Yesterday, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, traditionally viewed as a Republican leaning organization, came out in strong support of raising the debt limit. He characterized efforts to make substantial and immediate cuts in spending as "a lot of political carrying on."
Americans across the political spectrum disagree with the Chamber's approach. According to a Reuters poll, 71% of Americans oppose raising the debt limit. Their apprehension is understandable. For too long, we've given lawmakers a blank check, a limitless credit card to be paid off by our children.
Any increase in the debt limit should be accompanied by immediate and substantial cuts in spending. The Heritage Foundation has identified $343 billion in cuts that lawmakers should seriously consider. A few examples:
- $500 million - Better enforce eligibility requirements for food stamps.
- $1.7 billion - Reduce National Science Foundation funding to 2008 levels.
- $1.9 billion - Privatize Amtrak.
- $2 billion - Ban project labor agreements on all federally funded construction projects.
The list goes on, and on. Americans are looking for bold leadership, not business as usual from the Washington Establishment.