Credit where credit is due. I’ve complained about congressional pork-barrel spending in the past, and I’ll complain about congressional pork-barrel spending in the future. But when Congress exercises the fiscal discipline to do the right thing, I have to say thanks, and keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more of the same in the very near future.
Just a week or two ago on this program, I complained about all the congressional foot-dragging when it came to closing military bases bases the military itself says are now obsolete. Indeed, there was a whole decade there in which Congress did virtually nothing to implement the military’s recommendations. They treated the bases more as work projects than as a means of defending our country. Closings have been accomplished just the same, but in a very haphazard way, with lots of fits and starts.
But now the U.S. Senate has authorized the Department of Defense to complete a fourth round of closures. John Berthoud, president of National Taxpayers Union, applauds the action and invites the U.S. House to echo the go-ahead. “During times of peace and prosperity,” says Berthoud, “it was easy for Members of Congress to get away with reducing defense spending while increasing pork-barrel spending.… Now Congress has the opportunity, and the obligation, to allow the military to do what every government agency should do operate as efficiently as possible, and take whatever cost-cutting measures are necessary to eliminate waste and make the best use of taxpayers’ money.”
Well, I agree, Mr. Berthoud. Time’s a‑wastin’. Let’s roll.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.