Last week, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress.  The President made many promises but nearly all of them come with a heavy price tag.  America currently borrows 40 cents for every dollar the federal government spends.  Tough decisions must be made to reduce our overspending.  Actions speak louder than words, and the most recent deficit projections are a clear signal that we must stop.

                            The Real Problem We Face

The Congressional Budget Office now projects that the federal government’s deficit will hit a record $1.5 trillion this year, and our national debt is approaching the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling that is set by law. These are significant burdens that will impact our children and grandchildren.  But in his speech the president proposed that we “redouble” federal spending efforts.  I voted against the $1 trillion stimulus and the bailouts because we cannot spend our way out of our problems.  Redoubling the President’s approach such as the stimulus and the health care law is out of the question.

The President also called for a five-year freeze of federal appropriation levels. This fails to go far enough. We need to cut expenditures across the board.  Returning to 2008 spending levels would be good start.  Repealing the health care law and replacing it with targeted solutions to lower costs is another important step. 

I have been leading an effort to reduce Senate budgets this year.  While only a beginning, this commitment would signal a change for the better in Washington, saving taxpayers more than $20 million.  At a time when we are demanding that departments and agencies make reductions, Congress must be willing to do likewise.

                    Ensuring America’s Continued Greatness

We need to stop the spending binge and give job creators certainty to enable them to hire.  The President has shown he can generate government jobs.  Instead we need jobs created by small businesses and entrepreneurs in the private sector.  The President’s solution to produce jobs is just to expend more tax dollars, which is a nonstarter in the Senate and for the American public. 

Our government is divided with Democrat leadership in the White House and in the Senate. Republicans control only the House of Representatives.  The opportunity exists to address the problems we face in a bipartisan way.  Reducing spending, promoting private sector job growth, and putting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on a sustainable path can be accomplished.

In his closing remarks last Tuesday President Obama said “it is because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong.”  The United States has always done exceptional things.  We need to allow the innovators and entrepreneurs of America to develop and create in order to continue this prosperity.  Limiting the size and scope of the Federal Government is a good first step to help them.  Our country is truly great, and our best days can lie ahead.  However our future requires a different path forward than the President outlined.

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