At the risk of garnering a bit of hatred from some fellow right-wingers for this, it’s still the responsible thing to say.
For years now, many prominent conservatives have lauded the idea of a Balanced Budget Amendment.
While this may sound good in theory, it could actually be very dangerous in practice!
A severe national emergency could potentially force the government into deficit spending.
What happens when the next Pearl Harbor or 9/11 strikes us and we’re left with no choice but to go to war?
How are we to pay for it without incuring debt?
The Framers understood this possibility and that’s precisely why they specifically gave Congress the power “To borrow Money on the credit of the United States” in Article 1. Section 8. of our Constitution.
Furthermore, would such a rule not make us guilty of one of the very things that we so abhor about the left?
“We can’t control ourselves and keep our own house in order so we need a new law to make us do it!”
In other words, it would be an open admission of irresponsibilty and, even worse, that the American Experiment is a failure.
“Man cannot govern himself!”
My guess is that the left would love nothing more than to rub that in our faces.
What should we do then, you might ask?
If the solution isn’t apparent by now, it’s all too simple!
Not easy, but simple!
RESPONSIBILTY!
WE THE PEOPLE must exercise responsibility when casting our votes to elect leaders who will do the same while firing the ones that refuse to do so.
I know this is a hard pill to swallow while facing 14 trillion dollars of debt but it’s still the RESPONSIBLE thing to do.
Unless, of course, we’ve come to the conclusion that RESPONSIBILTY is as outdated as the left considers our Constitution to be.
4 Comments
The idea of a balanced budget isn’t totally wrong. The way you avoid the problems you bring up is to specify what “In Case of Emergency” Spending can be made. Just a simple addition to the bill.
They would just have to make it very specific so Congress can’t tap dance around the law.
chas
To state a need for a law that prevents over spending is absurd. The lawmakers would gain more from rehab (with Charlie Sheen) than from another game that they can engage in without actually changing their behavior! Well done!
Chas, I’d considered that before forming my conclusion but you and I both know how good and willing politicians and lawyers are at either twisting and manipulating the language of the law or simply ignoring it altogether.
I’m convinced that the problem lies not in a lack of legislation but in a lack of character among most of those in the ruling class.
Cure the disease instead of just treating the symptoms.
A balanced budget amendment would give the American people a false sense of security. Any such should be carefully crafted, as Chas mentioned, but better yet would be responsible spending. One person’s luxury is another’s “emergency”, and before you know it, Congress is borrowing billions to renovate the congressional cafeteria or buy fancy planes for congressional travel.
“If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” — Samuel Adams