Essay - Topic: Do We Really Need a Balanced Budget Amendment?

Why does Congress need a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution in order to balance its books? Why must the Constitution of the United States of America, our most precious document; why must it be amended, altered or changed in any way for the Congress of the United States to do its job and be fiscally responsible? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Good, I thought so - and here's the answer for you: they don't. Congress does not need a constitutional amendment in order to balance the federal budget. Nothing in law is preventing Congress from balancing the budget [and the budget is in no way balanced now - despite what the press says. The President and Congress are still using Social Security revenue to mask the size of the deficit - and this ludicrous talk about a surplus is an insult to the intelligence of the American people (but not the intelligence of the press)].

The only reason that certain members of Congress want to pass a BBA (balanced budget amendment), and it's mostly Republicans that do, is that it makes them appear to care about the deficit and debt, without ever having to actually do anything about it. Why make unpopular cuts in spending and have people angry with you, and possibly, horror of horrors, vote you out; when you can just vote for a BBA and keep spending as usual. Please keep in mind that just because Congress votes for a constitutional amendment doesn't mean that it goes into effect. The amendment then needs to be ratified by three-fourths of the states; an almost impossible task and one which, even if successful, can take years (even decades) to complete (which is why the Constitution has only been amended 27 times in its 210 year history). So, current members of Congress can vote for the amendment without ever having to abide by the amendment during their careers, or even lifetimes. It is a cruel joke and the height of hypocrisy.

Congress has a few options at hand which actually can result in a balanced budget. One option is for Congress to actually pass a balanced budget - that's it - it's that simple. Just pass the goddamn thing - no fuss, no muss - just do it! If that is too hard and too complicated, and Congress feels that it needs some sort of hammer to force itself to do its job properly; it can pass a law requiring itself to pass a balance budget. It doesn't need to be a constitutional amendment. However, if Congress went through the process of passing the BBA; it could always treat it as binding pending the ratification by the states.

So, you see, there are many options and opportunities available to Congress to be able to do its job. The one thing that will be required in order to obtain a truly balance budget is an informed and involved populace. Whether that ever comes into being is an open question and the key to the survival of our democracy. It is also, in a broad sense, the subject of my next few essays.

"Law, being a sign of Corruption in Man; many laws are signs of Corruption of a State."

JSC

Back to current essay.

Top