JOHN CARTER

One of the biggest questions facing our nation today is the future of the War on Terror. With Iraq as the central front in this war, Congress cannot avoid answering this question candidly and with sound resolve. This week, Democrats introduced House Concurrent Resolution 63 which initiated a 3-day, politically motivated, debate on whether our servicemen and women in Iraq deserve continued support.

For several days now, I have listened to my liberal colleagues try to explain their “give up” posture as one of support and commitment for the efforts in Iraq. But actions do not always match words. On January 10, 2007, President Bush requested an increase of 20,000 additional combat troops be sent to Iraq. This request was recommended by the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group and is in accordance with the guidance he received from generals on the ground in Iraq. But instead of respecting his role as Commander-in-Chief or offering an alternative plan, Congress has spent 3 days debating a non-binding resolution as to whether we should give the President our verbal blessing or not.

Although this resolution does not carry the force of law, it serves as a symbolic milestone for anti-war liberals whose explicit desire is to end the war through de-funding our servicemen and women. A nonbinding resolution does nothing to stop the war; it is nothing more than a political stunt that weakens morale among the troops and gives aid and comfort to our enemies. In fact, in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on January 23, 2007, General David Petraeus, the new commanding officer in Iraq, agreed that a resolution of disapproval for the President’s new strategy would “give the enemy some encouragement.” Like General Petraeus, I believe this political statement will have a devastating impact on troop morale.

During the countless hours of debate, a few representatives stated that the insurgency in Iraq is not driven by terrorists. But I would argue that the Islamist terrorist threat is real and directly connected to defeating the insurgents in Iraq. The Democrat plan to abandon Iraq will not make this threat disappear. Terrorists themselves believe Iraq is a central front in the War on Terror. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda’s deputy leader, has repeatedly said Iraq and Afghanistan are the “two most crucial fields” in the Islamists’ war.

America can not afford to repeat the mistakes of the past by withdrawing from a direct confrontation with radical Islamist terrorists. They will continue to intensify their attacks against America, just as they did following the 1983 Beirut bombings, the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the 1996 attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. embassy bombings in Africa in 1997, and the brazen attack against the U.S.S. Cole in 2000.

Yet sadly, many in Congress cannot understand the simple importance of winning in Iraq. Winning involves leaving Iraq strong enough to protect itself from threats domestic and abroad. It involves ensuring that critical infrastructure and democratic processes are in place that can withstand the political pressures it will face.

Liberals in Congress are determined to ride a wave of public frustration and anxiety in hopes of advancing their anti-war agenda. Should this happen, the consequences will be dire. The outcome in Iraq will impact our efforts in the Global War on Terror for decades. Should we retreat from Iraq, it would result in pervasive instability, embolden radical Islamist terrorists to expand to new areas in the region, and give terrorists a secure base from which to launch attacks against America.

As this debate continues, I urge the residents of the 31st District to consider the dire consequences of withdrawing from Iraq too early and the travesty of cutting funding for our servicemen and women in combat. Cutting funding for the men and women who put their lives in harm’s way is reprehensible and irresponsible. Each of us shares the same goal of bringing our soldiers home as soon as possible, but we must accomplish our objectives first. The long-term security and stability of Iraq, America, and the free world requires no less.

One of Congress’ most fundamental duties each year is to ensure that the federal government is properly funded and performing to expectation. Just like any business, this involves an annual budget, priorities and expenditures. This process begins on the first Monday in February when the President submits his annual budget for the coming fiscal year. After submittal, Congress reviews the President’s priorities and amends the budget as deemed necessary in order to properly fund programs while, hopefully, reducing wasteful spending.

This past week, President Bush submitted his Fiscal Year 2008 budget which begins funding the federal government on October 1st, 2007. Although the budget is a sizeable document, funding everything from agriculture to veterans’ affairs, I look forward to working with my colleagues to review the priorities laid therein. As a fiscal conservative, I am ever mindful that, like Central Texas families, some things in the budget are needs, while others are wants. Congress must be vigilant in determining the difference and willing to reducing frivolous spending in an effort to protect our long-term fiscal security.

I am pleased that the President has focused on a plan that will lay the groundwork for a balanced budget by 2012 – without raising new taxes. Pro-growth policies initiated by the President and the former Republican-controlled Congress are responsible for the creation of over 7 million new jobs, boosted federal revenues, and a falling federal deficit. Now is not the time for tax increases which will depress the current progress made and put us back onto the road of fiscal irresponsibility.

Another key element to maintaining a healthy federal budget will be reforming the runaway entitlement system in America. We must take immediate and substantive steps to begin addressing our nation’s largest and least sustainable entitlement programs. As the “Baby Boom” population ages, Social Security, Medicare, and welfare threaten to consume larger and larger portions of the budget. Reforming these programs is essential to ensure that we meet our commitments to beneficiaries. Entitlements currently consume more than half of the budget, and are projected to grow by 6 percent per year – faster than our economy. At this rate, by 2040, these programs will cost as much as the entire government costs now. Congress cannot afford to shy away from the challenge of entitlement reform, but must quickly address this pressing issue.

Another step in the right direction will be for Congress to improve the budget process. Tools that facilitate transparency, accountability, and self-control are vitally important if elected officials wish to have the confidence of those whom they represent. This responsibility ultimately lies with Congress who in the Constitution is granted the “power of the purse.”

In the coming weeks, I look forward to discussing the President’s budget and working to reduce and prioritize the government’s spending. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to look for ways to reduce frivolous spending and governmental waste, while prioritizing those things which produce national and economic security. These priorities should also move us in the direction of fiscal responsibility by forcing Congress to function like a Central Texas family – with a balanced checkbook.

You can hear my most recent radio address or subscribe to my Podcast here. This week I talk about “Air Pelosi,” proposed de-funding for our troops and the President’s FY 2008 budget.

In America, the Social Security system is designed to be a safety net for America’s citizens in their retirement years.  For many, Social Security will never be a necessity, but countless seniors in Central Texas take comfort in knowing their basic needs can be met with the remunerations provided by this program.  The Social Security system is simple - pay into the system for years worked, then collect from the system later in life.  Unfortunately, the integrity and simplicity of this system faces a great threat.

The solvency of Social Security is already in peril as the “Baby Boom” generation nears retirement age.  Because the money currently being paid into the Social Security system is used to pay beneficiaries today, experts predict that starting in 2010 we will have more money going out in the form of benefits than money coming into the system in the form of Social Security taxes.  In addition, there will be the compounded impact of adding 10-15 million more people into the system. 

This situation is very likely if those in Congress who seek amnesty for illegal aliens are successful.  Should an immigration reform that includes amnesty be implemented, it could mean the death of Social Security.  Millions of illegal aliens begin collecting Social Security benefits for time they worked in America illegally. 

As an elected District Judge for 20 years, I cannot support awarding benefits for those breaking the law.  That is why I introduced a bill in Congress, H.R. 332, the Social Security Protection Act, to ensure that Social Security is protected for the millions of Americans who have legally earned their benefits.

Specifically, my bill prohibits the Social Security Administration from paying out benefits to any U.S. citizen for wages earned while the individual was illegally in the United States, and instructs the Commissioner of Social Security to re-calculate benefits for anyone working without documentation.  This will not require repayment of benefits already paid at the previous rate.

Should some in Congress succeed with their plan to grant amnesty, they must be prepared to face a bankrupt Social Security system and the impact such a failed system will have on countless Americans.  It is a disturbing coincidence that just as an entire generation of Americans begins to draw Social Security benefits, the first wave of the 10-15 million illegal aliens receiving amnesty would also become eligible for these very same benefits.  The Social Security system simply cannot survive under these conditions. 

I want all citizens to realize their American dream.  This means that those who immigrate to our country legally should receive the same benefits and rights of any American.  It is my hope that this legislation will correct a serious loophole in the Social Security system, and raise awareness of the serious threat illegal immigration poses to the social service systems in this country.  It is time for Congress to support measures that protect American families and promote the laws that make our nation great.