On February 12, 2010, President Obama signed PAYGO rules into law; so why are the Democrats in Congress still trying to pass a Jobs Bill that does not fully pay for itself!!

PAYGO compels new spending or tax changes to not add to the federal deficit. Government saves up money to fund a specific project. Under the PAYGO rules a new proposal must either be “budget neutral” or offset with savings derived from existing funds. The goal of this is to require those in control of the budget to engage in the diligence of prioritizing expenses and exercising fiscal restraint.

With our National Debt growing every second it’s difficult for the American people to understand any more spending that could possibly be avoided. Spending is a hot button topic in the country right now and congress has to be careful; especially Democrats. The GOP will run November campaigns with spending being one of the top issues; more important than campaigns can this country sustain constant spending? The answer is NO!

What can be done to curtail the spending in Washington?

This is where PAYGO was supposed to play an important role; it was widely touted as the reason President Clinton was able to deliver balance budgets and leave the country when he left office with a surplus. So of course when I heard that President Obama wanted to reestablish PAYGO I was encouraged that both Democrats and Republicans will be held to rules that would result in fiscal discipline.

So how is that PAYGO working for us?

I would say still to be determined…

Currently the Democrats and Republicans are going back and forth on a Jobs Bill that will provide the following:

– provide tax breaks for individuals and businesses

– reauthorize several domestic aid programs, including extended unemployment benefits and the so-called “Doc Fix,” which protects doctors who see Medicare patients from a 21 percent pay cut.

Republicans and Conservative Democrats have paused on passing the bill due to concerns about adding to the deficit. Liberal Democrats will argue that the addition to the deficit is minor, but I will argue that any adding to deficit is not MINOR to everyday Americans who continue to watch nightly news reports of the rising debt. While at the same time approximately 1.2 million Americans will lose unemployment benefits if this bill is not passed. So what do we do?

This is not an easy decision but it is a decision that has to be made; and I am not saying I have all the answers but there has to be a way to construct a bill that will address most of everyone’s concerns. That means that Republicans and Moderate Democrats have to negotiate in good faith; while Liberal Democrats have to stop acting like spending is not a REAL problem. That means the president and Nancy Pelosi need to stop playing the unemployed card. Both the president and Pelosi talked about those on unemployment who lose benefits and also talked about the teachers, firefighters and police that will be affected if this Jobs Bill was not passed. This is a terrible situation for anyone to imagine but is this the right way to get legislation passed; at the same time those opposing the Jobs Bill need to provide solutions instead of just saying no!

Now all of this might come as surprise to most of the readers as earlier this year I supported extending unemployment benefits (Talking Points Tuesday – Hypocrisy), but even I have my breaking point. I speak from experience, I was unemployment during an extended period after 9/11; and I tried everything to find a job. Eventually I had to take a job that paid less; with that said I am in no way saying that most people on unemployment are lazy and just living off the government. I will never say that as I believe that way of thinking of those who fall for the stereotypes of the middle/low working class.

If I was in the Senate or House I believe I would be willing to make the tough decision on what needs to be cut so that we can move this country in the right direction. If we can continue to spend $600 Billion on defense spending why can’t some of that money go to other places. There is no other army in the world that can challenge the United States; would be weakened if we only spent $100 Billion on defense?

Of course defense spending will never be cut because no party, and I mean NO party has the political will to sell that idea; not even the Tea Party!!

Congress you what you have to do; stop all the political posturing and get it done!!!

As always….
If there is something to be said, “Its On Broadway” to step up and say it!!!