Conflict Resolved

Monday, 8/4/97 Conflict Resolved BUDGET: Republicans in Congress
instrumental for bringing tax reforms

Make no mistake about it: The balanced budget agreement recently
announced by Congressional Republicans and the president represents
a historic victory on behalf of America’s families. Hard working
families will see the first tax cut in 16 years. The budget will be
balanced for the first time in almost 30 years (I know I wasn’t
around then … were you?). The Republican-led Congress has held
true to the principles that swept the GOP into the majority in
1994, as more items in the Contract with America are added to the
list of accomplishments of the Republican Party. The latest
victories include the $500 per-child tax credit, lower capital
gains taxes and expanded IRAs. Mark these up to a new era of
politics in America; an era of bipartisan cooperation in which
complex and challenging problems can be addressed without
opportunistic demagoguery. If you’re wondering what all of this
hand shaking and photo-op chasing has to do with you, that’s a good
question. Under this budget, families will be able to take
advantage of education tax credits and incentives to save for their
children’s college education. Families can claim a maximum $1,500
tax credit for the first two years of college and could also
qualify for student loan interest deductions. These tax credits
represent an attempt to change America’s standard for education,
making two years of community college available to everyone and as
common as a high school education today. The incentives for
families to save money for education will also increase access for
many students who might otherwise be unable to afford a college
education. It should also ease the burden on students who might
otherwise have to incur great debt to attend college (Sound like
anyone you know?). Many students will also qualify for the child
tax credit, which will ease the burden on mothers in higher
education. These tangible benefits might make the average student
shrug his shoulders and ask, "So what?" The answer for our
generation is not a simple one. The greatest benefits for us are
not as obvious as a direct payment or government program. Rather,
we stand to benefit the most from a new focus in Washington. Even
Bill Clinton is conceding what Republicans have known all along:
Americans want smaller government, a balanced budget, lower taxes,
better educational opportunities and a stable, preserved Medicare
system. This new consensus has been the mission of the Republican
Party for years. When was the last time you heard a politician
pushing for new taxes? If you can’t remember, ask a smoker. There
are new cigarette taxes in this budget. (Sorry smokers, you’re
still fair game for many politicians.) But, except for these
fashionably easy targets, there aren’t tax increases. It means that
the American public will demand a balanced budget from their
legislators, without more of the old taxing and spending. It means
that Americans will demand tax relief and fiscal responsibility. It
also demonstrates another change in our president, who was for tax
cuts (’92 campaign promises), for the biggest tax increase in
history (’93 budgetplan), and is now back to tax cuts (What a
difference a Republican Congress makes!). Tax cuts and a balanced
budget would not be on the table without Republican leadership in
Congress. So, once again, what does all this mean for us? A
balanced budgetmeans a great deal to us. A balanced budget will
lead to lower interest rates, which will enable all of us to more
easily afford a home, car or an education. No longer can we allow
the federal government to saddle our generation with an
ever-growing national debt. We cannot allow the government to keep
passing the debt on to our children. We must have the strength to
face the challenges that will affect our generation by preserving
Medicare and Social Security, without letting costs spiral out of
control and consume a greater share of our federal budget. We can
only make progress on these tough issues when both major parties
can work together without the kind of demagoguery that Democrats
perpetuated in the ’96 campaign over fictional Republican "Medicare
cuts." The necessary reforms that Republicans have endorsed all
along are now embraced by the administration (Now there are
Medicare "savings." Funny when you realize that Republicans have
been "saving" Medicare for years.). While this budget agreement is
incredibly significant, there are still areas that need attention.
Medicare is only secure for another 10 years. We have a long way to
go before we see any benefits from this program, and we have to
start paying attention now if we expect to see any benefits at all.
We’re going to need more than a temporary fix when the baby boomers
hit their sixties (dear old mom and dad). Ouch. Congressional
Republicans aren’t done cutting taxes. The government is still too
big, too intrusive and too wasteful. The American people are better
off if they can keep more of the money they earn. This is one of
the Republican axioms. It’s about letting people work for
themselves instead of the government. It’s about letting people
spend more time with their families or volunteering in the
community because they are not saddled with an oppressive tax
burden. It’s about preserving the right that we often forget or
casually overlook: the right to keep the property you earn. This
year’s balanced budget agreement is a good first step toward these
goals. It’s about … time.