Time to Get Serious

Arguments about cutting $60 billion or $100 billion in federal spending are all the rage. The problem is not with the validity of the need to cut (or to save), it's that the cuts are agenda-driven, political attacks. Both parties need to keep in mind that they are each popular with only about half the population. Politically motivated budget slashing is a bad idea. Politicians should be looking to cut the fat, wherever it is found.

According to a story in today's NYT the Pentagon found, in a study they conducted, that it had paid $285 billion in three years to over 120 contractors accused of fraud and wrongdoing. That is a helluva lot more money than the $450 million to be saved by scrapping the spare engine program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Spending a few million dollars for investigation of fraud and abuse would be money well spent. Taxpayers would approve of that level of government oversight, if the story were told without spin and fear-mongering about the preservation of our security at all costs.

As an average concerned citizen, I read the Sunday paper and wonder what the fuck these elected officials are doing. Seriously! They have meetings, and access to information, and ledgers, and the best cuts they can propose are to dismantle the health care act, Planned Parenthood and heating subsidies for low income families. Truly shocking and morally bankrupt. Compassionate conservatism indeed!

Granted the House budget proposal is DOA, but the fact that it's put out there with a self-righteous, indignant, straight face is all that one needs to know to dismiss John Boehner and Eric Cantor of not being serious adults.