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Matt Welch of Reason Magazine argues the Congress needs to pay a political penalty for not passing a budget.
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Well thanks so much.
So 1351.
Days that is more than three years just in case you're wondering and it's also how long we have gone without a budget.
Even though the law requires congress to pass a budget each year.
I don't get that Matt -- is editor in cheaper reason magazine.
And he joins me now -- -- it's a lot shouldn't somebody be in jail for having about well there's no enforcement mechanism to this particular loss of its it's a strongly -- suggestion and it's one has been broken before.
Barack Obama happen under George W.
Bush and Bill Clinton as well we've never seen anything like.
Three consecutive years likeness and where -- senate Democrats who are supposed control the senate.
Are saying we're not even going to try what's the dips yeah I think there was a lot of brave talk you know -- 2008 Democratic Party platforms that we will maintain fiscal responsibilities that we don't mortgage our children's future.
Two mountain of debt.
Barack Obama's first budget was -- title EA had a special title orders opened new era.
A fiscal responsibility when he came into office he said no longer are -- to kick the can down the road on long term entitlements we're gonna have this very serious sober process sort -- windows we go from these artificial deadlines to artificial deadlines continuing resolutions and that's we get all these like tax extender goodies and giveaways to industry and just a terrible process by which to govern the country so if you want to dig into -- solve the problem.
What's the difference being -- isn't a matter of the difference between revenues and outlays were -- units are.
You start just by having a budget seriously I mean both so both parties to this point don't have to balance you just have a plan of some type I would love to see a balanced budget we are not going to see it right so I'm being you have is between the free lunch party the free dinner party right -- The Republicans say they wanna cut spending but they're terrified of actually saying what they want cut so you have to go through this process and even if you believe right that.
Federal spending at a minimum has to be three point seven trillion dollars which both sides believe I do not.
And even if you believe that tenure should not to go but -- five trillion he's still gonna have to make tough.
Choices because.
Medicare and Social Security are swallowing up ever -- larger portions of the budget so in order to do that you have to have a public thorough.
Process about what else you're going to squeeze.
Cut and -- you can't just do this for the last minute negotiations we have six ministry bill but there's no penalty they've -- three years about doing it why would -- ever do it again it seems like there's only downside political them well they have to pay the political penalty for doing it that's what has to change and that takes a while takes more than one election cycle but it also takes politicians in this comes from the Republican part.
It takes politicians who actually have the courage to say yes we will cut this yes we don't need this particular department yes we can do.
5% across the board and yes we can cut military spending which Republicans are mostly terrified of admitted is that where you would starting if you're Republican -- wanted to bring an olive branch of the table and and really start.
What would you offer.
That's where I would start sure that's republic Rand Paul Mike lead just in the -- some of these more kind of libertarian.
People on Capitol Hill are saying toward democratic friends but in return for that.
Have a budget process and you have to take serious look by which I mean cut entitlement promises the future what's -- second thing you report.
I know -- -- -- we can make some progress here I love -- I would I would -- off 5% across the board -- if we can't have the courage to say that we don't need the department of commerce and I think we don't need to -- commerce but if you're not willing to have that conversation say -- every once squeezed everyone around -- can cut 5% out of their own budget -- private sectors -- governments are very -- Matt -- thank -- so -- thank you.
