An examination in more detail shows that there are reasons for an $18 billion debt: Number 1: Congress spends without authorization! It spent the mind boggling sum of $310 billion on 250 agencies and programs that were not longer authorized by law, and under Congress’s own rules authorized to receive/spend funds! (It contributes to that expansion by undoing long established restrictions on spending). Examples: $22.5 million in grants for bulletproof vests for police and $3 million for implementing the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Åct, neither of which has been authorized since 2013! Some others that should make your blood boil: The State Department has not been authorized since 2004! The Federal Trade Commission has not been authorized since 1999! Then there’s the Federal Elections Commmission operating without an authrization since 1982. Ad infinitum, and ad nauseum.
The CBO shows in its latest report that Congress regularly shovels money into programs regardless. This is anarchy – this on the backs of the “unwashed masses.”
Let’s look at the hanky panky in our state government:
In Libby, hundreds of high-wage jobs have been delayed 11 years waiting for a DEQ permit for the Montana ore mine. Why is our wonderful, compassionate governor dragging his feet?
In Ekalaka, a case came up where the state was requiring a nine-year apprenticeship. Total insanity.
Havre: a small business couldn’t hire its first employees without having unemployment insurance (he didn’t have any employees to insure!). More political lunacy.
Then there’s the frustration of small business owners facing high work comp insurance costs, state agencies’ poor customer service, mounds of unnecessary paperwork.
Time for housecleaning in the Capitol!
Bruce King
Hamilton