The Tampa Tribune - The President's Budget Package: More of the Same

Op-Ed

By Gus M. Bilirakis

We all know the old adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." You've probably told it to yourself at some point.

That point appears to be now for President Obama, with the release of his latest budget that spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much -- again.

After three years of deficits that have added almost $4.5 trillion to our debt, the president hasn't gotten the message. He's depending on big government and big spending, despite its detriment to our economy.

The president's $3.73 trillion budget proposal, unveiled last week, includes a record $1.65 trillion deficit. This spending binge equals 25 percent of our entire Gross Domestic Product, the highest since World War II.

The president's plan will spend $46 trillion over the next decade, and we all know that today's runaway spending leads to tomorrow's tax increases. The president's proposal creates $1.9 trillion in new taxes on families, entrepreneurs and job creators.

For at least the next decade, the president's budget plans to spend much more than the federal government takes in.

Another 10 years of colossal spending is not what this country needs or wants. This nation doesn't want more spending, and the public made that clear in November.

We need to rein in Washington's massive deficits and give American job-creators the freedom to grow once again. We need to create a better environment for economic growth and job creation.

While this administration continues its tax, borrow and spend approach, Congress is well under way in its pledge to cut down on our spending and shrink the size of government.

Republicans recently introduced a spending plan that cuts our nation's spending for the rest of this fiscal year by $100 billion from what the president had proposed. We've already voted to cut Congress' own budget, saving $35 million. We've voted to save another $35 million by cutting down on unnecessary printing. By eliminating the public financing of presidential campaigns, we'll save $617 million over 10 years.

All told, the House has voted to cut $656 billion in the first month of the 112th Congress. But we will not stop there, not when we're broke and Washington's spending binge continues to cripple the ability of the private sector to create jobs.

Every week Congress is in session, look for a vote to save this country money. This is the time to embrace efficiency and accountability with our tax dollars.

Like you, me and the rest of the country, when times are tough, you cut back and make sacrifices. You don't just try, try again with failed policies.

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