Recently politicians have been haggling over the avoidance of the ‘Fiscal Cliff’. The uncertainty has affected business activity, has created stress and anxiety of millions of individuals and has brought to light the pain of procrastination.
The problem is not our system, but the politicians blundering through it. The inability to make long-term decisions that are best for our nation and befitting of the greatest economic powerhouse in the world sets a dismal example for our friends and antagonists alike. Procrastination is one of the most destructive forces that an individual, a company or a government can self-impose. The reason is simple; decisions postponed are always resolved, but usually not in the way that is most suitable to solve the problem(s) at hand.
Meanwhile, back in the Congress other business is being conducted; or not. Receiving limited publicity, a $60.4 billion bill has been concocted for the victims of super storm Sandy. The storm hit the middle Atlantic Coast on October 29, killing 253 people in seven countries causing damage estimated to be in the $65 billion range. Sounds like this bill should fly through Congress. Except that some people, mostly Republicans took the time to read it.
Included in the $60.4 billion omnibus (think ominous) spending bill are some unrelated financial allocations. One of the larger items in the bill is almost $17 billion to endow the ‘Community Development Fund’ and other social service grants. Although Amtrak received $1.4 billion last year, their thirst for more funds would be assuaged with $188 million from this bill. Alaskan Fisheries would receive $150 million handed out through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to receive $600 million. Also included in this proposed legislation is $8 million for new vehicles and miscellaneous equipment for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. Millions of dollars are also scheduled for other spending unrelated to super storm Sandy.
This bill, called a piece of legislation to help the NY, Connecticut and NJ victims of super storm Sandy has a misleading label. This is not deception or lack of transparency; this is outright dishonesty. And this is the Congress that has stood by while the administration has bequeathed to us a growing national debt of more than $16 trillion!
Sources indicate that Senator Charles Schumer of New York is taking the lead on promoting this legislation for the President. His effort is apparently aimed at getting the bill passed quickly and by adding the unrelated spending, hopes to secure enough votes for passage. Senator Charles Schumer has spent 37 years in government and is simply the President’s lackey touting this pork-laden bill. Senator Schumer is a stereotypical congressman that has no real world experience outside government.
A $500 billion farm bill filled with bloated spending must be acted upon soon by the Congress. Yet this 1,000-page monstrosity, being pushed by more than 1,000 lobbyists is buried in partisan conflict.
The price of milk could double after January 1, 2013 unless the Congress takes specific action on a dairy subsidy based on a 1949 law. This legislation has been under consideration since last summer. But in 63 years, the thousands of men and women of the U.S. Congress have never amended this law to adjust to changing times? The retail price of a gallon of milk in 1951 was less than 90¢. Where have the Secretaries of Agriculture been all these years?
This troubled world needs us as a model of economic and cultural liberty and freedom. We cannot retain that exalted position with four more years of indecisive leadership, unrestrained spending, divisive politics, skyrocketing taxes and boundless unemployment benefits.
– Dick Baynton