Memo to Congresswoman Lori Trahan: Cut Discretionary Spending

May 1, 2019 Dear Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-3):

I'm writing to urge you to oppose any legislation or budget resolution that breaks the spending limits set in the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA).

In fact, I urge additional drastic cuts in discretionary spending and a rejection of the President's $2 trillion infrastructure boondoggle he "negotiated" with the Democrats.

The national debt now exceeds $22 trillion and poses an alarming threat to future generations. There's no excuse for Congress to ignore this problem. Our nation's priorities can be met without breaking the spending caps.

As the meticulous, methodical and vastly underrated President Calvin Coolidge so pithily noted:

"...the policy that stands out with the greatest clearness is that of economy in public expenditure with reduction and reform of taxation. The principle involved in this effort is that of conservation. The resources of this country are almost beyond computation. No mind can comprehend them. But the cost of our combined governments is likewise almost beyond definition. Not only those who are now making their tax returns, but those who meet the enhanced cost of existence in their monthly bills, know by hard experience what this great burden is and what it does. No matter what others may want, these people want a drastic economy. They are opposed to waste..."

"The collection of any taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. The only constitutional tax is the tax which ministers to public necessity. The property of the country belongs to the people of the country. Their title is absolute. They do not support any privileged class; they do not need to maintain great military forces; they ought not to be burdened with a great array of public employees. They are not required to make any contribution to Government expenditures except that which they voluntarily assess upon themselves through the action of their own representatives."

"All of this effort represents not merely the keeping of our money but the keeping of our faith. One of the chief dangers to the success of popular government is that it will throw away self-restraint and self-control and adopt laws which, being without sound economic foundation, bring on such a financial distress as to result in want, misery, disorder, and the dissolution of society."

I urge you to show leadership and drastically cut discretionary spending. Adhering to the budget caps is a good place to start. Cutting taxes is a relatively easy initiative for any President to get passed through Congress. It is only the real men like President Calvin Coolidge who can implement the "art of the deal," cut the Federal Budget, refuse to sign bloated Omnibus spending bills and drastically reduce government expenditures. As President Coolidge also eloquently noted:

"It is not through selfishness or wastefulness or arrogance, but through self-denial, conservation, and service, that we shall build up the American spirit. This is the true constructive economy, the true faith on which our institutions rest."