Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Democrat's Failing to Reform Earmark Process

Posted by: John Campbell at 4:27 PM

The Dem's record on earmark reform their first three months in power is dismal at best. Thus far, they have used over $20 billion in pork and special handouts to win votes for the war supplemental, enacted ambiguous ethics rules, extended the deadline for earmark submissions by two weeks, reneged on their pledge to limit requests, fought against full earmark disclosure in committee, and there are reports of appropriators preventing government researchers from publishing data on earmark submissions. The Senate has yet to even pass any kind of rules that disclose what member requested these millions and sometimes billions of dollars.

Given all of this, I do not have much optimism when Speaker Pelosi and the Dem's continue to talk about the earmark reform. Matching their rhetoric with their actions shows you the true tenor of their stance on the issue.

Email It | Print It | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

Monday, April 09, 2007

National Tax Foundation: Average Federal Tax Burden $17,000 per household

Posted by: John Campbell at 3:20 PM

The National Tax Foundation released a study today revealing the average tax burden for households in each congressional district. The numbers are striking. In the city of Stamford, Connecticut the average household pays $82,745 to Uncle Sam each year, while in Mission, Texas they pay on average $7,238 per household.

One part of the report that I am not particularly proud of is that the district I represent in Congress has the ninth highest level of taxation in the country at $40,013 per household. Just imagine what a small portion of that money could do if these families had the liberty to decide how they wanted to spend it. They could use it to help make their mortgage payment, buy braces for the kids, start a business, give to a charity, save for college -- the options are endless. Instead, much of it is going to the black hole of federal bureaucracy and government waste.

To view the full report, click here.

Email It | Print It | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Sign Petition Supporting the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:45 PM

FreedomWorks, a grass roots advocacy group led by former majority leader Dick Armey, has begun a signature gathering campaign to raise awareness and encourage presidential candidates to publicly endorse the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This proposal as developed by the RSC calls for four systemic changes to the federal spending and budgeting process.

Taxpayers have a right to have a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it.
Taxpayers have a right to receive back each dollar they entrust to the government for their retirement.
Taxpayers have a right to expect the government to balance the budget without having their taxes raised.
Taxpayers have a right to a simple, fair tax code that they can understand.

It's no secret that the budgeting and spending process in Washington is broken and needs to be fixed. Despite record growth in revenue, Congress continues to run up deficits. If we don't change this failed system, we will continue to pass on huge deficits to our children and grandchildren. Be sure and sign the petition here and send a message to Washington that the status quo is not acceptable.

For more news on the proposal and its crucial need, take a look at this editorial in The Daily Oklahoman. Also, RSC Communications Chair Marsha Blackburn wrote a good blog post on the subject. And for those who think this policy is only applicable to the federal government, check out this blog post on how it can be applied at the local level.

Email It | Print It | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0)

Monday, April 02, 2007

The Back Scratching Congress

Posted by: John Campbell at 3:56 PM

The Democrat's are not living up to their campaign promises to reform the earmark process and reign in abuse. Just today, it was reported in Roll Call that Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who chairs the subcommittee on transportation and infrastructure, used his position to force a $140 million earmark into an upcoming water project authorization bill. The funding, which will go towards a distribution system in northern Montana has elicited outcry from several Republicans. Baucus and full committee chair Barbara Boxer have now offered to "offset" this massive request with another $140 million for Republican members.

Simply amazing. I have never heard of an "offset" that actually meant doubling spending. Normally, an offset means you reduce funding in one area, so that you can raise funding in another. Not for the Democrats. It's easier to just increase spending and buy off the opposition.

What's more, the Democratic leadership in the Senate has yet to pass disclosure rules for earmarks. Right now, there is little to no daylight during this entire back or "baucus" scratching process. We need more transparency and discipline, otherwise taxpayers will continue to see their paychecks thrown around like monopoly money here in Washington.

Email It | Print It | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Monday, April 02, 2007

Rangel Admits Pork Used to Buy Votes in War Supplemental

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:25 PM

On NBC's Meet the Press yesterday, Charlie Rangel, chairman of the powerful Ways & Means Committee, openly admitted that the Democratic leadership used over $20 billion in pork and special handouts to leverage support for their "slow bleed" Iraq policy. This would not have needed if the Democrat's underlying war policy was sound. But, it isn't and they had to pack the supplemental full of sweeteners as a result.

I appreciate Chairman Rangel's frankness and honesty. If you are going to spend the taxpayers money in such a reckless and abusive way, the least you can do is level with the people about it. I guess Nancy Pelosi didn't get the memo.

Click here to read the transcript.

Email It | Print It | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.