How many times have you heard it said government can't afford spending cuts but you need to pay more taxes?
Senator Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, has given cost-cutters new ammunition. While the main debt drivers remain Social Security and Medicare, there is plenty of unnecessary spending that can be cut now.
Examples: More than $2 billion subsidizes advertising by profitable agriculture companies and trade associations overseas. Blue Diamond almond growers received $28 million from the Market Access Program, or MAP.
$20 million of our money went to a reality TV fashion show in India. One of the world's biggest sellers of fresh fruit -- Sunkist Growers -- has received $34.1 million since 1999.
A company specializing in organic hair products for dogs, cats and horses that includes hair spray for dogs receives MAP funds to boost overseas sales.
Look up more on Senator Coburn's web page and don't believe them when they tell you they can't afford to cut spending.
I'm Cal Thomas.
Publication date: June 20, 2012
