Jane Chastain urges citizens to stay involved and work to hold Congress accountable after Tuesday's historic election:
In the next two years, as the new House of Representatives attempts to deliver on its mandate to shrink government, support it. Be prepared to hear horror stories from the president, politicians and special interest groups whose pet projects are getting cut. Get the facts and weigh in. There will be some pain, but nothing like the pain we will experience as a country if we don't balance the nation’s books.
Here’s the important thing to remember. The president and senators can whine all they want but not a dime of our money can be spent unless it is authorized and approved by the House of Representatives. Our founding fathers wisely put the House in charge of the nation's checkbook. They knew that with the power to tax and spend comes the power to destroy.
That is why every spending bill must originate in the House. That is why your member of the House of Representatives represents the least number of people and must stand for reelection every two years so we CAN hold these people accountable, and we MUST do just that.
It may seem like a daunting task but there are some good organizations out there to help you. Plug into them and stay engaged. You can follow the spending issues with the help of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste. Support these organizations. Go to their web sites at least once a week and get on their e-mail and mailing lists.
NTU Foundation is the research arm of the National Taxpayers Union.