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Let’s Roll

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Credit where credit is due. I’ve complained about congressional pork-barrel spending in the past, and I’ll complain about congressional pork-barrel spending in the future. But when Congress exercises the fiscal discipline to do the right thing, I have to say thanks, and keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more of the same in the very near future.

Just a week or two ago on this program, I complained about all the congressional foot-dragging when it came to closing military bases bases the military itself says are now obsolete. Indeed, there was a whole decade there in which Congress did virtually nothing to implement the military’s recommendations. They treated the bases more as work projects than as a means of defending our country. Closings have been accomplished just the same, but in a very haphazard way, with lots of fits and starts.

But now the U.S. Senate has authorized the Department of Defense to complete a fourth round of closures. John Berthoud, president of National Taxpayers Union, applauds the action and invites the U.S. House to echo the go-ahead. “During times of peace and prosperity,” says Berthoud, “it was easy for Members of Congress to get away with reducing defense spending while increasing pork-barrel spending. . . . Now Congress has the opportunity, and the obligation, to allow the military to do what every government agency should do operate as efficiently as possible, and take whatever cost-cutting measures are necessary to eliminate waste and make the best use of taxpayers’ money.”

Well, I agree, Mr. Berthoud. Time’s a-wastin’. Let’s roll.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.

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