E-Newsletter

Taking on the ‘sacred cows’

In a press conference last week, President Obama challenged Republicans to “take on their sacred cows” when it comes to cutting the deficit. What “sacred cows” are the Democrats giving up?

President Obama’s latest proposed budget for 2012 would cut approximately $1.1 trillion in deficits over the next 10 years. That equates to slightly more than a $ .1 trillion decrease in spending per year. During the Biden negotiations, the highest number I have heard discussed is $2 trillion over 10 years or $ .2 trillion a year. But, $ .2 trillion a year off of our national debt seems too rich for the Democrats in Washington. Our current national debt is around $14.3 trillion. This year, we will add more than $1.5 trillion to the national debt. There also does not appear to be any sentiment by the Washington Democrats to significantly change the way we spend your taxpayer dollars. Cutting $ .1 trillion per year from new debt is not a significant enough cut to justify raising the debt ceiling.

Even with those deficit cuts, the President’s budget would add another $7.2 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. How does President Obama view a 50 percent increase in our national debt as a compromise? These cuts are not significant and substantial enough to be worthy of consideration.

This is not the first time Washington Democrats have had trouble coming to an agreement. They have a history of avoiding responsible governing. Despite controlling both houses of Congress and the White House last year, the Democrats failed to even produce a budget for fiscal year 2011.

We've seen proposals like this before where they say we will gladly give you a few spending cuts today in exchange for tax increases. Unfortunately history tells us that in Washington the cuts apply only for a few years, but the taxes can go on for decades.

During the District Work Period last week, I heard from a number of people who were concerned about spending. Whether I was in Covington, Bluefield, Abingdon, or Independence, the comments were the same: we must stop excessive spending. We must shrink the national debt (and stop over burdensome regulations) in order for our economy to improve. 

In the House of Representatives, some of my colleagues and I are pushing for real spending cuts. Yes, some of them are unpopular and impact programs we all like. But you sent me to Washington to make the tough decisions and these are the kind of cuts we have to make.  I want to be able to look my children in the eyes 30 years from now and know that I did everything I could to make sure they had the opportunities I had. I want them to have a future that isn’t heavy laden by the debt of our generation.  Our children deserve to live in an America that continues to be the greatest nation in the world.  

District Update

Last week, my travels took me to more than 10 counties and cities. My office hosted a Military Service Academy Day in Abingdon. In Independence, I met with folks who are concerned about EPA regulations strangling small businesses and the impact of ObamaCare on insurance premiums. In Covington and Bluefield, I spoke about the impact of rising energy costs on jobs. My travels also took me to Pulaski County, Scott County, Pearisburg, and a stop in Craig County. In Wytheville, I met with area farmers and heard about some of the federal issues impacting local banks. I also had the opportunity to tour the new public safety building in Radford. Over the 4th of July weekend, I also made stops in Bristol, Washington County, Shawsville, Russell County, and Carroll County. To view photos of the District Work Period, visit my photo page.

As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.