Post-Katrina program cuts proposed by Republicans

I think that Congressman Boyd's comments in the Pensacola News-Journal are right on target. We have tried to fight a war and cut taxes at the same time. Trickle down economics just isn't working.
From Pensacola News Journal 9-22-05 WASHINGTON -- Conservative House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a laundry list of government programs to cut in order to pay an estimated $200 billion Hurricane Katrina recovery price tag. Some Florida lawmakers rushed to endorse the ideas, even if it meant embracing cuts to popular programs such as Medicare. However, U.S. Rep. F. Allen Boyd Jr., a Democrat who represents Tallahassee and other Panhandle communities, criticized the Bush administration for past spending policies that have made funding Katrina recovery efforts all the more difficult. "The administration's policy of spend now and pay later is finally catching up with us," Boyd said. "With no regard for fiscal restraint, the administration has led us into a war that we cannot pay for, pushed legislation that we cannot afford, while borrowing billions of dollars from foreign countries at the same time." Boyd said the Blue Dog Coalition, an informal organization of conservative Democrats that he belongs to, is working on its own set of plans that could help the nation pay for the mounting Gulf Coast recovery costs. "For years, the Blue Dogs have stressed the need for a rainy day fund in the event of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11," Boyd said. "Unfortunately, this concept, which is adopted by most families and businesses, has eluded many members of Congress and the current administration." Link to full article http://tinyurl.com/bfxn5