By now I'm sure you've all heard that the Senate Democrats, aided by three Republicans, have passed their version of an $800 billion plus "stimulus" bill to keep our economic "crisis from turning into a catastrophe," in the words of our president. Of course, this is on top of the $700 billion plus bailout for the banks and automakers and in addition to the federal budget that Congress will be passing later this year. Yes, another golden opportunity for Congress to spend our money and our children's money and our children's children's money and our children's children's children's ... you know where this is heading.
Just out of curiosity, if you were in Congress, how would you stimulate the economy?
I think one of the first things I would do is limit congressional travel on the public dime. This would include tax-funded "fact-finding" missions to exotic locales as well as working sessions outside Washington or their home state. Just last week, the Democrats held their caucus -- not in Washington where they all work -- but in Williamsburg, Va. That meant the president, instead of being able to travel a few blocks in his armored limo, had to get in his helicopter and then on Air Force One to fly to Williamsburg. And of course, all the congressmen and women had to stay at hotels, eat and play at our expense. To be fair, the Republicans had their own caucus that we paid for. These are the same people who self-righteously screamed about companies, on the public dole, holding expensive retreats for their workers.
Such a travel restriction could save millions of dollars -- a drop in the bucket these days. But I think it would be a good starting point. And it would send the message that Congress is more about taking care of business than taking care of itself.
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I would perhaps take a little harsher measure to stimulate the economy. I would suggest we start by taking back all the money the government gave out to those companies that have shown that they are not business savy; the ones that can't seem to keep their books straight, can't seem to make smart business decisions, etc. Take that money and give it back to the tax payers who shelled it out in the first place; the rightful owners. Let them decide which companies should get supported and which companies should not.
ReplyDeleteI would also suggest that we consider cutting both the Congress and the President's pay and benefits. I realize that making decisions that supposedly affect the entire US may be difficult on occasion but not that difficult.
Between those two, we could save millions and give every person in the US some of their hard earned money back.
How much do you think we'd save if we added Congress to the unemployment list?
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