Finding fiscal religion

Now that the expiring Bush tax cuts have been extended another two years, it’s an
interesting exercise to return to the debate and analyze some of the reasons given
for not supporting the measure.
 
Democrats proffered the usual class-warfare lines, but not many paid attention to
them. Republicans, sensing they claimed the high ground on the overall argument
it’s not wise to raise taxes on anyone during these harsh economic times, simply
ignored them.
 
Yet one Republican from the beginning vowed to oppose extension of the cuts — Sen.
George Voinovich (Ohio). You have to admire such stalwart views. But the reasons
he gave ring hollow at this point in his career. You see, Voinovich is retiring,
and after years of supporting — either tacitly or directly — bloated bills and more
spending, he is now worried about mortgaging his grandchildren’s futures.
 
When announcing his opposition, the Ohio member told an event sponsored by the Aspen
Institute that he fears so much for the fiscal health of this nation. “As I look
at my experience, I believe that if this thing goes through and we extend it, we
will kick this thing down the road … It’s completely irresponsible,” said Voinovich.

 
That “thing” he’s referring to must be our federal debt, and believe me, it’s more
than a thing — it’s a full-blown monster.
 
And yet while I can’t help but admire Voinovich’s profile in courage, I find myself
wishing and asking, “Where was this bravery when he was a fully engaged, active
member of the U.S. Senate?” Why now, when he’s unencumbered with worries of reelection,
or retaliation from his party leadership, does George Voinovich decide to stand
up and speak his mind for fiscal sanity?
 
Listen, I’m not here to bash the good senator from Ohio. His heart is in the right
place. But a word of advice to incoming members of Congress — you affix your place
in history not by lamenting what you “should” have done, but rather you make the
most difference when you seize the moment and when your voice — as lonely as it
might be — counts the most.
 
Finding fiscal religion only after the tough decisions have been made, and you were
silent on the sidelines, will not be recognized in the celestial heavens. Senators
and members alike must be willing to make the tough choices in the heat of the moment.
Sad to say, those decisions will be even worse in the coming years. They won’t simply
be “difficult.” We have long passed that threshold. No, they will be excruciating.

Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.