The following originally appeared as an op-ed in the Provo Daily Herald. -Staff
On this Tax Day, we know the Tax Man Cometh and over the next few years, boy will he be coming with a vengeance. Because the only way liberals can support European levels of spending is with European levels of taxes. Instead of talking about serious spending cuts to confront our sky-high budget deficits, they are talking about more and more taxes.
If I were handing out a fiscal report card, I'd give the federal government an F. Our deficit this year is on track to exceed $1.4 trillion and is projected to exceed $700 billion every year over the next decade.
The following originally appeared as an op-ed in the National Review. -Staff
Tomorrow night, President Obama will head to the Capitol to deliver his State of the Union address to the nation. While it is sure to include the rhetorical flourishes and impeccable delivery that President Obama is renowned for, I fear it will unfortunately be dominated by populist rhetoric instead of the actual policies the administration is pushing behind closed doors -- away from the scrutiny of the American people. Health care is a prime example.
Working hard and living within our means is something that, as a father, I tried very hard to instill in my children. But as a parent, I can't think of a worse role model than the federal government. One of the first votes the Senate will take this year will be to raise the $12.4 trillion debt limit -- the amount Washington can charge to the nation's credit card -- just a month after they increased it by $290 billion. This shouldn't be how we start the new year.
We find ourselves in perilous times. We face the great challenge of spiraling federal debt that threatens the soundness of our currency, the security of economic recovery and the aspirations of the next generation. Federal spending is taking the largest share of national income since the early 1950s and the deficit is as large as it has been since World War II.
The future is just as bleak. Left to its devices, the Obama administration would implement a budget plan that is dangerous.
The following originally appeared as an op-ed in the Deseret News. -Staff
We, as a nation, are standing at historic crossroads. Despite growing opposition from the American people, the Democratic majority continues their brazen efforts to jam through a 2,074-page edict before Christmas day that will impact every American life and every American business. The most disturbing part of this exercise is that it is a bill that is yet to be seen in its entirety. Major sections of this bill are nothing more than amorphous policies that continuously shape-shift behind closed doors in the Capitol in an effort to buy 60 votes.
We have all heard a lot of speeches over the past few weeks. I want to take this opportunity to lay out some cold, hard numbers about this bill and the reality we are facing as a nation for all my fellow Utahns.
The following originally appeared as an op-ed in USA Today. -Staff
Affordable and quality health care for every American is neither a Republican nor a Democratic issue -- it is an American issue. Unfortunately, the current health care bills before Congress are too partisan, too expensive and too big-government for most Americans to support.
As congressional Democrats inch towards going it alone on health reform, I ask them to do what American families are demanding -- step back, take a deep breath and start over on a truly bipartisan bill. Using a partisan "reconciliation" process to jam a bill that deals with one-sixth of our economy with 20 hours of Senate debate -- less than one full day -- would be one of the most irresponsible actions that the majority could take.
Senator Hatch invites you to join him and leading economic experts at The Fiscal Future of America forum this Friday at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Senator Hatch explains why he's hosting his forum:
Our nation is at a critical juncture. The runaway spending train enveloping Washington, D. C., is threatening to decimate the future of our children and for all Americans for generations to come. My office has received literally thousands of letters, phone calls, and emails from Utahns who are extremely concerned about America's fiscal future. I envision this Forum as a way for our citizens to have an opportunity to not only listen to some speakers who have been at the forefront of our economy, but to ask questions of the experts and provide feedback to me that I can arm myself with for this fight in Washington.
