A Boston Tea Party …(Conrad’s Box)

Kent Conrad is concerned with deficits and social security. They have been his two babies since he came into office. This week President Bush announced a plan to reform social security and next week he will propose a budget that tightens the fiscal belt of the federal government.

Did you hear that fellow conservatives? He is throwing us a bone to chew on. President Bush is going to cut spending. He said. “I will send you a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent, and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. My budget substantially reduces or eliminates more than 150 government programs that are not getting results, or duplicate current efforts, or do not fulfill essential priorities. The principle here is clear: taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely, or not at all”.

President Bush has handed Senator Conrad ways to solve his two biggest issues. How has Conrad reacted? He signed a letter with fellow Democratic Senators saying that any plan to reform social security is immoral. I am confident he won’t be satisfied with the cutting of any federal programs as well when the budget comes out next week. You see for Senator Conrad it isn’t solving the issue that matters rather it is solving the issue his way. His way means raising taxes. He would prefer we solve social security by raising the limit on payroll earnings that are taxable. He believes in solving the budget problems by raising taxes on the rich. He talks a great game about spending responsibly but it is not spending that he is willing to cut. He wants more of your money to spend. These two issues will help to define where exactly Mr. Conrad stands. I know where he stands and hopefully in the coming weeks so will everyone else. President Bush can take these contradictions and place Mr. Conrad in a political box. A box hopefully his next opponent can crush.