Brian Riedl
Brian Riedl
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.
absolutely addicted baby boomers congress costs dealing director fiscal medicare outlook retire social spending top
Director Portman will be inheriting the most dire long-term fiscal outlook we've ever had. The first baby boomers retire in 18 months, and the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid costs are set to explode. On top of that, he'll be dealing with a Congress that's absolutely addicted to runaway spending and pork!
congress continues cutting resist
Congress continues to resist cutting even one program.
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.
bills congress
The more controversial bills will most assuredly end up in a lame-duck Congress.
special treatment
Why do they need special treatment to get a grant?
believe government orleans prioritize safety therefore top washington
Even small-government conservatives believe Washington should prioritize defense, safety and security, and therefore see rescuing New Orleans as a top government priority.
children costs means passed
What that means is those costs are being passed down to our children - with interest.
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.
budget control credible fabulous job leading mike proposal realistic republican specific spending study talking virtually
Mike Pence has done a fabulous job leading the Republican Study Committee. They have put out a realistic and credible and specific budget proposal to get spending under control when virtually no one else is talking about it.
cut nearly savings total
Nearly all of their savings comes from this cut to total discretionary spending. That does nothing for the real long-term problem.
highway montana
Montana is getting more highway pork, but so is every other state.
budgets federal program threatens
More than anything else, this one program threatens the long-term federal budget.