Less Government And Real Spending Reform Needed

Floor Speech

LESS GOVERNMENT AND REAL SPENDING REFORM NEEDED -- (House of Representatives - February 25, 2009)

(Mr. FLEMING asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, last night we heard the President in this very Chamber make the call for Congress to rise above the politics and to work together for the benefit of the American people, even though this side of the aisle has been shut out of virtually all related legislation.

The President called for fiscal responsibility, and I couldn't agree more. But I am perplexed that he would make this call sandwiched between the biggest wasteful bills that the liberals in Congress have ever submitted. We need to stop the runaway spending to fund programs that don't immediately put this country back on track for economic stability and which create even more deficits in years to come.

It is very foolish to spend heavily on an unprecedented number of earmarks, only to attempt to balance the budget on the backs of small businesses and those who work and save. Governor Jindal pointed out in his response how effective less government, less spending, and real government reform can be in my home State of Louisiana.

I say that instead of increasing dependence on government to run our daily lives, I strongly suggest that we let the entrepreneurial spirit and the work ethic of Americans with real leadership from Congress create the pathway out of our economic problems.

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