In a recent post, I pointed out some of the problems our politicians have caused in the federal government. President Trump’s recent budget proposal, which was supported by both parties in Congress, reminded us of some of the problems in Washington, D.C.
It has nothing to do with fiscal responsibility and everything to do with politicians taking care of voting constituencies and corporate donors. The plan is being sold as a compromise. The only compromise was that Republicans and Democrats both get to spend all they want.
We in North Carolina are smart enough to know that a sensible compromise could have limited spending rather than maximizing it.
Once again, North Carolinians feel powerless to stop the madness. In this budget, the national debt will increase by over $7 trillion over the next ten years, bringing the debt to $27 trillion. Who knows what damage the next budget will do.
What can be done about this foolishness? Readers of this page know that the real solution is a Convention of States. Many of us believe it’s the only solution that can work.
In order to get the debt under control, the Convention of States movement is working to bring the 50 states together to propose amendments. Among other things, the convention could propose amendments to “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government.”
One might think all that’s needed is an amendment to reduce spending or to balance the budget. Of course, we all know that D.C. politicians are a sneaky bunch and that they will want to find a way around our desires.
In his book The Liberty Amendments, Mark Levin discusses amendments that could be debated and proposed at a convention.
In one amendment aimed at controlling the budgets, Congress would be required to pass an annual balanced budget. If a budget can’t be passed, automatic spending cuts would be imposed.
This amendment would limit the size of the budget to a manageable percentage of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Another important element of the proposal is that the national debt, now $20 trillion, can only be increased with a three-fifths vote in Congress.
Levin proposes a related amendment to place limits on Congress’s ability to raise taxes. It includes language that would limit income taxes to 15 percent. He cleverly proposes that the tax return filing deadline be changed to the day before election day to remind taxpayers what our elected officials have been up to.
In this amendment, the death tax would be repealed, and other tax schemes--such as a national sales tax or a Value Added Tax--would be prohibited.
The federal government’s fiscal problems are huge, and these amendments would begin to put the country back on track. They would also reduce the disincentives politicians have that make them look out for themselves and their colleagues, rather than We the People.
There is a good reason for optimism. While Congress currently has no reason to put America’s finances back in order, we the states do.
We also have a way to make it happen. A Convention of States is the vehicle North Carolina can use to correct this and other problems in the federal government. Please stay in contact with your NC legislator and encourage them to vote yes on the Convention of States resolution.
