by Mark Silva
Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas is a freshman in Congress.
"The pace that Democrats in Congress and the White House are spending your tax dollars is simply staggering,'' Jenkins reports.
This is the message of the weekly Republican address, delivered today by Jenkins -- this Kansan has an idea about what's the matter with Washington.
"I know a thing or two about handling taxpayer dollars,'' Jenkins says. "I was the state treasurer in Kansas for six years before I came to Congress, and before that I practiced public accounting as a certified public accountant for nearly two decades so trust me when I say Washington's books are a mess...
"More than two million Americans have lost their jobs this year, and by all accounts, our national recession has gotten worse than expected,'' Jenkins says. "Americans are worried, and rightfully so. They know that we can't spend our way back to prosperity.''
See the address above, and the text below:
"This is Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.
"This is my first year in Congress, and what I've seen since I arrived in Washington has been truly eye-opening. The pace that Democrats in Congress and the White House are spending your tax dollars is simply staggering.
A trillion dollars for the so-called 'stimulus' bill. Nearly a half-trillion on an 'omnibus' spending measure with nearly 9,000 un-scrutinized earmarks. And $3.6 trillion on a budget that Democrats just passed this week, which includes trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. As a mother with two children, I'm concerned - like any mom would be - about the debt we're piling on future generations.
"I know a thing or two about handling taxpayer dollars. I was the state treasurer in Kansas for six years before I came to Congress, and before that I practiced public accounting as a certified public accountant for nearly two decades so trust me when I say Washington's books are a mess.
"Remember when the President promised strict oversight of how states and local communities are spending those critical 'stimulus' dollars? Well, in the last few weeks, we've heard about plenty of 'stimulus' waste. Taxpayer dollars earmarked for a homeless program in a town with no homeless problem. Millions to extend an 'Artwalk' in New York. And more than a million dollars for sidewalks and trash cans outside a casino in Michigan. This bill was supposed to be about jobs, but it's gone off the rails in practically no time at all and millions of your tax dollars are being wasted. It's quickly turning into a symbol of everything wrong with Washington, D.C. - unchecked spending, no accountability and oversight, and more and more debt piled onto our children and grandchildren.
"This week, we marked the President's 100th day in office. And while, like most of you, I like the President personally, I think the Democrats' first 100 days running Washington can be summed up in three words: spending, taxing, and borrowing. The plans they've passed in the first 100 days will add more to our nation's public debt than all previous Presidents combined in 200 plus years. They've taken away President Obama's promised middle-class tax cut and paved the way for a new national energy tax to be paid by every American who dares to flip on a light switch.
"Middle-class families and small businesses across America are tightening their belts and making sacrifices each and every day during this recession, and Republicans believe that it's time for Washington to do the same. We offered a budget that curbs spending, creates jobs by cutting taxes, and controls the debt. We've also offered proposals to help rebuild your savings, revitalize the housing market, and create twice as many jobs as the Democrats' 'stimulus' at half the cost.
"More than two million Americans have lost their jobs this year, and by all accounts, our national recession has gotten worse than expected. Americans are worried, and rightfully so. They know that we can't spend our way back to prosperity. Republicans are fighting for middle-class families and small businesses every day here in Washington. And we are ready to work in a bipartisan way on real solutions to create jobs, rebuild your savings, and get our economy moving again. Let's hope the Democrats in charge are as well.
"Thank you for listening."
Comments
Oh, so NOW the GOP will focus on the economy. Where were you for 8 years?
I'd rather seen it thrown at rebuilding the Bush-ruined American economy rather than rebuilding the Iran economy Bush ruined for them.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 2, 2009 8:38 AM
KB,
"Rebuilding the Iran economy"? Do you have the right country?
Under President Bush, there was a 73 month economic expansion, low interest rates, low inflation, and low unemployment. Over his eight years, things were pretty good. The last year was not good, but the overall economy under President Bush did well.
Posted by: Terry | May 2, 2009 9:55 AM
Sure, Terry. Things were pretty good for the well off; that "expansion" was rather meager and obviously weak, and the Bushies failed to foresee what was coming (or failed to do anything about it).
Posted by: bubble | May 2, 2009 11:11 AM
"Over his eight years, things were pretty good.
This is rich! Literally!
With the exception of those of us in the lower 99% income bracket, you're right.
Posted by: David | May 2, 2009 1:52 PM
T,
No, I meant Iraq.
Re the rest of your post, do you have the right country?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 2, 2009 2:29 PM
There you go again Terry.
First of all the Commerce Department downwardly revised economic growth during 2007 from 1.3 percent to 0.6 percent. As a result, the average compounded annual growth rate during the first six years and three months of the Bush administration fell below 2.5 percent! Hardly exceptional compaired to Clintons 4%
After blowing through $9 trillion debt ceiling by September, our national debt soared by at least $2.5 trillion more (or $500 billion per year) over the next five years, according to Mr. Bush's own 2008 budget projections!
I'll give you the unemployment stats but thats about it.
Bottom line for the Bush administration: Much less growth, much more debt. PERIOD!!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 2, 2009 4:03 PM
Say hey!! Lynn Jenkins if you follow your history, England did just that after World War ll. At least we will be spending it on our own nation and not dumping it down the porcelain chute in Iraq. Let them whine, the Republicans never do anything FOR this country, they only do things TO this country. whiteagle38
Posted by: R. Juneau | May 2, 2009 5:18 PM
Hey Econ morons,
Fifth longest economic expansion in US history.
http://www.nber.org/cycles/cyclesmain.html
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=economic_indicators&docid=01ja09.txt
Unemployment under 6% most of the 8 years,
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=economic_indicators&docid=12ja09.txt
Inflation, a couple of % points per year.
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=economic_indicators&docid=23ja09.txt
And therefore, low interest rates
http://mortgage-x.com/trends.htm
I realize that's a lot of numbers for you flatliners and you have trouble with math (especially you Scottie), but do you best to follow the facts instead of your MSNBC talking points.
Scottie, Clinton's economic growth wasn't due to his great tax policy (unless you are counting when he followed the GOP lead and lowered Cap Gains in 98). It was due the US economy and the use of technology - namely the PC and Intranet.
The only reason the deficit went down during the Clinton administration was because of Newt and the boys. Even after Clinton's largest tax increase in history (at least for now), he still predicted $200 billion deficits for as far as the eyes could see. That would be about $300 billion in today's dollars - much larger than 7 of the 8 Bush deficits.
Scottie - stick to what you knwo - like teabagging
Posted by: Terry | May 3, 2009 12:15 AM
Sure Terry whatever you say and want to believe. All I know is your party and your Bush created the largest government and largest deficit in history. Nothing to brag about my dear. And as I recall the whole economic meltdown happened on his watch so stick to your cut and paste posts all you want. The bottom line is that the majority of Americans see through your rhetoric and creative bookkeeping. Everything under Bush's plans fell through the cracks and bottomed out and became the worst economy in our lifetimes. If thats something you like to brag about then good for you. Us - the majority of Americans - dont fall for it anymore. Get it?
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 3, 2009 10:01 PM
Scottie,
I just state and believe the facts.
The recession of 2008 happened on President Bush's watch, so did the world championship of my beloved Chicago White Sox. Are you going to give credit to President Bush for that?
The majority of Americans, including yourself, do not understand bookkeeping, let alone accounting, finance, and economics.
What I "get" is that the majority of Americans are ignorant of economics.
We'll see if the majority of Americans understand that BO's policies and budget will double the national debt and have a record setting debt for any Presidental administration.
Posted by: Terry | May 4, 2009 8:45 PM
Ya the recession of 2008 , nice way to put it. You suggest it only began in 2008! As if! His policies are what led to the recession you moron THATS what we all understand! Calling the majority of Americans ignorant is not going to win you or your party any votes thats for sure.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 5, 2009 9:08 AM
The recession began in December 2007 - does that make you feel better.
Name the Bush policy that led to the recession. Just one little Scottie.
As far as Americans being ignorant. Get my statement correct - ignorant of economics. Yes they are - you are living proof as are these folks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm1KOBMg1Y8
Scottie - I don't need to win votes, so I can tell it like is.
Posted by: Terry | May 5, 2009 9:46 PM
Ok Terrie whatever you want to say that makes you happy. We The MAJORITY disagree with you and your policies and your agendas is that clear enough for you.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 6, 2009 8:21 AM
Some other folks that were in the minority that I think turned out to be right - the signors of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan to name a few.
While on the other hand, we have seen mob hysteria lead to Nazi Germany, Facist Italy, Communist Russia
Maybe your parents didn't teach you this saying "What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular" I would rather be right than popular any day of the week.
Posted by: Terry | May 6, 2009 9:48 PM
Yes thats right bring up the old past and hang onto it as usual. Telling the future by looking at the past assumes that conditions remain constant. This is like driving a car by looking in the rearview mirror.That would be you and your party's policies for sure!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 7, 2009 8:15 AM
Another saying you obviously were never taught:
"Those Who Forget History Are Doomed to Repeat It"
Posted by: Terry | May 7, 2009 6:56 PM
Another saying you obviously were never taught:
"Those Who Forget History Are Doomed to Repeat It"
Posted by: Terry | May 7, 2009 6:56 PM
I have to laugh! You're the one who seems to be mixed up about this saying! You're the one who seems to have forgotten the world wide view and American majorities view of the past 8 years and you and your party would do anything to repeat them! LOL MORON!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 8, 2009 8:30 AM
Not mixed up, haven't forgotten a thing.
America was attacked becuase the previous president punted terroprism down the road. President Bush took measures to defend this country and we weren't attcked again. Economy grew for six years with low unemployment, low inflation, and low interest rates. Too much gov't intrusion into lending practices led to current recession and the same loons that gave us this problem are now in charge of fixing of the mess they created.
Posted by: Terry | May 8, 2009 7:49 PM
Um Terry, 9/11 occurred under Bush's watch and his administration was warned on several occasions, they ignored these warnings. Those are the facts! Putting the blame on Clinton is the same as saying Bush the first was responsible for the first attack on the WTC. Terrorism rose 2 fold around the world under Bush. How has that made the world safer? Afganistan was ignored by Bush and is now a bigger haven for terrorism!! We certainly have you and your wingnuts to thank for that!!! Your logic is warped just like the rest of you wingnuts. Oh and by the way, didnt Bush sign the first stimulus package??? How many wingnuts signed for it as well? As I recall even McCain was for it. And tell me, where did that get us? This being said, I have no doubt that if McCain were president now the second stimulus package would have been passed as well!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 9, 2009 10:37 AM
Clinton had 8 yrs after the first WTC bombings and did nothing. He did nothing when the African embassies were bombed. He did nothing after the Khobar Towers were bombed. He did nothing after the USS Cole bombing. However, he did invade Iraq in December, 1998.
Yes, I do believe Bush41 was responsible for the first WTC bombings. Clinton was responsible for the response to the bombings.
Have bombings increased. Ok. At least the terrorists know they will be held accountible for their actions under Bush, unlike under Clinton. You would just as soon let them roam free and do as they please as long as they don't do "too much"?
Afghanistan was ignored by Clinton. He had clear shots at bin Laden but was afraid to give the order to fire the cruise missles because bin Laden's family was present. He should have put Janet Reno in charge since she has no trouble giving orders that will kill children.
Afghanistan is not a bigger haven for terrorists as it was on Sept 10, 2001. Not even close.
Bush did sign the stimulus plan (assume you mean in 2008). I wasn't a big fan of the it either. You see how tax breaks to those that don't pay taxes worked out.
Posted by: Terry | May 9, 2009 4:52 PM