In Defense of Jim Bunning
Senator Jim Bunning (R – KY) has caught a lot of heat this week for single-handedly blocking a measure to extend unemployment benefits to the 400,000 or so Americans out of work.
In an election year, this is kind of legislative measure is usually a no-brainer: every politician wants to be seen as compassionate and understanding fo the plight of the little guy. Bunning is retiring after this year, so he’s free from any pressure to back down. And you know what? I think he’s got a point.
His objection stems from a [very] common practice in Washington: passing spending bills with nary a mention of how they will be funded. In this case, it’s a $10 billion package of unemployment benefits and highway spending (and probably a few ear marks). Before consenting to unanimous passage, Bunning wants the Senate to decide how to pay for it.
Ironically, his position is precisely that which has been taken up by the Democratic leadership as of late. Lamenting over the reckless spending binge of the Bush era, the Democrats have recently passed rules in the Senate to restore the pay-as-you-go system that was so effective under President Clinton. Their rationale for excluding this specific package fro those rules is that it’s an emergency measure. (A rather liberal use of the term, to be sure)
So where could we find $10 billion?
We could shave the Military budget by 1%
We could raise taxes by 1%
Or, we could do nothing and just pass the buck along to the next generation like we do every year.
Sen. Bunning may not be the most popular member of the Senate, but he’s not a crack-pot. Even if the spending is going to really needy people who really deserve it, someone’s got to pay.
Filed under politics : Comments (0) : Mar 2nd, 2010 by tadfad
