Two articles were published within the last week that, when taken together, reveal the extent of D.C.'s wasteful practices.
The first was published by the Washington Times and explains how the federal government can throw away $1 trillion a year in taxpayer money.
The second was published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and describes how some federal agencies bemoan the fact that they have to ask Congress for more money every year and aren't permitted to set their own budget.
If federal agencies waste $1 trillion a year in taxpayer money, how do they justify asking for bigger budgets?
The fact is, they often don't have to. Congress doesn't provide strict oversight on bureaucratic spending because, as the Washington Times article points out, it's not their money.
Federal agencies don't care to spend wisely for the same reason. It's not their money, and the money they get next year has almost nothing to do with how they spend their money this year.
This cycle of irresponsibility and lack of oversight has continued for decades, no matter who controls Congress or sits in the Oval Office.
Change, then, must come from outside the beltway, and Article V of the Constitution provides tool to bring about that change.
An Article V Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that force D.C. to be fiscally responsible. Such amendments can lower the debt, save billions in taxpayer dollars, and keep federal agencies from spending beyond their means.
