(CNN) - Republican Govs. Rick Perry of Texas and Nikki Haley of South Carolina urged Washington to follow in their states footsteps by instituting budget cuts, caps on future spending and a balanced budget amendment, cornerstones of the "Cut Cap and Balance Pledge" they signed.
In an op-ed in the Washington Post, the two governors said the system in Washington enables elected officials to avoid making the tough fiscal decisions required at the state level.
"Washington makes it easier for elected officials to bury their heads in the sand, avoid responsibility and make it easier choice for all: borrow more, plunge our nation deeper into debt and allow this generation to punt the tough decisions to our children and grandchildren," they wrote in the piece published online Thursday.
The "Cut Cap and Balance Pledge" has received support from Republicans across the country while the White House and Congressional leaders try to reach an agreement to raise the debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline. It is also a litmus test for the support of Republican kingmaker Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, whose backing in 2012 could prove important with his conservative following and roots in the early voting state.
Perry, the longest serving governor in his state's history, is considering a run for the White House in 2012 and Haley, currently serving her first term, has said she will endorse a candidate in her state's early presidential primary.
Perry and Haley said avoiding hard choices over the debt might be good politics, but it is also bad policy. They used their states' respective economies as examples of what happens when good policy is implemented.
Texas has a balanced budget and has not raised taxes, steps that contributed to strong job creation in the Lone Star State, they wrote.
And in South Carolina, legislators have to record their votes on every section of the budget "so that voters can see their spending habits," according to the Post.
By raising the debt ceiling, they said Washington has managed to avoid the difficult actions made by states, businesses and families.
"The only way to get the federal government to end this indefensible practice is to draw a line and finally hold Washington accountable," they wrote. "The pledge we've signed represents an important step in this process."
From CNN Politics
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You idiots, get a life!!!
More political perverts speaking on subjects THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. No one in their right mind would willfully live in SC and Texas is the laughing stock of the world – having produced W (illegitimately). Nikki needs to crawl back in bed with her girlfriend Palin and Gov. Good hair well, he just needs to crawl period.
LOL! Governor Perry is claiming to offer advice on fiscal responsibility?!? That's pretty astounding considering how that GOBPbagger blew a 23 billion dollar deficit in the Texas budget after being warned it would happen if he pursued his insane policies. It's a pretty sad commentary on the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of the teatards when they seriously think Perry has any qualifications to offer advice on fiscal responsibility.
And this will be done by August 2??? Few would argue that Washington needs to rein in spending, and increase revenue; however, today we just need to commit to paying the bills that were created by the current and past legislatures. For right now, can the Repubs stop pouting, stamping their feet, and pointing fingers long enough to keep the country from triggering a global economic meltdown? Our current situation was not caused by the Obama administration alone – let's face it, the past decade of bad choices is catching up.
It's time to admit that the Bush era tax cuts that were supposed to create jobs might be doing that, but not here in the U.S. Those who decry increased taxes on the "job creators" need to point out who they are, and where are the jobs they're creating??? Only 18k jobs created last month? Is that what they're fighting to protect? All those millions in potential tax revenue given up to create 18k jobs? Really?
Or are they still trying to protect their good friends in Big Oil? Are the Repubs still trying to convince Americans that the companies with the highest profits in history will simply shut down if their subsidies are cut? Do they really believe we are that stupid???
How does the US government follow in Perry's footsteps? Secede from itself?
Nikki Haley, Are you kidding me? She just signed into law the largest budget in South Carolina history. 22.1 billion dollars worth of budget which is 1 billion more than last year. What a freakin' liar!!!
wow I think they took the easy road
Boy texas sure put that failed obama stimlus money to good use, and top of that texas want more federal money for wild fires, lol
Yeah, right over the Cliff..
Perry is a reckless Fool.
Being from Texas, y'all know we do have a $26B (that's Billion with a "B") budget shortfall, right? So take this article with a grain of salt.
You can sign these farce pledges until the frickin cows come home, that's not hard............Betcha won't HONOR them!......These kinda "chest thumping" dirt-bags never do!.........Just give it a little time and you'll see!
Comparing federal budget to state unspeakable
Iraq war and Afghan war come under federal government budget
Just another dumb pledge.
The difference is that most states are required to have balanced budgets. There are times that deficit spending is needed like in the great depression and the military conflicts of current day. There is a difference between the states since they don't set natitional policy and the federal government which does.
I wouldn't wish what Gov. Perry has done to this great state on my worst enemy. This is a great nation and will continue to be one as long as idiots like Perry are run out of government. The GOP is not the solution, it is the problem, always has been.
Good for them... I've been really anxious to move to either Texas or South Carolina. I'll make sure to forget how to read and bring my six-shooter and Confederate flag with me.
Democrats –
Prepare now for Nikki Haley in 2016. Mr. President & Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, you need to elevate 3 or 4 women candidates into cabinet-level and executive branch jobs early in the President's next term so that you will have primed the pump with credible candidates to defeat Haley. I expect her to run or be drafted for the VP-slot.
If you win in 2016 you can replace Scalia & Thomas on the Supreme Court and reverse the impact that Reagan/Reagan/Bush had on the rights of the individual as compared to the corporate interests. As Joe Biden said, "This is a big f- – -ing deal".
DNC – you really should give me a consulting contract. I won't keep doing this for free you know.
And what would these geniuses do without the federal military and naval bases in their states–literally pouring federal tax dollars into their economies?
ohhhhh mannnn, is it just me or sre the rest of non tea party america (about 88% of usa) really sick and tired of the american taliban (tea gaggers ) talking?
Can states send the federal government stimulus money to help balance the budget, or send aid to the federal government when a natural disaster occurs? The federal government does those things when states like Texas need help, they should reciprocate.
Why should any other state follow you..????? You aren't doing all that well!!! Perry may be a long term governor, but he's a real Ding Dong!!.. He refused government money and then cried like a baby when he didn't get it later when HE wanted it!!.. He said Texas was going to succeed from the union.....we are still waiting for that!!
Didn't you take and speak an oath or pledge to represent those who elected you? does this pledge to this one man mean more than the oath of office? Is he paying your salaries? I have a thought for you. Let MR norquist pay your salaries and leave the govt paychecks you would collect to paydown our debt. You certainly are not doing the "will of the people". If you were you would realize you have to have revenue as well a cuts to balance. what a sad waste
Cut, Cap, Balance and Beg the Federal Government for the rest to maintain a less the average quality of life in your state.
What planet are these two from ?
Perry has done to Texas as Bush did to the country !
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease texas (who if it wasn't for the oil would be SC west) and sc who is what it is (and it's shameful) telling anyone what to do. What's up with all these pledges that they can't follow through on.
Go take care of your civil rights problems in your state and stop telling anyone else what to do. It's NOT presidential for either of you!!
I guess perry won't invite haley to his all christian convention either!