RESPONSE-Wynia
Ann Wynia (wynia@Free-Net.Mpls-StPaul.MN.US)
Mon, 31 Oct 1994 10:43:42 -0600
QUESTION #1: THIS RACE IS CLOSE TO BEING A REFERENDUM ON THE FUTURE OF THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA MUST CHOOSE WHETHER TO
"STAY THE COURSE"; WHETHER TO ACCEPT A NEW "CONTRACT WITH AMERICA", OR
WHETHER TO REJECT BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS AND SEARCH FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WHAT
IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION? WHY?
RESPONSE #1: Congressman Grams' "Contract with America" is a budget buster.
This is the same "trickle-down economics" that tripled the national debt in
the 1980s and left middle class families picking up the tab. Because of
about $200 billion in tax cuts for the wealthy, and a boost in the nation's
defense programs, this plan leaves a one trillion dollar hole in the federal
budget.
Independent budget analysts agree that Congressman Grams' plan is a budget
disaster. The Price Waterhouse accounting firm concluded that Congressman
Grams' plan "seriously, even overwhelmingly, understates its real cost and
the value of some of its savings, and therefore, its impact on the deficit."
An analysis by the Concord Coalition -- a bipartisan independent group
devoted to ending federal deficits -- concluded that the Grams' "Contract"
is "about getting votes, not balancing the budget." The Committee for a
Responsible Federal Budget concluded, Grams' plan "relies too heavily on
unspecified savings and budget process changes in lieu of a blueprint -
including specific program reductions and eliminations - sufficient to close
the gap between the promise and the reality. Its proposed tax cuts would
indeed increase the deficit."
The American people are tired of this election year rhetoric that claims we
can cut taxes and increase spending and magically the budget will balance.
This did not work in the 1980s and it will not work now.
Americans want action on the problems of this country, and they want it now.
I have long been known as someone who can work with folks from all
backgrounds and get things done. I think we need more of that in Congress.
We need to move this country forward, not back.
We need leaders who have experience, common sense, and practical skills to
solve problems. That is why I want to be your next U.S. Senator.
The budget plan passed by the democrats in 1993 made a good first step at
controlling federal spending and reducing the deficit. It reduced the
federal workforce and bureaucracy by 272,000 and included $255 billion in
spending cuts, one of the largest spending cut packages in history. As a
result of this plan, the deficit is down two years in a row for the first
time in two decades and is projected to decline for three years in a row for
the first time since Harry Truman. This deficit reduction package is
largely responsible for trimming a projected $691.7 billion from the deficit
from 1994 to 1998. That amounts to $10,800 of reduced federal debt for each
family of four in Minnesota.
But more must be done. If elected, I will continue to work to reduce the
federal budget through additional spending cuts such eliminating the helium
reserves, terminating the space station, increasing burdensharing by our
allies, terminating the production of the Seawolf submarines, and charging
royalties for hardrock mining on federal lands.