Letter: GOPs fiscal epiphany too little, too late

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

On Feb. 22, 2001, President Bush said, "I will resist the temptation of folks to pile on their pet programs onto our tax cut." Fifteen thousand congressional earmarks during this past fiscal year alone and not one bill laced with these special interest directives was ever vetoed by Mr. Bush.

Earmarks are unopposed, last-minute pork barrel projects inserted into other proposed federal legislation. They represent only the first course of a bacon and eggs orgy that has been ongoing since the Republicans have taken control of the Congress and the White House.

Less than five short years ago the federal debt stood at $5.7 trillion. Today it is over $8.2 trillion and growing rapidly. What is it the American taxpayer doesn't understand about debt? We all owe this money and any interest due. For today's family of four, this debt amounts to $110,000. Our government cannot file bankruptcy. There is no simple way out unless we get spending in line with income.

Just as we cannot conserve our way out of our long-term energy problem, we cannot tax reduce our way out of this debt. Mid-term elections are just around the corner and it seems some Republicans are starting to have a fiscal and policy epiphany. Let's hope voters are smart enough to cull out all the potential backsliders. Face it, no confessional is ever big enough to fit them all in.

Richard Rychtarik

Las Vegas