January 26, 2012
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Hooked on Government
By Senator Mike Folmer

We're a long way from President Kennedy's challenge in his 1961 Inaugural Address: "…ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."  According to the United States Census Bureau, 49 percent of Americans live in a household where someone receives at least one type of government benefit.  About 63 percent of the federal budget is allocated to individuals for whom the government receives no current services, up from 46 percent in 1975, and 18 percent in 1940.

In early February Governor Tom Corbett will deliver his budget address, outlining a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. While I am not aware of the governor's proposal, I am confident that before the speech concludes – or shortly thereafter – pundits and some of my legislative colleagues will find fault with the plan, saying it misplaces funding priorities and makes too drastic of spending cuts to certain programs. This is the start of annual tribal ritual also known as the budget battle and for the next four months, there will be advocates for government to live within its means (myself included) and calls for more taxes, and additional borrowing and spending.

Last year was the first time since I have been in office increases weren't just added to budget line-items; spending was reduced and the worthiness of certain programs were evaluated.  I am hopeful this trend continues in 2012. Businesses, schools, churches, charities, and households have had to restructure and refocus in response to competition and shrinking resources.  Government must do the same.

For too long government has tried to be all things to all people, and there are those who have come to expect this of government. The result has been trillions of wasted tax dollars, thousands of job losses, double-digit unemployment rates, and a crippled state and national economy. According to the Census Bureau, 43.6 million Americans live in poverty – the highest number in the 51 years the organization has tracked the data.

Government leaders must decide what is best for the state and nation and act accordingly.