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Popular stand-up comedian Ron White once remarked that, “You can’t fix stupid. There’s not a pill you can take; there’s not a class you can go to. Stupid is forever.” Some might consider his words crass, but I would argue that they perfectly describe the agenda of Washington Democrats to irresponsibly spend the tax dollars of hardworking Americans. Whether I’m speaking on the House floor or writing my weekly newsletter, I always take the time to expose these kinds of schemes so that the unvarnished facts are laid bare for everyone to see. I’ll do the exact same right now.

Pause and think about the state of our country today – all the catastrophes that Americans are facing have roots in the legislative incompetence in Washington. From rampant inflation to the southern border being overwhelmed, no matter where you turn, you can easily see that things are spiraling out of control. Common sense dictates that when a problem arises, you work with the utmost urgency to fix it. But in Washington, common sense is seldom found.

Instead of working alongside Republicans to address the catastrophes that are ravaging our country, Speaker Pelosi thought that it was more important to give Members of Congress and their staff a new perk at the expense of hardworking taxpayers – a VIP membership to Peloton gyms. For those who do not know, a Peloton is a $2,000 stationary bicycle that requires a monthly subscription fee to use. To add context, $2,000 is the equivalent to the extra cost that families will be forced to pay at the gas pump this year thanks to President Biden. But you won’t hear that from Speaker Pelosi.

After Republicans exposed this scheme, the contract with Peloton was immediately severed, but there are still many details that show how fiscal irresponsibility still has a strong foothold in Washington. If the contract had been executed, Congress would have made an upfront payment of $10,000 to Peloton and $10 per month per person who signed up for a membership. Taxpayers would have had to foot more than $100,000 per month bill for this perk – a total of more than $1.2 million a year.

Bear in mind that Speaker Pelosi was the architect behind this scheme, and as the sixth wealthiest member of Congress, she would not be worried in the slightest about its price tag. It’s also worth noting that Members of Congress and congressional staff already have access to a congressional gym that requires a membership fee. So, why then would a new perk be given out if there’s no need for it to begin with? It’s simply redundant.

This underscores a serious problem with Washington today: it is purely out of touch with the realities that Americans and their families are facing. They’re being pummeled by the highest inflation in 40 years, and they’re watching in shock as the most basic items they rely on are slipping further out of reach. From affording gas to groceries, it’s as if the walls are quickly closing in around them.

Three quarters of Americans believe that our country is headed in the wrong direction. We’re on the brink of a recession, and if fiscal irresponsibility continues to fester in Washington, the worst is surely yet to come. Speaker Pelosi’s Peloton scheme mirrors the spending sprees that Washington Democrats have rammed through Congress over the past year – they all unilaterally waste money. It is precisely how we got to this point in the first place.

The American people cannot afford the reckless spending habits of Washington Democrats anymore. Come November, this will change. 

Published in the Wilkes Record