Opinion

Following Reagan's lead on regulation

Monday, February 14, 2011

This month we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birthday of President Ronald Reagan. We not only celebrate his life, but also, and more importantly, the legacy he left to America and the world. Throughout his life, whether as an actor, spokesperson, governor, or President, he passionately pursued his vision for America, which was rooted in freedom, opportunity, and prosperity.

President Reagan understood the greatness of our nation lies in its people - not an overbearing government. He knew the hard work, resilience, and optimism of Americans would overcome any challenge we face.

America experiences similar challenges today as we did when President Reagan served: out-of-control spending, high unemployment, economic uncertainty, and international conflict. However, as President Reagan famously declared, "government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem."

Last week, the House of Representatives took an important step to undo the problems government has created. The House passed a resolution to identify and eliminate onerous government regulations which are stifling job creation and economic growth, and I was proud to support it.

As I travel across Nebraska's Third District, I hear repeatedly about the uncertain economic climate we face. Much of this uncertainty is created by costly, unnecessary regulatory burdens which prevent small businesses from hiring employees, expanding product lines, or investing in new technologies.

The Small Business Administration issued a report in September 2010 which estimated the average small business with less than 20 employees faces a cost of $10,585 in federal regulations each year per worker they employ. The same report tallied total regulatory costs to be $1.75 trillion annually, nearly twice as much as all individual income taxes collected last year.

Job-crushing regulations are at an unprecedented high. For too long, Congress has failed to implement legislative oversight and allowed agencies to ignore its Constitutional authority. Particularly, legislation such as the health care overhaul and sweeping financial reform empowered executive branch bureaucrats to legislate like never before. Within nine months of ObamaCare's passage, for example, the administration added 6,123 pages of regulations. To put that figure in context, those pages would stretch the length of nearly 19 football fields!

By contrast, President Reagan actively cut the size and scope of government regulation. For example, before Reagan assumed office federal regulations required consumers to use only equipment provided by their telephone service provider. As a result, consumers had little or no choice in the products they used. The Reagan Administration proceeded to eliminate unreasonable telecommunications regulations and break up the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). In doing so, consumers were allowed to make choices which best meet their needs, not which the government thought best.

Moving forward, we must prevent federal agencies from enacting overly burdensome regulations on the American people, which is why I am co-sponsoring the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, or the REINS Act. The REINS Act requires Congress to affirmatively approve any new major rule proposed by the executive branch. Passing this legislation would provide much needed accountability and restraint in an era of out-of-control government.

As we continue working to solve the challenges we face, it is critical we continue championing solutions which reduce the size of government, promote free enterprise and empower individuals, just as President Reagan did. He knew these timeless ideals would ensure our nation remains a "shining city on a hill." I am confident these same foundations, which to succeed rely on the individual instead of the government, will build a stronger America in the 21st Century.

For more information about this issue, the latest developments from Congress, or to sign up for my e-mail newsletter, please visit my website at www.adriansmith.house.gov.

Comments
View 10 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • -- Posted by Damu on Mon, Feb 14, 2011, at 7:25 PM
  • Well...there you go again with those talking points Adrian. You did a nice job. I'll bet that if given a three trillion dollar credit card like we gave Ronnie, even you could make things look good.

    -- Posted by hulapopper on Mon, Feb 14, 2011, at 9:24 PM
  • you would think that reagan being the former president of a union, yes, a union, would have made him an outcast in republican circles.

    -- Posted by president obama on Tue, Feb 15, 2011, at 12:34 PM
  • Yea and like why is Obama trying to be Reagan?

    Tye bill would likely be unconstitutional anyway.

    Screen Actors Guild and that was backl when Hollywood was patriotic and liked the US not what they are now.

    Nice source Damu and thats credible? Next time try Daily Kos or huffington.

    Congress spends the money Hula not the president.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Tue, Feb 15, 2011, at 9:06 PM
  • so why is everyone yelling about how obama is spending us into oblivion?

    -- Posted by president obama on Wed, Feb 16, 2011, at 7:16 PM
  • Because the president sets the agenda. The congress is set with passing a budget not the executive branch. The president unfortunately or fortunately gets the credit and the blame for much of what they should not. Do I really have to give you a basic civics lesson?

    Regan was president with a Democrat congress.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Wed, Feb 16, 2011, at 8:29 PM
  • With all of the bloggers and posts blaming obama for the money mess we are in I just wanted to get my facts straight. Perhaps it would be a good idea to let others know that obama is not the one spending the money like you have done here.

    No, i dont need a basic civics lesson from an uneducated dolt like you but it would seem many of the right leaning posters on the gazette website do.

    -- Posted by president obama on Thu, Feb 17, 2011, at 12:42 PM
  • Nice resort to persoanl attacks shows what a class guy you are.

    Obama is setting the agenda and he did have the Dems write the horrible healthcare bill. He is responsible for that but he can not fund it. He can however spend through executive orders and he is responsible for putting forward the failed stimulus plan but the dems in congrsss funded it see how that works? But as you well now what happens under a presdients watch falls at his feet. if he did notlike the spending he could exercise his veto powers but he has thus far not sen a soending package he did not like.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Thu, Feb 17, 2011, at 7:28 PM
  • the fact thay you felt compelled to write "do i really have to give you a basic civics lesson" is a personal attack. Shows what a class guy you are.

    -- Posted by president obama on Fri, Feb 18, 2011, at 12:06 PM
  • No the question mark, this here thingy???? denotes an actual question. It means that I am asking you something. WIth the basic education of most people in the country especially on the left most do not have any clue how our system works. Most actually think we live in a democracy. Most get their news from Comedy central or from sites like republican dirty trick.com, Huffington or daily KOS. So yes it is a valid question and sorry if it hurt your felings.

    By the way would you rather have the choices in telecom you have today or just Ma bell? If you like the now part thank Ronnie he made it possible.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Fri, Feb 18, 2011, at 8:02 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: