What Does A "Conservative" Party Have to Fight About?
by John Riet

Skimming the news on the internet, I came across the article on USAToday.com entitled Bush, Congress Prepare to Face Off Over Yearly Budget Nips and Tucks. When I first read the title, my immediate thought was, “what do a President and a Congress who supposedly belong to the ‘Party of Small Government' have to fight about?” Seems to me, if I were a member of Congress and a fellow fiscal conservative asked me to make cuts in the budget in an attempt to reduce the government, without hesitation I would say, “yes! Sure! No problem! Let's slash away by God!”

Of course, I'm thinking as a rational, economically conscious private citizen. Not a power-driven career politician whose every move is calculated to ensure his re-election.

The article states that President Bush is proposing the termination of 99 programs. I know what you're thinking. I thought it, too. But yes… only 99. In fact, why anything not pertaining to the national defense is in the federal budget is beyond me.

Among these programs is the National Youth Sports Program. It offers athletic instruction to approximately 72,000 low-income children for five weeks each summer. Actually, this program was terminated (thank goodness). Not thank goodness that 72,000 low-income children will no longer have their program - thank goodness now that community members will have to step up and volunteer their time because government bail out is no longer an option.

Seriously. If the communities affected by the termination of this program are so concerned, it's time for them to come together and create their own athletic instruction system. Does life cease when you no longer get a free handout from the government? If the feds provided them with all of their food and then suddenly took it away, would they just sit there and starve? Or would they be more resourceful? Maybe learn to fish or hunt? Or maybe get a second job? Or… and here's a wacky idea, cut back on some non-vital expenses like a cell-phone, or that second car. Imagine the character we could build in this country if all of our social programs were simply ended. (sigh)

Another program - the National Writing Program - is also on the chopping block. This ever-essential pork product helps 100,000 teachers each year "learn how to pass on writing skills to their students." Yes. It's OK. Go back and read that again. I did. "Learn how to pass on writing skills to their students!!!" Excuse my ignorance for one moment, but what kind of schools are we sending our children to if 100,000 teachers don't know how to teach students how to write? If that doesn't call for President Bush to break the NEA just like Reagan broke the pilots' union back in the 80s, I don't know what does!

Remember, there are 99 programs in total Bush has proposed to terminate. And I'm sure most if not all of them are just as useless as the two mentioned above. On top of that, we also have to bail out everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina - something the federal government has no business doing. So, what's the debate about? Why do the President and Congress need to "face off?" They're supposed to be the "small government" party. They shouldn't even blink an eye at the prospect of ending programs like this immediately. This is their chance to wean America off the government teat and teach it to take care of itself.

Everything the government does can be provided to the public through private charities. Does anyone think that those 72,000 kids care whether or not their money comes from the government or through charity and volunteerism? Just as lobbyists and activists request appropriations from their elected officials, they can just as easily go to leaders of private industry. If you don't think a multi-billion dollar company wouldn't contribute and have its name associated with a youth athletic program, you know nothing about the field of public relations.

Social Security can be replaced through private investment. Insurance companies that offer unemployment insurance can replace welfare. Public housing - charity. Food stamps - charity. Free lunch programs - charity.

Get the idea?

Americans gave billions of dollars to the victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. We're the most charitable people on Earth. It's time for those passionate about their pet causes to get out of Washington and get into the private sector. There are people out there just waiting to send money to any cause that has a heart-wrenching message attached to it. And they'll be able to give more when the feds stop paying for social programs and lower taxes.

The founding fathers never meant for the federal government to play mother to its citizens. It's time to take off our diapers, people. And for the Republicans, it's time to actually start acting like the party of limited government. Stop fighting and do what needs to be done.