Before reading on (and thanks if you do -- you really, really care!), I should make two disclosures: first, as I mention in my bio, I am an active and ardent supporter of The Concord Coalition, founded by the late Senator Paul Tsongas and former Senator Warren Rudman in 1992 to focus the country on the dire need for deficit reduction. Second, the co-author of the article to which I refer is my sister. Like any older brother, I am honored to link to sis' articles in a continuing effort to annoy -- but I am proud of her. My sister will be pleased for me to state that the below is entirely my responsibility, so that she can get on with her life.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the obvious need to rebuild destroyed lives, if at all possible, and with the looming Hurricane Rita, it is, yet again, a time for Congress to attempt the usually impossible: setting budget priorities. With notable exceptions like the mid-90s (when, if you can believe it, surpluses were being discussed), Congress has been generally unwilling to actually make hard decisions like "we'll spend money on this but will have to forgo that." Usually, the decision boils down to something along the lines of "let's spend money and/or cut taxes and worry about how we'll pay for it later."
Of course, this is largely how we get into massive yearly deficits that threaten our financial stability as a nation, and accumulate the debt that future generations will have to pay off. The Concord Coalition, in its most recent press release, has begged for Congress to set such priorities. Therefore, kudos to Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California for actually suggesting that she would consider reducing her budget earmarks in an effort to find money for hurricane relief -- rather than just engaging in the typical deficit spending.
This action in this single budget event, in and of itself, will not reduce the deficit; however, on a larger scale, it may prevent it from increasing. More importantly, it is exactly the kind of thinking that needs to be the standard, not the exception, in all budget considerations. Let's hope that all members of Congress seriously think about budget priorities, follow through and pitch in for the common good. Moreover, the public has an equal responsibility -- thanking and supporting those members of Congress who have the will to make such hard decisions.