On Mon, 22 Mar 2004 08:37:01 -0500, Bob McKellar
wrote:

Well, what about this statement from the Republican Party Platform?

Reducing that debt is both a sound policy goal and a moral imperative. Our
families and most states are required to balance their budgets; it is reasonable
to assume the federal government should do the same. Therefore, we reaffirm our
support for a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.

Bob McKellar

It seems that somewhere about 18 months after that platform statement
there was a little altercation in New York city that blew all economic
predictions out the window (no puns intended.)

To be realistic, platforms are statements of general principles.
You'll also find statements in the Republican platform on
right-to-life, school prayer, vouchers, tax rates, etc. etc. etc.
While they sound good, they tend to be pure populism--an attempt to
appeal to the base while simultaneously offering "something for
everyone." Most importantly, there should be the recognition
(disappointing though it may be) that platforms bind no one.

If we were to be bound by a Constitutional Amendment to balance the
budget every year, we would be left unable to respond to exceptional
circumstances such as 9/11.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8