Publisher of Human Events

1-

February 17

Today was a busy day v/ith several highlights. This morning I participated in a lengthy meeting at the White House which included President Ronald Reagan, 0MB Director David Stockman, and a number of others. Because of the meeting's potential significance, I will list all of those present. Among the conservatives on hand were: California State Senator H.L. (Bill) Richardson (President of Gun Owners of America), Alan Gottlieb (head of the Second Amendment Foundation), Bob McAdam (standing in for Paul Weyrich of the Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress), Paul Brown (Chairman of the Life Amendment Political Action Committee), Allan Ryskind (Capitol Hill editor of Human Events), Thomas Winter (publisher of Human Events), Ralph Galliano (former Executive Director for the Fund of a Conservative Majority), Bob Heckraan (Executive Director of the Young Americans for Freedom), Harlan Carter (of the National Rifle Association), Tom Ellis (of Jesse Helms' Congressional Club), Phyllis Schlafly (of Eagle Forum), Richard Viguerie (publisher of the Conservative Digest), Reed Larson (Chairman of the National Right to Work Committee), Kathy Teague (Executive Director of the American Legislative Exchange Council), Jay Parker (President of the Lincoln Institute), Lt. General Dan Graham, USA-Ret. (of the Coalition of Peace Through Strength), Lew Uhler (of the National Tax Limitation Committee), Mrs. Connie Marshner (of the National Pro-Family Coalition), Father Charles Fiore (of the National Pro-Life Political Action Committee), and Curtis Mack (of Citizens for the Republic).*****Representing the White House, in addition to the President and Mr. Stockman, were Navy Secretary John Lehman, Presidential Assistants James Baker (White House Chief of Staff), Ed Meese (Counsellor to the President), Lyn Nofziger, Liddy Dole, Paul Russo, Lee Atwater, Ed Rollins, Rich Williamson, Kama Small, and Red Cavaney.*****Much information was conveyed at the meeting, including a report by David Stockman that forty categorical programs would be proposed for deauthorization and folding into a block grant at a level of funding equivalent to 75% of the present combined total.*****Included among these forty programs are such liberal support groups as the Legal Services Corporation and the Community Services Administration. Stockman indicated that 465 staff statutes were involved in these programs, 1400 pages of regulation, 25,000 grant sites, and 7,600 grantees. *****Stockman further indicated that a reduction in the Federal work force of 43,000 employees would be sought this year, and that proposed budget cuts in Fiscal Year 1982 would include $42 billion on budget and $5 billion off budget. Further revenue gains would be achieved by $2 billion increase in users fees. According to Stockman, Federal spending growth under this plan would be reduced from 16% annually to 6% annually. According to Stockman, under the Carter Administration defense was 24% of the total. Under the Reagan Administration, it will, under Stockman's plan, be 35%.*****What Stockman called the social safety net programs, totaling about $239 billion, were 36% of the Carter total and will be 41% of the Reagan budget. Interest on the national debt will be 7% of the Reagan budget, whereas it v/as 10% of the Carter budget. Miscellaneous items in the budget come to 17% under Reagan, whereas they v/ere about 30% under Carter. It is the goal of the Reagan Administration to make Federal spending no more than 19% of the gross national product." That's the good news.*****The bad nev/s is that there does not yet appear to be a firm commitment to the entire Reagan program on the part of the Republican leadership. Nor is there yet any declared willingness on the part of President Reagan to indicate that he will veto any authorizations or appropriations which would continue programs or funding which are not provided for in his proposal. light of recent statements by Treasury Secretary Donald Regan and Murray Weidenbaum (President Reagan's Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors) that the budget v/ill not be balanced until at least Fiscal Year 1984,it is hard to under stand why cuts of greater magnitude have not been proposed.****+If a balanced budget is a good idea, v/hy wait until 1984 to plan one? If the nation is being called to sacrifice, why not make the sacrifices sufficiently great so that the program will succeed?***** During the course of these discussions in the White House Cabinet Room and at a subsequent briefing by Donald Moran of the Office of Management and Budget Staff, • many of these points were raised. I also emphasized the importance of "defunding the left" as a way of enthusing grass roots support for the overall Reagan package. President Reagan expressed agreement with this view.***** Following a luncheon with many of the people v/ho took part in the Reagan meeting and some work at the office, I had the honor of participating in a party to celebrate my 40th birthday, which was sponsored by staff members of The Conservative Caucus and The Caucus Foundation. I am especially grateful that my parents were visiting us yesterday and had the opportunity to attend. Among those who stopped by were Senators Harry Byrd, Jesse Helms, John East (three of my favorites), as well as Congressmen Bill Dannemeyer, Norman Shumv/ay, Arlan Stangeland, and Ron Paul.***** Yesterday evening, I was honored to be part of the head table of the annual dinner of the Reserve Officers of America, sharing the company of such great patriots as former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Thomas Moorer and General Lyman Lemnitzer, and many others. The principal speaker was Senator John Warner. More than 2,000 persons were in attendance.