DeMint leads by example on fiscal conservatism; spoke out on appropriations bill

In the U.S. Senate, there are several Republicans who stay true to fiscal conservatism; one is Sen. Jim DeMint. The outspoken senator from South Carolina actually has the nerve to put the interests of the people above the party—a quality in short supply in Washington at present.

On March 4, DeMint filed 19 amendments to the $410-billion Omnibus Appropriations Bill, a bill that might be more appropriately called the “Omnibus Spendthrift Bill.” Several of those amendments were aimed at striking wasteful pork-barrel projects requested by members; others would prevent taxpayer dollars from being spent in support of controversial policies. Thousands of earmarks were in the final Omnibus bill and many of those earmarks are nothing more than pork inserted because political opportunity presented itself. From fruit flies to wine, members of Congress managed to load up the bill with pet projects that were not vetted by debate and oversight.



DeMint’s amendments aren’t confined to fiscal concerns. One amendment would actually rectify an appropriation that goes contrary to the U.S. Constitution: “To remove an earmark to teach scientists how to talk to the press, and for other purposes (#644).” What right does the government have to overlook the highest law of the land by interjecting a role and protocol into science and media? I suspect this has to do with global warming/climate change since President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party- controlled Congress have dismissed concerns of eminent scientists and scholars who disagree with Gorian theology and say research does not conclusively prove man has the devastating effect on the climate that former vice-president and failed presidential candidate Al Gore claims.

Other earmarks DeMint addressed dealt with funds related to anti-bullying programs and a tattoo removal program. DeMint lists the amendments at his government website.

The South Carolina senator has also spoken out about the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program that enables parents whose children are zoned for failing schools to receive funds that help pay tuition costs at private schools. Obama’s own children are in private school, an option many legislators also take when it comes to educating their children.

DeMint sets an excellent example of a conservative who actually practices what he preaches, something in short supply among the liberal dominated U.S. Congress and executive branch in our government. During a speech on the Senate Floor Mar. 9, DeMint said, “The new administration and Congress has not put forth any plan to fix our credit crisis.” DeMint believes the trillion dollar stimulus plan didn’t address the credit issue/banking problem. “Many people around the country are asking what we’re thinking,” he said. “The problem is we’re thinking about the next election.”

We could use more leaders like DeMint.