Himes Brings Dire Budget Message to Area

Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) faced a crowd that alternated between cantankerous and courteous in an effort to explain the federal budget.

Because voters across the district are anxious about the economy, Himes, who is running for re-election, hosted a series of Town Hall Meetings on the Federal budget. He made his presentation with the aid of David Walker, an unaffiliated voter, who served as comptroller under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. 

"There is no good news in this presentation," Himes told the more than 200 people attending the event last Thursday at New Canaan High School. Aside from New Canaan, residents also came from several other towns in the district, including Wilton, Greenwich, and Stamford.

During the power point presentation Walker used statistics from the several agencies including the Office Management and Budget to show people the trajectory of the U.S. economy and federal spending.

Walker said federal spending, which accounted for two percent of spending in 1800, now stands at 25 percent. Granted the nation's population was smaller when John Adams was president and entitlement programs were non-existent. However, if current patterns continue, spending will rise to 42 percent in 2040.

Although Himes said the evening wasn't a campaign event, several attendees disagreed, at times rather vociferously.

The Connecticut Republican Party and the National Congressional Republican Committee believe Himes is vulnerable. The GOP is banking on Connecticut's negative job growth, anxiety over the economy, and frustration with the workings of Washington to boot Himes from the House.

Dan Debicella, the Republican candidate for Congress, advocates a 20 percent cap on federal spending.

"It's easy to say cap it at 20 percent," Himes said. "I can say cap it at 19 percent. But that's baloney. It's easy to say, but how do you get to 20 percent?"

Another pressing issue is the $1.4 federal budget deficit. Opinions differ on how to close that hole. Some argue spending cuts are the only means to bring down the deficit. Others want to hike taxes.

"Is 2011 where we get very restrictive?" Himes said. "There is a danger that if we get too restrictive too quickly it will bring us to a repeat of 1937."

Sometimes called the Roosevelt Recession, the economy, which had begun to rebound from the Great Depression, slid backward. Some economists blame President Franklin D. Roosevelt who instituted massive spending cuts and tax increases. Others hold the Federal Reserve responsible for tightening the money supply.  Regardless, the nation didn't recover until after World War Two.

"There is no evidence in this country's history that we can cut taxes and increase revenue," Himes said who favors letting the Bush tax cuts expire except for those households earning more than $250,000 a year.

One New Canaan resident clearly disagreed.

"I disagree on the tax cuts. I think we do need tax cuts," said Rita Peters.

But the increase is largely the result of entitlement programs, such as social security and Medicare and Medicaid, said Himes. To that end, many attendees commented on the health care bill.

"I don't understand how you can vote for things that are unconstitutional," said Tricia Galloway of Trumbull referring to the health care bill and the stimulus act. "How do you justify stealing from your young daughters?"

Himes said he's understands that the majority of Americans are uncomfortable with mandates. However, if someone chooses to forgo health insurance but requires emergency care for an injury or healthcare for a disease then "all the rest of us pay for it. You know what that is? Dare I say the word? It's called socialism."

That programs must be cut is clear, said Himes. But by how much and which specific programs draws ire within both parties.

"There is a $700 billion budget for the Pentagon," Himes said, giving a hypothetical example of how spending cuts get politicized. "If I suggested cutting 2 or 3 percent of it for inefficiencies I'd hear 'Himes is soft on terrorism and he doesn't care about our troops.'"

Himes recently ran into opposition when he tried convincing the House Appropriations Committee to cut housing and transportation programs by $1.6 billion.

Himes also recently formed a working group with three other representatives. The four junior legislators want Congress to check spending on a variety of programs that are being funded at higher levels than even President Barack Obama stipulated. Himes said every federal agency could be trimmed.

"It doesn't get solved if we play the blame game. It doesn't get solved if there are only sacred cows. We have to cut even those things which ideologically hurt us," Himes said.

In addition, the nation must reduce its foreign debt load, said Walker. According to the US Department of the Treasury, the top holders of US foreign debt are, in order, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Oil Exporting Countries, Caribbean Banking Centers, Brazil, Hong Kong, and Russia.

"We are not exempt from the laws of prudent finance," Walker said. "We're mortgaging the future of our children. It's not only irresponsible, it's immoral."