I will join the fight for a balanced budget amendment. We also must dismantle most, if not all, of the so called "4th branch" of government, AKA the "Alphabet Branch" of government. These massive bureaucracies--like the IRS, the EPA, the DoE (the list goes on)--not only devour the People's treasure, they also operate outside of the parameters of Constitutional control.
I support greatly diminishing or eliminating the "4th Branch" of our federal government. I support the Constitutional process to establish a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution. I support a freeze of federal spending at contemporary levels coupled with a 1% decrease in spending across the board for 10 years.
John Kennedy will restore fiscal responsibility in Washington. As Louisiana's State Treasurer, he stood up against powerful politicians and special interests to oppose government waste, fraud and abuse.
John will help end the wasteful practice of pork-barrel spending. Louisianans know the difference between government spending designed to help a politician--which is shameful and wasteful--and spending designed to help hurting people.
Deficit spending is affecting the economy as well. John supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Just like American families, Congress must learn to live within its means.
Rep. Edwards outlined key facts about the state of Louisiana's economy that paint a much different picture than the one offered up by the Governor during his remarks to the legislature. "Under the Jindal administration our unemployment rate is the nation's third highest, our job growth is slower than the rest of the nation's-- 1 percent compared to 2.4 percent nationally--and our bond rating moved to "negative" under Bobby Jindal saddling every public body in the state with higher borrowing costs," Edwards said.
GRAVES: Strongly Agree
Q: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income?
GRAVES: Strongly Disagree
ABRAHAM: Strongly Agree
Q: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income?
ABRAHAM: Disagree
Vitter criticized the measure as wasteful spending. Today, unemployment stands at 10 percent with about 80 percent of the stimulus money dedicated. "It immediately increased spending and debt," Vitter said. "At the same time, I didn't think it would lead to significant job creation."
At every turn, Vitter tried to thwart the program. He introduced legislation aimed at blocking the use of $250 billion of the TARP money, which was approved in two installments. He called for any money returned to the federal government by the institutions taking part in the program to be dedicated to reducing the federal deficit instead of supporting further spending. Vitter also wanted an ending date for the program. "It played out to do what I feared, to expand the power and the role of the federal government," Vitter said.
Vitter's proposed measures did not pass. The government has received most of its money back.
Vitter criticized the measure as wasteful spending. Today, unemployment stands at 10 percent with about 80 percent of the stimulus money dedicated. "It immediately increased spending and debt," Vitter said. "At the same time, I didn't think it would lead to significant job creation."
At every turn, Vitter tried to thwart the program. He introduced legislation aimed at blocking the use of $250 billion of the TARP money, which was approved in two installments. He called for any money returned to the federal government by the institutions taking part in the program to be dedicated to reducing the federal deficit instead of supporting further spending. Vitter also wanted an ending date for the program. "It played out to do what I feared, to expand the power and the role of the federal government," Vitter said.
Vitter's proposed measures did not pass. The government has received most of its money back.
Landrieu, meanwhile, continued to push herself as a centrist senator who works across party lines and has brought home billions of dollars in aid to Louisiana during her 12 years in Congress, particularly since the blows of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. “Send me back to continue to fight for you, to deliver for you,” she said.
Landrieu opposed the $700 billion financial market bailout backed by the White House and approved by Congress. But she also said that she supports government-guaranteed loans between banks and the use of federal tax dollars to buy stocks in banks to shore up the financial system: both plans pushed by the Bush administration, using the authority and money from the bailout bill.
When he was allowed to ask Landrieu a question, Kennedy asked why she now supports elements of the bailout bill: “What made you change your mind?”
“I didn’t change my mind,” she replied. “I did vote against the bailout package because I didn’t think there were enough safeguards for taxpayers.”
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2016 Presidential contenders on Budget & Economy: | |||
Republicans:
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) Donald Trump(NY) |
Democrats:
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) 2016 Third Party Candidates: Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA) | ||
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