Message to Sen. Warner: please heed your own advice

There's some strong language being thrown around Washington these days--some of it important, much of it hot air. But for a couple of reasons, this particular statement caught my attention:

With the enactment of an $858 billion tax cut and stimulus package last week, it may seem as if those calling for deficit reduction are spitting into the wind.

But don't be surprised if the Senate takes up the issue in 2011.

A bipartisan group of 18 senators have called on the Senate to tackle debt reduction by the end of next year.

"It is time for us in the Senate -- excuse the language -- to put up or shut up," said Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia on the Senate floor last week.

Warner and Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia formed the group over the summer during a number of informal meetings they convened to educate themselves and colleagues about the debt.

Last week, during the debate over extending the Bush tax cuts, all 18 members gave short speeches calling for a serious debt-reduction plan and comprehensive tax reform before 2012.

I generally like Sen. Warner (I voted for him in 2008 in favor of George Allen), and I appreciate his pointed words on an important topic. But in the short-term at least, the Senator's actions are speaking louder than his words. Both he and Sen. Chambliss, while pounding the table for fiscal discipline, voted in favor of the massive tax-cut extension which will add significantly to our deficits and debt.

In fairness to Sen. Warner, I'll post an extended version of his comments here, and not just the media-friendly soundbite (it's a rough transcription, but it's the best I could find).

And while I believe as imperfect as this compromise between the president and others in terms of short-term stimulus, that we will vote on later tonight, we also have to demonstrate that this body can actually walk and chew gum. We can do short-term stimulus now but next year engage in meaningful tax reform and deficit reduction.

I don't personally buy Sen. Warner and others' distinction between "short-term" and "long-term" spending, but I'm willing to wait and see if he follows through on his rhetoric. In my mind, deficits are deficits, no matter when you spend the money--continuing to kick the can down the road will do nothing, and words cannot undo the damage of our senators' votes. Few of our senators have shown the will to do the politically unpopular--as has been done throughout Europe in the face of often violent protests--and until they do so, I remain skeptical of any tough talk.

Sen. Warner, if you really believe your words, it's time to start voting "Nay" on spending and/or tax-cut bills that come across your desk. Otherwise, the voters will simply say "Nay" to you in 2014, much as they did to many Congressmen across the country last month. It's time to put up or shut up.


[CNN Money]
[Roanoke Times]