Vermont Campaign for Liberty's Core Principles: Fiscal Responsibility

At no other time in American History has there been a been a greater need for fiscal restraint. Yet, our government, whether led by either of the major parties, seems unwilling or unable to live within its means and structure our state and national finances in a sustainable way. Their irresponsible actions and spendthrift ways stand in stark contrast with the frugal intent of our founding fathers or our heritage of fiscal responsibility.

This heritage also extends to the framers of our Vermont Constitution who in Chapter 1, Article 18 gave this admonition to both citizens and politicians alike:
“That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State”.

You will note that the writers of our Constitution specifically enumerated the attributes of good government as “moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality…”. Clearly in their minds, our founding fathers new the importance of fiscal responsibility and sober deliberation about our budget. Yet, the adherence to these words and the practice of their clear guidelines seems to be wanting in Montpelier.
Over the last few decades, our government has exceeded it power by recklessly spending our money and weakening the private sector. Social and Corporate handouts, ever expanding and unfunded social programs, and a growing bureaucracy has led this state to the edge of bankruptcy and an overwhelming future debt load. Heavy taxation serves as a major drag on the economy. A government that can not manage its fiscal house will soon bring all of our houses down with it. The only answer is to return to a fiscally sound government that focuses on its essential functions and not wasting taxpayer’s dollars on pork-barrel projects, feel-good programs, and expanding governmental involvement in people’s lives and wallets.

Governments do certain things very well like roads, courts, and law enforcements. However, Government does a very poor job when it intrudes upon the market, or people’s lives. Governments are especially destructive and wasteful when it tries to be everything for everybody. Today, we are saddled with the last example and it is costing us dearly for so little return.

Over the last 40 years, the United States has had six recessions of at least a year each in length. Each time, our State Budgets go into crisis. Each time, our legislature takes half-measures, temporary fixes, and band-aid projects to try and ride out the storm. Once its over, its back to business as usual. Yet, as the recessions come and go, they grow worse.

With a growing budgetary crisis, real leadership and a firm adherence to our nation’s fundamental principles are needed. Montpelier must stop asking how to pay for everything, and start asking itself, “What should we be paying for?” “What are the vital functions of government?” “What is a sustainable budget that will work in good times and bad?” Until this discussion occurs within the State House, they will continue to spend our tax dollars without any hope that this cycle of budgetary crisis will end.
Fiscal responsibility requires that we all make the hard choices, and look not at immediate gains, but at the long term consequences of our budgetary decisions. Fiscal responsibility means paying for what government must do and avoiding the temptation of having government do something it should not. It means understanding the difference between needs and wants. It means handling the public’s money as a vital trust and not as if it were their own. It means recognizing that what sounds good right now may be financially catastrophic in the future. Ultimately, it means the knowledge that when government spends tax dollars it is really taking someone’s hard earn money and giving it to another. Therefore, the reason for this “theft” must be overwhelming and vital to the continue functioning of our nation and society. Our government has gone far too long operating in a manner opposed to this principle which has led us to this point. Nevertheless, it is the only road back to a sound and sustainable budget.