Media

Distressing new economic headlines just keep coming. Unemployment claims reached a nine-month high in early August. Existing home sales tumbled by 27 percent from June to July, representing the largest one-month drop ever recorded. Sales of new homes reached the lowest levels recorded since 1963. The stock market is down 11 percent, and new GDP numbers are dismal. The Wall Street Journal described these sobering developments as "signs that the economy is losing momentum." The Associated Press agreed, calling the housing numbers "the latest sign that the economic recovery is fading."

One year ago this month, the overwhelming public opposition to President Obama's health care agenda erupted in dozens of spirited town hall meetings across the nation. Many Oklahomans joined the debate, turning out in record numbers to protest the government health care takeover.

Budget-conscious Americans were able to breathe a sigh of relief when Congress adjourned for the August recess. With lawmakers leaving Washington to spend a few weeks back home, taxpayer dollars seemed temporarily safe from the months-long Democratic spending rampage. After the failed $787 billion stimulus and $1 trillion health care takeover, a few weeks without passage of new legislation were set to provide welcome relief from President Obama's deficit-busting spending requests.

Now that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill appears to be contained, the next great challenge is recovery. Although experts have concluded that the oil is disappearing from the water more quickly than anticipated, the spill will remain a significant threat to the environment long after the well is permanently capped. The Gulf Coast economy faces a long road to recovery, as well. Unfortunately, congressional Democrats recently passed a bill that will make rebounding even more difficult.

The American people are communicating loudly and clearly to Congress that out-of-control spending is unacceptable. Recent polls rank government debt as the top threat to the future well-being of our country. With a public more vigilant than ever about monitoring the national deficit, big-spending liberals are taking action -- but not by reducing spending. Instead, Speaker Pelosi and company are looking for creative ways to hide their deficit-growing policies.