Reinstate rule on new budget costs

Re “Pork chopped,” editorial, Dec. 13

The effort by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wis.) to restrict the proliferation of “earmarks” is a welcomed relief from fiscal irresponsibility. Now, how about the reinstatement of the regulation of the Clinton years that prevented members of Congress from adding costs to the budget unless it was shown where the supporting funds were to come from, i.e., either by increased taxes or program reductions.

President Bush allowed the rule to sunset; otherwise he would have had to reduce expenditures or raise taxes to go to war in Iraq.

The requirement, however, was key to the creation of the budget surpluses produced during the Clinton administration.

DONALD KENNEDY

Garden Grove