Ben Carson on Budget & Economy Tea Party challenger in Republican primary

Stop tinkering around the edges & address the problem

A: I think we should have policies that don't allow them to just enlarge themselves at the expense of smaller entities. But what does help us is to stop tinkering around the edges and fix the actual problems that exist that are creating the problem in the first place.

Raise debt limit on condition of making cuts

CARSON: We get into this question every year. It's ridiculous that we wait until we're right up against the wall and then we say, yes, we've got to raise it or we're going to default. What we need to do is, at the beginning of the financial cycle, determine where we're going to make the cuts so that we don't wind up in this situation every single year.

Q: But this is money we've already spent. These are bills we have to pay

CARSON: Well, I recognize that our backs are up against the wall in a couple of weeks and we have to do that in order to prevent a default. However, this should be the last time we have to do it.

Q: So you would raise it this time but not again?

CARSON: I would raise it this time with the stipulation that we are going to go and look at those 645 government agencies and sub-agencies and we're going to find fat and we're going to get rid of it.

Raise debt ceiling, but ensure you won't have to do it again

CARSON: If I were in charge right now, I would not cause us to default on that. But what I would say is, this is the last time that's happening. And we would tie the raising of that debt limit to some very significant actions, so that we're not here again next year, because, as you know, this is something that happens year after year. We always get right up to the deadline. Now it's do or die, and you're forced to do it. And that's a stupid way to run the government.

Let the economy work the way it's supposed to

The free market works

1990s deregulation paved way for 2008 economic meltdown

When it comes to defending the economic viability of our nation, ir is na‹ve to count on the honesty and integrity of people responsible for our markets when they stand to gain so much by manipulating the system to their advantage. If we become paranoid and overregulate the financial markets, however, we will not see peak performances from them. This is one of the reasons that a balance of viewpoints in our legislative bodies is not only healthy but also necessary.

Cut every agency spending by 10%, with no exceptions

I believe the logical approach would be to have each governmental agency and department trim its budget by 10% -- with no exceptions. In each subsequent year, another 10% decrease would be required and would continue as long as necessary to bring the budget back into balance. This would mean there would be no sacred cows and no sparing of entitlements. No politician, agency, or special interest group could cry foul.