Senators Thune and Ensign blast spending in bloggers' teleconference

This afternoon I had the honor of taking part in a Senate Republican bloggers' teleconference with Senators John Thune and John Ensign.

Thune spoke first. The South Dakotan said that President Obama's budget "spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much." He stated that Obama's first budget will represent 28 percent of the gross domestic product, "a level not seen since World War II." Thune told the bloggers that the already high federal deficit will double in five years, and triple in ten years.

The massive hike in federal spending will be fueled by borrowing cash. Thune reminded listeners, "It was borrowing that got us into this current economic situation."

Ensign then took his turn, and brought up the energy tax. "During the campaign," he said, "Barack Obama said he would not raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year."

If you use energy for your car, refrigerator, a computer, then you will pay this tax. Even if you make less than $250,000.

A veterinarian and a former operator of an animal hospital, The Nevadan knows the challenges small businesses face. Obama's budget goes beyond the energy tax, and drawing upon his experience as a businessman, Ensign explained that higher taxes will hurt small businesses. "You may have to lay off people," he said, "Sometimes you can't just raise your prices."

Since a few Democratic senators are already questioning Obama's budget, my hope is that more will realize the danger of the president's overzealous tax-and-spend plans, and a more sensible budget will be in place for fiscal year 2010.

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