Coburn correctly identifies the biggest problems with D.C.'s metro system and, more importantly, notes that taxpayers who will never step foot on a D.C. metro car are the largest subsidizers of this service. One of the more striking points of the Op-Ed:
Any member of Congress who can't find a little fat in the federal budget is out of touch with the real-world budget choices families face every day. In the real world, Americans tighten their belts in tough times and spend less in some areas if they have to spend more in other areas. Dismissing an additional $1.5 billion for the Metro as a blip in the budget is precisely the mentality that has caused Congress to rack up a $600 billion annual deficit this year and a long-term debt of nearly $10 trillion. I make no apologies for opposing this reckless status quo culture of spending that puts the interests of career politicians ahead of the next generation.
While Coburn may simply be against further funding for WMATA out of principle, he at least appears to be willing to compromise on the funding so long as Congress can identify other areas of the budget to cut. However, instead of proposing spending cuts to offset the desired metro funding, Congress wants to have it both ways. In their view, the extra funding is only a little part of the federal revenue pie. After all, $1.5 billion is so small when compared with the $3 trillion budget, right? Few difficult decisions are every forced by the government. Coburn's assesment is accurate in regards to WMATA and also accurate in regards to the lack of fiscal responsibility.
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