Ohio U.S. Sen. George Voinovich Forgets He's The Debt Hawk: Seeking Gov't $$$ For SW Ohio Park Site

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The debt hawk seems to have developed an apetite for pork. Ohio's retiring U.S. Senator has been complaining for years the federal government spends too much money. George Voinovich says the U.S. has a "long term fiscal imbalance of $54 trillion." So what's a few dollars more to expand the National Park Service? But the Republican senator -- who calls himself the Senate's leading 'debt hawk' -- now wants to do just that. From a press release issued by Voinovich's office:

"February 9, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate Black History Month, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today in Xenia, Ohio discussed S.2933. He recently introduced the bill to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Colonel Charles Young Home as a unit of the National Park System (NPS). The designation will enhance local, state and federal resources and ensure that this unique part of our nation's history is preserved for generations to come . . ."

Col. Young was certainly a distinguished American. He was the third African-American to graduate from West Point. He led Buffalo Soldiers in the expedition that tried to capture Pancho Villa in Mexico. He taught at Wilberfoce University and led an Army unit that was sent to protect Sequoia National Park in California where loggers were after the trees. Still, Voinovich has long noted the U.S. needs to watch its pennies because it blows too much money. Instead of seeking federal money to buy Col. Young's home, Voinovich might want to consider raising cash from foundations, charitable groups and private donors. He could tap his campaign treasury. He could lead the fund raising drive. This is what he says about out of control federal spending on his Senate Website:

"The national debt has increased from $5.4 trillion when Sen. Voinovich came to the Senate in 1999 to $10.52 trillion in today – an increase of 95 percent and over $30,000 for every American alive today. But these numbers pale in comparison with the budget problems looming as the Baby Boomers retire. In today’s dollars, we face a long-term fiscal imbalance of $54 trillion; that’s $177,000 for every citizen or $372,000 for every worker. As the Senate's leading "debt hawk," Sen. Voinovich believes that our nation cannot continue to spend uncontrollably and reduce revenue under the assumption that our children and grandchildren will pay for it tomorrow."