More ‘bread and circuses’?

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she hopes Congress can return this month to stage another porkfest to "help" Americans hurt by the slumping economy as a down payment on a bigger porkfest and handout package next year.

At a post-election news conference, Rep. Pelosi said an interim second round of handouts in the lame-duck fall session could set the stage for even more extensive "stimulus legislation" after President-elect Barack Obama and his hefty Democratic congressional majorities take office early next year.

But handing out more pork and "bread-and-circus" checks would require the acquiescence of Senate Republicans, who blocked Democrats' September attempt to sweeten up likely Democratic voters with another $56 billion. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Wednesday there was no change in the administration's opposition to a measure similar to the September proposal, which focused on increased federal spending to rejuvenate the economy.

For now, "The only way we can get anything done is with the cooperation of House and Senate Republicans and the White House," admitted Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Outgoing House Republican leader and Ohio Rep. John Boehner said his party agrees on the need to strengthen the economy. "But it should come in the form of pro-growth policies that create new jobs, provide tax relief, and lower energy costs -- not hundreds of billions in new government spending masquerading as 'economic stimulus,' " Rep. Boehner warned.

President Bush last February signed bipartisan legislation that sent rebate checks of $600 to $1,200 to most individuals and couples and awarded tax breaks to businesses investing in new plants and equipment.

Though that plan was originally envisioned as a "tax rebate," Democrats worked to make sure many checks went to those who pay no income taxes, and that high wage-earners got nothing.

House lawmakers are scheduled to return to Washington Nov. 17 to choose party leaders for the next session of Congress. The Senate also plans to be in session the week of Nov. 17, ostensibly to consider a bill dealing with wilderness areas. That would provide the opportunity to act on Rep. Pelosi's suggestion, if lame-duck Republicans are so inclined.

They would be better advised to stick with Rep. Boehner's sensible formulation. Measures to pare back taxes and regulations that drive up the cost of energy -- or the cost of an employer seeking to create a job -- should be welcomed.

But handing out checks -- or throwing away more billions on pet projects -- will only deepen the morass of debt in which Washington already finds itself drowning.

That's like filling one bad tooth for free -- instead of moving to replace an all-candy diet with something a bit more healthy and nutritious.