[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, this morning let us consider the seven 
habits of highly ineffective government. Here is a list we can all 
enjoy, unless, of course, one belongs to the party that has made these 
seven habits of highly ineffective government what they are most proud 
of.
  Number one, disregard the law of unintended consequences. The 1974 
campaign finance ``reforms'' anyone?
  Number two, be compassionate with other people's money. No further 
comment necessary.
  Number three, take credit for the other party's achievements. I think 
welfare reform would certainly qualify here.
  Number four, spend beyond your means. Forty years of liberal 
Democratic rule where new programs were created without even asking how 
to pay for them enshrined this into Washington culture.
  Number five, demonize your opponent, attack his motives. No such 
thing as honest disagreements.
  Number six, promise tax cuts; pass tax increases once in office. That 
is how the liberals get elected.
  Number seven, expand entitlements that are about to go bankrupt. How 
do we think Medicare got to where it is now?

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