The federal government is taking in record amounts of revenue, but politicians can’t control themselves when it comes to spending.
There’s a certain elitism about this bill, as well as there is with many things that come from Washington. Government now sees itself as the primary provider of life’s necessities. For many, it has become a first resource, while in the Coolidge and earlier years, it was a last resort. Credit, or blame, Franklin Roosevelt for expanding the role, reach, and cost of government. Though some of his programs were necessary during the Depression, the idea of “entitlement” grew.
Addictions, whether to substances, or government, are hard to break. Politicians know this, which is why trying to cut even the rate of increased spending for outdated programs is treated like taking away a child’s favorite toy.
I am going to repeat a suggestion I have made before and maybe this time, some legislators will pay attention. If Republicans regain control of at least the House of Representatives in November, they should commission an outside firm with no connection to a party or politician to conduct a complete audit of the federal government. Every program and agency that isn’t living up to its original purpose and can’t be done better in the private sector should be eliminated. Businesses do this or something similar. Only government seems to grow without end.
More spending, as in the “Inflation Reduction Act,” won’t reduce inflation, any more than drinking more alcohol leads to sobriety. But when Democrats are drunk on spending and power, and too many Americans have an entitlement mentality, it doesn’t appear either side is prepared to go cold turkey when it comes to spending.