In the film "Girl, Interrupted," the character played by
As I begin the laborious process of doing my income taxes, I am again reminded -- thanks to withholding and other payments I must make to the government -- that I am paying for so many things that aren't working. The D.C. that follows
What other institution, or business, could long survive with such a record of failure? Would a car dealer who consistently sells lemons be in business for long? Would a fast-food chain continue to attract customers if the hamburger meat was tainted and they became ill?
Only the federal government endures with no requirement that it function effectively and efficiently. As
Six weeks before the 1994 election, Rep.
Asked about it, Gingrich responded in an email: "We promised to audit the House. We brought in
Unfortunately that has not been enough to stem the growth of government under either party.
A
Congressman
If the Republican presidential candidates want to capture voters' attention in this turbulent and unpredictable election season, they should compose a new contract with voters. Every federal agency and program either has a charter that established it and/or authorizing legislation in which its purpose is stated. Heads of those agencies should periodically be required to come before
There remains a strain of the Puritan ethic in most Americans that begins with parents telling their children to eat their food because there are starving people in the world who don't have access to such nourishment. Not wasting money is also a part of that ethic.
First, though, we must get beyond the notion of "entitlement" and back to what our ancestors taught about personal responsibility with government as a last resort, not a first resource. That is going to take something akin to a spiritual awakening because government is not about to shrink itself or give up the power it has over the lives of its citizens.
Perhaps a good starting point would be to consult the wisdom of
During what has been described as a "revolutionary" campaign season, the pitchfork brigade might consider among their demands chopping off the heads of a lot of unnecessary and costly government agencies.
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Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books.
