Heck's Democrats Fail to Lead, Punt on the Budget Democrats Still Refuse to Govern as National Debt Hits Alarming New Benchmark Washington-
As Democrats continue to push forward with their runaway spending agenda, Americans have been delivered another alarming reminder that the majority is refusing to do the job of governing. Just yesterday, the U.S. Debt Clock hit $13 trillion, and experts admit that the country’s red ink has officially become a drag on economic growth. That’s an ominous warning that it’s time for Washington to finally reign in spending and start trimming the country’s budget – that is, if they could come up with one.
“The U.S. national debt hit $13 trillion today, a stratospheric number with looming implications for every citizen. (“National Debt Clock — Tracking the Red,” Fox News, 5/26/2010) “The gross U.S. debt is approaching a level equivalent to 90 percent of the country's gross domestic product, the level at which growth has historically declined, said Carmen Reinhart, a University of Maryland economist.”
When gross debt hits 90 percent of GDP, Reinhart told the commission during a hearing in the Capitol, growth ‘deteriorates markedly.’” (Walter Alarkon, U.S. Debt Reaches Level at Which Economic Growth Begins to Slow,” The Hill, 5/26/10)
While the country sinks deeper and deeper into the red, Democrats refuse to introduce any sort of plan to control spending and put the economy back on track. Instead, in the words of their own party leaders, they’re failing at one of their most fundamental duties.
“Many Democrats relished in criticizing Republicans for failing to pass a final budget resolution in 2006, when the GOP controlled both chambers.
“Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), then the House minority whip, said Republicans who failed to enact a final budget measure weren’t meeting ‘the most basic responsibility of governing.’
“Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) blasted Republicans that year, telling them, ‘If you can’t budget, you can’t govern.’” (Walter Alarkon, “GOP Plays Back Dem Trash Talk on Budget,” The Hill, 5/27/10)
“In the face of a looming fiscal crisis that demands action, Denny Heck's friends in Washington just can’t be bothered to put forward any sort of plan to get spending under control,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Even in the words of Heck's own party leaders, the Democrat majority is failing to do the job of governing. It’s time for Heck's Democrats to start following the lead of middle-class families who are tightening their own belts, but they simply refuse.”