Saving Freedom: on Government Reform

Hank Paulson: 2008: Pushed trillion-dollar Wall Street bailout

The result was a bloodbath for Republicans in the 2008 election and the installation of a powerful majority of Democrats who believed they were elected with a mandate to expand government regulation and control of the financial market. Democrats believed the financial and economic crisis was caused by deregulation and a failure of capitalism. They are now working to further centralize government power over the financial markets in the US and internationally.

Jim DeMint: 1970s government did too much, and caused today's problems

As the debt & dependency of people and the government increased, America found itself in difficult times in the last years o the 1970s. Pres. Carter attempted to blame both the people and the government.

Carter missed the real cause of America's problems. Government was trying to do too much. Government becomes incapable of acting when it attempts to serve a large number of particular needs rather than promoting the general welfare. When the federal government began to involve itself in planning & directing specific aspects of America's culture & economy, it was inevitable there would be destructive & costly consequences.

Jim DeMint: Government can't manage economy without restricting freedom

History has shown that it is impossible for governments to manage the economic and social structure of society without diminishing economic progress and severely restricting the freedoms of individuals. Nevertheless, the political promise of equal outcomes and security by the political class has lured many Americans into the trap of government dependency. We seem to have forgotten that freedom has a price, and that price is hard work and risk.

When government attempts to insulate the people from the normal risks of life, it diminishes the energy and productivity that come from work, struggle, and persistence.

Jim DeMint: I'm a recovering earmarker on a crusade to stop earmarks

So I began my political career believing earmarking was a harmless and important way to represent my district. After a few years in Congress, my mind began to change as I saw the damage the practice of earmarking was doing to our government and country. It became clear that asking for earmarks for my state stood in direct contradiction to my solemn oath to defend the Constitution.

I was hooked, and like all bad habits it took me a while to break it. Now I'm a recovering earmarker on a crusade to stop this practice because I believe it is the main driver to wasteful government spending and our growing debt.

Jim DeMint: 2008: pushed one-year moratorium on earmarks

In 2008, I tried to pass a one-year moratorium on earmarks, but it failed after the leadership of both parties maneuvered appropriators to pressure members to oppose the bill. But we're making progress. Americans are beginning to catch on and more are beginning to oppose earmarks.

Jim DeMint: We all benefit from government founded on Christian values

All this is not to say people of other religions cannot participate freely in an America with a Judeo-Christian foundation. Everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, will benefit from the freedom, prosperity, and security created when cultural and political institutions are founded on Christian principles.

Secularists will howl that I am suggesting our government promote the Christian faith. NOT AT ALL! I don't want the government to have anything to do with religion.

I am suggesting that the biblical principles of traditional marriage, temperance, minimizing borrowing, and many more must guide the policies of government. History makes a strong case that without adherence to Judeo-Christian principles, the foundations of freedom will crumble.

Jim DeMint: Personal responsibility counterbalances central control

The challenge is daunting, but Americans need not be discouraged. The damage done by bad government policy can be corrected with policy changes that reduce dependency. America must end its addiction to programs, subsidies, rescues, and bailouts that lead to debt and dependency. We must constantly remind ourselves that the more we ask of government, the less we have of freedom. The principle of individual responsibility and independence is the foundation of freedom awe must protect and defend at all costs. Americans must force the government to be our servant or it will be our master.

Milton Friedman: Collectivism argument is simple; free market's is subtle

Milton Friedman: Free society requires putting up with temporary evils

In 2008, I tried to pass a one-year moratorium on earmarks, but it failed after the leadership of both parties maneuvered appropriators to pressure members to oppose the bill. But we're making progress. Americans are beginning to catch on and more are beginning to oppose earmarks.

Ronald Reagan: The more the plans fail, the more the planners plan

Tom Coburn: Earmarks are gateway drug for wasteful government spending

I began my political career believing earmarking was a harmless and important way to represent my district. After a few years in Congress, my mind began to change as I saw the damage the practice of earmarking was doing to our government and country. It became clear that asking for earmarks for my state stood in direct contradiction to my solemn oath to defend the Constitution.