Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Thursday, April 12, 2007

RSC Chairman Raises Awareness of American Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Posted by: John Campbell at 5:09 PM

In the last 50 years, the federal government has grown five times faster than the median family income. Congresses controlled by both parties and presidents of both parties and every combination thereof we have run up deficits to pay for this unsustainable growth. If we don't enact systemic changes to this broken process, our children and grandchildren will be the ones that pay the price.

This is part of the message RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling has been taking to the people the past couple weeks. He is using the Democrat imposed spring break to spread awareness and drum up support for the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Here are some solid articles detailing his message and this important reform agenda:

http://www.athensreview.com/local/local_story_101214555.html

http://www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/local/local_story_101160650.html

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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

You're Right, We Spent Too Much...

Posted by: John Campbell at 2:58 PM

Many of you have posted comments pointing out that Republicans committed many of the same fiscal sins when we were in control that are now being committed by the Democrats.

You are absolutely correct. And Republicans lost the majority in no small part because we said we were fiscal conservatives, but we didn't act like it.

When the Democrat's swept into power, they said they would be committed to reforming earmarks and being fiscally responsible. They are doing neither. They have clearly not changed from the tax and spend days of old. My previous posts on this blog speak to the lengths they have gone the past couple months.

Now, that does not excuse Republican fiscal transgressions. I would love to tell you my colleagues have learned these lessons. But that is not true. However, many of us never lost that fiscal compass. It is we in the Republican Study Committee that have kept the fiscally responsible flame burning on Capitol Hill, however, dimly.

If you care about lower taxes, curtailed spending, and less government in your lives, the Democrats will never deliver for you. First, we must expose their hypocrisy in that regard. Then we must return a Republican majority to Congress with the renewed fiscal discipline of 1994. That is my mission. I hope you will join me.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Friday, March 30, 2007

Takin' the Green Eyeshade to the Airwaves

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:49 PM

I will be guest hosting the Hugh Hewitt Show today from 3PM to 6PM pacific time. You can listen to one of 98 radio stations nation wide that broadcast the show or listen online here.

I am sure a knowledgeable source on the issues will be a welcome change for Hugh's listeners...

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

President Bush Goes After Pork in War Supplemental

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:31 PM

Yesterday, the President strongly spoke out against the pork and special handouts thrown in the supplemental bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's some of what he had to say:

"...the House bill would add billions of dollars in domestic spending that is completely unrelated to the war. For example, the bill includes $74 million for peanut storage, $25 million for spinach growers...This week the Senate is considering a version that is no better...There's $3.5 million for visitors to tour the Capitol and see for themselves how Congress works. (Laughter.) I'm not kidding you."

"There's $6.4 million for the House of Representatives' salaries and expense accounts. I don't know what that is, but it is not related to the war and protecting the United States of America."

"Here's the bottom line: The House and Senate bills have too much pork, too many conditions on our commanders, and an artificial timetable for withdrawal. (Applause.) And I have made it clear for weeks, if either version comes to my desk, I'm going to veto it."

To read a good article on the speech, click here.

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Great Info on Democrat's New Tax & Spend Budget

Posted by: John Campbell at 12:43 PM

The RSC and the Republican side on the House Budget Committee have put together some terrific reports on the budgets being proposed by the Democrats. Be sure and take a look at them below.

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

So Why Are the Democrats Changing their Own Pay-go Rules?

Posted by: John Campbell at 10:10 AM

As CQ reported yesterday, just three months after taking the majority, Democrats are going to amend the very budget rules they created to promote fiscal responsibility. The Democrats say they are amending these rules to keep Republicans from being able to amend bills, I think they are doing it to spend more money. Either way, Americans are getting a raw deal.

Click here to read the story or read excerpts below:

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday that during the upcoming two-week recess he will craft changes in the pay-as-you-go spending rules adopted in January (H Res 6) so that the GOP can no longer blindside the majority with broad and politically loaded motions to redraft legislation….

The GOP has made 19 motions to recommit bills, and has been successful six times. They might have added a seventh to that string, but a bill providing for a vote in the House for the District of Columbia (HR 1433) was withdrawn from floor debate to avoid a vote on a Republican motion regarding gun laws….

Democratic leaders said the bill will return to the floor in April, after new House rules have been adopted….

"The majority should try to figure out how to debate bills rather than further minimize procedures available to the minority," said Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo.…

"No matter how they do it, they’d be eroding at least decades of germaneness precedents and rolling back the minority’s ability to offer motions to recommit," one Republican aide said.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

All Democrats Agree: RAISE TAXES!

Posted by: John Campbell at 5:58 PM

You've probably seen here or other places that the Democrat's have proposed the largest tax increase in American history. If this becomes law, the average taxpayer will face a hike of about $3,035. But for some Dem's that's not enough. The Democratic Progressive Caucus thinks Americans should be paying paying about 2.5 times that amount. The Congressional Black Caucus thinks Americans should be playing 2 times that amount.

It's not even a question of if the Democrats will raise taxes anymore, it's a question of how much...

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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

It's Christmas in March on Capitol Hill

Posted by: John Campbell at 5:15 PM

Ho Ho Ho. Santa is roaming the halls of Congress. Last week, I told you about how Speaker Pelosi handed out billions of dollars in giveaways and pork projects in the emergency funding bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, it seems the Senate is taking things a step farther by planning a Christmas celebration.

Bloated spending bills often get called "Christmas Tree's" because of the spending added into them are like presents wrapped up under the tree for members to enjoy. But, the Senate’s version of the war funding bill literally pays for the Christmas tree too. Among the more than $20 billion for things other than war spending is a provision to provide millions for Christmas tree farm assistance. There is also a provision that deals with the proceeds of holiday ornament sales at the Senate day care center....I guess the only thing they left out was the fruit cake.

Below is a sampling of what Santa and his elves (I mean the Democratic leadership) will be handing out:

$1.2 billion for dairy farmers
$24 million for sugar beet growers
$100 million for the Presidential Nominating Convention's that are over two years away. It is included in a section described as “Katrina recovery, veterans’ care and for other purposes.”
$3.5 million for guided tours of the U.S. Capitol Building
$1.5 billion for livestock production losses
$2.1 billion for crop production losses
$3 million for a sugar cane cooperative in Hawaii
$20 million to combat cricket infestation
$2 million to start the “Educational Excellence Program” at the University of Vermont
$400 million for various Transportation Department projects
$12 million for Forest Service money requested by the president in the non-emergency FY2008 budget
$22.8 million for geothermal research and development
$640 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
$13 million for a Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Programs
$32 million for Livestock Indemnity Program
$115 million for the Conservation Security Program
$40 million for the Tree Assistance Program
$100 million for Small Agricultural Dependent Businesses

Yep, it's Christmas here in Congress. But the only gifts we should be receiving are stockings full of coal.

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Monday, March 26, 2007

A Rallying Point for the Conservative Movement

Posted by: John Campbell at 7:00 PM

Dick Armey, former majority leader and hero from the Republican revolution in '94, wrote an insightful article today about the RSC's "American Taxpayer Bill of Rights." Click here to check it out.

"As former House majority leader, I am especially proud to support the next generation of young legislators at the RSC fighting to defend our freedoms. I call them 'legislative entrepreneurs' because they need to be ambitious, risk-taking and creative in order to advance our agenda in a hostile Congress."

"Every day, the typical congressman hears from lobbyists and special interests demanding more spending, so it is pretty special when ordinary Americans show up on Capitol Hill holding signs that read, 'We Want Less.'”

"The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a good new rallying point for the conservative movement. Like the 'Contract with America' in 1994, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a big idea that can help reenergize our cause in the wake of the policy failures of the past Congresses and the results of the 2006 midterm elections."

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Monday, March 26, 2007

Earmarks Still Struggle to Get Out of the Shadows

Posted by: John Campbell at 2:31 PM

The road to reform the earmark process remains a difficult one. As reported by John Fund this morning in the Wall Street Journal, the Congressional Research Service (a non-partisan research arm within the Library of Congress) has decided to NOT supply members with earmark data. The decision by CRS appears to have been driven by pressure from the appropriations committee. This news follows in the wake of recent decisions by the Democrats to extend the deadline for earmark submissions by two weeks, renege on their pledge to limit requests, and prevent full earmark disclosure in the committees. You can read the entire article here.

"Democrats promised reform and instituted 'a moratorium' on all earmarks until the system was cleaned up. Now the appropriations committees are privately accepting pork-barrel requests again. But curiously, the scorekeeper on earmarks, the Library of Congress's Congressional Research Service (CRS) -- a publicly funded, nonpartisan federal agency -- has suddenly announced it will no longer respond to requests from members of Congress on the size, number or background of earmarks.

"The concern now is that free-spending appropriations committees will use the new CRS gag rule to define earmarks downward. 'We need CRS to continue its reliable reporting so we can save the taxpayers money,' says Sen. DeMint. 'Earmarks aren't chump change. CRS calculated they amounted to $64 billion in 2006, and in the past they've often been given out as 'sweeteners' to convince members to vote for mega-ticket bills.'"

We need genuine transparency, and legitimate reform. Many Republicans struggled to do this last year, and it appears the Democrat's are not willing either.

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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.