Posted on 09/19/2005 2:36:42 PM PDT by Reagan Man
Alexandria, VA - The American Conservative Union, the nation's oldest and largest conservative grassroots organization, today called on President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress to take immediate action to rein in federal spending.
“Clearly the terrible tragedy resulting from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina will require substantial federal resources to be expended, and all Americans support this relief effort,” said ACU Chairman David Keene. “But the idea that Congress should spend tens of billions of dollars on this relief effort in the absence of reprioritizing overall federal spending makes absolutely no sense.”
“ Let us not lose sight of the fact that prior to Hurricane Katrina, federal government spending was already spiraling out of control,” Keene said. “Excluding military and homeland security, American taxpayers have witnessed the largest spending increase under any preceding president and Congress since the Great Depression.”
Annual non-military and non-homeland security spending increased $303 Billion between Fiscal Year 2001 and Fiscal Year 2005. The acknowledged Federal Debt has increased over $2 Trillion since Fiscal Year 2000 and now stands at $7.9 Trillion.
“This ever mounting federal debt has been inexcusably passed on to future generations without regard as to how the debt will be repaid,” Keene said.
The Medicare prescription drug bill passed in 2003 is estimated by its Trustees to increase the government’s unfunded obligations by $16 Trillion. Moreover, the long-term unfunded debt of Medicare and Social Security totals over $50 Trillion.
“Because of these massive increases in federal largess, conservatives throughout the United States are increasingly losing faith in the President and the Republican Leadership in Congress to adequately prioritize and rein in overall federal spending,” Keene concluded.
The ACU Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution during its August 2005 meeting calling on President Bush and the Republican majority in Congress to take immediate and decisive action to reduce in real terms the level of non-defense federal spending and federal debt. A copy of the resolution is attached.
The American Conservative Union is the nation's oldest conservative lobbying organization. ACU's purpose is to effectively communicate and advance the goals and principles of conservatism through one multi-issue, umbrella organization. The Statement of Principles makes clear ACU's support of capitalism, belief in the doctrine of original intent of the framers of the Constitution, confidence in traditional moral values, and commitment to a strong national defense.
Pretty weak. Blackbird.
Agree with your take on Lindsey Grahman and his comments this weekend. Also, his comments during the Roberts confirmation were spot on.
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