In defense of Bunning
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) just agreed to end his standoff against the temporary extension of unemployment benefits. Bunning has been single-handedly blocking the passage of a 30-day extension of benefits, which expired on Monday. Today, however, he agreed to a deal to pass the bill.
Democrats and even some Republicans have been harshly criticizing Bunning for blocking the legislation. However, I think Bunning was brave for sticking to his principles even if it makes him unpopular. Bunning opposed the $10 billion extension because the government can’t afford it, and its cost was not offset. I agree with him. Although Bunning’s actions resulted in people going for a couple days without unemployment benefits, these people don’t really have the right to complain, because they don’t have a fundamental right to free money that is essentially stolen from other people.
What Bunning’s critics don’t seem to understand is that fiscal responsibility is important. The government has no business passing spending bills if we don’t have the money to pay for them. Right now our national debt is over $12 trillion. We need to cut government spending as much as possible so that we can start to pay off the debt. To increase spending without cutting it elsewhere is just ridiculous, and Bunning is right to oppose it on principle.
So although Bunning ultimately gave up on his quest to block the bill, he sent a strong message: that the government needs to spend less. I think it is a credit to our system of government that it allows one person to stand up for what they believe in, and I admire Bunning for doing so.