Jarvis calls on federal government to balance budget, pay off debt, oust U.N.

By Dustin Hurst
February 16th, 2010
The U.N. comes under fire from Rep. Rich Jarvis
The U.N. comes under fire from Rep. Rich Jarvis

Rep. Rich Jarvis,R-Meridian, says he has a “deep love of his country” and that he is concerned about the direction in which the United States is headed.  That love, said Jarvis, led him to introduce legislation before the House State Affairs Committee that would call on the federal government to reign in spending and pay off the debt, among other things.

In his speech, Jarvis outlined the seven points on which his resolution relies.  They include:

  1. Congress should adopt a balanced budget.
  2. The public debt of the United States should be paid within 55 years.
  3. There should be transparency in all affairs of government and all bills proposed by Congress should be posted for five days before being voted upon.
  4. The English language should be the official language for the U.S. government and no business, government, or individual should suffer a penalty for requiring the use of the English language.
  5. Foreign entities and courts, including the United Nations, should not have authority over activities within the United States.
  6. Congress should prevent government ownership of private sector enterprises.
  7. References to “God” shall be welcome in the public domain.

If passed by the Idaho Legislature, Jarvis said he intends to work to pass the resolution on to legislatures in every other state to encourage them to pass similar measures.  He added that if that happens, it will send a louder message to Washington, D.C., about the desires of the states.

Some legislators were not impressed with the resolution and questioned the wording and Jarvis’ ideology concerning the federal government.

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, said she could not support the measure unless references to the United Nations (UN) were “cleaned up,” with specific regard to UN treaties and resolutions concerning human trafficking.  Jarvis said that after consultation with other lawmakers, he felt the wording was appropriate.

Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise, objected more sharply, criticizing Jarvis for “berating the federal government.”  She questioned how Jarvis could support the push to bring F-35 jets, a federal government program, to Idaho, while he proposes legislation that reprimands the feds for other actions.

“On the one hand we are berating the federal government, but on the other hand we are asking for a major air command unit to move into the state,” said Pasley-Stuart.  ”There seems to me a conflict there.”

Jarvis said that the jets and defense programs of the sort are government programs that are within the acceptable role of government.  ”For us to maintain freedom, we need to maintain a strong country,” said Jarvis.

Pasley-Stuart continued her objections and moved to kill the bill before it receives a full hearing.  The committee members voted down her motion on a 14-4 mostly party line vote, with Rep. Mary Lou Sheperd, D-Wallace, joining Republicans to oppose Pasley-Stuart’s move.

The resolution was eventually introduced on a 14-2 vote and will receive a formal hearing before the committee in upcoming weeks.

4 Responses to “Jarvis calls on federal government to balance budget, pay off debt, oust U.N.”

  1. [...] Taxes & Budget « Jarvis calls on federal government to balance budget, pay off debt, oust U.N. [...]

  2. Hizself says:

    The F-35′s would create such a great amount of noise pollution that the quality of life in the largest population areas of this State would be seriously compromised.

    If Jarvis wants the UN to cease operation does that mean he would like to the US to pick up the costs of UNICEF, WHO and WFO? Or, does he believe that he is not his brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. He wants the word “God” included, but no service to mankind to be paid for. Sad, really very sad. I can’t figure out if it is his heart or his mind that is so tiny.

  3. John says:

    Taking us out of the UN is the best thing that can happen for the U.S. I don’t believe American troops should go fight a war because a U.N. country is invaded, after all with all of these alliances that’s one of the reasons WWI was created. Second, the U.N. and many other agencies steal the sovereignty of the states and the FEDs.

    As far as government caring for us from cradle to grave, that is the role of the family and if need be that of private charity and other individuals. There’s no better observation and proof of that then the U.S. financial support regarding the Haiti Earthquake, a half a billion dollars was raised ($500,000,000).

  4. [...] Read IdahoReporter.com’s story the introduction of the resolution by Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian. [...]