Liberals revert to tax-and-spend
November 16, 2007 | By Nathaniel Ward
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Liberals swept into office in January making promises get the nation’s fiscal house in order. Instead, Heritage expert Brian Riedl writes, “the Democratic Congress has reverted to traditional tax-and-spend budgets.”
“They have repeatedly passed legislation that hikes spending, raises taxes, and increases the budget deficit,” Riedl continues. “They have also watered down promised ethics reforms and have brought back earmarks with a vengeance.” (One estimate suggests there are 8,000 earmarks in Congress’ proposed 2008 budget.)
» Find out about a bright spot for fiscal responsibility.
Watch video of Clarence Thomas at Heritage
On Monday, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke to The Heritage Foundation’s President’s Club meeting. Watch excerpts from his remarks on MyHeritage.org.
You can also visit MyHeritage.org to watch all Justice Thomas’ book tour appearances, including his talks in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York and Omaha.
See Steve Forbes in Chicago December 6
Join the Chicago Committee for Heritage on Thursday, December 6 for the Annual Chicago Business Luncheon, featuring Heritage Foundation Trustee Steve Forbes, who will speak about advancing the conservative agenda.
Watch the event live on MyHeritage.org on December 6.
Or RSVP online today to attend in person: MyHeritage.org/Registration
Two ways to support Heritage
- Mark CFC #10155. If you are a federal or military employee, you can contribute to Heritage through the 2007 Combined Federal Campaign. Mark CFC #10155 to support The Heritage Foundation’s work.
- Give Through Your IRA. Thanks to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, conservatives age 70 ½ or older have an exciting way to support The Heritage Foundation—by making a tax-free gift directly from their IRA. This opportunity will expire on December 31, 2007, so act now. Read more: MyHeritage.org/IRA
Surveillance works
Since 9/11, the Left has struggled mightily against giving law enforcement the tools it needs to effectively investigate and prevent terrorist attacks. They argue that initiatives that keep Americans safe, like the Terrorist Surveilllance Program that monitors calls from overseas terrorism suspects, are harmful and unproductive.
The facts don’t back them up. In a new paper, Heritage national security expert James Carafano outlines 19 separate terrorist attacks that were thwarted in part through the effective use of intelligence collection. Read the full list of 19 thwarted attacks.
“Vigilant and proactive counterterrorism operations are an essential part of keeping America safe in the 21st century, he explains.
“Continuing these operations, which include sound, effective, and lawful intelligence, surveillance, and investigations, is one of the best weapons in America’s arsenal for the long war,” Carafano adds.
In other news
- New poll results suggest that almost half of Americans have at some point housed a friend or relative who would otherwise be homeless. Liberals are certain to trumpet these poll results as an excuse for a new government program or two. But in truth, these results reflect civil society—and America—at its very best: neighbors helping neighbors, family helping family, friends helping friends.
- Liberals in Congress have failed to deliver a no-strings bill to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates argued Thursday that this could have real consequences for our effort to secure both countries.
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, forgetting that making laws is the role of the legislature and not the courts, has struck down the Bush administration’s fuel economy standards on Thursday. The jurists ordered the government to devise new regulations that meet the their preferred environmental standards.
- A United Nations panel is urging a global moratorium on the death penalty.
- Canada has rejected the refugee claims of two Army deserters who fled their units to avoid serving in Iraq. “Canadians want a refugee system that helps true refugees,” a government spokesman said.
- Local government officials in Washington, D.C. defrauded city taxpayers out of tens of millions of dollars. They even had the audacity to name one of their money-laundering organizations “Bilkemore LLC.”
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposed labor reforms have been met with protest strikes by transit workers. The unions are defending special privileges including pensions beginning as early as age 50.
- President Bush ordered unused military airspace opened to civilian aircraft for the Thanksgiving holiday to ease airport delays. The plan “could help” alleviate the problem, Heritage expert James Gattuso tells McClatchy newspapers, and it “shows some innovative thinking,”
Coming up at Heritage
To attend these or any other Heritage Foundation events, RSVP at Heritage’s events website. Or you can watch these events live online at Heritage.org. All times are Eastern.
- On Monday, Nov. 19 at noon, activist Charl Van Wyk will discuss America’s role in promoting freedom in Africa.
- On Monday, Nov. 26 at noon, author Diana West talks about her new book and how our culture has become increasingly immature.
- On Wednesday, Nov. 28 at noon, scholar William Voegeli and journalist Ramesh Ponnuru discuss strategies for achieving the conservative vision of limited government.
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. Colin Gowan contributed to this report.
