Rep. Harold Wright on Facebook:
We have all heard the story about the city slicker who thought milk came from the grocery store. These could be the same people who think that Medicaid, welfare, and other benefits come from “Big Brother” or government. The big illusion is when you think the delivery agent is the provider rather than the original source….
In a meeting this week with the President’s Leadership Class from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, I was asked what I thought about President Obama’s idea to provide free tuition for students at community colleges across the nation. In response, I asked the students who would pay for it? Some said the government. Most don’t stop to think that the tax payer is the original source of funding for government benefits. Unfortunately, the federal government just can’t seem to say no. Maybe they are not on drugs, but when Uncle Sam doesn’t have enough money, he just borrows it. The national debt is now over $17 trillion and increasing daily. Thomas Jefferson said “to preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our constitution … an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.”
Oklahoma government has a balanced budget law in the constitution which prohibits lawmakers from spending more than we have. I can tell you from a personal legislative experience that there is never enough money; and much like our own personal budget, state legislators have to make the best with what taxpayers provide. The federal government needs the same remedy – a balanced budget amendment to the constitution to force legislators to reign in their budget and control spending.
Lest we forget that the milk comes from the cow.
Your comments and questions are always welcome.
Harold Wright serves District 57 of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He can be reached by phone at (405) 557-7325 or via email at harold.wright@okhouse.gov.
