The Heritage Foundation published an article several years ago outlining 50 examples of government waste. The list includes things like the duplication of government programs, inappropriate use of government credit cards by federal employees, and a $200,000 tattoo removal program in Mission Hills, Ca.
Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t improved in the last five years, and the article fails to include a viable strategy for fighting government waste. The author admits cutting government waste is difficult,
Reducing wasteful spending is not easy. Even the most useless programs are passionately supported by the armies of recipients, administrators, and lobbyists that benefit from their existence. [...] Many lawmakers focus more on bringing home earmarks than on performing the less exciting task of government oversight.
But the only solution he offers is to encourage lawmakers — the same lawmakers he admitted were influenced by lobbyists and motivated by earmarks — to cut waste in an effort to balance the budget.
To this we would ask: Why? Why would lawmakers in Washington want to bring back less money to their constituents or anger lobbyists by cutting government programs? What is a bigger priority to them — uncovering and eradicating government waste or working on their next campaign?
The answer to these questions is obvious, which is why the American people must affect change from outside the Beltway, not from within.
A Balanced Budget Amendment, proposed and ratified via the state-led Article V Convention of States process, can force the change this country so desperately needs. A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget would ensure lawmakers in D.C. eradicate government waste and keep this country on the path to financial security for generations to come.
