“U.S. House Clears $410 Billion Spending for Fiscal 2009” (Reuters, February 25) reminded me that under former President Bush, he and Congress (controlled by Republicans for six years) during the eight years of Bush’s two terms increased Federal long term debt by over $3 trillion dollars, growing from less than $6 trillion dollars to over $9 trillion dollars.
This represented the greatest growth of long-term debt under this period. During the same time, the greatest growth in the numbers and dollars spent on pork barrel projects known as member items occurred. They numbered in the tens of thousands at a total cost of several hundred billion dollars.
President Obama and a Democratic majority in Congress rode to victory in 2008 by promising to control deficit spending and eliminate earmarking.
Talk is cheap and actions speak louder. It appears both President Obama and a Democratic Congress continue to conduct business as usual.
Under the Democrats trifecta control of the White House, the Senate and House, the deficit will increase by $1.75 trillion dollars more in less than one year.
Within the proposed $410 billion supplemental appropriations bill to fund all Federal agencies for the balance of 2009 are over 8,500 member item earmarked projects worth over $8 billion dollars. President Obama promised an end to this pork barrel spending frenzy.
Former President Bush talked the talk, but never walked the walk. He failed to veto any spending bill sent to him by Congress which contained pork barrel member item spending.
Will President Obama be a true Profile in Courage and use the veto as he promised? Does he have the strength to take on Democratic Senate majority leader Harry Reid, our own Senator Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi?
Senator Schumer sees nothing wrong with Democrats promoting excessive Democratic spending and earmarking, pointing out that Republicans did the same. While that is true, two wrongs hardily justify making the same mistakes again.
Will we see the change promised by Obama, Reid and Pelosi, or will it continue to be business as usual in Washington?
It appears that the famous K Street Washington lobbyists have just moved across the street from Republican to Democrat.
Many Americans still desire real leadership, fiscal discipline, free enterprise, balanced budgets and a reduction in the size of government.
The Democratic political tide which resulted in their winning large numbers of Senate and Congressional seats in 2008 could recede in 2010 unless they actually deliver what was promised.
Larry Penner
Great Neck, New York
