress does not exist to serve special interests, it exists to protect the rule of law.

I also urge my colleagues to end unconstitutional wars overseas. Stop the drone strikes; stop the covert activities and meddling in the internal affairs of other nations. Strive to observe “good faith and justice towards all Nations” as George Washington admonished. We are only making more enemies, wasting lives, and bankrupting ourselves with the neoconservative, interventionist mindset that endorses pre-emptive war that now dominates both parties.

All foreign aid should end because it is blatantly unconstitutional. While it may be a relatively small part of our federal budget, for many countries it is a large part of theirs--and it creates perverse incentives for both our friends and enemies. There is no way members of Congress can know or understand the political, economic, legal, and social realities in the many nations to which they send taxpayer dollars.

Congress needs to stop accumulating more debt. US debt, monetized by the Federal Reserve, is the true threat to our national security. Revisiting the parameters of Article 1 Section 8 would be a good start.

Congress should resolve to respect personal liberty and free markets. Learn more about the free market and how it regulates commerce and produces greater prosperity better than any legislation or regulation. Understand that economic freedom IS freedom. Resolve not to get in the way of voluntary contracts between consenting adults. Stop bailing out failed yet politically connected companies and industries. Stop forcing people to engage in commerce when they don’t want to, and stop prohibiting them from buying and selling when they do want to. Stop trying to legislate your ideas of fairness. Protect property rights. Protect the individual. That is enough.

There are many more resolutions I would like to see my colleagues in Congress adopt, but respect for the Constitution and the oath of office should be at the core of everything members of Congress do in 2013.

Jan 4, 2013, 10:19am Permalink
mike nixon

Dave, spot on bro.....

You should read "WORLD WAR Z" The Zombies are only an example of the moral degradation of society as we know it. The politics almost line for line of your mentioned is exactly what does or doesn't happen in the book. One part of review states "its a platform to criticize government ineptitude, corporate corruption and human short-sightedness"

Plus its fun.....

Jan 4, 2013, 10:26am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I'll get my wife to read it, Mike. She likes anything involving zombies. I'm not sure what that says about me............................................

Jan 4, 2013, 10:28am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I like the idea of making members of congress wear their sponsor's logos on their suits like NASCAR drivers, so we can all know the agenda.

Jan 4, 2013, 11:46am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I hear tell that before his first cup of coffee in he am that Dave wanders around mumbling brains. He even got his wife a nerf shotgun to pester him with headshots til the coffee kicks in.... Just rumor.

Jan 4, 2013, 12:31pm Permalink
Phil Ricci

Cut Spending? The first day and they are already making pledges about defending DOMA in court!!! These clowns are going to spend millions to prevent LBGT from being recognized federally. Really? That's what you're going to spend my money on? Limiting the freedoms and liberties of a portion of your population, and you think they care about spending cuts?

Please. FAIL.

Jan 4, 2013, 12:50pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

They say that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. They way to a constituents heart is through entitlements, pork barrel spending, cronyism, and patronage...so the answer is no.

Jan 4, 2013, 3:50pm Permalink

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