Instead of Drowning ‘Big’ Government In A Bathtub, How About Shooting It And Just Leaving It For Dead?

The Republicans in Texas’ Congressional Delegation are always an excellent source for the three A’s:

Amazement, Amusement, Asininity.  

This week’s award for the most asinine statement from a Texas Republican Congressman goes to….

Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands), for this gem:

“If an agency cannot justify its existence to the taxpayers it serves, then it ought not exist. Sunset is a tool. We have to commit to it to be successful. We have to pick it up and wheel it the right way to make it work. Each agency must justify its existence. What we are really saying for the first time to the federal government is put up or shut up, produce or leave. We will invest our precious tax dollars in the programs that work and not a dime for those that do not,” said Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, HR 3282’s sponsor.

Rep. Brady, as a Congressman, you are the federal government (in a sense). By telling the federal government to “put up or shut up, produce or leave,” you’re telling yourself that. Since I’d venture to say a Sunset Study of your tenure of a Congressman would produce a paltry sum of pseudo accomplishments, I have but one question:

When’s your retirement party?

HR 3282 is the Federal Sunset Act of 2005. It’s co-sponsored by damned near every Republican from Texas not to mention Democrats from Texas and elsewhere (including CD-17’s Chet Edwards).  

Basically, the act would, in addition to eleminating a number of unneeded federal agencies immediately, create a “sunset” provision like we have here in Texas that would apply to federal agencies.

I agree with the concept of the act (there are some federal agencies that need to be revamped or abolished, merged, etc.). But, I don’t agree with the manner in which lawmakers like Brady (whose bill it is in the first place) are touting the act.

Brady and a few other radicals, I believe, want to use the act as a vehicle to eleminate important federal programs that we truly need in this country simply because they aren’t in harmony with Republican ideals and values. Comments like his above are probably what is preventing more Democrats from signing on to the legislation.

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