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Is the federal government spending too much?
When I listen to my constituents voice their concerns about government spending, they’re not focused just on whether it spends too much or too little, but also on whether it’s being spent the right way. Government spending can be a force for good when it empowers everyday people to achieve their American dream.
For too long, many in Washington cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy, and spent middle-class tax dollars on corporate welfare and mega bailouts for massive corporations. This was all done under the false notion of “trickle-down economics,” which benefits “job creators” instead of the workers who really keep America running.
The proponents of these trickle-down schemes claimed it would usher in the greatest economy we’ve ever seen. Instead, COVID-19 hit, prompting major corporations to lay off or furlough countless Americans, while small businesses, already in a precarious position, teetered on the brink of collapse. Tax breaks for the middle class and Main-Street-centric policies would have better prepared our country for a catastrophic event like this pandemic, but the previous administration lacked foresight. Its decisions, including permanent tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy, left everyday working Americans worse off.
Thankfully, the Biden administration is changing course and collaborating with Congress to invest in the middle class and strengthen our small businesses.
The American Rescue Plan, which passed in March, is a once-in-a-generation investment, much like the New Deal, that will help our country build back better. This $1.9 trillion plan is helping to improve schools and small businesses, investing in infrastructure, investing in local and state government, and ensuring our economy is better than before the pandemic.
The American Rescue Plan proves that, when the federal government invests in America’s workers and the communities where they live, we see a ripple effect that benefits folks for years to come—in Indiana and across the country.
Another way the federal government can spend wisely is through much-needed investments in our infrastructure. That’s what we plan to do by passing the American Jobs Plan—another bold blueprint for progress.
As the crossroads of America, Indiana would really benefit from this infusion of funds. Our state has over 1,000 bridges and over 5,000 miles of highway in poor condition. More than 12% of Hoosiers live in areas where there is no quality broadband internet infrastructure. A recent report from the American Society of Civil Engineers gave our state’s infrastructure a C- grade. These alarming figures are hurting Hoosiers, and—quite frankly—they’re bad for business.
We need to pass the American Jobs Plan so Indiana can make these critical infrastructure improvements. This should be a bipartisan priority, and I’m encouraging my congressional colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support it.
As we emerge from this pandemic, we can’t just return to the status quo that hurt working families, and ultimately our economy. Our federal government should spend smart by investing in the folks who got us through this tough year, so they can secure a better future for themselves and for all.•
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Rep. Andre Carson, a Democrat, represents Indiana’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House.Send comments to ibjedit@ibj.com.
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1.9 trillion dollars of money we don’t have is not a plan for recovery it is a plan for destruction. Does this nimrod have a clue that 5% inflation is a tax and affects his constituency disproportionally. Let me answer that NO.
Spending smart in DC means, line the pockets of the enlightened elected and unelected bureaucrats and throw a few crumbs the taxpayer way.
Is the Republican party ever going to run someone that can count to 10 to beat this Bozo. Let me answer that NO.