Jo Staffelbach Heinz

In late August, the Dallas Regional Chamber hosted David M. Walker, founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative and former comptroller of the United States. Thanks to the chamber, and specifically Kelle Marsalis, who organizes the Small Business Initiative Speaker Series, for bringing in such a timely and expert presenter.

The words, “We the people” are the three most important words in the U.S. Constitution and, according to Walker, sound the cry to arms to save our country. His presentation evoked great discussion and a bit of disbelief. Can our great country be on this serious a path of destruction? Walker assured us all emphatically: Yes.

“If we do not take steps to keep our economy strong for both today and tomorrow, our national security, international standing, standard of living, social safety net, and even our domestic tranquility will suffer over time,” he said.

Mr. Walker’s presentation, part of his “Fiscally Speaking” tour, was at times staggering in its depiction of reality. Here are some of the points he made:

• The greatest national threat is our fiscal insecurity.

• Only 7 percent of our government has private-sector experience

• 51 percent of U.S. citizens do not pay taxes

• The government is dealing with new problems with old policies, which simply won’t work.

• Our government has grown too big, promised too much, and waited too long to restructure.

• The situation is far worse than it appears.

Exhibit A: The latest Fiscal Index: Overall Results indicate our current weakened state. (Click on chart for larger image.)

Exhibit B: Comparative Health Costs

Exhibit C: Relative Defense Spending

Leadership is about making tough decisions and enforcing things that may not be popular or favored. I share the belief that, due to a lack of leadership in Washington—on both sides of the aisle—we find ourselves in a critical five-year period. We simply cannot “grow” our way out of this problem; it will be up to us to lead the way to change.

We the people have a voice, we have the ability to change things, by electing only those officials who share a concern for fiscal stability and security. We cannot continue on this path.

For additional information on Walker, see visit the Comeback America Initiative website or see this Q&A with the Dallas Regional Chamber.