Brian Riedl
Brian Riedl
candidates difficult political shortage
There is no shortage of candidates for elimination. There is only the shortage of political will to make the difficult decisions.
special treatment
Why do they need special treatment to get a grant?
congress costs learn maybe next programs progress sky start symbolic whose year
It's symbolic progress for Congress to learn that they can terminate programs without the sky falling. Maybe they can come back next year and start terminating programs whose costs make a difference.
campaign congress create entirely government grants helps illusion incentive pork reform rein retaining sell system
Congress has no incentive to rein in pork, because pork helps lawmakers get campaign contributions and get re-elected. It is entirely predictable that Congress would create the illusion of reform while retaining the system that allows them to sell government grants for campaign contributions.
decide
It's something we have to decide as a country. What are our priorities?
bankrupt biggest care coming crisis danger economic entire federal health literally needs next problem system
The biggest economic danger of the next 50 years is the coming crisis in entitlement spending. The problem is the entire health care system is in crisis. The entire U.S. health care system needs to be overhauled. If not, it will literally bankrupt the federal government.
pork projects sacrifice serve time
It's about time lawmakers sacrifice pork projects that essentially serve as taxpayer-financed re-election advertisements.
days few precious
There are precious few legislative days before the election.
bleeds congress creates cultural culture effect federal government larger lobbyists means percent spending together true
Yes, it's true that earmarks are only 1 percent of all federal spending, but earmarks have a cultural effect on Congress that is much larger than their cost. It fuses Congress together with lobbyists and creates a culture of government spending as a means to re-election, which bleeds into other areas.
education programs room social threatened
Those who are advocates of anti-poverty programs, social programs, education, have their programs threatened by runaway entitlements. There won't be room for both.
admit courage flip opposed possible side
There is not much courage out there. Like an alcoholic, the first thing you have to do is admit you have a problem. The flip side of it is, Americans are vehemently opposed to every possible solution.
bad five last next worse
As bad as the last five years have been, it's going to get even worse the next five years.
bill symbol threatens
This ... bill threatens to become another symbol of irresponsible runaway spending.
bills congress
The more controversial bills will most assuredly end up in a lame-duck Congress.