Congress Must Lead By Example

There is a lot of ink, talk and webline space devoted to the White House/Congress budget wars. And, rightfully so.

The United States is in much too far in debt, and projected to be so for years.

Why is it so hard for Congress to understand that to lead they must do so by example.

The amount of taxpayer money spent (read: out of the pockets of Main Street USA citizens) to maintain the lifestyle they have been accustomed to is obscene.

Folks on Capitol Hill have become used to too many staff, exorbitant expense accounts, lavish (in this blogger's opinion) foreign travel (to accomplish what exactly?), and benefit and retirement plans that dwarf anything seen in the private sector.

Thus, as a very first step to balancing a budget, Democrats and Republicans (and Independents) should take the proverbial ax to their own house. Not just tiny gestures but meaningful reduction of waste.

Eliminate all foreign travel at taxpayer expense. If someone in Congress feels that they really must visit another country and observe first-hand the circumstances then they should put the tab on their personal credit card. They are, afterall, quite well-paid by any standard.

Make an across-the-board (huge) slash in "office expenses." Large and small businesses alike must do this when running in red ink or risk going out of business. Congress seems to lose sight of this fact. Their solution is simply voting to increase the amount of "legal" national debt and move on, spending as they go.

And, sorry to say this, but staff reductions are a must. Elected representatives need to get back to reality of what it means to work, not have others do their work for them.

While it is probably not the case every day, taxpayers should not be paying for the likes of this:

Members of Congress (and the White House) must lead by example by tightening their oversize (elastic) belts and show (prove to) all Americans that they are serious about cutting costs and saving money.

And one last point: elected officials should not be paid one cent for any days they spend campaigning to be re-elected. Every day away from the Hill should be docked from their paycheck. Period.

Who will be the first brave elected (or appointed) soul to stand up and declare that government waste must end and lead by example.

Over For Now.

Main Street One