Redstate

By Congressman Tom Price Posted in Congressional Contributors | Democrats — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

The Democrat Party is beginning to define themselves as the party of firsts. They were first to declare Congress as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. They were first to strip the right to a free and secret ballot from American workers. And, today, they are making a name for themselves by being in first place, again, to be the party foisting upon the American people the largest tax increase in American history.

The American people are justifiably frustrated with Washington’s inability to balance its own checkbook. However, both parties are charging forward with their plans to do just that, and there are fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans on who will ultimately be held responsible for assuming this burden.

Read on . . .

On the floor of the House of Representatives last month, Democrats held a vote on their 2008 budget proposal. The majority’s leadership was extremely proud of how they plan to balance the federal budget by 2012. They painted a lovely picture of billions more in new spending, promising the American people a bigger government machine. Unfortunately, they sold a bag of false goods to the American people.

Conspicuously absent from the Democrat talking points is any mention of how they plan to address the looming entitlement crisis facing this country. This matter is apparently not a priority - unless it is to add millions more in taxpayer money! Similarly absent from their side of the aisle is an honest declaration that this majority is committed to implementing a $400 billion tax hike - the largest tax increase in American history.

Democrats blame tax cuts for our current budgetary problems. Over forty straight months of economic growth and the largest amount of tax revenue in memory notwithstanding, Democrats are blindly allegiant to the discounted strategy that Washington knows best how to spend Americans’ money. Irresponsible tax increases will spell disaster for our economy and reach deep into the pockets of all Americans.

Under the vintage “tax-and-spend” policies of this majority, more than 5 million individuals and families who previously owed no taxes will now have to fork over a portion of their limited income. Twenty-three million taxpayers who were previously untouched by the marriage penalty will see that burden reinstated. Thirty-one million taxpayers will experience a 50% reduction in their child tax credit. These hard-working Americans have done nothing to deserve this burden.

Thankfully, there is an alternative. The Republican Study Committee along with the minority leadership introduced a budgetary plan that will, like our Democrat colleagues, balance the federal budget by 2012. This goal will be accomplished, not by higher taxation, but by lesser government spending. We recognize the out-of-control entitlement spending, and we stay true to our small government roots through meaningful reforms. Above all, we do it without asking the American people to adopt an even larger portion of this burden. The American people have done enough. It is time for the government to do its part and stop looking for ways to afford an ever bigger bureaucracy.