You may have noticed that Downsize DC has not yet spoken up about the Federal Government's Shutdown Theater.
Repeatedly, over the years, I've suggested that the Republicans were a crucial contributor to the big government, big spending problem. According to the Constitution, all revenue bills must originate in the House. And Republicans controlled the House.
They could reduce the budget.
They could defund Obamacare, if they meant business.
They never used their power, until now.
Apologists have said it's because they lack spine or cojones. That's inaccurate and lets the Republican incumbents off too easily. The truth is that the more successful the politician, the more he was corruptible, and the more corrupt he has become.
Personally, I'm thrilled that the Republicans are sticking to this strategy. It represents progress. Even more, it's proof of concept. We've advocated a pressure strategy, and here's an example of it working.
However, Downsize DC cannot endorse the Republicans, even in this matter. It's still the case that most of what they propose to fund does one or more of the following items…
- Violates the Zero Aggression Principle
- Violates the Constitution
- Will expand the national debt, burdening future generations
- Competes against (and suppresses) voluntary social alternatives
- Harms more people than it helps or flat-out doesn't work
In other words, the Republican version of the budget is still immoral.
And if they really cared about fiscal sanity, they'd target the world's largest purchasing department — the Pentagon. Here is an institution that lost $2 trillion dollars worth of assets. It's one of only two parts of this so-called “government” that cannot be audited. And it's responsible for boondoggles like the F-35, a $1.5 trillion airplane program. Yes, trillion.
The Republicans shouldn't just go after Obamacare. They'd be on even more solid ground with the public if they gave up their love affair with bombs and foreign interventions. But they haven't, and they won't.
Still, one has to appreciate what has happened in this Shutdown Theater. The comedy of blocking access to the only parts of government some people like, such as parks and monuments, combined with the tragedy of keeping open those things we loathe, like foreign aid and NSA spying, has been very educational for the American people.
All government rests upon the consent of the governed, and this whole escapade has lowered everyone's tolerance for both parties. The biggest loser here is the notion that statism was good for us. That philosophy is taking a real credibility beating in this affair. The Democrats might win this political battle, in the short term. But the idea of a robust, growing State is dying with each day this charade continues.
We've had regular, short insights on Facebook, every day. We've addressed not only this budget battle, but many other issues. Following us on Facebook and Twitter are good ways to keep up with us on a variety of issues.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downsizedc
Twitter: @DownsizeDC
Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.