GovernmentExecutive.com

IMHO…In other, better (?) times I have loudly and proudly considered myself an independent. At best, I’ve never bought the complete party line of either of the Big Two. And while I do agree with much of the Libertarians platform, I feel I must make my vote count and voting for them seems a waste due to lack of effectiveness on the national stage (if only due to the iniquitous Electoral College). I must admit I still haven’t figured out who I’m voting FOR, but I am absolutely positive whom and/or what I am voting against; the Status Quo. I may not know where we’re going, but I’m positive where we are and I don’t like it here. Perhaps I’m out here by myself, perhaps not. I suppose we’ll only find that out come November.

Still, I TRY to consider all contingencies; an sometimes irritating habit drilled into me during my last profession. So, let’s say my currently perceived Worst Case Scenario comes to pass and the Party Pacaderm enters into another term; what does that mean? I’m not sure anyone knows; but if I may…

1. ALL politicians will say just about anything to get what they need, whether Blue Dog or Party Pacaderm,
a. be it power and/or money (ends in and of themselves for far too many).
b. be it a sense of obligation/accomplishment of a civic duty (those who are pulled by the Noblesse Oblige).

2. The possibility of hearing, “Extenuating circumstances!” Ah, the sound of all those caught not living up to their campaign promises.

When this election season started, still considering myself an independent, I actually looked to the PP for inspiration. I found potential in Ron Paul and another party maverick, John McCain. Well, Ron is now out of the race and John’s embraced that which he previously chided. Knowing folks’ track records of reneging on campaign promises, I can only hope that IF the worst comes to pass John may actually be lying now and return to his previous stance on this conflict … and the gaping hole it’s created in the national morale and budget.

Well, one can only hope. Funny, isn’t it; how one may find hope that the campaign promises of a national candidate might be empty and without real substance?

Tip Off  | Thursday, April 24, 2008 |  12:10 PM

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I am no big fan of John McCain, but even I recognize he is credible when it comes to his approach to 'frugal Government'. He has always been a champion of responsible spending and of eliminating Government waste.

GovtPCO  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  06:30 PM

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How can this be a realistic plan? Pause all discretionary spending on social services, transportation, engineering, emergency services, etc.? And continue to spend billions in Iraq? Sounds very lopsided to me.

Libby  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  04:42 PM

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I got out my copy of the constitution and reread it. I wish our legislatures would do the same, only more often. We need both spending cuts and tax cuts. The gov is way out of control in both taxation and spending.

Valek  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  11:42 AM

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As senator Byrd always does I got out my copy of the constitution and reread it just to make sure I'm correct. It says the Congress's duty is provide for the National defense = money, and promote the general welfare = no money. If you want social programs than volunteer or contribute to the charity of your choice

dan ketter  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  11:03 AM

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McCain has the order right: (real) spending cuts first, THEN tax cuts. We've done the opposite the past seven years and ran up way too much debt on our ChinaExpress credit card.

Indie Voter  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  09:35 AM

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Mr McCain should address the white elephant of DDG 1000 at an est price tag of $3.5 billion

austin  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  09:17 AM

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McCain is dense and doesn't understand the reality. Some of the greatest waste in government occurs in defense and our inefficient and ineffective global war on terror. America could easily cut defense and homeland security money in half and never miss it. Of course, our government couldn't continue to throw away huge amounts of resources in Iraq and Afghanistan either.

Federal Employee  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  09:15 AM

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McCain is right, the worrisome part is how generally ignorant the public is about all of these issues and how ignorant they have been about it for 30 years! Likely as not they will vote for Obama who is more eloquence than substance. On the other hand, Hillary recently admitted that she doesn't "understand a thing Greenspan says..." (she had my consideration until she uttered those words and then I figured out I was just voting for Bill anyway....) Come on McCain, its your turn.

DSW  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  09:03 AM

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John, you may be going down the right path in looking at spending as a social ill that needs addressed before we spend ourselves into a depression. But, My first concern is when you're going to wake up to the fact that a large percentage of spending is going on in every community dealing with the effects of your favorite program...coddling illegal aliens....giving them unrestricted access to social services paid for by the hard working Americans you are asking for support for President. How about less BS and more facts..who, what and where would be a start. Whose ox is going to get gored and whose programs are going to be funded. As you're opponent hasn't learned, change is not necessarily a good thing. Telling me nothing nets you nothing. While I respect your stance on America and you're living your belief (which shows thru your childrens call to duty) this in itself is not enough to delete the negatives you bring to the table. Who will be you're supreme court nominee's, federal judgeships, appointees, these are the answers I'll be interested in....let the Dems have the fluff, give me substance or leave me alone.

rick  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  08:26 AM

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What a stupid thing for a serious candidate to say. You can't stop all discretionary spending except for veterans or defense. Yea, let's not fund our transportation infrastructure and watch more bridges fall into the river, or see ships run aground. Let's close all the federal locks on the Mississippi. Won't that be great for the economy. How about social programs - lets not fund widows and orphans - put them on the street for a year, it'll toughen them up. What's even more surprising to me is that people are out there saying "yea, that's the way to do it!" Try THINKING for a change instead of being a ditto-head. McCain is either pandering to morons or is one himself, or both. I am so sick of right wing "patriots".

JT  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  08:06 AM

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$4 billion is about we spend on cellphone ringtones in a year. We've got more than enough money available to spend on serious things. The problem with U.S. defense spending is that the DOD is by and large the Department of Corporate Welfare. If you saw Hillary's speech in Pennsylvania on Monday, the entire theme was that the government spends too much time trying to buy a better product that costs less and doesn't put enough value on the importance of shovelling free money to union defense contractors in central Pennsylvania. I think McCain could go after the corporate feed trough mentality with gusto.

Happy Fed  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  07:51 AM

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So it's the same old story, look at the percentage of discretionary spending and you can't affect the bottom line without attacking sacred entitlements. Check out what the past Comptroller General has to say on this issue. Just shows how out of touch McCain really is.

Bruce  | Thursday, April 17, 2008 |  07:00 AM

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I agree with rooster...Exempting the DOD from trying to reign in out of control spending and wasted dollars (even if you were to leave Iraq out of the picture) is like trying to exempt drunk drivers from reckless driving laws. It's focusing the lens AWAY from where it most needs to be to accomplish his stated aims there. if he truly wants to reign in spending to DOD is the first place he should look, not the only place he should overlook.

Ariana  | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |  09:54 PM

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Mr. McCain, How about addressing the $4B a week that is wasted in Iraq?

KM  | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |  07:46 PM

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He's right! Govt. spending IS Out Of Control. But he is wanting to exempet THE worst offender, the DOD.

rooster  | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |  02:26 PM

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mccain's comments sound good. I just wish we could trust him. I also wonder where he got his information. For someone who claims not to know much about economics he is all of a sudden a lot smarter than we would have expected. I still believe that there is not a good candidate to vote for in this election.

conservative  | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |  11:46 AM

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Attaboy John, you'll make a great president. The other 2 idiots are all ready calling for new spending.
Enough with the spending already!!!

dan ketter  | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |  11:33 AM

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