CR’s Host Economic Forum: Burr and Rivera

This Tuesday, the College Republicans were graced by an interesting combination of House and Senate.  Joined first by North Carolina’s Sen. Richard Burr and later in the evening by Florida’s Rep. David Rivera, the organization focused its comments on the topic of economic reform and a balanced budget.

Burr, who spoke at 6:30 p.m., discussed the matter of debt and managing the looming threat of economic crisis.  He opened by explaining that, in essence, his hands were tied.  “Republicans are not in control, here,” he said.   He expressed concern about the issue of the federal government taking liberties with the constitution, asking, “Is what we’re considering doing constitutional of the United States to do?”  He added that the United States needs to invoke the power of the judiciary and further utilize it in politics.  “Sixty percent of our time [we are] doing things that if the Supreme Court were to take them up, they would rule we have no jurisdiction to be involved with it,” he said.  He expressed his impression of the constitution, explaining that “every year I spend up here, I am more and more impressed with the foresight of the Founding Fathers.”

Referencing Egypt, Burr spoke on the topic of revolution, giving a bleak view of the world through the year 2012.  He said that before November of 2012, the economic decisions made will decide whether or not the United States enters “the death spiral,” an financial downturn that would “affect your grandchildren.”

The question was raised: who determines financial growth and who determines consumption?  Burr’s response was consistent with his party values.  “There’s an ideological war in Washington over whether the Federal government is going to be the provider,” he said, “or whether individuals in this country are going to assume some individual responsibility for their future, for their livelihoods, [and] for their opportunities.”  The senator spoke on individual responsibility, asking rhetorically, “Are we going to play a part in determining what our destiny is?”

Using anecdotes such as similar crises’ in Japan, Ireland and the European Union, Burr became somber as he laid out a fearful view of world economics.  “The entire debt of the European Union … the Unites States is already past that,” he said, “The likelihood is that before the end of this calendar year, you will see a real challenge as to whether or not the Euro will make it as a currency.”  Touching on retirement savings, he was swift to discuss significant cuts and criticize the Obama administration for its current policies.

Burr seemed open to drastic financial change, as evidenced by his response to a question on the Fair Tax system.  “Personally, I am sort of partial to it,” he said, “but you have to understand I’m easy.  I would take anything right now.  I would take a flat tax, I would take a Fair Tax, I would take a value added tax, as long as they replaced the income tax as we know it today and put enough parameters in place that you couldn’t recreate this abomination that we call an income tax right now.”

He finished with a question and answer session, in which he revealed his stance on the 2012 presidential election.  “If Senator John Thune doesn’t run,” he said, “I’m sitting on the sidelines and not getting involved.”  Burr, who spent a year campaigning for John McCain in 2008, talked about how exhausting the process was, adding that “Senator Thune is a man that can look down at Obama, keeps it conservative and makes women melt.”  To peals of laughter, he added, “Mitch Daniels, on the other hand, looks like your physics teacher.”  All joking aside, Burr ended on a strong note, explaining that the cuts described in congress are currently too small, stating that “it’s unbelievable how much debts we’ve added since 1995.”

About forty-five minutes after the Senator’s departure, Congressman Rivera arrived, frazzled from leaving a House session that went largely overtime.  Incredibly apologetic, the representative spoke for a short time, touching on issues of economic recovery and  answering questions about foreign policy.  ”

This Freshman class is going to do whatever it takes to rein in spending,” he said, “and start bringing some sort of fiscal sanity to the Federal budget. “  In terms of Cuban policy, Rivera asked, “Have you ever known one case, ever on the planet, where a totalitarian dictator has responded to unilateral concessions with reforms on their own?”  After boldly declaring no change in U.S. policy on Cuba without internal reform, Rivera ended with an appreciation for the GW political bug.  “I think you all understand how important message that the house of representatives is sending is to the country,” he said, “a political youth is crucial to the next generation of leaders.”

The event was held at Tortilla Coast, a Mexican restaurant, on February 15th and ran from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m.

Burr was elected to the Senate in 2005 and Rivera was elected to the House in the recent 2010 mid-term election.  Both are affiliated with the Republican Party.