Draining the Swamp — Or Bankrolling It?

Did President Trump just bankroll the swamp?

As conservatives, can we agree that it’s time to stop using our troops as scapegoats for ballooning our federal deficits? Either debt and deficits are wrong, or they’re not. Conservatism wins when we persuade our opponents based on facts, objective truth and common sense, not when we make excuses to spend money like sober liberals – which are worst than drunken sailors, if you ask me.

Our troops should never be denied the resources needed to remain the world’s elite fighting force. It’s why I disagreed with the implementation of the sequester under the 2011 Budget Control Act. What is inexcusable, however, is allowing them to be used as a bargaining chip by Democrats when all Americans benefit from the safety, security and peace of mind they provide this nation. Let Democrats remain the fiscally irresponsible party; don’t jump in bed with them! Americans want a choice, and up until now, I believe most conservatives are convinced that’s exactly what President Trump has given us.

As reported by The Hill, the latest spending bill, signed by the president, “raises the $20.6 trillion federal borrowing limit until March 2019. …” Furthermore, The Hill notes, and rightfully so, “it’s a surprise to many that with control of both ends of government, it is the GOP that is now driving up the deficit, which is likely to hit $1 trillion this year and stay at that level for the foreseeable future.”

What has caused this shift by the GOP? Frankly, I think they’re afraid of their own shadows. They’ve bought into the notion that more borrowing in Washington is necessary to pay for the tax cuts Trump signed into law in December of last year, reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Nothing could be further from the truth!

When the swamp has to settle for less revenue, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing! When we get to keep more of our own money, crooked politicians have less money to spend and use to collude with one another. Why shouldn’t they be forced to live within their means like the rest of us are? Washington’s problem isn’t a revenue problem. They take in plenty of money to provide for the general welfare and common defense. Their problem is they spend too much!

I’d never thought I’d say this, but I have to give former Speaker John Boehner props. At least he was able to coerce then President Obama into signing legislation that capped non-defense spending because he understood the consequences of runaway debt and deficits. Republicans have no excuse today! We’re in charge of the White House and the Congress. Que pasa?

America’s primary driver of debt and deficits remains our entitlement programs, not tax cuts! For God’s sake, how many times do we have to snatch defeat from the arms of victory, Republicans?! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has already indicated he wants no part of an entitlement reform battle this year, despite the fact Speaker Paul Ryan has expressed his willingness to take on the fight. Apparently, Mitch has the midterm jitters.

Here’s the bottom line: Republicans won yet again in 2016, and they don’t need to make concessions for non-defense spending while they’re in charge. Perhaps it’s time for the GOP to start playing the identity politics game, by rediscovering our own identity. It’s time to decide – freedom, are we for it or against it?

Originally published at WND.com

Carl Jackson is a radio talk show host – his web site is www.carljacksonshow.com. Media wishing to interview Carl Jackson, please contact media@wnd.com.

The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Black Community News.