For years, the fiscal conservative politicians have been concentrating like a laser on the national debt and the national deficit. This is certainly an understandable approach, as this is where the government’s spending in this country is most evident.
In contrast to the federal government, almost every state in the country is constitutionally obliged to have a balanced budget. Therefore, governors of both parties are more tax cautious than their counterparts in Congress. Unfortunately, this hyperfocus on federal spending by fiscal conservatives often encounters a major obstacle when reality calls for it: Hardly any elected official in one of the parties actually wants to cut any expenditure. Instead, they disagree on how much new debt should arise and where the money should go. We saw this dynamic clearly in Washington when Republicans were ready to go on their own buying spree when Donald Trump was president just to turn around and pretend to be concerned about the financial responsibility the second Joe Biden won.
However, once the party line passed the stimulus package, the struggle for financial conservatives across the country should not end. Rather, they should be inspired by the environmental movement: For years, these activists have been encouraging their supporters to think globally but act locally. This mantra should be especially appealing to fiscal conservatives as the infusion of stimulus cash is getting not only to the states but also to local governments across Maine – and the nation. This is a great opportunity for fiscal conservatives to get involved locally and watch how federal funds are being spent in their own community.
Local elected officials across the state are no doubt hoping this will not happen. It is all too easy for voters to overlook, although the people on your local council or school board often have a much greater impact on your daily life than current White House residents. For example, you decide what your property taxes are, and that’s one of the main taxes almost every homeowner and business owner in the country pays. Local governments are seeing the largest infusion of cash from the federal government in a generation or more, and this is something to remember the next time they try to raise property taxes.
Indeed, it would be nice to think that these federal stimulus programs would prevent major tax hikes at every level of government, but we all know that it likely isn’t. In Augusta, despite federal stimulus spending and the ensuing budget surplus, the Democrats proposed a series of completely unnecessary tax increases. Touted by its proponents as an effort to balance taxation levels, these are tax increases no matter what you call them. While unlikely to be incorporated into law, it shows that liberals are always willing to raise taxes regardless of the circumstances – just as most elected officials are always happy to spend money.
By thinking globally and acting locally, fiscal conservatives can once again have a real influence on politics. It is far easier for activists to make a big impact at the local level than it is in Augusta or Washington, DC. For one thing, the local spending figures are lower and, for most people, easier to understand than the massive numbers that are even reflected in the state budget, just the unfathomably large federal debt. The national debt is currently around $ 28 trillion. Numbers this big literally get the mind bogged down and so people just turn them off. This is useful for politicians as it allows them to spend money ruthlessly forever.
At the local level, things are getting more of a focus: when $ 28 trillion doesn’t mean much, a 2 percent increase in property tax is far easier to understand. It’s much easier to prepare fewer meals for you and your family, or gallons of gasoline or trips to the movies (in case theaters ever reopen). This is a more direct, personal impact and a great way for fiscal conservatives to show the public the cost of runaway government spending. It is a far better approach than throwing out numbers so large that anyone, including the elected officials, can easily ignore them. If fiscally conservative corporations do this often enough in enough places across the country, these sentiments can rise to the highest levels of government just like environmental protection.
Jim Fossel, a conservative activist from Gardiner, worked for Senator Susan Collins. He can be contacted at:
[email protected]
Twitter: @jimfossel
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