Scottsdale Republic
Jim Ward
To paraphrase Congressman Mitchell's ("Economic crisis needs bipartisan solutions," May 20), while he worries about the generational debt Congress has created, he supported the economic recovery plan because he believes it "will create jobs now and invest in our future." Yet he's concerned about how much Congress is spending, and because he believes in fiscal discipline, he feels that "there is a lack of accountability and transparency about where these dollars are going". He is also disappointed by the lack of bipartisanship in Congress.
I have great respect for Congressman Mitchell and his very long career as a professional politician. However, I'd like to offer a businessman’s point of view.
The concept of fiscal responsibility in Congress has disappeared in a perfect storm of partisan agendas designed to prop up an economy that requires investment in the free market, not government. The only way to create jobs is through investment in those entities that actually create jobs, primarily small businesses with the proper tax incentives to do so. The stimulus package Congressman Mitchell voted for had little to do with creating jobs and a lot to do with payback. You can’t be concerned about how much Congress is spending and at the same time vote for a record level stimulus package that isn't targeted at solving the problem. And to say that you worry about the generational debt Congress has created while supporting spending levels that jeopardize the future of our children is inconsistent.
As for transparency and accountability, the very same stimulus package he voted for was delivered to the House with little time for member review, also bypassing the citizen’s review on the web as promised by President Obama. Congressman Mitchell, by his own admission, neither knew the entirety of what he was voting on, nor does he now know where these dollars are being spent. To say that he believes in accountability and transparency flies in the face of the fact that he voted for a stimulus bill that had none of the above. That’s just bad business.
As for bi-partisanship, the reality is that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has radically transformed the rule of order, cancelling committee meetings and scheduling votes with no opportunity for debate, let alone the surfacing of bi-partisan ideas. In fact, at the East Valley Partnership Statesman’s Breakfast, Congressman Mitchell argued that Nancy Pelosi has become the focal point for the efficient passage of legislation and that she has done a good job of leading Congress. You cannot stand by Nancy Pelosi’s management of Congress and then be disappointed by the lack of bi-partisanship.
It seems to me, Mr. Congressman, that you’re playing both sides of the fence. You are trying to please your leader, Nancy Pelosi, while at the same time trying to cater to a constituency that believes otherwise. When you try to play both sides of the fence, you end up on the fence. And sitting on the fence for too long can hurt. You might want to think about getting off on one side or the other before November of 2010.
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