Sioux City Journal

It's happy hour in Des Moines

Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007

ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- Was it just my imagination or did we really hear then-candidate Chester Culver and the other Democrats run as promising to be fiscally conservative during the last election.

The recently passed budget disaster for the state of Iowa is a sorry example of politicians on a drunken spending binge. The Iowa Democratic-controlled Legislature is increasing spending for the next fiscal year in excess of 400 percent of the rate of inflation from 2006 and has already built in spending increases for the following year in excess of 400 percent of expected inflation once again. This is the largest spending increase ever in the history of our state. The 10-year costs of just the increase in their proposed increased spending in one year are in excess of seven billion dollars adjusted for normal rates of growth.

Since 1995 state spending has increased by approximately $1.4 billion and we will see a two-year increase in spending exceeding all of the previous nine years of increases. Can there possibly be a single person in Iowa that believes the fiscal responsibility pledge scam? Increased spending correlates to increased taxation and this obviously very strong economy with record revenues of the past several years (thank you, Bush tax cuts) will not always continue. Any slowdown in economic activity will allow the Democrats to increase taxation dramatically since the budget will clearly be running large deficits in the future.

Many conservatives were unhappy the past several years, accusing Republicans of spending like drunken sailors. Welcome to the new bartender in town where every hour is happy hour. -- Mark Lundberg

Story Comments

Moderate Observer wrote on May 14, 2007 11:40 AM:

" I have really read some stupid commentary on this thread. Why the partisanhsip? How can 9-11 percent increase per year in the state budget be considered fiscally responsible when there will be insufficient revenue to back it up. What has been cut? What do we do in an economic down turn? I expect an increase in the sales tax and all state fees right away. Regarding the propaganda about teacher pay, they have increased the budget by 70 million and 75 million for the next two years, but what the Democrats haven't told the public yet, is that it will take four years and 300 million to attain the the teacher pay level that they are advertising. The pay of other states is not stagnant and increases 3-6 percent annually. Pay is high in some large states due to teacher shortages. There is no personnel shortage in Iowa. "

Ted wrote on May 14, 2007 10:42 AM:

" Anything gained by a tax cut was given back through inflation caused by economic polices which have weakened the dollar. Have you gotten groceries lately? A tank of gas? These cuts were designed to take from you and give to the wealthiest in the world. Thank you for electing a moron. Now, lets try a Mormon, who is singing the tune of private social security again. The biggest give away of them all. "

M wrote on May 11, 2007 6:13 PM:

" Sean, According to the CBO the new democratic budget exceeds projected republican spending by over 3 trillion dollar the next ten years. Thanks for all the fiscal responsibility. Give me a break. "

mpl wrote on May 11, 2007 6:07 PM:

" Stephen, You are very ill informed if you do not know significant people that have benefited from Bush tax cuts. 1) If you have $15000 in taxable income as a couple you save $750 from the 10% bracket. 2) If you have two kids you save an addt $1000 in child credits 3) If you are married you save approx $400 per couple in the marriage penalty 4) If you have any income in the 25% bracket you save 3% of all income over the limit 5) If you have any capital gains or dividend income you save significantly. You must not know any one that has any income "

SC wrote on May 11, 2007 3:47 PM:

" People, you need to argue better. Half the comments above don't even give evidence or good arguments, its just "you suck cause your a democrat" and "you suck cause your a republican". At least have a good argument if you are going to spend the time to type up a comment. And to all the commenters with at least some good facts, good job, and keep it up. "