Brain-Jockey

(Be) Holden to the Status Quo

Written by Audrie Zettick on February 4, 2009

I thought the country (or at least the millions who voted for Barack Obama) threw the status quo out the window this past November.  But the same-old, same-old reigns in the U.S. Congress these past weeks, especially from my Congressman, Tim Holden (D, PA-17). 

At first, I had hope.  Let’s review:  

• No Time for the Status Quo.  By most accounts, these are the most challenging times since the Great Depression; it calls for us to support elected officials who are acting for the long term, greater good of our nation. 
• Fast, Focused and Finite. Widely-accepted, economic stimulus wisdom from Lawrence Summers. (Here for David Brooks’ insight).
• Tim Holden noted that the economy is in “the worst state that I can remember in my lifetime” and that  “the economy is in dire straits, and we need to show some leadership and do something here.”   

Except that “leadership” meant sticking with the status quo, old-style politics.

The Commonwealth of PA is among the states whose budgetary woes result in part from a history of old-style vote getting: putting something for everyone in appropriations bills, so we “get support.”  Holden and most of the Democrat Caucus did the same with the stimulus bill, H.R. 1. 

Holden’s justification:  “I don’t know how I’d vote against $1.8 billion coming to Pennsylvania.”  ……except he also said “I can’t direct money to go anywhere.”   

The result?  Not a stimulus package that is fast, focused and finite.  More like flabby, frenzied and flatulent. Apparently, my district isn’t the only one “Be Holden” to the status quo.

Talking Points: The People Speak On Stimulus Package

Written by Audrie Zettick on January 28, 2009

Around the country, the grassroots are speaking out, calling and emailing their congressional delegations in opposition to the current so-called economic stimulus package–”The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”  Put forward as an “emergency” appropriation needed in time of economic distress, it looks more like a Christmas package for overzealous big government spenders.

In spite of some small changes made in the past 24-48 hours–such as pulling the inclusion of contraceptive programs as part of economic stimulus–the bill remains bloated and chock full of programs that either require more consideration or are downright detrimental to the country at this time. (note: it is my understanding that the programs for ”

Regardless of your political persuasion, we urge you to contact your elected officials NOW in Washington (and especially your Senator) and tell them to oppose the current bill.  (Contact info here).

Here are some quick, simplified talking points:

• This is too important to be partisan.  Republican proposals were shut out of consideration by the Congressional democrats, who operated behind closed doors. 

• The $825 billion stimulus package is actually estimated to cost over $1.1 trillion over ten years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.  (Some estimates take it as high as $2 trillion).

• Bloated excessive spending doesn’t work.  In the Bush Administration, spending was increased at the Departments of Transportation, Education and Health and Human Services to the tune of 2, 3, and 4 times the rate of inflation (respectively).  Look at where that got us.  Why do we think the same actions would work now and not worsen things? 

• This is billed as an emergency appropriation.  Congressional budget office revised estimates say that only 64.4% of the funds will be spent in 18 months from enactment.  Further, less than 21% of the funds are expected to be utilized in 2009.  At minimum, let’s cut the funds not being used on an immediate basis! 

• It is shameful to believe that the myriad of programs included in the bill are for economic stimulus. (Customize your response from this list of pork. Hat tip Glenn Beck and staff).  This bill is just an excuse to ram new programs through.  This legislation would create more than 32 new programs!

To help stabilize our economy, we agree with the tax cuts included in the bill.  However, we prefer less spending and a better focus on what tax cuts can do to immediately stimulate the flagging economy, such as that included in the alternative “The Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act.”

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act”  is a “borrow and spend” bill that will burden our children for decades.  We demand that you vote “no.”

(Note: see also the “Melt the Phone Lines” initiative on Top Conservatives on Twitter.) 

647 Pages versus One Simple Video: Wake Up America

Written by Audrie Zettick on January 27, 2009

Four words strike fear in my heart.  Well, more accurately, four names. Henry Waxman, Barney Frank, David Obey and Charles Rangel.  Power brokers in this Democrat-controlled Congress, these committee chairs are key sponsors of the “government stimulus” bill near-destined to pass in some form or another. 

I might be a brain-jockey but I’m no economic rocket scientist. With jobs dropping like flies here in PA and elsewhere, maybe there is some call for strategic government spending?  Figuring this is too important to the future of my kids, I found an online link to H.R. 1 “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” being discussed in D.C. this week.   (Glenn Beck and others have growing lists of spending proposals I’ll cover later).

Normally, a policy document of this length would be a good sleep-aid.  But this one’s more in the line of a nightmare. Still slogging through the mire, but let’s just say I’m having a bit of a problem understanding why billions of bucks for items like special education, health-information technology systems and broadband access in rural areas is an emergency.  (Yes, this is an “emergency” appropriation).

The Commonwealth Foundation in Harrisburg PA tweeted a link to a video that all of us should view this week. It’s by the Cato Institute and succinctly highlights how government spending can’t buy us out of this economic mess.  (Make sure you watch until the end, where they show Bush-era spending increases of 2, 3 and 4 times inflation—and THAT sure helped, didn’t it?).

I’ll be putting together some talking points and other links you can pass on to your friends, family and others who need to know how their future is being mortgaged. 

Meanwhile, back to the 647 pages of HR 1, and a stiff cup of coffee.  Wake up America.