August 16, 2012

Cover of No, They Can't: Why Government Fails-But Individuals SucceedLast year, Fox Business anchor John Stossel invited representatives of five policy organizations onto his program to present their plans to fix the federal budget. The Heritage Foundation’s entry, Saving the American Dream, won the “battle of the budgets” for having the best overall plan.

In his new book, No, They Can’t, Stossel tells the story of the award:

Some of the liberal budget plans were ridiculous. They increased spending. The Heritage plan was the only one that actually balanced the budget: Heritage did that by raising the eligibility age for Social Security and Medicare to sixty-eight and phasing out benefits for people making over $110,000 a year.

My fiscally conservative studio audience voted for that plan. Stuart Butler, who coauthored the Heritage budget, actually seemed happy to take home the Emmy statue.

Earlier this year, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a federal budget based on Heritage’s Saving the American Dream proposal. Heritage will continue to work with lawmakers to explain the benefits of reining in federal spending and balancing the budget.

Do you think the election season will spark a debate over federal spending and the role of government?

Comments (8)

Arlin R. Johnson, Jr. - August 16, 2012

As the father of five children and the grand father of many grand children, I am thankful for the Heritage Foundation and in my small way have supported their efforts for many years. I hope Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan can get control of things in Washington so this battered county can get back on its feet going in a solid proper direction for future growth and prosperity for the many folks that are willing to work hard and follow the US Constitution.

Robert - August 16, 2012

I would be greatly surprised, as well as greatly dismayed, if this election season does not engender more public debate and overall scrutiny of the overall spending of our government, no serious budget proposals from the administration being offered in over three years, and last but not least, the proper role of the Federal government, particularly their tendency to insert themselves into every nook and cranny of all citizens’ lives.
Many of my friends look at this election as a watershed event for a new century. My fervent hope is that many, many, more people are now really paying attention.

William L. Fisher - August 16, 2012

I do not believe that the election season will spark such a debate, because Obama would have no grounds for increasing federal spending and size. He would have to argue against Romney’s plan, rather than to argue for his own plan – whatever that might be.

Charles Leach - August 16, 2012

I certainly hope that this election will be all about federal spending, the need to balance the budget and the need to reduce to size and scope of the government.

FALVEY MALARCHER - August 16, 2012

I expect the left to ridicule the need for a ballanced budget. There is no way the Obama regime can engage in a civil debate over economic policy. Bigger government is their answer to all problems. They will fight to rearange the deck chairs on our failing economy and when we fail blame everyone else for the failure.

Julius Hill - August 16, 2012

Yes, with the selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate Romney has guaranteed that federal spending and the role of government will be front and center in the debate. Obama will simply be unable to avoid it.

james mullins - August 17, 2012

It should be the major focus. Obama has been absent from serious budget discussions. He only wants more power so he can become King rather than Prez.

Judith Griffiths - August 21, 2012

Obama will avoid a serious discussion of the budget and a true acknowledgment of our great fiscal problems as he only wants to get more US citizens dependent on the government so they will vote for him. How can Heritage and all of us better challenge the media to be truthful about the current state of our government?

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