Operation Offset Shows Potential for 'Smart' Government
by Bobby Eberle | View comments |
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Operation Offset is based on the simple premise that rather than going into more debt, hurricane relief should be funded in large part by cutting unnecessary programs and eliminating "pork" spending by both Republicans and Democrats.
Seeing the words "smart" and "government" in the same sentence is about as common as seeing the word "humble" used to describe Donald Trump. It just doesn't happen. On the contrary, watching government in action is often a lesson in stupidity. Given the opportunity to accomplish a task, government will invariably spend more money, waste more time, and point more fingers than other possible solutions. In the aftermath of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina, America saw all levels of government at their worst: layers of bureaucratic chaos leading to pointless delays, partisan posturing rather than constructive debate, and a new mantra of "spend whatever it takes" to solve the problem.
Now, with the Bush administration looking to top $200 billion in hurricane recovery funding, a group of conservative House Republicans is asking a question that unfortunately is being asked less and less by Republicans: how will we pay for this? These Republicans have devised a plan, known as Operation Offset, which is based on the simple premise that rather than going into more debt, hurricane relief should be funded in large part by cutting unnecessary programs and eliminating "pork" spending by both Republicans and Democrats. This plan makes sense and represents core conservative principles of smaller government and less spending.
Remember those principles? Remember when Republicans fought for reductions in spending and the elimination of federal programs. Now all we seem to get are pledges to "reduce the rate of growth" of federal spending. What in the world is that? As conservatives, we should not be happy that we are not spending as quickly or to the same extent as Democrats would. These House conservatives remember, and through Operation Offset, they are offering a plan that shows respect for the American taxpayer.
Before going into the details of Operation Offset, all are encouraged to closely monitor what the Democrats and the media are saying about disaster relief. These groups will invariably frame the issue by saying that two entities should step forward and cover the funding. First, they will say that the government should spend X number of dollars in disaster funds. Second, they will note that the taxpayers, especially the "rich," should be asked to cover some of the additional costs, through the equivalent of increased taxes. Thus, they call on government funds and additional taxpayer revenue to cover the costs. What they won't say is that there is no such thing as "government funds." It all comes from the American taxpayer, and the American taxpayer is the one who will pay. This is one reason why Operation Offset represents "smart" government, because it recognizes who is paying the bill, and it treats the American taxpayer with respect.
Operation Offset works under the premise that if the federal government is going to stick the taxpayers with a massive disaster recovery price tag, then the federal government owes it to those same taxpayers to cover those costs by looking within and eliminating wasteful spending and programs. This is the only sensible way to proceed, and yet these conservatives, lead by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), are being called "brave" and "courageous" by some observers simply because they are sticking to core Republican principles. Unfortunately, there are many House Republicans who don't fall under the "brave" or "courageous" labels, and thus it is up to grassroots activists to let Washington know that uncontrolled federal spending must stop now. It is time for grassroots conservatives to show support for Operation Offset.
The program is divided in six sections which touch on all facets of the federal government: Tough Choices in Tough Times, Restraining Foreign Aid, Reprioritization of Federal Spending, Containing the Federal Bureaucracy, Eliminating Corporate Welfare, and Rational Reforms to Defense and Homeland Security. Through these proposals, the Republican Study Committee or RSC (the caucus of conservative House Republicans) estimates a 10-year savings of close to $1 trillion. That's not M as in million, or even B as in billion.? That's one trillion dollars!
Half of the overall savings comes from the section the RSC calls "Tough Choices in Tough Times." In the proposal, House conservatives call for a one-year delay in implementing the new prescription drug benefit. Note that nothing would be taken away from seniors. It is simply a one-year delay of a program that has yet to be implemented. In addition, the plan calls for reopening the recently signed highway bill and eliminating the 6,000 special interest projects that were included. Those two actions would result in a 10-year savings of over $50 billion or 1/4 of the estimated disaster relief expenditures.
Operation Offset proposes sending block grants to the states for acute services under Medicare in much the same way block grants were used in the widely popular welfare reform legislation passed in 1996. In addition, through its "Reprioritization of Federal Spending," Operation Offset results in over $300 billion in savings over 10 years by eliminating countless government research programs that can be better handled by private industry and the free market.
Following last week's press conference announcing Operation Offset, one Republican House member told FOX News that there are likely only thirty votes right now for passage of this plan. This is completely unacceptable, and Republicans across the country should demand action by the entire Republican caucus and support from the White House. If there is a federal obligation to rebuild the Gulf Coast, then there must also be a federal obligation to do so without increasing the debt burden on future generations. Operation Offset represents an attempt at smart government. Let's be vocal now and show our support. The return of dumb government is just around the corner.
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