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FAIRFIELD, Conn. – More than 200 Fairfield County residents attempted to balance the federal budget Saturday at a group budget exercise sponsored by the Concord Coalition that was attended by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.
The residents sat in groups and reviewed pages of policy options that asked them to support or reject a number of budget items, from adjusting defense spending to repealing health care reform and eliminating agricultural subsidies.
As the groups debated the issues, Himes (D-Greenwich) walked from table to table, giving advice.
Before the exercise started, Himes discussed the challenges of balancing the budget.
“There are many demands and not enough revenue,” he said. “There’s nothing simple about putting together a smart budget.”
He said he voted for the Cooper-LaTourette budget, “which represents a good chance to get the budget under control” and he looks forward to December, when Congress will debate raising the debt ceiling and “there’s a possibility for real negotiations on the Hill.”
After the budget exercise, members of a few of the groups spoke about the results.
“We came out in support of cuts in defense spending in regard to Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Deborah Goldstein of East Norwalk.
“We cut $3.8 trillion from defense and $1 trillion from Social Security,” said David Watkins of Stamford.
Himes said the event was a valuable lesson in democracy.
“It’s important to look at the issues we struggle with, and here are over 200 people getting involved, which will result in a better discussion,” Himes said.
Comments (3)
For a family of 4, 80k will certainly get you a nice used car for sure. Along with negative real interest rates that have totally ruined Japan's economy our purchasing power parity is near an all time low. Buying the house will entitle you to no return and worse massive hikes in local and state property taxes that will result from fiscal irresponsibility that Himes has supported. You are right, the sky isn't falling, but my crystal ball had no problem predicting the USSA when Mrs. Pelosi took over the House. Himes is trying to distance himself from that abysmal failure, but it is too late for him to fool the people again.
Home mortgage rates have hit a 50 (yes FIFTY) year low,..20K is the caost of a used car,..the sky is not falling,..the crysatl ball needs washing
Don't be fooled by Himes trying to feign fiscal restraint. He is a believer in big government and has voted that way at every opportunity. He lives in an ivory tower and preaches his concern for the common plebe. He is concerned only about duping us out of our votes to maintain his lofty status.
His votes have directly increased our individual shares of public debt by $20,000 in a few short years and put us on a path to fiscal destruction with more government programs that we can not afford. Worse they have severly stalled the economy. Obamacare has frozen all prospects for people looking for permanent jobs and Dodd-Frank has crippled small banks ability to lend money to people looking to buy homes and start small businesses. Himes read neither bill before voting yes on them. Part of any plan to fix our federal finances has to start with firing limousine liberals like Himes. Look for more of these nonsensical public hearings, but don't be confused for his real motives.