Mike Lee and "The Pledge"

Today in the Cannon House Office Building Caucus Room, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) will participate in a press conference with many of his colleagues to introduce a topic he hinted at when he spoke to the Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention last weekend here in Utah.

The topic of today's press conference is to announce "The Pledge;"

I pledge to urge my Senators and Member of the House of Representatives to oppose any debt limit increase unless all three of the following conditions have been met:


Cut - Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.


Cap - Enforceable spending caps that will put federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.


Balance - Congressional passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- but only if it includes both a spending limitation and a super-majority for raising taxes, in addition to balancing revenues and expenses.

Laugh if you want -- "yeah, right, would any politician actually commit to such a path?" -- but I for one salute the junior senator from Utah for his unrelenting determination to change the "business as usual" approach to what's going on among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

I'm going to be interested in how many like-minded people there are, who will actually take steps to address the details of our spending as a nation. The Federal Reserve has downgraded its projections for growth in the economy from two-month-old estimates. I'm guessing the conflagration of tripwires in the economy is going to force a resolution among lawmakers, not because they will voluntarily sign up for distasteful political realities, but because conditions will compel them to finally get serious.

At the press conference remarks will also be offered by Senators Hatch, DeMint, Rubio and others.

I don't know about any of you, but I for one am grateful for these men who have the guts to take on the problem without apologies to the go-along-to-get-along crowd that has put us in the financial jeopardy we find ourselves as a nation. Until this moment in time, nothing like this has happened, and I credit an aroused electorate for putting the pressure on the elected representatives.

It's why we sent Mike Lee to Washington. If not in 2012, then in the cycle after that in 2014, the Senate must turn over into a filibuster-proof majority with enough votes to turn the Republic around. Today's press conference is only a good start. . . but,

I like the direction it's going. . .

Michele Bachmann found $105 B to cut

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) explains she has found $105 Billion that was appropriated for Obamacare and is already out the gate unless it is pulled back. So what is so hard about finding significant and deep spending cuts? Only the politics. Finding the waste and cutting it out isn't the problem.

Mike Lee on Budget Cuts

John Stossel can hardly believe it, but Mike Lee (R-UT) couldn't be more serious.  Stossel thinks Obama's proposed budget is a laugher when it comes to cutting the budget.  The proposed cuts don't even make a dent.  Lee and others are suggesting going much deeper, including the ridiculous funding of the Department of Education and farm subsidies.  When the cupboard is bare and there isn't any money left, Lee says stop the intergenerational theft and impose "straight jacket" restraints on federal spending. 

He comes to Washington with no obligations to anyone but the voters who sent him there.  No one I know can even imagine these words and this level of commitment coming out of the mouth of his predecessor.  It's why Utah sent "Mr. Smith" to Washington.

Make no mistake about his intentions and his resolve.  Mike Lee will get this job done, as new leadership emerges and the junior senator shows everyone the path back to fiscal sanity.  He intends to lead a filibuster if necessary on the pending proposal to raise the national debt ceiling until there is an up or down vote on his balanced budget amendment.

Good for you, Mike!



Here's a story discussing the struggle to define the Constitution.  The struggle for freedom from oppressive government intervention in the lives of America's citizens goes on.  Nothing has changed since the document was first penned.  David Brooks, once an unabashed and vocal fan of Obama, now writes in The New York Times that he is dismayed, that Obama is not the leader he had hoped he would become because his current budget merely "kicks the can" down the street and does not address the systemic weaknesses we now face because of our irresponsible spending and debt as a country.

Brooks concludes, after noting what a failure Obama has been in his leadership, "So the mantle of leadership has passed to Capitol Hill. While Obama asked for patience yet again, Eric Cantor announced that Republicans will put entitlements on the table. It may be politically risky, but it looks more like leadership to me."


All I can say to Brooks is "me too."  Stay tuned as the debate on Capitol Hill rages into 2011 and beyond.  Count on Mike Lee to be right in the middle of it and putting forward the leadership David Brooks and the rest of America is so hungry and desperate to discover.  .

Orrin Hatch Announces He's In for 2012

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

To be precise: Orrin Hatch was born on March 22, 1934, making him 78 years old on election day 2012.

He would be 84 years old at the end of his SEVENTH term if re-elected. He will have served 36 years at the end of his current term.

I have great respect and admiration for Senator Hatch. I've worked with him and his staff and been successful with an important issue. I thank him personally for his efforts for us.

We can argue about his record, but know this: Every senator's record has pockmarks on it after 36 years. He has represented Utah for a long time and he has done so with great distinction in the minds of the majority of Utahns, myself included.

However, he is in a Senate that is currently seeing more turnover than ever before in history. In 2012, the trend will continue. The last two elections cycles produced about one-third of the current members of the Senate: There have been 32 new senators sworn in since 2008, which represents the fastest turnover rate since the 1978 and 1980 elections, which together added 38 new members. 

One of the contributing factors leading to America's present situation is the seniority system. It must be gutted voluntarily by the parties and fresh blood infused into the process.

Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)

Our present situation happened on Hatch's watch. He's off to a good start with the balanced budget amendment, but here's a list that Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) just tweeted today, signaling he'll be holding Hatch's toes to the fire if Hatch falters or weakens. Chaffetz asserts there are more than 1,000 committees spending more than $400 million with 74,000 appointees, among them some "czars." All who think we'll miss them when they're gone, please raise your hands.

It's time for change. Massive change, with severe, drastic, deep cuts in spending.

New candidates for Senator Hatch's seat, please apply. You in, Jason?  Who else?