I'm in the 6th KY district. A few years ago, Andy Barr (teabagger) beat Ben Chandler, the dumbass bluedog Democrat who you probably HAVE heard about. Barr is just your typical winger with a bit of a difference: he is young and he does a lot of outreach. He is always holding phone-based town meetings (I've been invited to join on many occasions, but I'm afraid of the stench so I never 'join'). He is occasionally in the news helping his constituents, but is rabidly anti-Obamacare, so there are limits to what he would do. And, he is ALWAYS sending out e-mails and surveys. The e-mail I got today is about a 'bill' he has written that is the stupidest thing I've ever seen EVER. It could have been written by Bachmann, or any other mindless winger. Join me after the [insert favorite term for the orange squiggle here]
First is his explanation of voting against the debt ceiling hike:
Working to Reform the Debt Ceiling Process and Reduce Spending
It is no secret that the current debt limit law is a failure that does nothing to actually limit spending or remove the threat of default. It is time to stop allowing politicians to spend money today with no plan to pay for it, now or in the future.
Last week, I voted against legislation to increase the debt limit because it would have been unfair to young people and the next generation to raise the debt ceiling without real reforms that restrain spending and put our nation back on a path to a balanced budget.
At the same time, we have a responsibility to advance real solutions that will ensure Congress is able to meet its obligations, while also reducing spending and holding Washington accountable to the American people.
See, he believes that voting for the debt ceiling increase means that we are forcing our kids to pay for our debt. He doesn't say what he thinks will happen to our kids if this nation defaults. I guess he hasn't thought that far ahead.
Ok, so what is his incredibly Bachmann-esque solution to this?
That is why on Monday, I introduced legislation to change the way Washington works by advancing a new, much-needed solution that will hold politicians accountable, promote economic growth and job creation, and restrain future spending without threatening default on past obligations.
My bill, H.R. 4021, the Debt Limit Reform and Congressional Pay for Performance Act of 2014, would create a new formula for establishing the debt ceiling based on the size of the economy and annual targets for reducing spending.
It would also hold Members of Congress accountable for spending decisions by tying Congressional pay to meeting those spending reduction targets.
Here is his link for 'more information' about his daffy legislation (and another link to the actual bill in PDF):
Barr press release
Ok, let's deconstruct this just a bit.
1) Barr apparently believes that cutting spending will promote economic growth and job creation? Why?
a) put less money into the economy
b) ???
c) economic growth and jobs!!
2) The debt should be tied to the GDP, so that the debt should not exceed a certain percentage of the GDP. What is that ratio? What it is now, and that ratio decreases by about 3% each year until 2023. Barr seems to believe that if we reduce the debt ratio, then we will never have to raise the debt ceiling again! Frankly, I don't know economics well enough to say that this is BS, but it seems like BS to me.
3) If the debt limit exceeds the ratio for that year, then Congressional Pay will be REDUCED by some amount TBD.
Ok, so in a national emergency, say, Congress won't want to spend any money because if they do, their pay will go down. Perfect!!! An earthquake destroys part of California (or Kentucky)? No money for you, since if we do, then we will be paid less. We need more expenditures for military intelligence in the wake of a new threat? Sorry, I don't want my pay cut. Another drought destroys more farms? Sorry, I don't want my pay cut. Rising oceans start to destroy the outer banks? Sorry, nothing for you!
Hey, why don't we RAISE TAXES! That would reduce the debt ratio! And, we wouldn't have our pay cut. HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. These are anti-tax wingers, remember.
Then, Barr has the AUDACITY to add this survey in the e-mail:
Do you think Members of Congress should be paid for their performance?
Yes
No
Other
I mean, how the HELL do you answer THAT ONE!!!!