October 23, 2007--Chump Change

Former Senator Everett Dirksen had it right. When talking about the swollen federal budget and the pressure to spend even more, he said, “A billion here; a billion there. After a while you’re talking about real money.” I wonder what he would have to say about President Bush’s request yesterday for another $46 billion to pay for his wars. Add that to the pending appropriation of $150 billion and we’re talking about real money. All of it borrowed from China, India, Japan, and even poor Mexico. The war of course has other costs, human and political, but when (not if) Congress approves this nearly $200 billion we will have borrowed and spent about $1.0 trillion. And according to the Pentagon, which is budgeting for ten more years of involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan (you heard me—ten more years) the grand total will be close to double that. (See NY Times article linked below.) The pathetic Democrats are off on a holiday but their leaders are doing their usual thing—David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which has the power to approve all, part, or none of the president’s request, said: “It’s amazing to me that the president expects to be taken seriously when we cannot afford $26 in investments [as opposed to ‘spending’?] in education health, law enforcement and science, which will make this country stronger over the long term.” Way to go David! That’s telling it like it is! That’s why we gave you guys the majority in Congress—to roll over, as you surely will, and “invest” another $200 billion in the war because you’re afraid Americans, in spite of the fact that more than two-thirds want to see the war ended, in spite of this you’ll give him the money to “support our troops” and thereby avoid looking like the Mommy Party. But if you want to look like the Macho Party, why don’t you take on the president and just say “no”? Say, “Go on Mr. Resident, shut down the government. We think the American people will put up with not being able to visit their national parks so they can show support for our brave men and women by bringing them home in a responsible and safe way.” And while you’re at it, rescind the Joe Lieberman resolution you passed a couple of weeks ago that before too long will provide President Bush and his VP with the fig leaf they need to do some bombing in Iran. This would even give Hillary another chance to vote against something she voted for before she was against it.