We’re told that the winds of political change have come to Washington. President-elect Obama has promised to govern from the center, to be the President of the whole nation. I certainly hope that is the case. But his record as a Senator hasn’t suggested moderation. And with large majorities in both the House and Senate, it is difficult to believe that Democrats will be able to restrain themselves from pursuing a liberal, tax-and-spend agenda that will harm Americans all across the nation.

The potential for a sharp left turn is especially great on issues that go through the House Ways and Means Committee. President-elect Obama appears to be sticking with his promise to raise taxes, a move that threatens to exacerbate our current economic crisis. He has promised to “fix NAFTA” and, echoing the position of Speaker Pelosi, continues to oppose a fair trade agreement with Colombia. Higher taxes and anti-trade policies failed miserably during the Great Depression, and they shouldn’t be tried again—on any scale—during this crisis. Meanwhile, while avoiding reforming our unsustainable entitlement programs, the Democratic majority will likely push for a trillion-dollar, government-run health insurance program, which would inevitably lead to higher taxes on small businesses and workers, and longer delays for medical care. Ways and Means will clearly be the major battleground for our fiscal future.

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