Fiscal Restraint in Congress

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Dec 02, 2002

Fiscal Restraint in Congress

Spending in Washington is like a drug that most politicians are unable to resist. That’s why it is a good sign that Republican leaders in the house are going to try to rein it in.

13 house Republicans who control most of the discretionary federal spending have been told they will have to get permission from the party leadership-- which will coordinate with the White House-- on what money can and cannot be spent.

This is, of course, long overdue and if it works it could help reduce the ever-growing deficit. Congress likes to spend our money and often wastes it because the money gives more power to members and helps them stay in office. The taxpayers, meanwhile, are robbed and are constantly asked to pay more, even while we get less.

Ronald Reagan used to say about deficits that we have them not because the people are taxed too little, but because the government spends too much. It was true when he said it and it remains true today.

Let’s hope house Republicans can make this happen. We’ll all be better off for having leaders with fiscal restraint.

I’m Cal Thomas in Washington.

Fiscal Restraint in Congress